A few questions if I may?

bosh1er

First of all hello to everyone here

I am looking into the possibility of cycling to work using the cycling scheme my budget would be around the £500-600 mark however I have a couple of questions to ask before I commit.

1. It is a very long time since I was last on a bike and the journey to work would mean an overall distance of @ 25 miles - how long would it take for me to build up to this kind of distance I do go to the gym 3-4 times per week but mainly a mix of cardio and body building. my age is late 40s
2. With Q1 in mind is there a plan or routine that I can download to work towards the mileage either on line or on this site (have had a glance but cannot see anything that sticks out)
3. My journey is along main A roads in Manchester what I am confused about is I am travelling on roads but surely I dont need a "road bike" as its not the most comofortable thing for travelling on is it? I will need to be able to put "paniers" on to carry my clothes so is there another name for the kind of bike I need I dont know something like "crusier"
4. for the budget above could someone recommend a model/s that I can look at to see which suits best
5. in addition to the bike what other essential equipment would I need?

Many many thanks to anyone who replies

Gizmodo

I can't answer your other questions, but getting to 25 miles shouldn't be difficult. I'm 44 years old, have done no fitness work for the last 6 months (chemo kind of makes it difficult) - I bought a bike 4 weeks ago and after 3 weeks I was doing 21 miles over pretty large hills.

I just built up a bit at a time, 6 miles, 10 miles, a few 14 miles and then went to 21. The speed you do it at will improve over time, my first 21 miles took me 1 hour 25 mins, but that was as I said very hilly.

Others will correct me (sorry I'm new to this) but it sounds like the type of bike you are asking for is called a "Hybrid" - basically a light weight mountain bike with road wheels.

Nairnster

I think I have heard the 10% rule mentioned. I think how it works is that each each week you ride 10% further than the length rides you did the previous week

So 10 miles, then 11 miles the week after,

Obviously how quickly this builds up would depend on the distance you can ride in the first place

Of course, I may be rong about that, in which case someone who knows more will correct me no doubt

gavbarron

I've only ever applied the 10% rule to running as too big an increase in mileage increases risk of injury but I guess if you have the time then it's a safe way to increase mileage.

With regard to your commute, is that 25 miles each way or 25 round trip?
25 each way is a fair old hike if you're doing it every day and will test your commitment as the weather gets wetter and colder but it's still very doable.
You sound fairly active so first try and ascertain where you are at right now, plan a little 5 mile loop near to home and ride it a few times, if you feel good do another lap and so on until you think that's enough for the day. Don't bury yourself, just try and get an idea of how you feel at 5, 10, 15 miles and more if you feel good. If you don't get to 25 miles at least you know what your starting point is for training. No point starting at 5-10 miles if you're already capable of a comfy 15.

As for bike type, no you do not need a road bike for the road, a hybrid as mentioned fits the bill well for commuters but there are also road bikes such as tourers or sportive bikes that have a more comfy upright position and can fit mudguards, panniers etc. This sort of bike is worth considering if you think you may eventually end up joining a club and wanting to do sunday club runs.
My brother bought a carrera for commuting and it seems to do the job but there are so many out there its probably best to visit a bike shop or spend some time browsing wiggle etc. As well as the review section on here.

Other equipment worth getting:
Good lights
Good helmet
Gloves/overshoes
waterproof jacket with some reflective bits (better seen than hit)
Pump
Good lock if nowhere safe at work to keep it

Best bet is to go to a bike shop and see what you like, what fits you, what sort of bikes there are out there.

There's an Evans by Chill Factor in Trafford park that can help you

EarlyGo

bosh1er,

Welcome to the forum.

First a warning! Road bikes are very, very addictive and get expensive quickly!

Second, get yourself down to your Local Bike Shop (LBS) as they will be able to show you all the options available to you.

I'd be surprised if it took you more than a month to work up to a 25 mile ride. Your cardio work will hold you in good stead on a bike

You don't have to have a road bike (racer) but the drop bars will allow you to get down lower which makes a substantial difference to the amount of drag you generate. 80% of your effort on a bike is overcoming drag, so on a 25 mile ride this will save you a considerable amount of effort. Also the skinny wheels and tyres of a pure road bike have a lot less rolling resistance than the big fat knobbly tyres of a MTB. Also road bikes are generally lighter than conventional bikes which is important on longer rides. You can buy road bikes that have mounting points for racks, panniers and mudguards so they can be a practical commuting choice.

As Gizmodo said there are hybrid bikes such as the Trek FX, Scott Sportster, Specialized Sirrus which offer a more upright riding position and the possibility of gentle off-roading as well as mountings for mudguards, racks etc. These can be practical commuting options and are good around town as the upright riding position gives you good all round vision of the traffic around you. However they are a compromise and you'd be amazed how many people buy a hybrid bike as their first bike and 6 months later buy a full road bike (me included!).

Other stuff you'll need are helmet, gloves, waterproof cycling top, lycra leggings (you know you want to!), spare inner tube, hand pump, mini tool, tyre lever (all this for repairing punctures), lights, lock and probably cycling shoes (they have a harder sole than trainers). You''ll probably need to allow £200+ for all this, but if you buy it at the same time as the bike you'll get a big discount.

Hope this is of some use?

Regards, EarlyGo

fernholt

25 miles is a really good distance in my opinion. It is fantastic as a fitness distance. Long enough to do you a lot of good even when you're used to it. But, I've just realised you were saying 25 there and back. That's not a problem and much more achievable. I would just get on the bike and do it. Get to work, drink a cola, make sure you eat a bit more in the day perhaps. (You may burn something like 500 calories on one trip. I'm rubbish at remembering numbers so someone can correct me if I'm way off and we're all different)
25 miles is not far and your age is NOT an issue.

I don't think the road bikes handle bars and seats are uncomfortable. Plenty of people here cycle 100 miles plus using them. The drops do give you options when cycling into the wind.
It sounds like you want a bike with drops, mud-guards, panniers. Or a hybrid (no suspension) I would imagine an aluminium frame or steel. Makes? No idea really. I do hope someone gives you good advice on the make.

Good luck.

msmancunia

I've been doing a 25 mile round trip for the past couple of weeks from Oldham/Salford and loving it. I started off cycling in, leaving the bike at work (it's safe at our offices) and then cycling home the next day. Then i cycled both ways on Mon/Wed/Fri and got the train in the other two days. Now I'm fit enough to do both ways, but if I'm really tired one evening I can get the bike on the train which knocks an uphil 7 miles off. Crappy Northern Rail - the worst rail operator in the world, in my opinion - has a lot of the routes in Greater Manchester, but, to give them their due, they do allow bikes, even in rush hour. The offiial rule is two per train, but I've never seen this enforced.

Re bikes - I've got a Decathlon women's hybrid at the moment - does the job fine but it's a bit heavy. Going to invest in a road bike when our C2W scheme opens and keep the hybrid for the winter weather. Anyway, good luck! Harry Halls on Whitworth Street. and Chris Paulson in Rochdale are v good bike shops if you're up that way.

velocestrapture

I have a Tri-Cross bike that I am using for commuting. It is a little more upright in the riding position than a true road bike, but there is still the option of going down onto the drops if you want to put on a bit of speed or are battling a head wind. It is also more versatile in terms of the tyre you can put on it. I am currently using the 35 mm tyres it comes with, which are slick on the surface that is on the road, but provide a bit more grip for cornering in the wet. I am planning to move up to 28 mm slicks after the winter.

It also has mounts for panniers, and gives a bit more of a comfortable but sturdy ride than a pure road bike so you don't wince too much if you hit a pothole.

Thebigbee

Hi bosh1er,

Welcome to the forum. Here are some answers to your questions based on my experience. It sounds like you keep pretty fit if you go to the gym 3-4 times a week so I would have thought your strength and core fitness is pretty good?

I am not sure what cardio you do – running machines, rowing?

Anyway it doesn’t matter that it is a long time since you road a bike because you never forget – it’s like riding a bike!

I think you have an advantage because I think you will be nicely surprised as the technology and components have come a long way – even in the last decade.
Judging by what you have said about your fitness I have no doubt you could do 25 miles off the bat on a decent bike but probably best to start off at 10 miles until you get used to getting back in the saddle and then building up.

2) Do you have a Smartphone? There are plenty of apps out there either free or cheap that let you track your rides, distance, speed etc.. These include Endomondo, mapmyride/fitness, cylometer, bikehub and navfree. They basically give your GPS enabled phone almost the same abilities as a £400 Garmin for around a fiver!

3) In regards to the A roads you travel on. How steep and exposed are they? I ask this because I haven’t read about many cyclists who enjoy riding into a strong headwind. I remember riding 10 miles out with the wind behind me and I could average 21MPH. On the way back I was lucky to hit 12MPH and I didn’t enjoy it!

“I don’t need a "road bike" as its not the most comfortable thing for travelling on is it? I will need to be able to put "panniers" on to carry my clothes so is there another name for the kind of bike I need I don’t know something like "cruiser"

Any bike is comfortable as long as it is fitted and adjusted correctly. The difference between bikes is generally how the gears perform and what position you want to be in. I would suggest getting a “hybrid” first just to get you back in the saddle.

I have this bike http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec020661
Which I picked up 2 months old off Ebay for £300. I still have it, love it and use it as my daily commute. In 2000 miles I have added bar ends and mudguards and anti-theft skewers and had it serviced once, replaced the rear tyre, under warranty and it rides as good as new.

But you may be in the market for a “tourer” like this, http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... -11-44235/

5) “In addition to the bike what other essential equipment would I need? “

The “essential” equipment I think are decent Solid Secure locks. I have this one which is about as cheap as you can get it online and it is brilliant, apart from the mount! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Kryptonit ... 3f07d515f4

Lights – I use these and again think they are excellent http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=42475

SPD pedals – they make a massive difference to your whole technique and efficiency - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3759

A computer – which your Smartphone will turn into for £5 with one of those apps mentioned.

At least one water bottle holder. I have this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=54415 I don’t work for CRC but have generally found their prices to be the best and their delivery and CS is possibly the best I have experienced online. I always check Ebay, Google and Wiggle.

I don’t wear a helmet but if I was doing a daily 25 mile commute on A roads where the national speed limit was in force I probably would.

Hope my essay helps you out somewhat!

Cheers