Am I right to look forward to the hill home?

benjii19

I've done some sort of cycling everyday for the past 8 or 9 days (mostly the short 4.5 mile commute to work). My legs have got a nice ache to them, however my @rse feels a bit sore. The commute in is pretty much downhill home is uphill (408ft elevation gain according to Strava)

I feel a bit wrong for looking forward to it. Can anyone explain this to me?? Is it a newbie thing?

UndercoverElephant

My advice would be to give up cycling now: It sounds like the first signs of addiction, turn back before you bore all your friends, don lycra and start shaving your legs.

benjii19

The other half loves cycling but already thinks I've got a problem. She's just jealous!

bigmat

Whisper it, but some of us even take diversions looking for hills on the way home...

madtam

The standard commute is about 5 miles generally downhill on the way in and about 450 feet of elevation according to Strava. However on the days with a bit more time I used to turn left out of the drive instead of right and head 100 metres up the 25% hill, round the 33% hairpin on to the short level bit and then climb for the next mile and a quarter up a 10-15% hill. It was a good way to get the blood flowing first thing in the morning and actually only added about 3 miles to the commute in total.
I think I must be getting older though as I haven't done it too often lately.

Initialised

No, I could have a nearly flat run home but most days I add a ~150 foot climb and an extra mile. I sometimes have an internal debate about the hill while approaching it but it usually wins.

benjii19

Thoroughly enjoyed it! After only a couple of weeks of regular cycling and commuting I can definitely feel the fitness improving. Not bad considering the only exercise I used to get was 1 hour of football and the odd short ride every couple of weeks.

You don't get fitter going downhill!