I done it - Loughton to St Pauls

Jamie1966
Jamie1966 Posts: 38
edited March 2014 in Commuting chat
You might have seen my other thread when i decided i would try and cycle from Loughton,Essex to St Pauls which is just over 15 miles one way.

Anyway i woke up this morning and i jumped on my new bike which ive only had 2 days and decided to do it for the first time, 1 hour 35 mins later and i arrived at St Pauls Cathedral.

Not bad going first time i thought and it was a lot easier then i thought it would be.

I did have to stop a few times on the way as i'm prity unfit atm.

Quite pleased of myself ! :D

Comments

  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    6C8D118B-E22D-4D38-8E36-8580B8AE16AA-3818-00000470F753EC3C_zps59297a47.jpg
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
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  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    Good stuff!!!!

    Reminds me of my first commute couple years back...was pretty unfit and felt like a real achievement and 2 years later I'm still doing it (well a shorter version after I changed job)

    You'll ache for a few days but it's worth it. Start off with twice a week or so then build up over a few months.

    By the way it gets expensive...
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    CookeeeMonster wrote:

    By the way it gets expensive...
    My train prices is £220 a month so i'm guessing repairs etc will be cheaper then that !!
  • mpdouglas
    mpdouglas Posts: 220
    What CookeeeMonster says!

    Takes me back to almost exactly 2 years ago - 25Kg heavier and convinced that it was almost impossible. Now I do 15.5 miles each way, every day of the week, all year round. And I'm almost 50 years old.

    Forget about saving money on train fares etc. You'll be eating like a horse once you start ratcheting the days up. And buying cycling paraphernalia like there's no tomorrow.

    Just keep telling yourself that no matter how wet/windy/cold it is, you're still guaranteed a seat and it's still way better than sitting next on the bus/train to some semi drunken slob eating a burger king and smelling somewhat unwashed.
    "The Flying Scot"
    Commute - Boardman CXR 9.4 Di2
    Sunday Best - Canyon Ultimate SLX Disc w/ DuraAce Di2
  • jds_1981
    jds_1981 Posts: 1,858
    Jamie1966 wrote:
    CookeeeMonster wrote:

    By the way it gets expensive...
    My train prices is £220 a month so i'm guessing repairs etc will be cheaper then that !!

    Unfortunately, you'll be buying an additional new bike once a year for about the same amount you saved.
    FCN 9 || FCN 5
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    For me train ride wasn't the worst, I will control the cycling addiction hopefully as i have more important things i would like to spend the saved money on!

    Anyway one step at a time
  • jzed
    jzed Posts: 2,926
    Great stuff.
  • greg66_tri_v2.0
    greg66_tri_v2.0 Posts: 7,172
    Congrats ...however.

    You're about to ascend the inside of a football. You'll scythe huge chunks off that time, then regular chunks, then slices, then slivers.

    And the worst thing?

    Your desire to cut greater chunks off your times will grow in inverse proportion to your ability to do so.

    Welcome. You're amongst friends.
    Swim. Bike. Run. Yeah. That's what I used to do.

    Bike 1
    Bike 2-A
  • daxplusplus
    daxplusplus Posts: 631
    Nice one .. timing is perfect as the light and weather should be getting better.
    Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail

    strava profile
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    Cheers for the comments, I'm looking forward to hopefully trying to beat my time record tomorrow !!
  • daxplusplus
    daxplusplus Posts: 631
    FYI Could be a bit chilly tomorrow morning. Good kit makes all the difference whatever the weather.
    Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail

    strava profile
  • talius
    talius Posts: 282
    Good stuff, hope the route is cycle friendly.
    Merckx EMX 5
    Ribble 7005 Audax / Campag Centaur

    RIP - Scott Speedster S10
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Nice work! Will only get faster, more comfortable and more fun from now on.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Nice one! Next thing you know you are making your commute longer as you are enjoying it so much...
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • cyclingprop
    cyclingprop Posts: 2,426
    Jamie1966 wrote:
    I will control the cycling addiction hopefully as i have more important things i would like to spend the saved money on!

    #famouslastwords
    #weallsaidthatonce
    What do you mean you think 64cm is a big frame?
  • daxplusplus
    daxplusplus Posts: 631
    cyclingprop wrote:
    Jamie1966 wrote:
    I will control the cycling addiction hopefully as i have more important things i would like to spend the saved money on!

    #famouslastwords
    #weallsaidthatonce

    + 1,000,000,000
    Sometimes you're the hammer, sometimes you're the nail

    strava profile
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    Jamie1966 wrote:
    For me train ride wasn't the worst, I will control the cycling addiction hopefully as i have more important things i would like to spend the saved money on!

    Anyway one step at a time

    Ahhhhh the innocent naivety of this post.... 8) :wink:
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    Thanks for the kind words.

    Decided on taking a different route home today which turned into 18.08 Miles... I'm fucked!! So a total over about 33 miles today there & back.

    Plan on using the trains tomorrow to give my body a rest.
  • goonz
    goonz Posts: 3,106
    Nice 1, welcome to the club!

    By the way it will get expensive, I easily spend more than I would on train fare on bike tat every month, much to my wifes annoyance!
    Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
    Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
    Specialized Langster SS for Ease
    Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
    n+1 is well and truly on track
    Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/1608875
  • guinea
    guinea Posts: 1,177
    Well done on your effort.

    Another scalp for me to chase :)
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    My legs are really feeling the effects from yesterday though lol
  • tetley10
    tetley10 Posts: 693
    Well done. Not long before you're looking at another bike I reckon.
  • cookeeemonster
    cookeeemonster Posts: 1,991
    so bought another bike yet?
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    Not yet but i did just buy a holder for my Iphone :)
  • goonz
    goonz Posts: 3,106
    Eat more protein and carbs...will help recovery
    Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
    Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
    Specialized Langster SS for Ease
    Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
    n+1 is well and truly on track
    Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/1608875
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    goonz wrote:
    Eat more protein and carbs...will help recovery
    I had fish and chips when i got home yesterday, Does that count? :D
  • goonz
    goonz Posts: 3,106
    Will help I guess, depending on what your current waist is and what your goals are on the bike!

    I do find taking 2X100% vitamin pills each night helps with my recovery, washed down with a protein shake. But then I am 65kg and trying to put on weight whilst cycling 6 days a week.
    Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
    Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
    Specialized Langster SS for Ease
    Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
    n+1 is well and truly on track
    Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/1608875
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    If i'm honest i don't have any goals, Will be pleasure and to not use the tube all the time!
  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,629
    Well done indeed sir.
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • Jamie1966
    Jamie1966 Posts: 38
    MonkeyMonster wrote:
    Well done indeed sir.
    Thank you

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