2k Up and Looking for Advice on Next Ramp Up

[MacB]

Hi, todays commute put me over 2k miles for the year, with only 33 recorded for Feb, I'm delighted. To date I've been keeping it to 3 days a week max, 40 mile round trip. For June I'd like to ramp it up to 5 days, I will listen to my body and stop/cut back if need be. I'd like some advice on my game plan and tyres.

Plan - Monday - 2 panniers take it easy, no panniers coming home though. Tuesday - no panniers either way, push hard. Wednesday - take it easier, bring home one pannier with dirty stuff from first 3 days. Thursday - no panniers, push hard. Friday - easy again, bring home other pannier with dirty stuff from Thurs/Fri. I'd like to know what people think of this mix for producing the results I want? These are a steady improvement in cycling ability and weight loss.

Tyres - currently running M+ at 700x35 and am aware of how heavy they are, 890g each, and the reputation they have for not rolling too well. I don't have the experience to compare but can vouch for the fact the grip isn't great, though they've lived up to the puncture proof rep. I've done some reading up on tyres and got some advice from Rando here as well. I'm looking to maximise comfort, speed and puncture resistance. Wider is fine for the commute, I was thinking 32/35mm, but would go wider if need be. Bike can take up to 45mm with guards so no real limitations on that front. Just want something that doesn't weigh 2lbs and rolls/grips better than the M+, less tread is good in this respect I believe. Any feedback on alternate tyres used, in this area, greatly appreciated.

 

[potsy]

Well done Mac on the 2k. I'm about 1500k behind you right now but have only had the bike 8 weeks or so.
I too have the M+ but in the 28mm they were the 1st thing I changed on the Trek once I saw the cheap Kenda's that it came with.If the resistance is quite noticeable then at least that's my excuse for my average speed(11-13mph)

 

[Tynan]

that sounds complicated, if I were you, I 'd want the quickest setup for that mileage so narower tyres, why not try a good pair of 25s? the odd p in return for faster speds, easier riding

and a single pannier every day? I do, pack it in pack it out, easy, don;t weigh much

Tynan is on umm, 2,000 miles with a single pannier

 

[BlimeyCable]

Yep what ^ said. You may as well pack one pannier every day, I doubt you'll notice much of a difference.

 

[redjedi]

Good work Al. I still find it hard to believe you only started cycling at the end of last year.

Croc - What tyres do you use?

 

[MacB]

ta guys, well I eased up this morning and enjoyed the ride more, still managed nearly 14mph. I don't think I'm ever going to bimble to and from work, it would take too long. But I believe that going balls out should be reserved for just 2 days of the week.

Tyre wise I have my eye on the Marathon Supremes at 30mm. The rims I have are Mavic A719 so not rated for below 28mm anyway.

 

[grhm]

If you can store stuff at work over the weekend, I'd be tempted to rearrange the schedule. Take stuff in on Firday and leave the Monday morning as a fairly unloaded morning. I bring in a weeks supplies on Friday. Monday morning is hard enough getting out to work (with lunch is I have time/can be bothered) - without having to remember/check I've got everything.

I'd also suggest some overlap in supplies - I've always got clothes at work - new clean clothes/towel come in before old clothes/towel go home. I aim to ensure there is no point I could arrive at work, and not be able to shower and dress for the office.

 

[Origamist]

Schwalbe Kojak 700 x 35. Far lighter and faster rolling than M+s, but still cushioned due their width (as long as they are not pumped up to the max). Puncture protection is not as good though...

 

[MacB]

well, incredibly, I find myself partly agreeing with Tynan, and the others that echoed his advice

Two panniers and rotating is just a pain in the butt, also I've taken to leaving the laptop at the office. I'm moving to taking one pannier every day and shirt, underwear and towel. Friday I'll take in fresh trousers for the following week and bring the current ones home for a wash. Jacket, shoes, and a tie, live at the office along with wash kit. Without the laptop I really don't notice the one pannier. Also I put it on the drive train side, maybe the bright yellow Ortlieb will add a bit of visibility and make cars pass a bit further out.....yeah some hope

The marathon supremes were out of stock so I've decided to stick with the M+ for now. As I want to lose weight and get fitter they certainly make me work. My commute feasability target was always getting under 90mins each way. I've not failed to do that recently and have dipped under 80mins a few times. There's also the fact that puncture protection really does matter to me.

As for rest days/hard days, yep, sod that, I'm just going with what I've got in the tank at the time. Maybe if I reach 13 stone I'll think about mixing up the training, intervals etc. For now just focus on getting the weight off I think.

thanks for the help folks, even if I can be too pig headed to listen straight away

 

[Big T]

Do you have to take a fresh towel in every day?

I use the same towel all week and bring it home on Fridays to be washed.

I'd just get used to doing the mileage before you start introducing a speed element. I used to commute 21 miles each way to work and it tired me out if I did it every day. Part of it was on a quiet dual carraigeway, so I measured out a 10 mile course and would aim to do the 10 miles in 30 minutes. I'd have a 5 mile warm up and a 6 mile warm down. I'd only do this when not fully laden.

I used to do the 21 miles in about 1hr 15, depending on the wind. In a hard headwind, it has taken me 1.30

 

[MacB]

yeah I take a towel each day, but fairly small, lightweight ones. Originally I'd take a towel in, use in morning, leave hanging to dry, then put in locker for next day. But it could be suspiciously wet at the end of the day and didn't want to put it in locker like that.

After tomorrow I will have completed my first full 5 days in a row commute. I can feel it but not bad enough that next week won't be more of the same. I think you're right interval style stuff will do until I'm a lot fitter/lighter. My times now vary between 1hr 17mins(once) and 1hr 27mins, though a headwind could add as much as 10 mins. Using a heavy bike, and 35mm M+ tyres, I'm not sure how much faster I'll be able to get. What I might do is treat myself to a lightweight day every so often. Take the weekend bike in and see how fast I can do it. But I'm also happy to treat some of the rides as 'recovery' style, basically if I'm feeling shagged I'll go as slow as I need to.

I do like the idea of the 10 mile TT sandwiched between warmup and warmdown. My hillier bits are at either end of the ride so I can get a 'rolling' 10 miles in the middle quite easily. Will take note of possible start and end points tomorrow....thanks for the suggestion....Al

 

[levad]

This is the sort of towel to use when commuting, it has transformed my Mondays and Fridays when I take all the kit in and the bring it home. I dries very quickly too so can go in the locker earlier.

http://www.completeoutdoors.co.uk/Travel-Bathroom/Travel-Towels/

Of course you don't have to purchase from here, mine was a birthday present so I have no idea where it came from.