Advice to improve my new, longer commute

[brike]

Hi, I used to cycle daily about 7.5 miles each way into London with barely a hill in my way, but since moving further out of town (for the luxury of a garden, mostly) a few months ago, that's become about 17.5 miles for a 35 mile daily total.

My set-up worked perfectly well for me before - I didn't really suffer any discomfort and I had plenty of energy left when I got home - but with the extra hills and distance I'm starting to struggle. Mostly, by the end of the week it hurts a fair bit to sit in the saddle and I'm also pretty shattered by the end of the ride. More so as the week goes on. My question is basically - which elements do people think I should look to amend, and in which order? Or maybe any changes wouldn't really make much difference and my best bet is just to tough it out?

My current set-up is:

• Single speed bike
• Large waterproof backpack to carry food, work clothes etc. (NB: I'm not actually sure it would be convenient to attach panniers, but where there's a will, there's a way, I suppose)
• I wear football shorts or normal tracksuit bottoms over cotton underwear

I am expecting to look for a geared bike (potentially electric) in the future, but was intending to wait until work offer the cycle to work scheme next February before that. I'm intending to cycle through the winter, so maybe by then I'll just be used to the current set-up with no problems? Any recommendations or considerations gratefully accepted! Cheers.

 

[vickster]

Get a pannier rack, some decent padded shorts and perhaps look at the gearing of the SS?

 

[MichaelW2]

Fit mudguards for winter.
If you have cotton tracksuit bottom, switch to leggings like Ron Hill Bikesters.
BTW cycling shorts are worn as underwear, don't wear anything underneath. Use clean ones every day. start your ride clean. Saddle issues can quickly turn into saddle sores if you don't take care.
Gears will make short work of the hills.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi, I used to cycle daily about 7.5 miles each way into London with barely a hill in my way, but since moving further out of town (for the luxury of a garden, mostly) a few months ago, that's become about 17.5 miles for a 35 mile daily total.

My set-up worked perfectly well for me before - I didn't really suffer any discomfort and I had plenty of energy left when I got home - but with the extra hills and distance I'm starting to struggle. Mostly, by the end of the week it hurts a fair bit to sit in the saddle and I'm also pretty shattered by the end of the ride. More so as the week goes on. My question is basically - which elements do people think I should look to amend, and in which order? Or maybe any changes wouldn't really make much difference and my best bet is just to tough it out?

My current set-up is:

• Single speed bike
• Large waterproof backpack to carry food, work clothes etc. (NB: I'm not actually sure it would be convenient to attach panniers, but where there's a will, there's a way, I suppose)
• I wear football shorts or normal tracksuit bottoms over cotton underwear

I am expecting to look for a geared bike (potentially electric) in the future, but was intending to wait until work offer the cycle to work scheme next February before that. I'm intending to cycle through the winter, so maybe by then I'll just be used to the current set-up with no problems? Any recommendations or considerations gratefully accepted! Cheers.

Do you do this every day? If so I would consider taking the advice to get some more cycle specific clothing.

A flat 17 mile commute is fine for a single speed but it does all depend on how much effort you aim to put in. Is it a gentle 90 minute commute or a full on 50 minute thrash.

If it's the latter, allow yourself more time and pace yourself to a slower speed, til you work up the muscle memory for pushing it a bit more.

I'm not a fan of panniers but if you are riding every day, carrying clothes, I might be tempted to look into them. After a week of commuting (which is rare for me these days) my shoulders ache from my rucksack. Can you not bring all the clothes in on a Monday and store them, then ride with a light pack for food and tools?

Lastly, if all that doesn't help,'then yes an elec bike will ease the load, so would buying a 50cc scooter to give you a break ( perhaps for laundry days). You don't need a bike licence for a 50cc.

 

[goody]

Get a car listen to LBC. turn the heater up. run cyclists off the road works for 99% of the populaion.*
*Alcohol may have played ome partin this comment.

 

[Tin Pot]

Hi, I used to cycle daily about 7.5 miles each way into London with barely a hill in my way, but since moving further out of town (for the luxury of a garden, mostly) a few months ago, that's become about 17.5 miles for a 35 mile daily total.

My set-up worked perfectly well for me before - I didn't really suffer any discomfort and I had plenty of energy left when I got home - but with the extra hills and distance I'm starting to struggle. Mostly, by the end of the week it hurts a fair bit to sit in the saddle and I'm also pretty shattered by the end of the ride. More so as the week goes on. My question is basically - which elements do people think I should look to amend, and in which order? Or maybe any changes wouldn't really make much difference and my best bet is just to tough it out?

My current set-up is:

• Single speed bike
• Large waterproof backpack to carry food, work clothes etc. (NB: I'm not actually sure it would be convenient to attach panniers, but where there's a will, there's a way, I suppose)
• I wear football shorts or normal tracksuit bottoms over cotton underwear

I am expecting to look for a geared bike (potentially electric) in the future, but was intending to wait until work offer the cycle to work scheme next February before that. I'm intending to cycle through the winter, so maybe by then I'll just be used to the current set-up with no problems? Any recommendations or considerations gratefully accepted! Cheers.

If you take it easy your body will adapt to the new stresses in a few weeks.

Wear Lycra cycling clothes.

I leave all my stuff at work, use an alternate mode of transport at least once a week to change over clean clothes for used.

If you still get lower back/arm pain after ditching the backpack, consider an expensive bike fit.

 

[vickster]

Get a car listen to LBC. turn the heater up. run cyclists off the road works for 99% of the populaion.*
*Alcohol may have played ome partin this comment.

And your spelling?

 

[raleighnut]

I'd fit a rack, carrying a rucksack that distance is not a good idea.

 

[T4tomo]

Agree on ditching the rucksack. Brompton luggage made a huge difference to me from using a rucksack or messenger bag. You feel lighter even though you aren't.

 

[Twizit]

I leave all my stuff at work, use an alternate mode of transport at least once a week to change over clean clothes for used.

This bit. Your commute is identical in distance to mine, and despite having done it for the last 5 years or so, I very very rarely do a full 5 days per week - usually 3 or 4 with a rest day on the train which I use to bring in clean clothes / take home the dirties. I hate cycling with a backpack or panniers, so this method works well and means I get to cycle luggage free most of the time. I also leisure cycle at the weekend, so need a day or two off during the week to ensure I'm fresh enough to enjoy the weekend ride.

 

[Kingy]

I commute 20+ miles in the morning and 15+ evening. Agree with cycling specific clothes (although I wear mtb shorts in preference to lycra) and def worth investing in enough clothes for a clean change every day you commute. Mountain Warehouse stuff is cheap (only buy in their frequent sales) but very good quality. Washes and lasts well. I use a 'road' bike with double (front) chainset so plenty of gears (I'm in the Peak district so it can be lumpy), plus good lights as part of my ride is rural/ no street lighting.
Most important thing (for me) is that I drive in on a Monday. Leave clothes for the week - then drive in Friday and take dirty clothes home. So Tues/Wed Thurs I don't need to carry anything bar what I always do when I ride (spare tube(s), Co2, phone, money, keys). I get 100-120 miles ridden in three days and Monday/ Friday are 'rest days' ensuring I'm not too knackered for the weekend.
Try and make it work for you or you will soon get fed up.

 

[si_c]

As @Tin Pot said above, the best thing you can do is keep a change of clothes at work. I keep jeans, jumpers and bulky stuff in the office, I take them in on monday morning and bring them home friday evening in my rucksack, it's heavier that one way but worth it for the rest of the week. On other days my rucksack is very light with just a t-shirt, change of underwear and lunch.

I also think if you are doing 20-ish miles both ways that you probably need to think about having something to eat on the way in/home, just take a banana or something and have it half way, should help keep your energy levels up. As for your backside, that'll sort itself out given time in the saddle

 

[boydj]

Cycling-specific clothes, a rack and rack bag or pannier, and mudguards (if you don't already have them) and a geared bike will all help to make a long commute more comfortable and doable long-term. Don't be afraid to take an occasional rest day while you're getting used to the longer distance.

 

[brike]

Cheers all, much appreciated to see all the responses here. I do tend to get the train on Wednesdays (I don't have it in me to play football and cycle the commute on the same day!) so I will look to bring a week's worth of shirts each time I do that from now on.

I currently take it reasonably easy and it takes me about 75 - 90 minutes, but that still leaves me pretty shattered by the time I get home, and I'd love to be able to speed up and get that down in time eventually. After a few months of this route, I've still not been able to get that time down. Maybe a halfway banana will be the kicker I need for speed-up energy on the second half!

So I've invested in some cycling shorts and a much smaller backpack, and let's see how it goes from here. I do already have a rear mudguard - will look into getting one for the front as well, if that'll help as well. If I can avoid having to install panniers / a rack on my single speed I will, but I'll almost certainly go for one when I do upgrade to the world of gears.

 

[si_c]

Cheers all, much appreciated to see all the responses here. I do tend to get the train on Wednesdays (I don't have it in me to play football and cycle the commute on the same day!) so I will look to bring a week's worth of shirts each time I do that from now on.

I currently take it reasonably easy and it takes me about 75 - 90 minutes, but that still leaves me pretty shattered by the time I get home, and I'd love to be able to speed up and get that down in time eventually. After a few months of this route, I've still not been able to get that time down. Maybe a halfway banana will be the kicker I need for speed-up energy on the second half!

So I've invested in some cycling shorts and a much smaller backpack, and let's see how it goes from here. I do already have a rear mudguard - will look into getting one for the front as well, if that'll help as well. If I can avoid having to install panniers / a rack on my single speed I will, but I'll almost certainly go for one when I do upgrade to the world of gears.

A front mudguard will really help keep your feet dry. Providing of course you have full length ones. Never found the MTB style ones much use.