commute's leaving me a bit knackered in the evening…

[alecstilleyedye]

as per thread title really. i'm doing 18-20 miles each way every day on 20kg of tatty mtb with panniers, and i'm getting tired earlier in the evening than i used to, but that may be more the early starts…

although it's a relatively short distance for a club rider such as i, i'd not been riding much for the six months before.

what i have learned, though, is that a brooks b17 can be ridden without padded shorts, as i ended up riding home in just wet weather gear (dry gear all soaked on way in). now i know this, i know that all the cheap aldi shorts i used to commute 5 miles in should be fine, so no need to buy any more

I was going to do the club run this weekend, but i think i'll give the legs a rest…

 

[fossyant]

It will come back ! Certainly take a rest.

 

[Crankarm]

After 3 weeks you'll be fine and think nothing of it. 18-20 miles each way isn't far anyway. I ride 17. Did try the full 30 miles everyday last week until I was deliberately knocked off. Now back to riding just 17 miles each way and it is a breeze, quite literally. You'll need 8 hours of good quality sleep though to avoid being tired. As the nights are now drawing in and it is getting lighter later in the mornings this will be especially difficult.

You might find that taking a clean dry set of kit for your return journey is the only option which is what I have to do as I have to lock everything in a locker when at work so my clothes from the morning ride in are still wet at the end of the day. Just means you have a lot of washing to do and need a lot of kit. At least you don't have to put on wet shorts, socks or jerseys though when you come to ride home.

 

[potsy]

as per thread title really. i'm doing 18-20 miles each way every day on 20kg of tatty mtb with panniers, …

I'm sure this is the problem, maybe if you cleaned it up it would be faster, eh fossy?

Knowing how fit you are I'm sure it's just a case of a few weeks of getting the routine back, I know I feel it even after a week or 2's holiday.
How are you finding the route btw?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

the route's fine, apart from the wizard climb at the end. using some rather rough paths too, hence the mtg, but it keeps the commute fairly car-free for a good while…

 

[Fab Foodie]

I wouldn't contemplate a 20 mile commute on even a non-tatty MTB. I'd be flippin knackered. I'd get a tourer or pannier-up a X-bike. That kind of distance daily deserves the proper tool for the job IMO.

 

[jonny jeez]

commute's leaving me a bit knackered in the evening…

Oh yeah?, cant you just claim that you have a headache.

This all sounds like an elaborate way of avoiding marital duties to me.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Oh yeah?, cant you just claim that you have a headache.

This all sounds like an elaborate way of avoiding marital duties to me.

well, washing up anyway

 

[alecstilleyedye]

I wouldn't contemplate a 20 mile commute on even a non-tatty MTB. I'd be flippin knackered. I'd get a tourer or pannier-up a X-bike. That kind of distance daily deserves the proper tool for the job IMO.

try slicks on a mtb, they whizz along pretty quick...

 

[SW19cam]

well, washing up anyway

haha a good negotiation chip - thanks for that! I'm moving in with my girlfriend next month and it has resulted in my commute increasing from c.8miles each way to c.10 miles each way. She's not going to hear the end of those extra miles I'll be 'suffering' in order to be with her...

Washing up? I'm a bit tired luv!

Dinner on the table when I get home? That would be fantastic darling

 

[Crankarm]

I wouldn't contemplate a 20 mile commute on even a non-tatty MTB. I'd be flippin knackered. I'd get a tourer or pannier-up a X-bike. That kind of distance daily deserves the proper tool for the job IMO.

Errr ............ actually it is very do-able. You would be fine.

 

[tadpole]

haha a good negotiation chip - thanks for that! I'm moving in with my girlfriend next month and it has resulted in my commute increasing from c.8miles each way to c.10 miles each way. She's not going to hear the end of those extra miles I'll be 'suffering' in order to be with her...

Washing up? I'm a bit tired luv!

Dinner on the table when I get home? That would be fantastic darling

Sorry but it won’t wash, you’ll say "I’ve just cycled worked all day and 20miles" and she’ll give you a huge list or blow by blow of all the things she’s done, quicker harder,more efficiently and only having a mouthful of coffee and a bread crumb (they’ve a better memory for the tiny little details than us men) in the end you’ll just spend the next two hours listening and thinking “Wish I’d just the blooming dishes”

 

[Fab Foodie]

Errr ............ actually it is very do-able. You would be fine.

I'm sure I would, but I'd want to make it as easy, efficient and as comfortable as possible and for me that's not a slicked-up MTB. I'd want drops and skinnier tyres. Less energy expenditure is what I thought was what we are talking about here.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

mrs alecetc is happy for me to cycle, as it leaves her the car (she childminds, so needs it). i got home tonight to find chicken, rice and chorizo on the go in the slow cooker. just the job

 

[Maz]

20 miles each way? No wonder you are knackered. Can you at least do this on a road bike instead of a MTB to make things more efficient?