Do i just get used to it with time?

[Black Sheep]

heya,

I'm commuting by bike four days per week and covering about 10 miles per day, its relatively flat with one or two smaller hills but i'm absolutely knackered at the end of the day.

Is this just because I'm used to a short dash into uni every other day and not used to starting my commute quite as early and riding for as long?

should i change my eating habits in order to have more energy (at the moment its cereal, lots of snacks and sandwiches)

will i just slowly get fitter as my body gets used to it?

cheers

 

[sheddy]

Yes.
You might consider going slower in the mornings and faster in the evenings

 

[Black Sheep]

if i go slower in the mornings i have to get up earlier?

thanks sheddy

 

[alecstilleyedye]

it will get easier. ensure your tyres are at full pressure, it's amazing how little pressure loss can cause a bike to become harder to ride…

 

[hackbike 666]

Make sure you aren't getting older like me.im sure it's getting harder.

 

[gbb]

heya,

I'm commuting by bike four days per week and covering about 10 miles per day, its relatively flat with one or two smaller hills but i'm absolutely knackered at the end of the day.

Is this just because I'm used to a short dash into uni every other day and not used to starting my commute quite as early and riding for as long?

should i change my eating habits in order to have more energy (at the moment its cereal, lots of snacks and sandwiches)



will i just slowly get fitter as my body gets used to it?

cheers

Are you going fast from the start of your ride ? I'd suggest a steady pace for the first mile or two, then ramp it up. It lets your muscles warm up.

As alec says...make sure your tyres are well inflated. It makes a hell of a difference.

Keep going tho...it does get easier

 

[XmisterIS]

What kinds of snacks and sandwiches are you eating?

It's easy to eat all the wrong stuff => get fat + no energy or stamina + not getting fit.

I personally think that's the single biggest reason why people stop exercising - they try as hard as they can, but because they're eating all the wrong stuff, they get nowhere and don't loose any weight - very demoralising.

 

[eatmydust]

heya,

I'
should i change my eating habits in order to have more energy (at the moment its cereal, lots of snacks and sandwiches)

will i just slowly get fitter as my body gets used to it?

cheers

you certainly will get more used to it. my 14 mile communte is a doddle now and includes major uphills on way home. it used to kill me at first, and i'd be so sleepy in the evening.
I have a banana about half an hour before i set off for home, and plenty of good carbs in my evening meal to give me energy for the next morning as i can't do breakfast that early

 

[Bodhbh]

You just get used to it. If you're getting stiff all the time, just have a couple of 'recovery days' in the week where you make a special effort to go nice and slow or just take the bus altogether. Sooner or later you won't need em.

 

[palinurus]

It takes time. Just ride easier (it won't take much longer, the difference between "almost-no-effort" and "time-trial" for my 10 mile commute is about 10 minutes).

 

[Sittingduck]

I started commuting by bike almost 1 year ago and at first I found it physically v tiring but soon got faster and built up from 4 days a week to 5 days. It's a pretty flat commute and is only an 11 mile round trip. Changing to slicks and shortly afterwards a new hybrid also made a huge difference. Keep it up and you will soon get used to it... then the fun really starts when you're going tor PB's and stuff

SD

 

[J4CKO]

I started just over a year ago, initially it felt like a real trek, now its a total doddle and I feel like its not long enough at 7 miles.

 

[marooncat]

Three years ago I was doing a 10 mile round commute, never two days in a row and spend most of the day almost falling asleep cause I was so tired... Now I am doing a 18 mile route (with a longer one ready to start very soon) and quite happily cycle 4 days in a row (only don't cycle the 5th day cause I need to be somewhere straight after work so need to take my car then)

So yes it does get easier

 

[Black Sheep]

What kinds of snacks and sandwiches are you eating?

It's easy to eat all the wrong stuff => get fat + no energy or stamina + not getting fit.

I personally think that's the single biggest reason why people stop exercising - they try as hard as they can, but because they're eating all the wrong stuff, they get nowhere and don't loose any weight - very demoralising.

weight, i'm not fussed about loosing (11st, 6ft 2in, 28in waist) just don't want to be quite so tired.

eating weetos for breakfast, ham sandwiches for lunch with monstermunch and chocolate brownies from the bakery section of tescos. occasionally boosted by a small bag of mini chocolate fingers or mini cookies.

 

[Black Sheep]

I started commuting by bike almost 1 year ago and at first I found it physically v tiring but soon got faster and built up from 4 days a week to 5 days. It's a pretty flat commute and is only an 11 mile round trip. Changing to slicks and shortly afterwards a new hybrid also made a huge difference. Keep it up and you will soon get used to it... then the fun really starts when you're going tor PB's and stuff

SD

yeh, i'm on a road bike at the moment, its only a 5 speed and I manage to get an average speed of about 15-20mph

I span most of the way this morning and it felt a lot easier, but there are jumps in my gear ratios where i can either spin quicker than is comfortable or have to push it a bit harder and its less draining to do the latter at the time, but i feel it after a short while.

i'm gonna give the tyres a little extra air and see if that helps tomorrow.
its not a bad ride, i'd just like to know I can get on the bike and do it within a set time and not have to get up as early to make sure i'm there in time

with regards PB, I managed to hit 30mph on the flat the other day and was very proud of myself, just didn't want someone pulling a close overtake so drafted the bus upto speed and held it