Does commuting make you tired?

[Matthew_T]

I am seriously looking at getting a commuting bike next year and using it to go to college. I have got a reasonable budget of £600 and I already have a lengthy list of bikes which are suitable.

The problem is, I live 17 miles away from college. If I manage an average of 15mph (I will do quicker but allow myself time in case of an unexpected occurance (puncture, etc))then it will take me about 1 hour 15 mins to get there. I have to be at college for 9am so would have to set off at about 7.30am.
The college bus leaves my stop at 8.15am so I have to get up at about 7am to get ready anyway.

On the journey home, college finishes at about 4.30pm so I would have plenty of time to make my own way home in my own time.

My question is this: If I have to get up earlier and then have to cycle home in the evening, will I be exhausted after 30 odd miles? I am easily capable of the distance on my racer, but have only had the experience of the racer and MTB. I have never owned a hybrid before.

 

[ianrauk]

you're a young kid. Full of energy. Of course you won't be tired.

 

[sabian92]

Not in my case but I only commute 3.5 miles a day.

Keep in mind after 17 miles you will probably whiff a bit so make sure there are showers at college you can use.

 

[ianrauk]

Not in my case but I only commute 3.5 miles a day.

Keep in mind after 17 miles you will probably whiff a bit so make sure there are showers at college you can use.

He's a student so he's no stranger to being a bit whiffy....

Babywipes if you have no showers.

 

[sabian92]

He's a student so he's no stranger to being a bit whiffy....

Babywipes if you have no showers.

As am I I'm one of those rare clean students though

Baby wipes and a good deodorant are key. A shower would be nice I suppose but is not essential.

Make sure you wear clean gear every day though because that will definitely smell after 35 miles.

 

[CopperCyclist]

You won't be tired. I extend my commute to twenty miles each way on nice days, it's not a problem. I DO need the shower facilities though, there's no way I could cycle in I if didn't have them!

 

[MossCommuter]

When I first started commuting I found myself napping early evening and having early nights but as I adjusted to it things got back to normal. If anything, now I get lethargic if I don't cycle to work.

Are there sports facilities at college? That would solve the shower problem.

 

[smutchin]

You may well be tired at first but you'll get used to it. And you'll get faster.

d.

 

[Matthew_T]

Babywipes if you have no showers.

I have plenty of those!

 

[Matthew_T]

When I first started commuting I found myself napping early evening and having early nights but as I adjusted to it things got back to normal. If anything, now I get lethargic if I don't cycle to work.

Are there sports facilities at college? That would solve the shower problem.

I do have shower facilities. I have then in the sports area and even in the construction block I am in. TBH though, I wouldnt like the idea of having a shower at college. As long as I smell fine and I have tissues/wet wipes with me, then I will be okay.
I will have to remember to take water and something to nibble on in the morning though.

 

[MisterStan]

I am seriously looking at getting a commuting bike next year and using it to go to college. I have got a reasonable budget of £600 and I already have a lengthy list of bikes which are suitable.

The problem is, I live 17 miles away from college. If I manage an average of 15mph (I will do quicker but allow myself time in case of an unexpected occurance (puncture, etc))then it will take me about 1 hour 15 mins to get there. I have to be at college for 9am so would have to set off at about 7.30am.
The college bus leaves my stop at 8.15am so I have to get up at about 7am to get ready anyway.

On the journey home, college finishes at about 4.30pm so I would have plenty of time to make my own way home in my own time.

My question is this: If I have to get up earlier and then have to cycle home in the evening, will I be exhausted after 30 odd miles? I am easily capable of the distance on my racer, but have only had the experience of the racer and MTB. I have never owned a hybrid before.

My commute is the same distance and it takes a similar time on the bus, I'm building up to using the bike 5 days a week, you could do the same. I have a strip wash at work. Do you NEED another bike?

 

[DCLane]

At first, yes. But after a while it becomes normal.

My commute's a minimum of 10 miles each way. It'll go up to 30 each way if I feel like it. And if SWMBO isn't around.

 

[sabian92]

I do have shower facilities. I have then in the sports area and even in the construction block I am in. TBH though, I wouldnt like the idea of having a shower at college. As long as I smell fine and I have tissues/wet wipes with me, then I will be okay.
I will have to remember to take water and something to nibble on in the morning though.

Fair enough then - I don't have the luxury of a shower unfortunately.

Eat a bowl of cereal before you leave and a banana and you should be fine. Eat a decent (but healthy, I know what students eat being one myself.... ) lunch and take a snack for on the way home. You should be fine with that.

Just don't do what I do and drink your entire drink by dinner time - makes for a very dry mouth riding home!

 

[cyberknight]

Cycling will not make you tireed, in fact i love cycling home after a night shift and i manage to enjoy it no matter how tired i feel.
it might make you eat more though........

 

[al78]

Best thing to do is try it and see. You could try cycling the occasional day and gradually build up to every day.

I cycle a little under 20 miles round trip too and from work and I often feel tired, but I'm an unusual case. Main issue I have found is overnight recovery. It is not just a case of managing the distance it is being able to wake up the next morning without any residual fatigue in your legs so that you can cycle again comfortably. Otherwise you will end up with accumulated fatigue which will force you to take a day or two off from cycling every so often.