going easy/going slow

[ttcycle]

Returned to the commute today after three weeks off.

Great to be back on the bike -hell I've missed it!
Still not fully well - bit chesty and phlegmy this morning.

My commute is a 16mile round trip. Lots of stop starts, zillions of traffic lights, a few patches of clear road but not many. Lots of peds, traffic and general congestion - I am attempting to go easy and just not break a sweat but seem to have gotten into the habit of pushing hard and going as fast as I can down certain patches and there are parts of my commute that I confess I like to race others if it's a safe option...how to break those habits?

Trying to ease into it as have been frequently sick this year.

Any ideas of forcing myself to go easy /slow - I know I have to start with wanting to. I tried the granny gear spin commute one time and that was not fun-kept heart rate lowish though

 

[patheticshark]

Glad you're back on the bike and getting better.

Take a camera? I always find that slows me down as I'm either looking for stuff that might be worth photographing, or off the bike taking photos...

 

[tdr1nka]

Some days you've just got to go with what your body tells you is possible and not try to push it.

On good days I can do one leg of my commute in 45 mins, on a bad day it takes over an hour.

A couple of weeks and you'll be back up to speed I'm sure.

BTW, I think I'm saying you need to be patient and not make yourself ill again, trying to be better.

 

[ttcycle]

Tdr1nka - it's attempting to stay pootling that's hard.. I've got the energy to go fast - just know I need to not always do it...seem to have hardwired it into myself to go really fast on certain parts...!!

Good suggestion PShark.

 

[tdr1nka]

Hmmmm it's a tricky one.

How about disconnecting your brakes so you can't go too fast?

Seriously, when I was recovering from a nasty knee injury I made a deal with myself not to move up from the second chainring no matter how much I wanted to and only went at speed when I didn't have to push hard.

 

[potsy]

How about filling your paniers full of bricks

 

[ttcycle]

I suppose it's worth sticking to the easier gears and spinning more rather than working through them into the larger gears.. It's alright to go fast some days as long as I get more easy days in I suppose.

thanks for the suggestion-I will just need to be disciplined!

 

[ttcycle]

no rack/panniers on the commuter...that's a thought though, could take the hyrid out but that would mean hard work of a different kind!!

 

[hackbike 666]

Dunno,looks like I was unwell for a long time so I went slow anyway.Felt like I was cycling uphill for ten miles sometimes.

 

[ttcycle]

hahha hack know that feeling -I commute on part of your patch and it's actually a bit I sprint down....You should just shout at me to slow down if you meet me on your travels -lol

 

[hackbike 666]

I shout at everyone to slow down.

Actually it's not bad now,im not the slowest anymore.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

When I was unwell last year I set myself a maximum speed and a maximum average speed and tried to stick to those, succeeded with them most of the time, I normally max out around 20mph, I set my max at 15mph, I normally average about 15mph, I set my max average at 12mph. It was amazingly frustrating but very effective.

 

[Sam Kennedy]

Only breath through your nose, if you are having to open your mouth to breath, you are pushing yourself too hard.

 

[jonny jeez]

Some good ideas there I reckon (P.shark I like your thinking there!)

To be honest tho TT, I think you've answered your own question. No amount of bricks in your paniers, disconnected brakes or gear dicipline will change the ride.

It's gotta come from you.

(but then, you already know that)

good luck, stay fit .....and for the love of God SLOW DOWN!!