Going for it!

[mrmacmusic]

Last week was my first week commuting 5 days, and the week before my first doing 4 – so despite cycling in 9 days in a row, I decided before going to bed last night that I was going for week two cycling all 5 days. Predictably enough, it rained this morning.... where's the crisp, dry Autumn mornings?

Despite the rain, it was a good start to the week – the bike felt pretty smooth, and despite it being my first run ever with a single pannier fitted, full of change of clothes, lunch, snacks, tools and spare tube, I didn't actually topple over

Looking forward to having notched up another 143 miles or so by Friday

 

[Beebo]

Keep it up. Your route is further than mine, which is 12 miles. I try to give myself no option but to cycle in. If you allow yourself a day off it gets too easy to skip a few days.

The Friday evening trip home can sometimes be a bit of a slog if you've had a hard week. Just take it slow and steady some days and push it other days.

 

[mrmacmusic]

Keep it up. Your route is further than mine, which is 12 miles. I try to give myself no option but to cycle in. If you allow yourself a day off it gets too easy to skip a few days.

The Friday evening trip home can sometimes be a bit of a slog if you've had a hard week. Just take it slow and steady some days and push it other days.

Cheers Beebo – this time last year I'd never have thought I would cycle to work, let alone do it more than once a week.... Really enjoying my 28.5 mile round trip, and feel so much better when I take 2 wheels instead of 4

 

[BSRU]

If I'm feeling run down, tired or have a cold I just take the ride easier, that way I do not have to miss a day commuting by bike. Taking it easier only adds another 5 or 10 minutes to the commute each way but it does help getting back to normal, especially remembering to spin those crazy legs.

 

[BrumJim]

Great to hear your efforts.

If you can ride in every day during bad weather, makes it so much easier in the good.

Me? I take the car only if it is raining heavily when I start to get the bike out. Anything else, I'll man up and take the bike.

 

[jonny jeez]

Good for you Mr Mac.

I too have been pushing for a regular 5 day week. I'm struggling... not so much with the effort but the logistics. Over the last 3 weeks's had to bring the motorcycle in for 2 days, the car on another. I rode in today but have to take the motorcycle home (its been in the office garage most of last week and the weekend) as I need to get home early.

so it looks like another 4 day week for me

*EDIT* one hint, make an effort to keep your gears indexed and lubed (and clean)...it's amazing how much better a ride is if the bike reacts as it should as opposed grinding and clunking between gears) I now wipe the drive chin down after every ride...it makes a big difference

 

[mrmacmusic]

If I'm feeling run down, tired or have a cold I just take the ride easier, that way I do not have to miss a day commuting by bike. Taking it easier only adds another 5 or 10 minutes to the commute each way but it does help getting back to normal, especially remembering to spin those crazy legs.

Lately I've got more into the habit of that – it's much easier to drop a few cogs (even onto the granny-ring) and spin up the hills I encounter on my commute. Also, even though I'm logging every run with my iPhone, I'm not trying to continually better my time... it takes however long it takes depending on the conditions!

 

[mrmacmusic]

Great to hear your efforts.

If you can ride in every day during bad weather, makes it so much easier in the good.

Me? I take the car only if it is raining heavily when I start to get the bike out. Anything else, I'll man up and take the bike.

Last week was torture, but I stuck to my guns.... hoping this week isn't so windy, or wet!

 

[mrmacmusic]

Good for you Mr Mac.

I too have been pushing for a regular 5 day week. I'm struggling... not so much with the effort but the logistics. Over the last 3 weeks's had to bring the motorcycle in for 2 days, the car on another. I rode in today but have to take the motorcycle home (its been in the office garage most of last week and the weekend) as I need to get home early.

so it looks like another 4 day week for me

*EDIT* one hint, make an effort to keep your gears indexed and lubed (and clean)...it's amazing how much better a ride is if the bike reacts as it should as opposed grinding and clunking between gears) I now wipe the drive chin down after every ride...it makes a big difference

Cheers Jonny

Logistically, I have a big stumbling block coming up shortly – my wife doesn't want me commuting in the "winter", which I've since learned means cycling in the dark. I'm already lighting up at 7.15am, although when the clocks go back, I guess that will extend the morning illumination a bit longer into November (but at the expense of light for the ride home).

I've only been doing this commuting thing for a couple of months, so it's my first winter anyway – but I was looking forward to continuing as long as I could. Truthfully, I don't fancy ice and snow much.

 

[superbadger]

Great efforts MMusic ... Yea just let them legs spin and let the chain take the strain!!!. i like the attitude too,it takes as long as it takes . Thats the way!

 

[jonny jeez]

Lately I've got more into the habit of that – it's much easier to drop a few cogs (even onto the granny-ring) and spin up the hills I encounter on my commute. Also, even though I'm logging every run with my iPhone, I'm not trying to continually better my time... it takes however long it takes depending on the conditions!

Thats a great attitude, forget the others (they probably only have a 1 mile ride anyhow) do it anyway you like...but just do it

Truthfully, I don't fancy ice and snow much.

I dont experience much ice and the snow I do get is usually accompanied by an all out "snow day" or bunk from work (us southeners are so soft) so I'm sorry I cant offer much advice.

The dark really isnt such a big issue and I read on here over the weekend that accident rates dont change much with the seasons, so it seems that riding in the dark is potentially as safe/dangerous as riding in the daylight.

But if all else fails, have you considered a Turbo trainer?

 

[mrmacmusic]

Great efforts MMusic ... Yea just let them legs spin and let the chain take the strain!!!. i like the attitude too,it takes as long as it takes . Thats the way!

Cheers superbadger!

Don't get me wrong, I feel great if I set a new personal best – the week before last I was flying, and had four runs at the end of the week all just over 51 minutes, my best yet and a new high average of 16.66mph. Last week, I almost joined the 10mph club on several days battling face-melting head and crosswinds, and hit a new all time low of 1hr 7mins....

I'm just happy cycling in however long it takes – enjoying the fresh air, saving fuel and being the fittest I've ever been in my whole life

 

[mrmacmusic]

...The dark really isnt such a big issue and I read on here over the weekend that accident rates dont change much with the seasons, so it seems that riding in the dark is potentially as safe/dangerous as riding in the daylight.

But if all else fails, have you considered a Turbo trainer?

Not sure I fancy a Turbo... I suspect if the amount of cycling decreases, I'll go back to walking more often (that's how I lost all the weight over last winter).

I'm determined to continue cycling for as long as I can as the days shorten though. Frankly, I don't see what the issue is, although I can totally understand my wife's concern given her hubby cycling is a new thing... Having said that, 80% of my route is away from traffic on mixed-use path or designated cycle-path, and the road sections are well lit. Maybe my better half would feel better if I spent money on some super-bright lights?!

 

[BSRU]

This time last year I was nervous about cycling through my first winter but it turned out to be great, apart from cycling at night in howling winds with torrential rain and about 3 degrees but that is very rare. Most days were dry and I very rarely used my waterproofs. To get around the ice problem I have a spare set of wheels with Marathon Winters, very quick to change and allows me to keep commuting on two wheels.

In the end it's personal choice, I'm just a stubborn bar steward and it gave me an excuse to buy more bike stuff.

 

[mrmacmusic]

...To get around the ice problem I have a spare set of wheels with Marathon Winters, very quick to change and allows me to keep commuting on two wheels.

In the end it's personal choice, I'm just a stubborn bar steward and it gave me an excuse to buy more bike stuff.

Clearly I have a stubborn trait too, and I have thought about a second set of wheels... Trouble is – despite saving money by cyclo-commuting – there really isn't any spare cash in the kitty right now, and I think a second set of wheels might work out quite expensive, since I'd want them to come with a new bike attached