I need to speed up my commute

[clutterydrawer]

Hello everyone

A simple but probably quite daft question I'm afraid - I need to become faster. Any tips?


I foolishly took a job requiring a ten mile cycle followed by 40 mins train and walking. The ride is taking 1 hour 15 mins so the whole journey is taking quite a chunk out of my day at the moment.


I never seem to get any fitter; I sometimes have to stop and rest on a steep hill cos it feels like my lungs are burning. There must be a way I could make improvements?

The bike is quite heavy but I'm reluctant to replace it with a speedier one as it's been fantastically reliable over the last 12,000 miles it's done and it seems ungrateful to cast it out!

On a side note, the job is definitely worth the commute

 

[fossyant]

What's the bike ?

If MTB - slick city tyres.

Suspension ?

 

[cycleruk]

you could put some time on the bike after work (training), it takes time to get the fitness up to a good level, you will need to put some time in somewhere else if you wish to get fitter, faster, after that you would need to start changing things on the bike to reduce weight and roiling resistance etc

, hope this helps.

 

[biggs682]

10 miles in 1hr 15 mins , thats not too bad . not sure how much quicker a lighter bike would be .

how much time are you trying to save as surely 10 mins wont make that much differance here and there .

 

[Ian 74]

Hi, what type of terrain does your commute route take in?

 

[John90]

Hello everyone

A simple but probably quite daft question I'm afraid - I need to become faster. Any tips?

Yes, jump the lights.

 

[fossyant]

10 miles in 1hr 15 mins , thats not too bad . not sure how much quicker a lighter bike would be .

It's not good.

If you want that bit faster, we need to know why - what bike ? In traffic, 10 miles can be done in 30-40 mins (outside LONDON).

The only way to get faster, on any bike, is ride harder. The problem with that, with your mixed commute, you'll get on the train a dribbling/sweaty mess - I don't mind turning up at home/work looking like that, but I don't have to sit on a train, and I can get changed/showered.

What clothing are you using - do you have commuting kit, then work kit ? Or is it all the same ?

So we need...

what are you riding / tyres and stuff

And if you have cycling/travelling clothing, and work stuff or the same.

 

[Buddfox]

Yes, jump the lights.

+1

You beat me to it!

 

[potsy]

Put a motor on it?

 

[dondare]

Pump the tyres up hard and oil the chain. Use low gears and pedal fast.

 

[ttcycle]

Fossy asks some useful questions.

If just the bike riding is taking you that time to cover that distance, there are things you can improve on but it's useful to have a bit more info first.

I could recommend sprinting up to traffic signs and setting yourself the task of going all out up to the next sign and then pedal easy to recover and when you're ready pick another sign and go again.

Don't do this every day though but that'll get your muscles adapting.

however, it would be useful to know what your fitness is like as this is only recommended if you've got good base fitness

 

[clutterydrawer]

Hi everyone, thanks for your helpful replies

The bike is a Radford "avenue". I’m not sure how to describe the tyres. They’re not knobbly, but nor are they completely smooth. I’m wearing the same clothes for cycling as for working, just a t shirt and outdoorsy type trousers (I’m a gardener). Might have to change that though as I'm arriving at work a bit sweaty!

Even saving 5 mins would please me as those five minutes can be the difference between catching the train, or missing it! So I wouldn't be so frantic in the mornings.

The route is all country lanes, the road surface is mostly good, but loads of hills and descents, very little flat. Unfortunately no light jumping for me, as there aren’t any lights!

I’d think I’d be quite fit given that I have an energetic job and have been cycling 50 – 100 miles a week for the last 6 years. But I do get out of breath going up the stairs, so, make of that what you will.

ttcycle, I will try that technique, with some trees.

Thanks again all.

 

[Simba]

10 miles in 1hr 15 mins , thats not too bad . not sure how much quicker a lighter bike would be .

how much time are you trying to save as surely 10 mins wont make that much differance here and there .

That works out to 9mph average give or take, which is pretty slow (no offence OP)

I do 10 miles in around 42 minutes. Which is around 14mph average.

For the OP to save over half an hour on his/her commute then its a big difference.

My advice is don't stop on hills, just chant to yourself, the top is near every few seconds and that will save you some time and you will get fitter and faster in the process.

 

[ttcycle]

From what you've said, I'd probably hold off the intervals for now as I think it might be too much of a stress on your system. With a hilly route it's all in the mental attitude and telling yourself to keep going.

How long have you been cycling? It takes a little while to acclimatise and to get fitter, you'll notice this gradually the more you ride.

In terms of fitness, there are different types of fitness -so some things you're practiced at and strong at would be where you're fitter?

I'm posting from the phone so haven't checked on your bike yet.

Edit: just seen you've been cycling a while now... Perhaps it's the hilly terrain? The more you do and more you practice, the body adjusts but you have to factor in a bit of rest time for the body to adjust. Give the sprint intervals a go on one of the days where you feel rested and energetic.

 

[ttcycle]

Another thought, have you been tested for exercise induced asthma?

In terms of the clothing, I find technical materials help me to regulate my body temperature better and I take a change of clothes. If you're doing ten miles then I think technical clothing would make it a more comfy ride