So today is the last day of my first full week commuting my new 10 (or 11.5) mile commute. Up until now each week has had an interruption for one reason or another. As well as being longer the new commute is hillier. I thought I'd share my experiences.
The new hills aren't major, just a few shortish stinkers (12% ish) and a few longer grinders. I seem to have slight emotional ups and downs on the commute depending on how close I am to the next big hill!
The rural A roads are certainly a new experience for me and have been discussed elsewhere. In general drivers are very good at waiting behind me, even going very slowly up the 12% inclines. I haven't been beeped yet! However, the quality of some of the overtakes has been variable. Some great, some very poor. I've learned to keep a very close eye on the second and third overtakers as these tend to be the ones causing trouble (usually with oncoming cars!).
I can certainly feel my legs are tired compared to normal, and I've noticed the odd minor niggle in my muscles, but nothing significant. I certainly need to drink a fair bit more (water!) and I've been hungrier (although I am trying not to eat too much more). I've had the added complication of gears that aren't quite working right (very annoying) so I must admit I am looking forward to the rest after this evenings ride home.
I can imagine that in the summer (and when I can take my more scenic, quieter alternative route) that it will be glorious, although having had a few days where the weather has been a bit poor, there will be days when it will be a hard slog.
Would I rather drive it, absolutely not. Am I glad I now have a longer commute, yes indeedy. Will it take a while for my body to adjust, yes, but hopefully not too long. I'll certainly be fitter!
The new hills aren't major, just a few shortish stinkers (12% ish) and a few longer grinders. I seem to have slight emotional ups and downs on the commute depending on how close I am to the next big hill!
The rural A roads are certainly a new experience for me and have been discussed elsewhere. In general drivers are very good at waiting behind me, even going very slowly up the 12% inclines. I haven't been beeped yet! However, the quality of some of the overtakes has been variable. Some great, some very poor. I've learned to keep a very close eye on the second and third overtakers as these tend to be the ones causing trouble (usually with oncoming cars!).
I can certainly feel my legs are tired compared to normal, and I've noticed the odd minor niggle in my muscles, but nothing significant. I certainly need to drink a fair bit more (water!) and I've been hungrier (although I am trying not to eat too much more). I've had the added complication of gears that aren't quite working right (very annoying) so I must admit I am looking forward to the rest after this evenings ride home.
I can imagine that in the summer (and when I can take my more scenic, quieter alternative route) that it will be glorious, although having had a few days where the weather has been a bit poor, there will be days when it will be a hard slog.
Would I rather drive it, absolutely not. Am I glad I now have a longer commute, yes indeedy. Will it take a while for my body to adjust, yes, but hopefully not too long. I'll certainly be fitter!
) it's a bit lumpy and on most of the bigger hills there is no chance for overtaking, so I feel obliged to get up as quickly as possible. Good training, but it is showing up the deficiencies in my legs, doing it day in day out. It's great training for this years sportives though 
