My commute isn't getting easier!

[trivialhirsute]

Hi Everyone, I started cycling to work about six months ago. It's a five mile journey and I started by cycling in one day, leaving my bike there and getting the tube back, then cycling home the day after. After a few weeks I was cycling in and back every day but it was hard and the journey home nearly killed me! So, five-ish months on I should be managing the journey to and from work fine right? Nope! It's still as tough as ever and I'm very frustrated with it. Why hasn't it got easier? What can I do? TH

 

[iacula]

If the distance is difficult, I can only suggest training at a longer distance possibly on the odd day or at the weekend and build up slowly. Otherwise every day you're doing the longest distance you've ever done!

 

[fossyant]

Practice...

Are you still doing in and out each day ? - Maybe have a mid week day off. Also if it's still hard, I bet you are much quicker on the journey time.

 

[BentMikey]

I would like to suggest riding much more slowly. So much more slowly that you feel guilty for riding at that speed. Then once a week hammer it and ride as fast as you can, safely.

 

[hackbike 666]

I have been going through this for the past year and it got so bad I was beginning to doubt whether I could do it much longer.

Things seem to be easing off a bit but it seemed like I lost my fitness.
I know when it's ok because that's when im enjoying the commute which has only started to happen recently.

OP how old are you if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Scratch]

"It never gets easier, you just go faster."

Greg LeMond

An appropriate quote for this situation I think

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Everyone, I started cycling to work about six months ago. It's a five mile journey and I started by cycling in one day, leaving my bike there and getting the tube back, then cycling home the day after. After a few weeks I was cycling in and back every day but it was hard and the journey home nearly killed me! So, five-ish months on I should be managing the journey to and from work fine right? Nope! It's still as tough as ever and I'm very frustrated with it. Why hasn't it got easier? What can I do? TH

What sort of bike do you ride?,
What sort of route is it?
Is it really hilly?
How would you describe yiour relative fitness?

let us know and I am sure , between us we can work out some helpfull advice.

Jonny

 

[palinurus]

Don't go at the same pace every day. Have slow days and fast days. It makes very little difference to journey times (10 minutes over my 10 mile commute is the difference between very hard effort and ridiculously easy).

If you have options to vary your route then this helps- but it's very dependent on the nature of your commute, some of my alternatives- while longer- are very pleasant. Yours may not be.

Doing some longer rides at the weekend helps, but this only works if you want to do it- It's not really necessary if all you want is to cycle for transport.

Plus it's getting colder, windier. It is harder in the autumn/ winter.

 

[ianrauk]

Are turning too high a gear per chance?

 

[hackbike 666]

Heavy bike like mine?

 

[trivialhirsute]

Thanks for all your help! I'll have to try all the suggestions one-by-one. Now to work through the questions:

fossyant, I am still going in an out every day, though I will sometimes have a midweek day off if I'm completely exhausted, it doesn't seem to help much! I have managed to shave about 20-25 minutes off my journey time since I started but again, that's not improved for a few months.

hackbike666, I'm 26. No idea how much my bike weighs!

Jonnyjeez, I ride a 21 gear city bike made by Holloway Cycles rather than a brand name. Don't have much of an idea about other specs! The route is from north London to south London, in pretty much a straight line, all main roads. There are no hills, but an incline for the last mile home that feels like Everest sometimes! I'm not very fit but I'm not unfit either. Been cycling for years though never these distances as I lived in a small city, I'd say I'm slightly above average fitness but wouldn't call myself fit.

ianrauk, I toggle between 9th and 12th gear.

 

[gaz]

When i started my 14miles each way commute, i nearly died eacy way. It gets easier. and you go faster.

A few things i did notice, is that i have to take care of legs at work. so no fast walking or doing lots around the office. Because thats when you can't recover from what you did in the morning, ready for the evening.

What sort of times are you doing for your 5 mile commute?

As it's more than likley that you can slow the pase down, and not lose to much time. In the center of london it's often not work harmmering it after you have stopped at lights, as you will get caught in traffic further down the road. and stop again. you can save a lot of energy by taking it easier here.

 

[palinurus]

I have managed to shave about 20-25 minutes off my journey time since I started but again, that's not improved for a few months.

That's the way it goes, you'll make large initial gains but after a while it'll always be much the same. Even if you are getting faster the traffic conditions, lights, junctions etc. will limit your journey time.

 

[ttcycle]

It might simply be down to the fact that you need a bit of rest for your body to adapt to the commute. If you are hammering it on the commute each an every day it's going to run you down eventually. Sometimes the improvements made daily just don't get noticed cause they're so small. Take it easy and have a bit of time off if you can or just try and ride at a easier pace as Gaz and others have said -it doesn't really make that much difference in London traffic.

Some of my strongest and best riding happened when I came back from a few weeks of enforced time off the bike.

 

[scottyD]

Not sure if this helps, but my commuting is about 11 miles each way (although on hold at the moment due to unlit roads and no decent light). I found the first month or two i was knackered becasue i was treating each way like a training ride. Once i lost the mentality of "can i beat yesterdays time" and actually took my time and enjoyed it, i'd say i found it much easier. Even though i was probably only adding 5 to 8 minutes to the 45 to 50 minutes journey time. I'm by no means fit, but try to enjoy the ride instead of going for a stage win on Mont Ventoux!