My commutes always end up being TT or Fartlek sessions!

[Johnny5]

Every time I cycle to work (11.5mi single trip), it always ends up being a TT or Fartlek session! I always intend to take it easy as I don't want to get into work feeling tired and having to do it all again on the way home, but same thing always happens, you're cruising along on the small chainring taking it really easy and then you hit a slight decend so you move onto the big chainring and the next minute you are cruising at about 22-23mph. You want to keep up the momentum so you keep peddling and peddling until you hit some lights, you the decide that you should take it easy and then you hit another decend and the same thing happens again!

I've ridden just over 19 miles in 1 hour during a looped route I mapped out in training but today I averaged 18.5mph during my 11.5mi commute, including slowing down and sprinting back to speed at lights! I'm feeling a bit tired now, no wonder it takes me a couple of days to mentally and physically work myself for a another commute day into work!

 

[Bristol Dave]

Fiddle with your gear changer so you can't change up!

Seriously - it is a recognized psychological condition of competing against yourself ("the clock"). You are perfectly normal in this respect.

BD

 

[fossyant]

Nothing wrong with this - good way to wake you up, and it's good training to get fit.

 

[Johnny5]

Nothing wrong with this - good way to wake you up, and it's good training to get fit.

Sure does get you fit. I find my commutes TT/fartlek sessions are much more tiring than my 30-40 mile group rides!

 

[palinurus]

I do this too. Can be a problem if I stuff a couple of time trials into a week as well. I can't stop myself doing it but I can force myself to have a couple of easier days as long as I make a rule for myself before the ride (e.g. no use of the big ring, no smaller sprocket than the 16).

 

[Keith Oates]

My commutes are also a bit TT ish as I leave home with the idea of catching a certain time ferry. It's fun though and when I arrive at work I'm normally wearing a big smile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Glow worm]

Quoting a previous Johnny5 contribution - Every time I cycle to work (11.5mi single trip), it always ends up being a TT or Fartlek session!

Being new to this forum, I have to plead ignorance on the 'Fartlek' thing, but I experience similar on my daily 10 miler to Cambridge. Not with speed though it's more an attitude thing for me. Each day I set out thinking ''Today, I will remain entirely calm and composed. Today, I refuse to let the muppets driving cars affect my tranquil state of mind, I will simply ignore it all, rise above it and arrive at work happy and cheerful''. It's a worthy aspiration, however it rarely lasts more than half a mile when the first 'Baby on Board - Keep your Distance' Volvo Estate of the day sends me onto the verge whilst overtaking me on a blind bend, within an inch of my handlebars!

 

[HLaB]

When I end up taking the path I always end up going faster than I mean even on the 37mm trod hybrid (18-23mph on the path) If I go by the road however there is more to keep me ocupied and its mostly uphill whereas the path's mainly flat (on the flatter sections though )

 

[jig-sore]

ha ha, I'm another sufferer of this condition

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I too was a fellow sufferer. then I discovered big rides at the weekend and now my commute is dictated by whatever zone I'm trying to stay in on my HRM. An extra 10 mins on the 25km commute means never breaking 120 bpm nor breaking a sweat.

 

[Breedon]

Im the same, i stick to roads more as these help to push me along keeping up with traffic sprinting off the lights or racing a car for as long as i can (not for long mind).

If i use the cycle path i tend to slow down and dont push my self taking it easy, it's very rare if i potter along going & coming back from work

 

[jonny jeez]

Hey Jonny5, this is so true.

I activley tried to take it easy this morning, the weather was nice, no wind, early sun and thoughts of stopping for a coffee at a pavement cafe in Mayfair on the way just becaus can...all lost as soon as I caught sight of another cyclist on the horizon!

I'm off tomorrow and am going to bring the work motorbike home on Wednesday night, so I WILL take it easy wednesday morning and I WILL hav e that coffee enroute.

It'll probably be bleedin raining!