My Technique

[supercooper]

I have been riding bikes for years and 20 years ago I rode competitively but now its just for work and fun and to keep fit. Now , on a weekend I think nothing of riding 30 ,50 or more miles no problem but the thing is when I ride to work which is 13 miles away I do nights at the local hospital , at 6 miles there is a railway crossing and when I get there they are always down and for up to 9 mins . so when I set off again I am so stiff it takes about 2 miles to free up again and get to a decent speed . Is there anything I can do or is it a sign of old age. By the way I cant go earlier or they expect you to start straight away off pay and 5 mins after the line goes up it goes down for another 6 of 7 mins and that would make me late. So please help

 

[Mad at urage]

When the crossing is closed (for that "up to 9 minutes": What do you do? Stand and wait? (I take it there isn't a footbridge, though sounds like there should be on such a busy crossing).

 

[supercooper]

no footbridge just a big line of traffic both sides of the line and plenty of public all stood waiting plus there is cameras!!

 

[Mad at urage]

I wasn't suggesting you leg it across!!!

If you are stiff from standing (rather probable) after warming up nicely whilst cycling, then you need to keep those joints moving and the blood flowing whilst you wait: Otherwise you will just need to start your warm-up all over again (which is what it sounds like - stiff for another two miles)!

So whilst waiting, do some gentle stretching (hamstrings, hips, chest and arms) and knee-dips / deep unweighted squats -perhaps . Do these reasonably slowly as the time passes and you should be able to keep your muscles and joints warmed up but not overtire them.

 

[zizou]

Ease off a little and just spin at a relaxed speed for a couple of minutes before you stop at the level crossing, should help to clear the lactic from your muscles

 

[asterix]

Get a train timetable?

 

[Tiko]

Leave 9 minutes later.

 

[NotFabian]

Leave 9 minutes later.

+1, maybe 8 minutes later

 

[jefmcg]

Go earlier, arrive at work, but don't go in. Quick walk, grab a coffee, read, listen to an iPod. Bring a small thermos if there are no coffee shops (open).

 

[Muddy Ground]

It's one of those team building tests this, isn't it? How do you get a fox and chicken across a river type thing? Surely you just slack off a bit for the last mile or two prior to the crossing so as to arrive at the 9 minute 'gates lift again' juncture? Or leave early, miss the whole event, then slack off a bit during the last stage?

Or, given your competitive nature, leave late, race like hell to beat the gates, then slack off.

Dunno; I always end up with the fox eating the chicken, so I'm no use ;¬(

www.muddyground.com

 

[snorri]

I have been riding bikes for years.......
at 6 miles there is a railway crossing and when I get there they are always down and for up to 9 mins . so when I set off again I am so stiff it takes about 2 miles to free up again and get to a decent speed .
Is there anything I can do or is it a sign of old age.

Yes, it's old age, time to buy a moped.

 

[monkeypony]

Er, leaving 9 minutes later does seem like a bit of a no-brainer. Unless I'm missing something!