The problem with commuting is...

[Karlt]

...it has a deleterious effect on other cycling. I have a 15 mile each way commute into work, and the only real problem I'm having is that I find that once I'm home having done 30 miles in the day I don't feel like going off for the evening rides I used to do. The good bike hasn't been ridden for weeks. I'm concerned that if I do go out I'll overknacker myself for the commute the next day.

The result is that I'm mostly riding the commuting bike, which isn't as nice (old steel Raleigh with some modernised components and rack added) and doing the same old four or five practical routes over and over. I've considered using the good bike for a change, but it has no rack (and I don't want to put one on it) and it has road pedals which are frankly a pain in the arse on a commute but which I really appreciate when I do get a decent length ride on it. And it'd still be the same routes, if marginally quicker.

Anyone else find this?

 

[ianrauk]

After doing a similar daily commute (35), I wouldn't want to go out in the evening for any length of time. That's what weekends are for

 

[Karlt]

Family...

 

[ianrauk]

Me too.. and?

 

[Drago]

Its all miles in the saddle to me. In any case, riding with a purpose and saving a few quid is perhaps more satisfying that just riding

 

[Simontm]

I have family and also cycle around 30 miles a day on commute. I reckon the trick is to go out early either Saturday or a Sunday and use the other for a rest day for pottering about, fixing things etc.

 

[Lonestar]

Shiftwork knackers my weekend rides.

 

[MisterStan]

You've got this all wrong my friend; the real problem with commuting is the work you have to do between commutes.

 

[MichaelW2]

Get a nice, modern commuter road bike.
New bikes always solve one problem or another.

 

[DrLex]

95% of my riding is the commute, so I ride my best bike and enjoy it.

 

[HertzvanRental]

I found retirement solved a lot if problems!!

 

[jonny jeez]

Am I the only one who had to google the meaning of deleterious?

Ive long held the belief that whilst regular commuting Provides huge benifits in terms of cycle fitness (really, really really big benifits, believe me) along with costs savings and practical advantages...it does carry the risk of turning the experience of cycling into something less joyful and more utalitarian.

Perhaps consider doing three days a week on the commuter and a night or two a week out on the road bike.

 

[boydj]

Or think about extending the commute home a couple of evenings - possibly using the good bike on those days. This might mean taking in some extra clothes the day before, or some other logistical changes, and making sure you've had enough to eat before setting off.

 

[Dave Carey]

After a recent new addition to the family commuting is the only way I can get out on the bike but varying my route and extending the ride home breaks up the monotony.

 

[martinclive]

......when someone decides their job is more important than the commute (just sayin' @MisterStan )