They laughed at me when I said I would cycle to work!

[Voyley]

I live approx 20 (bumpy) miles from my work place on large but busy roads, and as soon as a bike to work scheme was launched I decided to get a road bike and build towards cycling either too or from work. My friends and family laughed when I told them my plans and a few thought I was plain bonkers. This is mainly based on the landscape (living in the South Wales valleys) with each journey presenting a staged descent then leg draining climb.

But after two months I am now cycling home 2/3 times a week with my average MPH climbing and my door to door time falling nicely. I've lost weight and am enjoying my rides more and more and can feel myself improving very well.

The next goal for me is to cycle in to work in the morning and then home on the same day, but after a one way trip my legs ache a lot and I'm not sure I'm ready to do the 40 miles in one day, is it a case of just plugging away until my legs get better at the mileage and the climbs? Or is there anything I can do training wise or recovery wise to get there. I work in an office so am sweater for much of the day too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated (p.s. Sorry about the long message).

 

[classic33]

Just keep plodding along as it were. There's every chance that if you try to hard you'd end up putting yourself of cycling. I used to do 250 miles a weekend(4 days). There was a book run as to how long I'd actually last, doing that distance. No-one won that one.
One thing worth remembering is that the only person you have to beat is yourself, no-one else. Let them have their laugh at what you're doing if they feel like having a laugh.

 

[XRHYSX]

^^what he said

Good work voyley

 

[ianrauk]

Build up the days and within a few months you will be doing the full distance 5 days a week. Your body very quickly adapts to the extra exercise.
Be prepared to be constantly hungry though.... but you will as fit as a butchers dog.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

There are many here among us who would love a commute like that!

 

[ianrauk]

There are many here among us who would love a commute like that!

There's no reason why anyone can't do that distance for a commute if they have a shorter route.

 

[Shaun]

@Voyley it sounds like you've made great progress already - and you seem to be really enjoying it too (instead of worrying too much about speeds/stats).

Do you usually eat / drink on the ride? When my commute was 16 miles in I always found a small snack bar and a couple of bottles of weak Robinsons kept me going (and left me feeling quite fresh on arrival).

Not sure I could do the hills though - I'm not really a hill person ...

 

[Andrew_Culture]

There's no reason why anyone can't do that distance for a commute if they have a shorter route.

My commute is from the kitchen to the room next to the kitchen. But point taken, when I had a real job I used to extend my three mile commute all the time.

 

[lukesdad]

You need to find a longer route.< Lightweight >

 

[sabian92]

Let them laugh, they'll be laughing into an early grave.

Do what you want - you only live once, make the most of it.

 

[Hill Wimp]

Well done, you will be doing the whole week there and back by next summer if not sooner.Getting through the winter can be hard but do what you can on the good days and don't beat yourself up on the not so good days. The only person to beat is you.

PS Try to enjoy your riding too don't just commute. Riding for pleasure and taking the time constraints away really make a difference as you dont notice the miles tick away looking at whats around you. Its not just about commuting.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

Nice one mate.I always get negativity about cycling at work.

 

[Wolfy]

Good on ya mate, you go for it!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done and good for you, let others laugh, you are enjoying your cycling.
Give yourself time before attempting the commute both ways, build up distances gradually.

 

[Recycle]

If you don't already, use clipless pedals and consciously train yourself to use them properly. Develop a smooth push/pull pedal stroke, it will reduce the overuse of any single muscle group and the lactic acid fatigue that results from that. Over the distance you are doing this can make a big difference.

There will be times when you think "I don't feel like this today". When that happens to me I just think of the Jubilee line and I'm ready to go again. Think about the worst aspects of a non-cycle commute to keep yourself motivated (late overcrowded public transport, its not hard).

I do 32 miles/day and I sometimes hit the wall (when you get older that happens). I carry a packet of jelly babies & keep myself hydrated for energy emergencies.

Preserve your energy. Don't have an imaginary race with every cyclist that appears on the horizon. When you find how to do that, please let me know how.