Unfit bloke starting a commute.

[MacB]

I'm in a similar boat having had the 20 mile commute and now working from home, my mileage has dropped drastically. But I wouldn't hesitate to take on a commute of this sort again and I reckon it would be 3-6 months to build up to the full 5 days.

I do like some of the ideas here, especially the driving in on a Sunday evening, with bike, to leave kit and car at work, forcing a Monday morning ride and giving you car options.

 

[pshore]

I've been resting on my laurels.

Oooh, sounds painful, no wonder you haven't been cycling. Y-fronts or cycling shorts should help.


I'll get me coat.

 

[J4CKO]

Im 40, I weigh 17 st 1 at the moment, was 17 st 6 last Friday

Was communiting anyway but upping the cycling and eating sensibly seems to do the trick, was doing the commute but am extending so its 25 miles a day, soon get used to it and it doesnt seem far, I dont think cars are that much faster on average for most journeys I do.

Can recommend the Android Tracker app, used it for the first time last night, brilliant, 23 mins for the short 6.5 mile route (had to get home) and average 16.8 mph with a slight headwind.

 

[MacB]

what is it with getting past 40 and passing the 17/18 stone mark? I remember in my 30's, when my weight crept up to 15 stone, thinking I need to sort this. Next thing I know I'm worried about the 19 stone mark, I've battled my way back to 17.5 stone so far this year, but it's definitely harder with age.

I miss the long commute, the weight fell off me then

 

[Rhythm Thief]

what is it with getting past 40 and passing the 17/18 stone mark? I remember in my 30's, when my weight crept up to 15 stone, thinking I need to sort this. Next thing I know I'm worried about the 19 stone mark, I've battled my way back to 17.5 stone so far this year, but it's definitely harder with age.

I miss the long commute, the weight fell off me then

I was always heavy. I was 12 stone even when I was twentysomething fit and built like a racing whippet (and I was fit then ... commuting 200+ miles a week and an Audax at the weekend, 25 miles in just over the hour).

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I wasn't having a dig, honest!

Are you going to go for a nice ride between now and next week when you do your first commute?

No offence taken. I think I'll be doing it "cold" on Monday night. Don't think I'll get time to get out on the bike between now and then.

 

[Nebulous]

what is it with getting past 40 and passing the 17/18 stone mark? I remember in my 30's, when my weight crept up to 15 stone, thinking I need to sort this. Next thing I know I'm worried about the 19 stone mark, I've battled my way back to 17.5 stone so far this year, but it's definitely harder with age.

I miss the long commute, the weight fell off me then

It can happen so slowly and insidiously that you just don't notice. I reached 30 reasonably fit and about 13 stone and then found myself at 48 over 18 stone (a year later down to 13stone 3lbs) I was thinking about this - even putting on a pound every 3 months, slow enough to not notice, slow enough to be difficult to measure, you would gain 40 lbs in ten years. I went for years without even weighing myself. Very occasionally I would need a bigger pair of trousers and would worry about it for a day or two, but quickly forget. I'm pretty sure I was maintaining the same calorie intake I needed as an active 20 something when my requirements and metabolism had slowed quite a bit.

 

[wbmkk]

Day 1 .. put your bike in the car and drive to within a couple of miles of your work location, then cycle in.

Day 2 .. ditto 4 miles from work

Day 3 .. ditto 6 miles

etc etc.

By the end of the first, (or maybe 2nd month) you'll be ready to go the full distance.

I used to commute about 10 miles, but the real puzzle is ..

If the wind is against you on your way to work, you can be sure it's against you again on your way home

and if it's behind you on your way to work, it's against you on your way home

Good luck !