The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Training in Sunningdale this week so I'm up to 40 miles a day, which is just under double my normal distance. It's a nice ride in terms of profile and scenery, but in the name of all that's holy, what do they do to their roads out there?! The last time I went on road surfaces like that, I was in Kazakhstan!
My first cyclo-commute for 7 weeks today, Carshalton to Chiswick (~22km).
The reason for the long lay-off was the birth of our son, he had a tough start to life and needed an operation. So, I've been off work for a while then commuting by car/motorbike just in case I need to dash home.
Anyway - he's pretty good now, so I decided to get my bum into gear and back on the bike. Despite only getting 3 hrs sleep each night for the last few. It went OK, slower than pre-pat-leave, and really hot! I took a slight detour to saluyte St.George's Hospital in Tooting, where he was treated. Turned out to be a better route than I usually take.
Not particularly looking forward to the ride home....
The reason for the long lay-off was the birth of our son, he had a tough start to life and needed an operation. So, I've been off work for a while then commuting by car/motorbike just in case I need to dash home.
Anyway - he's pretty good now, so I decided to get my bum into gear and back on the bike. Despite only getting 3 hrs sleep each night for the last few. It went OK, slower than pre-pat-leave, and really hot! I took a slight detour to saluyte St.George's Hospital in Tooting, where he was treated. Turned out to be a better route than I usually take.
Not particularly looking forward to the ride home....
Conti Top Contact II MILES better than the old Schwalbe Big Apples.
Reckon I shaved 5 mins off the journey due to much reduced rolling resistance. Much better at cornering - they really bite when you pitch it over.
Downsides; I didn't save any energy, just went faster. Caught up on dawdlers much more quickly and had to keep re-passing the ones that kept running the reds. And nearly ran into the back of a couple of roadies doing the crick-crack-crick-crack cleat thing away from the lights.
Reckon I shaved 5 mins off the journey due to much reduced rolling resistance. Much better at cornering - they really bite when you pitch it over.
Downsides; I didn't save any energy, just went faster. Caught up on dawdlers much more quickly and had to keep re-passing the ones that kept running the reds. And nearly ran into the back of a couple of roadies doing the crick-crack-crick-crack cleat thing away from the lights.
Edited by AC43 on Wednesday 16th July 14:44
Lovely commute in the morning, I added a half loop of Richmond Park to add distance and a couple of hills (*I know, I know, everything's relative!) into the mix, making the commute c18km now.
Very pleasant cycling through the park with the deer wandering around, not keen on the hills yet as my fitness levels are still pretty low!
Very pleasant cycling through the park with the deer wandering around, not keen on the hills yet as my fitness levels are still pretty low!
My complete binge eating of eating anything that isn't glued down has paid off a bit and I am very bloated and moved up a belt notch!! 3 x portions of shepards pie , 3/4 of a whole cheesecake , 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter, half a pineapple , 2 fondant fancies , 3 apples & 2 plums was my dinner and snacking last night!!!!
I didn't ride in today either,so wont be having two breakfasts, I might have 2 lunches, just because I fancy it
I didn't ride in today either,so wont be having two breakfasts, I might have 2 lunches, just because I fancy it
Managed to set a new PB, ten seconds off a top ten time on a climb on a slightly different commute this morning.
It's a route I ride semi frequently otherwise - but without the backpack full of kit.
Obviously I'm backing off FAR too much there - either that or the last few weeks of mega miles is paying off.
Helped I was on my nice bike :P Normally works out about 50% faster than my CX for the same commute....
It's a route I ride semi frequently otherwise - but without the backpack full of kit.
Obviously I'm backing off FAR too much there - either that or the last few weeks of mega miles is paying off.
Helped I was on my nice bike :P Normally works out about 50% faster than my CX for the same commute....
TheLemming said:
Managed to set a new PB, ten seconds off a top ten time on a climb on a slightly different commute this morning.
It's a route I ride semi frequently otherwise - but without the backpack full of kit.
Obviously I'm backing off FAR too much there - either that or the last few weeks of mega miles is paying off.
Helped I was on my nice bike :P Normally works out about 50% faster than my CX for the same commute....
But did you have 1 or 2 breakfasts?It's a route I ride semi frequently otherwise - but without the backpack full of kit.
Obviously I'm backing off FAR too much there - either that or the last few weeks of mega miles is paying off.
Helped I was on my nice bike :P Normally works out about 50% faster than my CX for the same commute....
Justin Cyder said:
Rode in on the Whippet this morning with the intention of riding home the very long climby way over the hills. I felt leggy, it's hot & I left my drinks bottle behind. This could be a bail out at this rate unless I can find some gumption between now & 5 o'clock.
You've cleared this with the RSPCA, I presume? I'm not surprised you left your water bottle behind. Nowhere to humanely bolt a cage to on a Whippet 
Two breakfasts......
05h45 - after a moderate night of waking/feeding baby, total sleep approx 5 hours. Breakfast of fried eggs & chunky bread, pint of orange squash and coffee.
Cycle to work in the oprrssive tropical heat of Greater London.
08h00 - shower, sweat, verg long pee, bowl of fruit n fibre.
Now I'm thinking, I have my sarnies next to my desk. How long can I resist them?
05h45 - after a moderate night of waking/feeding baby, total sleep approx 5 hours. Breakfast of fried eggs & chunky bread, pint of orange squash and coffee.
Cycle to work in the oprrssive tropical heat of Greater London.
08h00 - shower, sweat, verg long pee, bowl of fruit n fibre.
Now I'm thinking, I have my sarnies next to my desk. How long can I resist them?
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