The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
funkyrobot said:
I live 25 miles from work. Could that be achieved on a bicycle? I'm far from fit enough to do it at the moment. It could be a fitness target though.
50 mile round-trip on top of a working-day is going some. Could you drive part of the way with the bike in the back of the car, then "park & ride"? I tend to do this in the winter when the weather is a bit crap and enthusiasm levels wane a bit. Depending on the availability of safe (and hopefully free) parking on the route, you can progressively up the distance cycled as you get fitter.ian996 said:
50 mile round-trip on top of a working-day is going some. Could you drive part of the way with the bike in the back of the car, then "park & ride"? I tend to do this in the winter when the weather is a bit crap and enthusiasm levels wane a bit. Depending on the availability of safe (and hopefully free) parking on the route, you can progressively up the distance cycled as you get fitter.
That's a good idea. My parents live 5 miles from where I work. I could either do the 20 to theirs and freshen up and drive the rest, or do the 5 from theirs. The only issue I have is that my workplace have no facilities for someone who has cycled in (shower, changing rooms etc.) I guess the 20 mile to my parent's house could be good.funkyrobot said:
WinstonWolf said:
Eighteen miles each way, mostly across deserted fens apart from a three mile sprint down the A16 (horrid).
It's either bloody lovely or utterly awful...
It's either bloody lovely or utterly awful...
Sod that. The A16 is awful.
I live 25 miles from work. Could that be achieved on a bicycle? I'm far from fit enough to do it at the moment. It could be a fitness target though.
I could do it a couple of times a week and I'm *only* fifty, so you should be able to work up to it
Don't forget the Fen headwinds though, my trip to Spalding can take between 48 minutes
and about an hour and a half depending on the wind 
king sWinstonWolf said:
Yeah, it sucks big time but I can't avoid it...
I could do it a couple of times a week and I'm *only* fifty, so you should be able to work up to it
Don't forget the Fen headwinds though, my trip to Spalding can take between 48 minutes and about an hour and a half depending on the wind
I'd be heading from Pinchbeck to Heckington. It is a bit of a curved route so wind could be a problem.I could do it a couple of times a week and I'm *only* fifty, so you should be able to work up to it
Don't forget the Fen headwinds though, my trip to Spalding can take between 48 minutes
and about an hour and a half depending on the wind You say you are nearly fifty, but you cycle all of the time. You could easily do the route and have the energy for a run at lunch.
I've just thought of a question to ask. On your commuter bikes, what accessories do you take? I guess a spare tire or two and a pump is a must, along with some food and drink. But do you take anything else?
ian996 said:
funkyrobot said:
I live 25 miles from work. Could that be achieved on a bicycle? I'm far from fit enough to do it at the moment. It could be a fitness target though.
50 mile round-trip on top of a working-day is going some. Could you drive part of the way with the bike in the back of the car, then "park & ride"? I tend to do this in the winter when the weather is a bit crap and enthusiasm levels wane a bit. Depending on the availability of safe (and hopefully free) parking on the route, you can progressively up the distance cycled as you get fitter.Ride in
https://www.strava.com/activities/323002097
Ride Home
https://www.strava.com/activities/323267127
Its perfectly possible, just make sure you EAT!
plan your days food intake properly and ensure you properly re-hydrate by the end of the day or you will suffer! ( bonk )
Also when you're getting started, a banana at the half way point will do wonders for your ability to finish the ride in a strong way.
Edited by SystemParanoia on Thursday 25th June 20:09
SystemParanoia said:
Ive been doing that length commute for some time now, i stopped after i broke my ankle, but ive been building up to start doing it again recently.
Ride in
https://www.strava.com/activities/323002097
Ride Home
https://www.strava.com/activities/323267127
Its perfectly possible, just make sure you EAT!
plan your days food intake properly and ensure you properly re-hydrate by the end of the day or you will suffer! ( bonk )
Also when you're getting started, a banana at the half way point will do wonders for your ability to finish the ride in a strong way.
Wow! Fair play to you chap. Ride in
https://www.strava.com/activities/323002097
Ride Home
https://www.strava.com/activities/323267127
Its perfectly possible, just make sure you EAT!
plan your days food intake properly and ensure you properly re-hydrate by the end of the day or you will suffer! ( bonk )
Also when you're getting started, a banana at the half way point will do wonders for your ability to finish the ride in a strong way.
Edited by SystemParanoia on Thursday 25th June 20:09
I hit the wall on a ride years ago. It was bloomin horrible. I don't plan on doing that again if I can help it.
funkyrobot said:
WinstonWolf said:
Yeah, it sucks big time but I can't avoid it...
I could do it a couple of times a week and I'm *only* fifty, so you should be able to work up to it
Don't forget the Fen headwinds though, my trip to Spalding can take between 48 minutes and about an hour and a half depending on the wind
I'd be heading from Pinchbeck to Heckington. It is a bit of a curved route so wind could be a problem.I could do it a couple of times a week and I'm *only* fifty, so you should be able to work up to it
Don't forget the Fen headwinds though, my trip to Spalding can take between 48 minutes
and about an hour and a half depending on the wind You say you are nearly fifty, but you cycle all of the time. You could easily do the route and have the energy for a run at lunch.
I've just thought of a question to ask. On your commuter bikes, what accessories do you take? I guess a spare tire or two and a pump is a must, along with some food and drink. But do you take anything else?
I carry a spare tube, some leech patches and a couple of canisters of air. Beyond that it's down to ringing someone to come and retrieve me
I don't generally eat on hour long rides but I tend to keep a gel in my pocket in case of the dreaded bonk.
750ml of water should be enough but I do add electrolytes when it's warmer as my cap usually is completely white by the time I get there...
WinstonWolf said:
Cycled to Spalding last night, she then wants to go for a ride so we do another ten miles, then I have to rake and cut the grass. It certainly improves your fitness
I carry a spare tube, some leech patches and a couple of canisters of air. Beyond that it's down to ringing someone to come and retrieve me
I don't generally eat on hour long rides but I tend to keep a gel in my pocket in case of the dreaded bonk.
750ml of water should be enough but I do add electrolytes when it's warmer as my cap usually is completely white by the time I get there...
You rake the grass before you cut it? No wonder you are fit. I carry a spare tube, some leech patches and a couple of canisters of air. Beyond that it's down to ringing someone to come and retrieve me
I don't generally eat on hour long rides but I tend to keep a gel in my pocket in case of the dreaded bonk.
750ml of water should be enough but I do add electrolytes when it's warmer as my cap usually is completely white by the time I get there...
I said tires above, but I meant tubes.
I guess you have to have a good reason to come to Spalding.
These canisters of air, are they better than a pump? I guess they must be easier to use. Can you get things like other gases for bike tires? I think you can get things like nitrogen for car tires. Or are the air canisters for clearing out dusty computers?
Craikeybaby said:
I missed out on my usual Friday ride in, as I'm off to Wales with the lads straight from work, will be going to Coed Y Brenin - so a semi legit excuse.
There's talk in the office of setting up a regular Friday afternoon MTB ride from the office, which should be fun.
Enjoy! The Beast is the one to do there at the moment though, in my opinion, isn't as good as the now defunct "karrimor" ride they used to have there.There's talk in the office of setting up a regular Friday afternoon MTB ride from the office, which should be fun.
funkyrobot said:
WinstonWolf said:
Cycled to Spalding last night, she then wants to go for a ride so we do another ten miles, then I have to rake and cut the grass. It certainly improves your fitness
I carry a spare tube, some leech patches and a couple of canisters of air. Beyond that it's down to ringing someone to come and retrieve me
I don't generally eat on hour long rides but I tend to keep a gel in my pocket in case of the dreaded bonk.
750ml of water should be enough but I do add electrolytes when it's warmer as my cap usually is completely white by the time I get there...
You rake the grass before you cut it? No wonder you are fit. I carry a spare tube, some leech patches and a couple of canisters of air. Beyond that it's down to ringing someone to come and retrieve me
I don't generally eat on hour long rides but I tend to keep a gel in my pocket in case of the dreaded bonk.
750ml of water should be enough but I do add electrolytes when it's warmer as my cap usually is completely white by the time I get there...
I said tires above, but I meant tubes.
I guess you have to have a good reason to come to Spalding.
These canisters of air, are they better than a pump? I guess they must be easier to use. Can you get things like other gases for bike tires? I think you can get things like nitrogen for car tires. Or are the air canisters for clearing out dusty computers?
v15ben said:
After yesterday's debacle I spent an evening looking on Evans' website and eating pizza.
The inevitable happened and I just put a deposit down on a new bike!
It's a Pinnacle Ramin One and I'm picking it up tomorrow.
Can't wait!
+100 man points for this.The inevitable happened and I just put a deposit down on a new bike!
It's a Pinnacle Ramin One and I'm picking it up tomorrow.
Can't wait!
"Need new part"
"hmmm, might as well replace everything"
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