The daily "I cycled to work" thread
Discussion
Cold one this morning - but an enjoyable ride. Having a hybrid, I managed to get a short 1/2 mile in on the road, then the next 2-3 miles were off road. Not too muddy as it'd frozen overnight so nicely traffic-free!
Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
After the last couple of weeks pretty much off cycling with a stonking cough and cold, I braved it this morning (mainly because the chap I can get a lift with is off work.)
The weather was glorious, I love cold crisp morning. There was a bit of ice and an angry lorry driver, but nothing too bad. (He could have just had a s
t gearbox, but it felt like he was being aggressive towards me.)
The cough isn't quite gone, but happily, neither is the desire to race. (Only the ability, I need to get back on it soon.)
The weather was glorious, I love cold crisp morning. There was a bit of ice and an angry lorry driver, but nothing too bad. (He could have just had a s
t gearbox, but it felt like he was being aggressive towards me.)The cough isn't quite gone, but happily, neither is the desire to race. (Only the ability, I need to get back on it soon.)
sider said:
Cold one this morning - but an enjoyable ride. Having a hybrid, I managed to get a short 1/2 mile in on the road, then the next 2-3 miles were off road. Not too muddy as it'd frozen overnight so nicely traffic-free!
Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
Get some decent food down you ASAP after the first ride in to help with recovery, maybe don't push quite so hard cycling in....? Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
E65Ross said:
Get some decent food down you ASAP after the first ride in to help with recovery, maybe don't push quite so hard cycling in....?
Ok, thanks.Mapmyride didn't work properly this morning - so according to it I averaged 717.2mph this morning. Pushing quite hard indeed I suppose!
I did the Wiggle Shropshire Mynd last year and my bike made me feel like I'd turned up to an F1 race in a fastish Land Rover.
But for the commute, it's pretty good. Copes with kerbs well. Wheels are quite big though - which means weaving through none moving traffic can be a bit of a task sometimes.
sider said:
Cold one this morning - but an enjoyable ride. Having a hybrid, I managed to get a short 1/2 mile in on the road, then the next 2-3 miles were off road. Not too muddy as it'd frozen overnight so nicely traffic-free!
Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
Yep up the food if you can, that helps, some are more sensitive to others.Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
Also remember that : "Legs Tire before lungs" , pick an easy gear on the way in and keep cadence high. When I commuted on a hybrid on 10 miles of road and tracks I forced myself only to use the middle (39) ring of the triple at the front, this meant I had to spin lots! Kept legs fresh all week and still averaged 16/17 on way in and 17/18mph on way home
Slow but enjoyable commute through the snow here in Aberdeen this morning. First proper use of my spiked tires on the MTB! Might've been slight overkill as there wasn't much ice but the grip on compacted snow was amazing.
sider said:
Cold one this morning - but an enjoyable ride. Having a hybrid, I managed to get a short 1/2 mile in on the road, then the next 2-3 miles were off road. Not too muddy as it'd frozen overnight so nicely traffic-free!
Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
I find that a good stretch routine, even just a few minutes (lumbar, glutes, hamstrings and quads) after getting off the bike works wonders for the legs.Just a quick one though. I'm now sat at a desk having had a 'stand up wash' in the toilets at my office - no showers here. What's the best way to keep legs in good condition for getting home later? Find the morning ride fine but as soon as I jump on to face the 13 miles (generally uphill) ride home, my legs feel immediately tired and I'm in for a hard hour! Any pointers?
Drove in today with the bike, cycled an extended reasonably hilly route home (made it 27 miles with 2300ft of climb).
Definitely a net headwind.... At one point I was doing 100% FTP on a flat and going 13mph
I ended up going up further before heading down back towards home and so had a tailwind the last few miles.... On another section of flat road doing 70% FTP I was doing 26mph! Only averaged 15.4 but as said, definite net headwind, tired legs and didn't push hard.
Lovely day for it, altho I'd rather it be 15-20degrees warmer!
Going to be a cold ride in tomorrow morning, forecast says -4!
Definitely a net headwind.... At one point I was doing 100% FTP on a flat and going 13mph
I ended up going up further before heading down back towards home and so had a tailwind the last few miles.... On another section of flat road doing 70% FTP I was doing 26mph! Only averaged 15.4 but as said, definite net headwind, tired legs and didn't push hard. Lovely day for it, altho I'd rather it be 15-20degrees warmer!
Going to be a cold ride in tomorrow morning, forecast says -4!
cirian75 said:
looked at the BBC, said -2, checked Google, said -4, went and checked the cars temp, it said -8, I said bugger this I'm getting the bus.
Whilst I agree you probably took the sensible option, I've never seen such a worse pistonheads fail "checked the CARS temp, took the BUS". Hand over your membership please 
In related news I never realised how much warmer my face would be with a beard. Why have I never grown one before in years of commuting?!?!? Will definitely be making a reappearance next year.
Ooof. Bit nippy this morning (7am). I think around -2-ish according to the news weather, so not as cold as some parts of the UK. Still cant feel my little finger after an hour in the office.
Currently sporting a goatee and arrived at work today with it dripping*.
'* yeah, thats right - a dripping goatee. Dont tell me you dont all find that image arousing.
Fourmotion said:
In related news I never realised how much warmer my face would be with a beard. Why have I never grown one before in years of commuting?!?!? Will definitely be making a reappearance next year.
You think so? I find all that happens is the beard becomes wet with condensation from my breath, and consequently cold(er). The only plus side i suppose is that you havent taken the top layer of skin off by shaving so it doesnt feel so "raw".Currently sporting a goatee and arrived at work today with it dripping*.
'* yeah, thats right - a dripping goatee. Dont tell me you dont all find that image arousing.
Fourmotion said:
cirian75 said:
looked at the BBC, said -2, checked Google, said -4, went and checked the cars temp, it said -8, I said bugger this I'm getting the bus.
Whilst I agree you probably took the sensible option, I've never seen such a worse pistonheads fail "checked the CARS temp, took the BUS". Hand over your membership please In related news I never realised how much warmer my face would be with a beard. Why have I never grown one before in years of commuting?!?!? Will definitely be making a reappearance next year.
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