First commute of 2010 this morning
Discussion
I chose a really bad day to do it! The forecast last night said it'd be dry but cloudy, and as I went down to the garage this morning it was indeed overcast. About a mile in it started spitting and then a couple of miles later it was pissing down.
I learned a couple of things. Firstly, although I'm somewhat worse than I was in the autumn, two months of nights out, business trips and mince pies hasn't actually had as big an effect as I feared (I'm still only moderately unfit). Secondly, commuting in light rain actually isn't a problem at all. Finally, in contrast, commuting in heavy rain is every bit as miserable as I remembered.
And the other thing was the traffic. Somehow it's doubled since the last time I got on the bike. It seemed denser in the car, but I thought I was just being paranoid. Nope, I actually spent quite a bit of time stationary on the bike this morning as there were places I couldn't even filter through safely. That's never really happened before.
Still felt better than crawling along in a hatchback though.
I learned a couple of things. Firstly, although I'm somewhat worse than I was in the autumn, two months of nights out, business trips and mince pies hasn't actually had as big an effect as I feared (I'm still only moderately unfit). Secondly, commuting in light rain actually isn't a problem at all. Finally, in contrast, commuting in heavy rain is every bit as miserable as I remembered.
And the other thing was the traffic. Somehow it's doubled since the last time I got on the bike. It seemed denser in the car, but I thought I was just being paranoid. Nope, I actually spent quite a bit of time stationary on the bike this morning as there were places I couldn't even filter through safely. That's never really happened before.
Still felt better than crawling along in a hatchback though.
The traffic would have been worse due to the rain - they had the luxury of waiting a few more minutes than you before they left - and by that time it was pi$$ing down 
I used to notice the traffic was MUCH worse at the slightest sign of precipitation - once I get rid of this chest infection, I'll be back in the saddle
Steve
I used to notice the traffic was MUCH worse at the slightest sign of precipitation - once I get rid of this chest infection, I'll be back in the saddle
Steve
I think you may be right. I rode in again today (clear weather) and the traffic was much better.
It's weird - I'm not having any more difficulty getting up the hills at a steady rate (after a few months slobbing around and over indulging) but I don't seem to be able to push myself to go faster. It's almost like I've lost some elasticity.
The state of the roads is pretty shocking too. Potholes everywhere and there's a huge quantity of sand and grit still around that has a very marked effect on your rolling resistance (that or it's the mince pies again).
It's weird - I'm not having any more difficulty getting up the hills at a steady rate (after a few months slobbing around and over indulging) but I don't seem to be able to push myself to go faster. It's almost like I've lost some elasticity.
The state of the roads is pretty shocking too. Potholes everywhere and there's a huge quantity of sand and grit still around that has a very marked effect on your rolling resistance (that or it's the mince pies again).
I started commuting again last week - did 3 days and despite being cold, it feels good to get in the saddle again. Like you, I've not been on the bike since October and already, this week is starting to feel better.
I've found mudguards have been the best addition to my old hybrid and some 1.25" slicks (a bargain at £6.50 each!)
I've found mudguards have been the best addition to my old hybrid and some 1.25" slicks (a bargain at £6.50 each!)
Jesus Christ! I set the stopwatch this morning. I was nearly 10 minutes slower than my best time in the autumn - over a half hour stretch. 
I do attribute some of that to the traffic. I'm fairly cautious (well, sensible at least compared to some of the roadies!) going past people. I wonder if the cold weather has an effect to? I don't like the heat, but maybe I am less efficient on frosty mornings than sweating like John Precott on a treamill in the summer.
Of course, mostly it's just been the er, winter lifestyle since the end of October. I'm off skiing at the end of February and the aim is to regain some basic fitness by then.
I do attribute some of that to the traffic. I'm fairly cautious (well, sensible at least compared to some of the roadies!) going past people. I wonder if the cold weather has an effect to? I don't like the heat, but maybe I am less efficient on frosty mornings than sweating like John Precott on a treamill in the summer.
Of course, mostly it's just been the er, winter lifestyle since the end of October. I'm off skiing at the end of February and the aim is to regain some basic fitness by then.
Chris71 said:
Jesus Christ! I set the stopwatch this morning. I was nearly 10 minutes slower than my best time in the autumn - over a half hour stretch.
My best in the summer was around 28 minutes for 7.5 miles. Hardly managed one commute over Dec/early January and when I got back in the saddle was in the 37-38 min range. Five commutes in I'm now back down to to around 32 mins. So still 15% slower. A lot of that is down to wet/slippery roads, wet/ineffective brakes and and massively increased stopping distances since November-ish. So basically I end riding much more slowly. And losing fitnes. And getting a bit bored.The last few days have been dry and I've been back out of the saddle pounding away again. Roll on drier weather and sub-30 banzai rides.
Edited by angusc43 on Wednesday 27th January 13:55
Edited by angusc43 on Wednesday 27th January 13:56
angusc43 said:
Chris71 said:
Jesus Christ! I set the stopwatch this morning. I was nearly 10 minutes slower than my best time in the autumn - over a half hour stretch.
My best in the summer was around 28 minutes for 7.5 miles.I think - fitness aside - it is mostly the traffic. Before I was able to keep pace with the traffic while it was running smoothly and just quickly nip to the front of the queue at roundabouts, junctions or traffic lights. Now the traffic's so much denser (presumbaly people refusing to walk to work in the cold?) that I spend a lot of my time filtering.
To be fair, the difference in journey time is even worse in the car.
Chris71 said:
angusc43 said:
Chris71 said:
Jesus Christ! I set the stopwatch this morning. I was nearly 10 minutes slower than my best time in the autumn - over a half hour stretch.
My best in the summer was around 28 minutes for 7.5 miles.I think - fitness aside - it is mostly the traffic. Now the traffic's so much denser (presumbaly people refusing to walk to work in the cold?) that I spend a lot of my time filtering.
I love the summer blasts - for me it's basically a load of full bore sprints linked by top cog blasts on the more open sections . I arrive in the office wild-eyed and drenched in sweat. What a way to wake up :-)
angusc43 said:
0836whimper said:
HilariousIn fear of pursuit
I press on into the gale
Quietly weeping
Felt like that yesterday - got far too cold, wasn't good for me
Just finished my 2nd week of commuting and the legs are getting stonger already. My FCN is 8 although I've only scalped 2 commuters as there aren't many playing at the mo. Got well & truly dropped by an mtb on nobblies last week - naturally I had to stop & fiddle with my bike - oh the shame...
king snow The half price crud catchers arrived so they'll go on to the stealth commuter today (Specialized allez but converted to a flat bar, to most just looks like a hybrid but it'll happily pull a faster pace)
Thinking it's still a bit cold though... will keep an eye and may give it a go mid-Feb for the first ride of 2010.
Thinking it's still a bit cold though... will keep an eye and may give it a go mid-Feb for the first ride of 2010.
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