Where do you find the time?
Discussion
As somebody who is trying to get back into riding I have hit a problem. I can't find any time to ride!
I work 9-5 with an hour commute each way so as much as I'd like to, a morning ride seems a bit too much. When I get home it's pitch black and freezing.
I try to spare time at weekends for a ride but once I have fulfilled other commitments (jobs around the house, see the in-laws, uni work etc) I seem to have zero time!
I need to re-consider my options. Help a desperate new cyclist out!
I work 9-5 with an hour commute each way so as much as I'd like to, a morning ride seems a bit too much. When I get home it's pitch black and freezing.
I try to spare time at weekends for a ride but once I have fulfilled other commitments (jobs around the house, see the in-laws, uni work etc) I seem to have zero time!
I need to re-consider my options. Help a desperate new cyclist out!
Progressive said:
I work 9-5 with an hour commute each way
I think that's where the problem lies. I only have time to cycle/swim/go to the gym etc because I don't work those kind of hours. If I did then I'm sure I wouldn't have the time either. I expect your best bet is to cycle before or after work in the summer and perhaps use some kind of turbo trainer at home in the winter if you want to avoid cycling in the dark or wet.
Wait a few years and then add family commitments into the mix!!
She has a lie in on Saturday while I do kids stuff then I get out at 8AM with the lads on Sunday
Decent lights also make for a guilt free MTB ride midweek too when the kids are in bed
I also commute by bike and if I ever finish early (in my dreams) take a cheeky detour home as well
Rain, darkness, wind, snow and misery in general are all part of the cycling thing for me, but on the other hand when May comes Im usually feeling much tastier than my lily livered mates who stash their bikes away for the winter
Cheers!
Could spare 2 hours/day if I didn't have so much work to do right now 
Hopefully that'll be different after january exams Buy a turbo trainer and do 30-45 minutes each night during the week. I used to do 6:00-7:00pm before our evening meal which gets you a basic level of fitness and used to exercise. As you improve you'll find a 45min turbo session will leave you completely shattered (if you're pushing hard enough) and arguably as good as spending 2hrs riding around dark roads and without the danger of crashing or getting knocked off the bike.
Then at the weekends, aim for an hour or so on Sat/Sun mornings before the shopping, to-do lists, etc. Because you have some turbo miles behind you, you'll find you can push quite hard and get more benefit than if you're not riding Mon-Fri.
Personally I don't see a lot of value in going hard at this time of year, I just aim to preserve as much fitness as possible from the year and start the proper training plans when the weather starts to turn in February/March.
Then at the weekends, aim for an hour or so on Sat/Sun mornings before the shopping, to-do lists, etc. Because you have some turbo miles behind you, you'll find you can push quite hard and get more benefit than if you're not riding Mon-Fri.
Personally I don't see a lot of value in going hard at this time of year, I just aim to preserve as much fitness as possible from the year and start the proper training plans when the weather starts to turn in February/March.
enter some races. seriously, its a great way of "finding" time to train, its almost like a contract with yourself. it certainly worked for me and half-marathons, i entered one after only minimal training then had to get the training sorted and get on with it!
as mentioned, a turbo trainer is a good idea and allows you to make the most of the time you do get to spend outdoors...
as mentioned, a turbo trainer is a good idea and allows you to make the most of the time you do get to spend outdoors...
You will never 'find' time to ride. You have to 'make' time to ride. Move riding up your list of priorities and shuffle everything else around to accommodate it.
Working a training ride into a 9-5 day is easy. Buy some decent lights and get up at 6, go out for an hour. Job done, and I guarantee you will feel great all morning. Of course, this implies that getting up and riding is more important to you than lying in bed for an hour, which frankly on a pissing wet morning like today is difficult - but it's amazing how quickly you adjust.
Working a training ride into a 9-5 day is easy. Buy some decent lights and get up at 6, go out for an hour. Job done, and I guarantee you will feel great all morning. Of course, this implies that getting up and riding is more important to you than lying in bed for an hour, which frankly on a pissing wet morning like today is difficult - but it's amazing how quickly you adjust.
I go out most nights at around 20.30 depending on what time I get home. Warm gear and a florescent jacket is essential though and once you have started you soon warm up anyway. Lighter traffic is a bonus and it really clears my head after a day at work. I ride between 6 - 10 miles, get home and have my dinner, and when I don't make it I really miss it.
At weekends I am up and out for a lap or two, then home for shower and breakfast. It's a great way to start/ end the day.
At weekends I am up and out for a lap or two, then home for shower and breakfast. It's a great way to start/ end the day.
Night riding's where it's at for me; having kids means daylight hours are always "busy" whether I'm at work or not.When I started riding again four years ago I made a very deliberate decision not to buy any lights.
I still don't have any, but that's because I have access to a shower at work and can ride for an hour at lunchtime: the bike lives in the car which is parked right outside. Road or MTB depending on the weather and motivation.
I also get out at 7.30 or 8.00 am on Sundays in the summer - I can do 35-50 miles and still have a morning with the children.
In the evenings I go to a circuit or spin class, swim or push weights for core strength: in the winter the spin class becomes a turbo session at home. In theory, at any rate, that gives me ten hours a week before cutting into the weekends - in practive it's been less than two hours a week for the past three months because of work and decorating commitments.
It's not easy - at 30 miles my commute is too far to tackle except in summer.
I still don't have any, but that's because I have access to a shower at work and can ride for an hour at lunchtime: the bike lives in the car which is parked right outside. Road or MTB depending on the weather and motivation.
I also get out at 7.30 or 8.00 am on Sundays in the summer - I can do 35-50 miles and still have a morning with the children.
In the evenings I go to a circuit or spin class, swim or push weights for core strength: in the winter the spin class becomes a turbo session at home. In theory, at any rate, that gives me ten hours a week before cutting into the weekends - in practive it's been less than two hours a week for the past three months because of work and decorating commitments.
It's not easy - at 30 miles my commute is too far to tackle except in summer.
This year (and most of last) I have been in uni from 9-6.
Commute both ways on the bike, long ride at the weekend and 3-4 turbo sessions throughout the week.
Get a couple of spinnervals DVD and a decent fan and the turbo don't seem so bad.
Racing season sack off uni early on tuesday and thursday for TTs and Crits, with proper races at the weekend.
Commute both ways on the bike, long ride at the weekend and 3-4 turbo sessions throughout the week.
Get a couple of spinnervals DVD and a decent fan and the turbo don't seem so bad.
Racing season sack off uni early on tuesday and thursday for TTs and Crits, with proper races at the weekend.
I work longer hours with a longer commute than that so I ride once at the weekend only presently. Earlyish ride - 2 hrs. Then home to do jobs, kids etc...
If I work from home then I pop out for a 1hr 15m ride sometimes. But its not enough and my riding fitness is not improving presently! (in fact its getting worse!).
If I work from home then I pop out for a 1hr 15m ride sometimes. But its not enough and my riding fitness is not improving presently! (in fact its getting worse!).
Gazzab said:
I work longer hours with a longer commute than that so I ride once at the weekend only presently. Earlyish ride - 2 hrs. Then home to do jobs, kids etc...
If I work from home then I pop out for a 1hr 15m ride sometimes. But its not enough and my riding fitness is not improving presently! (in fact its getting worse!).
Same here, av. 50hrs a week so too tired after workIf I work from home then I pop out for a 1hr 15m ride sometimes. But its not enough and my riding fitness is not improving presently! (in fact its getting worse!).
1st thing Sunday mornings for me 9ish in the morning, and more often than not the weather has been clear only turning bad around lunch time.
Steve
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