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Cycling to work - 11miles each way

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agreenmess
agreenmess Posts: 94
edited January 20 in Social Groups
Hello,

I'm hoping to start cycling into and out of work tomorrow.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice who travels the same amount of miles. I'm looking at it taking me around 1.5 to 2 hours on my hybrid with clipless pedels. Using my panniers as trying to stay away from a backpack.

I'm also looking at eating back around 75% of my earned calories so any advice on what types of food I should be eatting would be amazing.

Thanks

Nessy

Replies

  • OLeoLionessO
    OLeoLionessO Posts: 152
    That's a good daily ride everyday! I would totally recommend getting a mileage counter (if it can measure your calories burned that's a huge plus). You don't really need those energy bars or anything cause they are just full with sugar. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen too. Other than that the panniers and set up is really nice for the amount of mileage you wanna go. Just don't be tempted to drive to work or something....there are days where that feeling just creeps up on you.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Lovely place you live in - I can almost smell the kippers being smoked!

    A speedo/trip computer is a nice addition so you can see how your speed progresses.
    I wouldn't bother eating any "special" food but you will certainly need to be eating and drinking more. Get plenty of protein and fats and then top up to your goal calories with carbs would be my suggestion.

    It might be sensible to start with alternate days by bike for a couple of weeks rather than jump straight up to 5 days a week unless you are already accustomed to that kind of mileage.
  • agreenmess
    agreenmess Posts: 94
    Hey,

    Thanks for the replys, I cycle quite alot normally, though not that type of milage everyday! So I have a bike computer, really simple one but hopefully will help me and I also have a heart rate monitor so will be using that!

    sijomial - Yes it is a lovely place to live, I do love kippers though on a rare occassions as the bones really annoy me. The smoked bacon is the best ever though!! Thanks for the advice on the extra protein and carbs, think I will deffo take that on board.

    Nessy x
  • beatpig
    beatpig Posts: 97 Member
    My experience - I cycle 13m each way, I set off at 6am.

    I am looking at eating a light cereal (wheat based - just one!) with some semi skimmed milk. Maybe take in some honey or something light about 15-20 mins before. And a big glass of water!

    You'll need to make sure you take water, and maybe a snack to keep you going for that length of time.

    Consider why you are cycling - is it to do with fitness/calories or improving your cycling? If it is improving cycling, try and find some different routes to challenge you! You'll get booooooooooooooooored and won't challenge you...

    I have only just started cycling days with back to back - for me it's really tough!

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1055407

    Good luck though!!!
  • Scudder76
    Scudder76 Posts: 108 Member
    Good luck! Biking to work was really the launch of my fitness turnaround. My 9 miles ride took about as long as my public transit commute, and removed the excuse of 'not having time' to exercise. Less than a year later I riding my first century!
  • OLeoLionessO
    OLeoLionessO Posts: 152
    I would love to ride a 100 miles.....seems crazy!
  • Spatialized
    Spatialized Posts: 623 Member
    Here's a couple of suggestions from a daily commuter:
    Start slow, try the route on a weekend, then go for 2-3 days/week before going all out 5 days/week
    Eat a little something if you feel you have to, but you don't need much. Routinely I go for a cup of coffee before I head out (and then eat breakfast at work).
    Listen to your body. I got very run down commuting everyday this winter - lack of energy, lack of verve, almost dreading the rides, time away helped that. Unless you're in a siutation where you have to ride everyday (DUI w/revoked license, lack of transport) don't push yourself to do so.
    Fenders, rack, panniers,lights, helmet, gloves, rain coat - you will thank yourself when you have it all when it's needed.
    Don't worry about the mileage.
    If you're going to use it as training, do it on the home leg as unless you have a shower at work, no one wants to be super workout sweaty at work and your co-workers will thank you.
    If you can vary your routes do it. There is one section that I have to take every.single.day. it gets boringly monotonous and even the thrill of trying to best my times has lost its luster...it just becomes a drag. In my case there is no alternate that doesn't take me miles out of the way.
    Remember that cars don't see you (since you're an avid cyclist I'm sure you understand this, but it's no fun to have an issue on the way to work, it just ruins the day)

    I've been commuting by bike since late June of last year, running about a 95% of days worked average with average mileage around 13/day (I live 10 miles round trip door-to-door, but never go direct). It was a shocker to go from 3 days/week to 5 days/week and took me a bit to get stronger, but now what took me 40 minutes the first time I rode it now takes 30 minutes at a easy pace (record is 18). Have fun with it. Commuting by bike is what kept me civil/snae for years, I could have terrible shifts at work (nurse by trade) and by the time I got home was calm, rational and had let all the bad mojo go. When I drove I was just as keyed up when I got home as I was when I left work, just didn't work for me.

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/596751
  • katozdad
    katozdad Posts: 296 Member
    I do about 11 miles each way. 10.3 to be precise, which I usually complete between 50-55 minutes on a hybrid. I've steadily built up to 5 days a week, unless business travel gets in the way, and I get grump if I don't get at least 4 days a week. My advice is 'yes'... eat back some of your calories after your ride, low fat yoghurt and muesli worked best for me, but once you get stronger and more accustomed to the ride re-assess whether you need your food intake. We are creatures of habit (well I am anyway) and I found myself eating food for the sake of, and justifying it as a recovery snack. I've since dropped the morning recovery snack and don't feel any worse for it.

    http://app.strava.com/athletes/1668626
  • cloggsy71
    cloggsy71 Posts: 2,208 Member
    My shortest route is 13 miles each way...
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