Jamescsti

So after around 13 years i've finally bit the bullet and started cycling again, I realised with my expanding waist line that something had to be done so i'm swapping my 50 mile round trip commute everyday for 4-5 miles each way to the train station and a train ride to work.

I'm sure 4 miles each way is nothing for some on here but it's going to kill me for the first few weeks, and then theres the traffic to contend with, will be an interesting couple of weeks, slightly nervous about it.

At the moment I've got a Carrera Vulcan which is not ideal as a road bike but got it second hand so will keep me going until i figure out if its for me or not and if so i'll buy a road bike/ hybrid.

Anyone got any tips to help me get started?

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

I've just started peddling again since last turning a pedal in anger in 1978 LOL , Best tip would be to start again at the weekends / evenings and put a few miles on the legs before starting the commute proper.

Look at the proper clothing and think about getting a bike fit for tarmac, There's a world of difference between my road bike and the boy's MTB.

Best of luck


Shaun

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Mate of mine gave me this, whilst I wait for my Cycle to work scheme to kick in ..

Any good ?

Just for road and little bit of down hilling .. nothing heavy ..

Jamescsti

Thanks for that,
Off to get a helmet tomorrow and definately some sort of cycle top whic will be flourecent yellow so people see me, when I was a kid i didn't care less about helmets, now it seems crazy not to have one so thats a must, will see how it goes

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Week or two, you wont notice it, your bum getting sore is the main thing, four miles is a doddle !

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

I went for a Bell helmet......... seems pretty well made and didn't cost the earth...........as for the bum...*cough* padded undershorts LOL

Shaun

Will

andythejock01wrx

Assuming you're in the UK, get a waterproof jacket and shorts/trousers (maybe not so vital for 4 miles!)

As J4cko says, once you've done it a few times, you'll find that distance pretty easy, unless you're climbing up a one in four!

After a week or so you'll really enjoy it!

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Got something to inspire you



and now:



It's the same guy.

Clarebabes

I used to do 4 miles to work and 4 miles back about 3 times a week on a Carrera Vulcan a few years back. My advice would be to get a different bike, but if that's all you've got to work with, it's still doable.

Let us know how you get on

andythejock01wrx

Kieran, you've done ever so well!!

Leslie

Thats impressive alright.

Les

chrispy200+

iTrader: (2)

Down hilling I'd say no, trails and stuff like that yeah, be fine

Jamescsti

My first thought was how did he geet a bike to take his weight? but it is bloody impressive.

Clarebabes- Yes it's all i've got to work with for now, as i have nothing to compare it to i guess I will be alright.

Going to the train station is fairly steady, flat most of the way and down hill, coming home not so easy!

Bought a Bell helmet today and some other bits, better saddle feels better already, lock etc, looking forward to tomorrow morning now

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Just out of curiosity what saddle did you get ?

Hope tomorrow goes OK, UK weather forcast looks sunny

Shaun

Steve vRS

I can now do an average speed of 14.5mph on a hardtail mountain back on the road (up from 13mph in Jan). I do runs of about 15miles and there still feels like there is plenty in the tank - it's more time demands that take me home.

I am thinking of commuting soon but it is almost 10miles there and then another 10 home.

It's mainly flat though...

Steve

Clarebabes

If my commute was only 10 miles each way, I'd do it in a flash! But I've got a road bike, so wouldn't take too long.

Steve vRS

Show off

Steve vRS

I'd like to think I could add 5mph to my average speed with a change of bike but I think it's more the engine that needs an overhaul!

Steve

andythejock01wrx

My commute is 10 miles there and back. It's mostly uphill most of the way on the way back, and usually into the wind. Still, you quickly get used to it within a few short weeks and, well other cyclists/runners etc will confirrm, keeping fit gives you a sense of well being and makes you feel good - release of endorphines or sumfink like that!

davyboy

The more you do it the better it gets.

Lycra and smooth legs is a good look

....although my motocross buddies might not agree!

StickyMicky

Lad at work does 15 miles in and 15 miles home on his Boardman road bike, he has been doing it for years and years, yet still has to shower once he gets in at work because he is a smelly mess

Another lunatic jogs into work and back (around 5 miles) he says there is nothing better than a jog home at 2am after a lateshift

miff13

I ride the same distance to work 4 times a week on my Carrera Vulcan and it's absolutely fine, just lock the front suspension so it's not wallowing around like a boat in a storm.

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

12 miles each way for me - in Winter it's taken as much as 55 minutes but I managed a personal best home last week of 36 minutes (okay, there's was a light tailwind and I was on my carbon road bike).

I count on 25 minutes when driving that distance so I was pretty pleased with myself!

Leslie

When I used to cycle to school and back, about 4 miles+, the wind was always against me going, and coming home as well. Never understood how it managed that!

Les

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

you cycle too fast

Clarebabes

Yes, we were out the other day and I asked Dave if it was windy and he said that it wasn't. Then I realised I was travelling at 18 mph, so creating my own...

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Steve, that is good going on an MTB, get a road bike, my Personal Best, set last year was over my 7 mile commute was 20.4mph, doubt I will ever better that as it left me utterly knackered, involved a tailwind and taking daft risks, I have now stopped worrying about hitting a 20 mph average, was my goal for a while and had loads of 19 point somethings.

markjmd

iTrader: (11)

Another very worthwhile option that I think often gets overlooked when using an MTB on the road, is to pay much closer attention to tyre pressures, and invest in a higher performance hand-pump or even a car tyre inflator if need be. Using just an ordinary hand-pump most people will struggle to achieve much more than 35psi in an MTB tyre (for one thing, the valve on the flexi-tube will be getting so hot by that point it'll literally burn your fingers, which is quite off-putting), but most tyres are rated up to 60 or 65. Get the same tyres cranked up to 55 psi or so with a decent pump and you'll easily gain a 15% or higher reduction in rolling resistance, which is very noticeable on the road.

Steve vRS

I have about 3Bar in them using a electric compressor. I was thinking about buying thinner tyres but wondered if they would fit the rims?

Steve