Commuting - My baby!

I finally got my commuter last friday. (2006 Gary Fisher Nirvana) I got it off of e-bay for $289 with shipping! Had her checked out by a LBS and did my first commute ever this morning. Probably should have trained a little for this, because 13 miles of hilly commuting kicked my butt. I still have to make it home tonight, but thought I would let you know I made it and am still alive.:D
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n197/ChrisR76/P7160001.jpg

That's terrific!

I remember my first commute...I thought it would be such a piece of cake, since I was a regular runner, and it was "only" 9.5 miles with hills.

1 hour and 30 minutes later, I could have died.

Stick with it my friend...it just gets easier and more fun. By the by, what did you use to attach that pump to your trunk bag?

That's terrific!

I remember my first commute...I thought it would be such a piece of cake, since I was a regular runner, and it was "only" 9.5 miles with hills.

1 hour and 30 minutes later, I could have died.

Stick with it my friend...it just gets easier and more fun. By the by, what did you use to attach that pump to your trunk bag?
Yeah it was really tuff.
The trunk bag came with 2 very strong velcro strips that would wrap around something, so I said why not my pump. I got the bag at Dick's Sporting Goods for $30.

Welcome to the Happy Healthy Commuting MuthaF***ers (HHCMF) club! We're dedicated to showing off our muscular legs in a way that makes the opposite sex swoon with lust while also being earth friendly and supporting our economy by constantly buying bike gadgets and pie. Keep up the good work!

Welcome to the Happy Healthy Commuting MuthaF***ers (HHCMF) club! We're dedicated to showing off our muscular legs in a way that makes the opposite sex swoon with lust while also being earth friendly and supporting our economy by constantly buying bike gadgets and pie. Keep up the good work!
Hehehe thanks it can only get better right? The weather is so great here today. Low 90's with a dew point of about 67. HUMID!!!!

Whelp I made it for my second leg of the commute. Still alive but barely:D . Let me ask the warriors in here. How long does it take for you to get use to your saddle? Dame does my ass hurt!!! And is there any good advice about hills? I am dieing on em and have to get off my bike and push it up on some of them. When you did your first long commute (mine is 13 miles) when did you do it again. I was thinking of Wednesday or should I just get out there and do it again tomorrow? Remember this is the first time I have rode long distances, and in such a hilly area in about 15 years.

you'll get used to your saddle, it just takes a few miles. As for the hills, just keep at 'em. Don't worry if you have to walk some of them. There's no shame in walking up a hill. If you ride the hills enough, you'll get used to them and will be able to make it up them. I try to ride to work around one day a week, but my one way commute is 25 miles, and there are some very steep hills around here. (and sure as heck not this week w/ a heat emergency declared.) I'm moving in a month or so to an apartment right on the bike trail and only 2 miles from work, so soon I'll likely ride every day and then some.

Just keep working on your distance when you can. Keep increasing the distance gradually. Before you know it, 13 miles will seem like only a warm-up.

I'd say skip tomorrow and ride Wed. since you're starting out. You need to build up muscle and endurance and your muscles need the rest. Here's a few things to consider:

Diet: You may find you're hungrier than usual. With a 13 mile o/w commute, make sure you're well hydrated and maybe have a light breakfast (oatmeal, toast w/ peanut butter, fruit) and bring water and a snack w/ you on your commute.

Hills: No shame in walking, but if you want to ride up them, drop your gearing and spin up. It won't seem like you're going fast or even moving much compared to how much your legs are spinning, but it doesn't hurt as much as stomping and straining in a high gear.

Saddle: A couple weeks to build up the callouses and get used to it and then you'll be fine. If you find you're getting numb in the nether regions, play around w/ the tilt and position of the saddle or replace it. Lots of recommendations on saddles on BF and a search will bring up more info than you could ever want.

Good luck and stick w/ it and pretty soon, 26 miles will be a walk in the park!

Thanks guys I will not give up! For the most part it was a blast. Going down hills where fun to see how fast I could go. I will hit it Wed.