Commuting - First Commute, I'm tired.

:eek: Alright, just tell me it gets easier. I just did about a 55 mile round trip with a 2 hour food break at the half way mark. This was a 'test' commute for my 3 day a week commute coming up in a week or two. I'm absolutely wasted. I think I might have to wuss out and take the bus a few days a week until I get in better aerobic shape.

Btw, is it normal to have a stiff neck the first few days, or does that mean my reach is too far?

Have you switched to a different bike or different handlebar? It would be best to work up to that sort of mileage gradually. I would do something like ride it once a week for a couple weeks, then up it to twice a week. Etc., etc.

A 55 mile round trip is a hell of a commute! Wow!

That's a pretty big chunk to bite off if you aren't already a regular cyclist.

When I first started commuting, I was already a regular runner. The commute was going to be 9.5 miles one way, and I thought it would be no problem...9.5 miles later, I thought I could die.

It does get easier, I promise. Just keep it up, and make sure you eat well to replenish your muscles and energy. And no shame in taking some rest days while you're getting there.

As far as the sore neck...that can be caused by a number of factors. A common one is wide handlebars, and locking out your elbows to lean your weight on them. In doing so, your wide hand stance and locked arms cause you to "vulture" your shoulders up...very common when you start to tire. At that point your neck is not only fighting the weight of your head, but is also trying to push your head up past your scrunched shoulders. This happens to me still on centuries sometimes.

Or, it could be handlebars set low...lower than you're ready for. I don't know what kind of bike you have.

Anyhow, congrats on the new commute. I'm fairly certain the HHCMF folks will be by in short order to shake your hand.

That sounds like a pretty good ride. I used to do some 60-70 mile days by going out for 2-3 hours after work with a huge messenger bag on my back, not fun.
Put everything on your bike, save your back and neck.

Now that you mention it, I think my handlebars might be a little too wide for me (46cm), but they'll have to do for now, I just spent a hefty bit of cash on and HID light and cant afford to try another one atm. I have fairly broad sholders but I should probably try a 44. The actual commute should be more like 30 miles roundtrip, I took bike paths most of the way....which is also quite out of the way. If anyone knows a fantastic way to get from Ballard to Tukwila let me know. >.>

What type of bike is it?
I have a road touring geometry but I find riding with my hands on the tops pretty comfortable.

Now that you mention it, I think my handlebars might be a little too wide for me (46cm), but they'll have to do for now, I just spent a hefty bit of cash on and HID light and cant afford to try another one atm. I have fairly broad sholders but I should probably try a 44. The actual commute should be more like 30 miles roundtrip, I took bike paths most of the way....which is also quite out of the way. If anyone knows a fantastic way to get from Ballard to Tukwila let me know. >.>

Wider bars aren't that big of a fit issue. My question is what's the height difference between the top of teh seat (assuming it's adjusted right), and the top of the bars. If that is more than an inch or two, you're on too small of a frame. Check my LHT pictures, about a fistful of seatpost, and the bars and frame are almost level. I did drop them by 1 spacer above the stem, but man, that bike is comfortable to ride for an upright. Also, if you're in the drops, or on the hoods, you shouldn't see your front axle, it should be obscured by the bars. If it's behind the bars, your stem is too long, and in front of the bars, it's too short.

+1 on 27miles each way being a long commute! If you read through the commuting forum you will find the average commute is probably 12mi or less each way. For many years mine was 4.2 miles each way & that allowed me to add a run home & back during my 1 hour lunch. For an older guy like me, 4-5 miles each way would be an ideal commute. Your distance is definitely for the younger set & will likely use up most of your spare time each day. Don

I worked up to a 42 mile commute last summer and took a few months to do it. Part way a couple of days a week at first and so on. I added 5% to 10% mileage each week. Younger people might ramp it up faster if they already have a goodly number of miles under their belts. I also only had a 4 hour work day and the local buses all have two and three bike racks on them if there were any mechanical problems.

I had a chance recently at a commute as long as yours but passed as the mileage was higher then the pay.

Here's my bike, I think the seat has actually been lowered a hair since the picture was taken. I like the touring geometry. Let me know if you guys see anything out of wack. I have been tweaking it quite a bit for the past month or so, but this is my first long ride.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k131/brandonesp/picture1.jpg

Yikes! And I thought my current 45 miles a day was a bit much.
eek! Be careful in regards to burning out. You wouldn't want to waste such a wonderful hobby :)
Heck, when it starts cooling down a bit more I switch to my full mixed mode commute. Currently one way is cut in half with a bus. That method cuts both directions in half with light rail. I'm thinking about staying with the mixed mode commute next summer (30 miles RT) and adding more miles on the weekend for recreational rides. Possibly joining a club, especially after I finish building my new roadie. Recreational rides are quite enjoyable. Not that my commute isn't. No socializing on the commute.