Commuting - Ultra-Newbie with a few questions

First, HI ALL! I've been lurking for a few weeks and just thought I'd let everyone know that I've really enjoyed reading everyone's posts.

Second, I'm interested in trying to fit cycling into my schedule. I'm much more of a runner, but I would like give triathlons and duathlons a shot and to do that I need to bike. Here's where the questions come in.

1. How closely does an exercise bike simulate bike riding? I'm thinking of getting this (http://www.thesportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=132340&position=4&cp=710956.863229&page=2&pageBucket=0&parentPage=family) bike so I can ride in the early AM (like 4:00 AM early) while I study. I'm really looking for something I can do while I read. At this point, I can't give up studying and this is as close as I can come to running, biking, or swimming while still being able to read. Also, at this point I'm too unsure of my bike riding abilities to ride in the dark, so I may do some pedaling at night, too.

2. Is a approx. 15 mile commute to work too aggressive for a newbie? I'll consider doing it 2 times a week when the seasons change and it's not dark when I come and go to work. How strange would it be to drive half-way to work and bike the other half; work and then bike back to my vehicle and drive the reest of the way home?

3. Pete Clark Don't you live near Stone Mountain? I live in Grayson (just up Hwy. 78 past Snellville) where are the good LBS's?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

PH
:D

Is a approx. 15 mile commute to work too aggressive for a newbie? I'll consider doing it 2 times a week when the seasons change and it's not dark when I come and go to work. How strange would it be to drive half-way to work and bike the other half; work and then bike back to my vehicle and drive the reest of the way home?

If you're even moderately fit you probably won't find 15 miles a problem. I went from having not had a bike in twenty years to doing a 14 mile slightly hilly commute into work (train home) pretty much straight off. I try and cycle in at least three times a week, normally four and occasionally five.

If it gets you started, I don't see why you can't drive some of the way.

Richard

PH, Welcome to BF. Oh no, another "Hotlanta" resident. ;)


How closely does an exercise bike simulate bike riding?
In my opinion, not very well! Buy a good road bike and mount in on a trainer for riding indoors. Visit a few good bike shops and look at their selection. Talk with the manager about what your plans are. He/she can help with your decision. They can also let you try a trainer (fluid or mag) with the bike. You'll probably have to drive in toward the eastern suburbs of Atlanta or head over to Athens to find a good bike shop.


How strange would it be to drive half-way to work and bike the other half
Sounds like a great idea. Many new commuters start out this way.

Good luck and let us know what bike you buy. If you need suggestions, give us some info on your age, height, weight, cycling goals, $$ you can spend, etc. BF members can give you some good recommendations and the locals can point you toward one or two good bike shops close to you.

Originally posted by purple hayes
1. How closely does an exercise bike simulate bike riding?
It does and it doesn't. On one hand, it WILL exercise the same muscles, but on the other hand, you'll find (a) there's a lot more to cycling than exerting muscles at a consistent resistance and (b) the POSITION of an exercycle is very unlike a real bike. I would suggest that, if you're going to get a bike anyway, get the bike and spend the $169.99 that you were going to spend on an exercycle on a decent mag trainer.


I'm really looking for something I can do while I read.
Velocipedio's First Law of Indoor Training: If you can read a book or focus on the plot of a TV show or movie, then you're not training hard enough. Set aside reading time for reading. Listen to music while you train indoors.


Is a approx. 15 mile commute to work too aggressive for a newbie?
Not at all. If you're fit, 15 miles is a one-hour commute by bike. If you're a runner, then you have pretty good CV conditionning, and you'll get your cycling muscles -- mostly quads -- up to power within a week. And, if you do your commute daily, you'll have 150 miles of training a week, which isn't bad for training.

Regarding the reading and stationary riding, It's a good idea. I used to do this when I was in school and the physical activity stimulates your brain and allows you to better comprehend that rubbish in your text-books. At least it did for me.

No I wasn't training. I never train, I just ride. The stationary bike allowed me to fit some exercise into my busy schedule and stay in shape.

Wellll, I wouldn't count on jumping on the bike and riding 15 miles right off the bat for a couple of reasons. Even though you are a very fit runner, cycling does use some different muscles. Even those muscles may already be strong and fit, there will be a little adjustment period. Also, just getting used to a bike seat, ANY bike seat, will take a few days/couple of weeks. It's probably best to start taking some non-commuting rides every day for a couple of weeks, starting short and working up or do the drive part way thing. When you feel pretty confident that you can do the whole round trip, go for it. Even then, you might consider starting off with 2 then 3 days per weeks, and building up. At your fitness level you should have no problem with the endurance, but expect a "break in" period.

And it's a lot of fun! My commute is 9 miles in/13 miles home, and I love every minute of it, and I'm an old, fat guy. It won't be much fun if you make yourself hurt right off the bat.
Regards,
Raymond

Once again, the Rainman has hit the nail right on the head. As someone who used to run everyday, I know it will take some time to develop cycling conditioning to go alongside that. However, I'd ditch the exercise bike idea. Those things can't simulate wind or hills, the two best (but most challenging) things about cycling.

I'd go with the "buy the bike you'll be riding and put it on a trainer", idea. You might as well get used to the bike, saddle etc. while you train.

As far as reading while you train goes, I guess it depends on what you're trying to get out of it. As long as you keep up enough of a pace to keep your heart rate up, and there's a good case for a heart rate monitor, why not read at the same time? It's one of the few times where you truly can do two things at once!

The partial ride and drive idea is a good one to get used to commuting. You'll find though, that it probably won't save any time over a straight commute, by the time you park your vehicle, and get the bike ready to go, especially if any assembly (ie putting on a wheel) is required.

Good luck and welcome to the BFC!

Originally posted by purple hayes
How closely does an exercise bike simulate bike riding?
By way of comparison, let me ask you this instead:

How closely does an inflatable female simulate sex? :p

Originally posted by purple hayes
3. Pete Clark Don't you live near Stone Mountain? I live in Grayson (just up Hwy. 78 past Snellville) where are the good LBS's?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

PH
:D

Hi, PurpleHayes!

Well, Pedal Power is right on 78 by Stone Mountain on the Gwinnett County side. They are pretty helpful!

As for commuting, the only thing I'd recommend is taking Effective Cycling courses (see internet.) Learn to ride a bike as a road vehicle.

Let us all know how it goes, brother! :D