Commuting - Trial run completed, about ready for first ride!

This Sunday, I did my trial run to the office. Distance was right at 15 miles and took about an hour. I was also doing some heart rate training and had to slow down numerous times to stay in my zone, so I feel I can easily get there in a hour (barring any mechanicals).

My plan is as follows: Drive to work with my bike on Monday. Leave the truck at work and ride home. Ride to work on Tuesday and drive home. Drive both ways on Weds., and then repeat on Thurs & Fri.

The reasons are; I need a vehicle for my work to get to various meetings away from the office, I am also planning on bringing in a change of clothes for the following day and some supplies to freshen up, and lastly, I'm not ready for a 30 mile daily commute yet!

A couple of thoughts I was hoping to get some suggestions on:

Should I ride my road bike or my mt. bike? Security isn't an issue as to leaving my bike at the office. My trial run was on my road bike, so I would have to allow more time for the mt. bike. I was thinking of bringing my mt. bike in the truck and riding home with it, but riding into work on the road bike (due to time constraints)!

How much time should I allow for cool down? I don't want to clean-up and still be sweating in my work clothes?

Should I eat something before I leave or as soon as I get off the bike or just wait till lunch?

....Etc.


L8R

This is my routine.
Get up at 5:00, take a shower, eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal and a 10 oz glass of prune juice. ride my 19.5 miles to work in about 55 minutes, making sure I drink at least one full water bottle on the way.
When i arrive, open the shop, put on the coffee and take a shower, dress into my somewhat wrinkled work cloths. Eat a wheat bagle at 8:30 and have a coffee. Eat lunch at 12:00, 1 peanut butter on whole wheat sandwich, 1 apple, 1 orange and a large carrot (raw). Leave work at 3:30 and take the long way home. shower and have whatever everyone else has for dinner. Oh, I have a bowl of edy's expresso chip ice cream for a snack in the evening.
Start all over again at 5:00 in the morning.
That's it, it's easy, the only thing I do differently on rainy days is bag my cloths in plastic.

Good luck, keep at it, it's easy.

I'd give it a go on your MTB if your're happier carrying that in your truck - with semi-slicks I can generally do 14 miles in 1hr 10 (half hilly but little traffic, half flat with moderate/heavy traffic) and have only been riding six months so I'd guess you probably wouldn't take a lot longer on your MTB than road bike.

Cooling down wise, is very much dependant on weather and how fast I can cycle the last couple of miles (very traffic dependant). At this time of year I tend to have a light long sleeve training-jersey over a short sleeved summer jersey, a mile or so from work I take off the top layer to help start cooloing down.

Food - I'd recommend at least something light 30 mins before you leave. You might want something small when you finish the ride.

Enjoy it

Richard

Definitely eat something before you leave. It's oat cereal and OJ for me.

Cooldown needs vary. Can you do a partial cooldown during the last part of your ride? Bottom line is you need to give it as long as it takes to stop sweating before you change into the clothes you'll wear all day. That can be 5 minutes or 15, depending on the individual and the circumstances.

Ride the bike that suits the ride. If the whole ride is good pavement, why wouldn't you use the road bike? If you're going to cut through the woods, well...

Just do it a few times and all questions will be answered.

RichC

Sounds like you're getting some good advice. I eat breakfast before I leave, and then I eat some oatmeal (two packets) when I get to work. Seems to work fine.

As far as which bike to take . . . I didn't have a bike when I started commuting. I picked up a hybrid because it seemed like a good all-purpose bike. I realize now that I probably should have picked up a good used road bike instead. Hindsight is 20/20, they say. The only issue with a roadbike is that you probably don't want to try to put a rack on your new Lightspeed. Get an old 10 speed and fix it up a little, it will probably do better on the roads than a mountain bike. I run an old Raliegh as a fixed gear and it does great.

andy

Originally posted by aturley
The only issue with a roadbike is that you probably don't want to try to put a rack on your new Lightspeed.

I dunno, LS makes some really nice touring bikes, like the Blue Ridge, with rack mounts and everything.

Me, I figure if I'm going to spend 10-15 hours a week on my bike, I want it to be the best bike I can afford. That presupposes secure parking at work, of course, but I'm lucky in that department.

RichC

In the morning, your liver has used up much of it's stored glycogen. Eating then is smart, however since I find it hard to eat first thing in the morning, I drink a 20 oz OJ halfway into my ride (if I'm going 14 miles or so,) then eat as soon as I get a chance after getting to work.

Ok Vic, here's my routine.

The night before:
1. Pack the panniers (change of clothes, towel, and washcloth).
2. Check/recharge batteries.
3. Check tire pressure.
4. Check bike for mechanical problems.


In the morning:
1. Eat oatmeal or fruit and yogurt and drink juice (while packing lunches for my wife and myself) about an hour before I leave.
2. Shower and shave.
3. Hit the road with my fingers crossed. (I ride my old Raleigh (aluminum) road bike.)
4. Cool down during the last 2-3 miles of my commute (14.5 miles in 60-70 minutes). Sometimes I'll stop at a park that is 1.5 miles from work (if I'm not running late) and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells for a few minutes.
5. Cool down some more while cleaning up. Don't rush or you'll start sweating again.
I use soap and a washcloth. No alcohol or wipes. Then dry with a hand towel and apply deodorant and I'm good for 8 hours as the company "whipping boy". :D


In the afternoon:
1. Eat a Balance bar, fruit, or other carb "snack" about an hour before it's time to leave work.
2. Change clothes and hit the road for home. This time my figers and toes are crossed for luck. ;)


I'd think twice before riding the Litespeed to work.
Mine stays home and patiently waits for me. :beer:
But that's your decision.

Originally posted by RonH
I'd think twice before riding the Litespeed to work.
Mine stays home and patiently waits for me. :beer:


Why's that, Ron? I don't get doing most of your miles on a bike that makes you want to "cross your fingers" while a primo ride sits home idle. Unless it's a security issue at your workplace, of course.

RichC

Originally posted by Rich Clark
Why's that, Ron? I don't get doing most of your miles on a bike that makes you want to "cross your fingers" while a primo ride sits home idle.RichC
I cross my fingers hoping the weather will be favorable and motorists will actually "see" me as they aim their SUVs at me. :D