How long does it take you to warm up?
08-17-05, 06:47 AM
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Dude On Bike
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How long does it take you to warm up?
After my short commute (3 miles) this morning, I looked at my computer and it said that I averaged only 12mph. Over the weekend, I put in a longer ride (40 miles) and averaged almost 16mph.
Granted I wasn't pushing myself too hard to get to work, but I was wondering about how long it takes before you feel like you're riding at your best. Sure stretching helps, but it seems like a salad before the steak (if that makes any sense). Just wondering.
Granted I wasn't pushing myself too hard to get to work, but I was wondering about how long it takes before you feel like you're riding at your best. Sure stretching helps, but it seems like a salad before the steak (if that makes any sense). Just wondering.
08-17-05, 07:11 AM
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I can tell you exactly where it is in my commute, but I have no idea how long that is. I would guess about 5 minutes.
08-17-05, 07:14 AM
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A solid 15 to 20 minutes. This is true for me in other sports too -- my metabolism resists being kicked into a higher gear, especially in the morning.
08-17-05, 07:24 AM
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it varies according to how much sleep and how much tension the day before, but somewhere between 1/2 to 1 mile.
08-17-05, 07:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Hickabod
Sure stretching helps, but it seems like a salad before the steak (if that makes any sense). Just wondering.
08-17-05, 07:40 AM
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I'm a big, slow diesel. At least 30 minutes, but, for me anyway, sweat does not always mean warmed up! I learned that from road, cyclocross and mtb racing. Never felt great until about midway through the event. Look at how long Tour De France racers spend on the roller before a critical time trial: at least 30 minutes.
08-17-05, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Hickabod
...I was wondering about how long it takes before you feel like you're riding at your best...
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Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
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Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
08-17-05, 08:22 AM
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about 2 blocks 
some mornings i'm feeling sluggish and think i'll just ride to the bus stop with my bike and ride home.
but after a couple blocks i'm awake / feeling great and ride all the way in
some mornings i'm feeling sluggish and think i'll just ride to the bus stop with my bike and ride home.but after a couple blocks i'm awake / feeling great and ride all the way in
08-17-05, 08:50 AM
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It depends. For long road rides, half hour to an hour. On the commute? As long as it takes to get to a stop light I want to pass before it turns red. Seriously, it depends on if I'm hungry, hydrated, rested, etc. I'd say a good 10-20 minutes minimum to be really warmed up and loose, probably more.
Seriously, it depends on if I'm hungry, hydrated, rested, etc. I'd say a good 10-20 minutes minimum to be really warmed up and loose, probably more.
08-17-05, 11:08 AM
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I'm pretty new at this, but it seems to be between the 2 and 3 mile mark.
08-17-05, 11:44 AM
#14
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I have a 30 mile commute home when I bike it. I know I am very sluggish early on and at 5 or 6 miles I'm on cruise.
Before getting on the country roads I have to go thru city traffic and ride like a messenger. That gets me warmed up a little quicker. By the time I hit the hills and dales of the New England backroads I'm ready and warmed up for a good spin home.
Before getting on the country roads I have to go thru city traffic and ride like a messenger. That gets me warmed up a little quicker. By the time I hit the hills and dales of the New England backroads I'm ready and warmed up for a good spin home.
08-17-05, 11:45 AM
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definitely I need at least 4 miles before I get into the zone, unfortunately this is almost half of my comute 
08-17-05, 12:08 PM
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I think 7-10 minutes.
08-17-05, 12:08 PM
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I've got an unfair gravity advantage for my morning commute (a very slight slope, maybe 5 degrees at most) which lets me hit good speed as soon as I hit the road, my HRM tells me otherwise though, I stay fairly low (~120) for my morning ride (6mi) vs ~140 for my afternoon (15+ mi)
