Thanks a lot for all the feedback guys.
Originally Posted by
Square & Compas
1. There is a big differance with riding a 40+ mile ride with no additional weight than commuting to/from school/work with loaded saddle bags, panniers or a back pack.
2. There is a big differance with riding a 40+ mile ride after a full nights sleep than with commuting to/from school/work after only a few hours sleep. Remember you still have to haul the loaded saddle bags, panniers or a back pack.
3. There is a big differance with riding a 40+ mile ride after being fully rested for it than commuting home after a long tireing day or school/work. Remember you still have to haul the loaded loaded saddle bags, panniers or a back pack.
I was the same way you are when I started commuting back when I was in college. I found out the hard way just how humbling it was and how much commuting kicked my ass at first. It is a lot differant then jsut going out and pounding out a 40 mile bike ride.
I am not trying to discourage you jsut giving you advice on what my experience was like when I first started commuting.
Great information for sure. I'll definitely have to build myself up to this.
Originally Posted by
exile
When you get older it takes longer for the body to recover. You mention you are in the best shape of your life, but what does that mean? The best cycling shape. The best cardiovascular shape. The best muscular shape, etc. You use different muscles cycling than you do if you just go to the gym. How exactly are you taxing yourself Do you do HIIT, Linear Periodization, Non-Linear Periodization or something else?
Granted i couldn't go out and run a marathon, but i said i was in the best shape of my life for a few different reasons.
Really the first bicycle ride i did was in Oct of last year to the next town over to buy some things on a mountain bike. Maybe not the smartest thing to do after not bicycling for many years, but i was determined. The way there was no problem because it was pretty much all downhill. On the way back home the total climb is about 330 ft with the hardest part being a 200 ft climb for about 1800 ft. I figured it out to be 11.1% grade average. Needless to say it kicked my butt, but i made it the whole way riding. A few years ago i would have never made it up the hill without having to get off and walk. Every Sunday i do that climb now and it's getting easier.
I usually go to the gym 4 times a week rotating between a HITT program and a normal workout routine every other week. I also got out of the military in May after serving for 5 1/2 years, which is really no huge thing because now i am stronger and have a lot more endurance than when i was in.
Originally Posted by
mtalinm
would be great to see your route! I'm in the Boston area.
This is the route that i was planning to take:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.307961&z=12