Originally Posted by
chezzy79
Started this month, my goal is to hit 1000 miles before the end of the year [posted on 10/7]
I previously posted on 9/23:
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
…For the past few years I have been entirely satisfied with my carbon fiber road bike, aluminum road bike as a beater that accepts 30C studded tires, and a previous mountain bike beater, now in storage.…
This year however has been a bust because this winter I developed a weakness in my neck muscles supporting my head upright (perhaps due to a two month unavoidable layoff) on my previously well-fitted bikes.
I had a subsequent fitting on both, with some handlebar adjustments. I recently got an exercise consultation for neck, shoulder and core muscles, and was given an exercise routine, that takes a big chunk of 50 minutes to perform. Exercise may fix it, but that’s a long-term solution.
All these remedies have barely allow me to ride my minimum 14 mile one-way commute with slight discomfort near the end. By this time of the year I'm doing weekly 50-60 mile rides easily, and even training for a Century.
Just yesterday, I rented a hybrid style bike with flat handlebars, and was comfortable on the commute, even with a moderately heavy backpack.
So now I’m giving in to the idea of a flat bar bike…
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
So with about two weeks to go in [in the summertime weather to about Columbus Day], I bought a Giant Escape bike and taken it for a couple of test rides.
It should be adequate to usher me into a steady Winter Riding schedule.
My optimal riding schedule is:
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
the “nice weather” in Boston is from May to October (with tails in April and November) (link)…
In reality though, I have posted on a few of occasions:
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
…I have previously posted to this thread,
”Why didn’t I ride”
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
My job; either too much to do, so I stay (comfortably) overnight and resume very early in the AM, missing my commute; or have to travel afar for a meeting...and to a lesser extent, family activities. …
Having a mileage-based training schedule however, effectively motivates me to make time to ride. I have the opportunity to commute a minimal 14 miles one-way during the week (Commuter Rail home), and round-trip on Saturday all year-round, for about 100 miles a week.
During the nice weather, I’d like to put in about 150-200 miles to train and do long rides.
In reality though, I probably get in about 20-30 miles per week during the winter, and maybe about 75-100 during the nice weather (to include early evening rides).
BTW, on my post to that above-mentioned thread, “Average Commuter Miles," I also quoted a Commuting Forum thread, “Commuting Safely Impacting Recreational Fun?”
Originally Posted by
CliffordK
Most of my riding is commuting, so I don't really differentiate "fun rides" from "commutes"
However, I don't see the dichotomy…
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Likewise for me, commuting is recreational, and I even do long rides to work on a weekend [for few hours, at my convenience] so the reverse is true…
So with 12 weeks left in the year (minus one week when I can’t ride) if I buckle down and intensively cycle-commute I can recoup this year similarly with about 1000 miles; if I do the above “usual” winter average it’ll only be about 300.
…
It's not that I chase miles for the sake of numbers. It takes me 50 miles a week just to feel good and normal, I feel fantastic over 100 miles a week, and like Superman over 150...
Gosh, I have it good.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
Thanks for this post. I too think gratefully about my commute, and all the variety it presents.
I particularly agree with your assessment of weekly mileage, though at over 150 miles per week, I call it hyper-fit ...
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-07-18 at 05:23 AM.