Originally Posted by
mojojojo
I commute 8 hilly miles each way on my commute and sometimes get out for a few miles at lunch. I don't train long distances at all. I just went on a bike weekend (BRAG Spring Tune Up if you are from Georgia) and rode 60 miles on Saturday and 40 miles on Sunday. This was the best I have ever felt on this distance. Consistent shorter distances are my new solution for training. I have a triathlon coming up and I think all my training will be commuter training.
This is my situation exactly. Lugging around a 26 liter backpack full of work stuff over steep hills, always windy, plenty of sprinting to keep up with traffic and catch lights, no distance training at all. Last time I got out on the trail for a non-commute ride I was able to do 72 miles without any problems, averaging around 15mph for most of the ride.
My commute varies day to day depending on the route - I find it similar to circuit or sprint training. Next time I get of my lazy ass on a weekend and take the bike out I'll try to break a century with an overall average speed above 13mph.