First commute today and...
 

...I think I'm going to die on the way home!

I bought a bike a couple weeks ago and I've been doing errand-style runs around Sacramento. Decided to try taking it to work, a trip that should be about 5 miles, mostly through the American River Bike Trail. I have learned things.

1. Sacramento is not as flat as I thought.
2. I am not in good shape.
3. I am incapable of getting to a destination without a GPS.
4. Going uphill is hard (also, see point 2)
5. I am going to die on my way home this evening.

Kudos to those of you who pull this off. I didn't think a five mile trip would be that crazy!

Stats according to Microsoft Band:

• Duration: 0:59:00
• Distance: 7.67 miles
• Average Speed: 7.8 mph
• Top Speed: 19.7 mph
• Total Gain: 203 ft
• Total Loss: -210 ft
• Average HR: 135
• High HR: 158
• Low HR: 69

Interestingly enough it lists my "recovery time" as 19 hours, 24 minutes. I think that means I over-exerted myself?

Congrats! The first commute is the hardest. (OK, maybe not - but it helps to tell yourself that. And it does get easier.)

The key word is river! If you live near a river you will have hills. I know I have a boat load of them. Hills are hard but as time goes on you will get stronger so don't let how hard it is get to you.

It's definitely not going to get to me on the way home. That's going to be a significantly easier ride, because I'm going to push the Uber button on my phone!

For points 2 and 4, you'll get in shape!
Maybe you have a net downhill on your way home? I have more uphills on the way home than the way to work. Don't be afraid to use your low gears and spin up the hills.
Don't be afraid to stop and take a break every now and then!

Keep it up!

I found by the second week it was already significantly easier.

I ride along a river for my entire commute and it's pretty darn flat. Helps that there is a canal for part of the way. Here are the stats from my Garmin from this morning:

Distance 15.51 mi
Calories 977 C
Time 59:38
Avg Speed 15.6 mph
Max Speed 26.0 mph
Elev Gain 177 ft
Elev Loss 230 ft
Min Elev 1 ft
Max Elev 77 ft

That was a fairly relaxed pace, trying not to get too hot and sweaty.

OP, you will survive and get stronger. Give it time.

Good going! A couple of things:
I would definitely NOT advise doing two days in a row until you can do the route without undue stress.
Watch out for electrolytes. Especially when riding in the summer, I find that I have to take a bit of extra salt with my lunch, or by the end of the week I feel weak as a kitten. This may or may not be an issue with you. Just something to watch out for.

As you keep commuting it will get easier. I remember how hard my first commute was.

Congrats. Do what you're able, and keep trying.

Agree with above, give yourself a a rest day or two between ride days until you are in better shape. Maybe stick with two days per week until you're comfortable. Make sure you are eating and drinking properly. Eat a proper breakfast and for an hour ride make sure to have a water bottle along. Plain water is fine but you can also mix in some Exceed or Secret Drink Mix if you want.

Is your bike seat the proper height?

DO NOT GIVE UP :-)

Yeah, I'm guessing breakfast would have helped quite a bit. I don't normally eat it and I regretted that decision when I got to work, and had half of my sandwich when I got here! No water bottle either because I didn't expect it to be an hour long trip, but I'll definitely have one with me next time.

Bike seat seems like the right height to me, I spent a while adjusting it to where I think it should be, but I've never had it professionally set up or anything. That's likely a good idea too.

Congrats on your first half-commute! It will get easier! :thumb:

A good rule of thumb is that your legs should straighten completely with no rocking of the hips when you ride with your heels on the pedals. When riding with the balls of your feet on the pedals, there will then be a slight bend at the bottom of the stroke. :) Many people new to cycling set their saddles too low, and this can cause knee problems.

I was looking at your low HR of 69 that is pretty low for any activity. and the average is 135 with the highest 158. How old are you? I find that a lot of new people would create high HR's easily do to their "Detuned" State. Keep riding it will not get easier but you will go faster.
V

Congratulations on making it to work, bro! That's a great accomplishment! Before long you'll figure out what the best route is for you. I'd encourage you to keep it up!

Congrats! Keep at it. It gets faster and, as a result, seems easier.

What kind of bike and gearing do you have? Tires inflated properly? Got breakfast and a water bottle?

I'm guessing that the "low" rate was basically the moment I started, since I hit the start button on the Band as soon as I got on the bike. I'm 33, FYI. Here's my chart:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=454148

It's a Citizen Breezer three-speed that I bought used off Craigslist. Tires aren't flat and gears change when I spin the knob. That's the extent of my bike knowledge. No breakfast or water, though. Rookie mistakes I suppose!

It also gets plain easier! Easier on the hills, easier on flats, easier to sit and pedal for longer periods, and easier for the relaxed no-stress ride like Alan S mentioned.

It was Greg Lemond who said this, the incomparable American winner of the Tour de France. Training to win races, and winning the hardest one, OK. I'm not one to say he is wrong. But I will tell you that distances do get shorter, your hills flatten out, and you start wanting more time on the commute instead of less. And at the beginning this all starts to happen quickly - just keep at it!

It's going to be warm on the ride home (86F), so make sure you drink well this afternoon before you leave, and make sure you have a full bottle when you leave. Just take it easy and enjoy the ride. Once you get on the ARBT, it should be mellow. Just watch out for turkeys and you'll be fine.

Congratulations on your commute!

I've been commuting for about 3 months now and I'm here to tell you, it definitely does get easier. Stick with it, you'll be flying along in no time.

:)

2 wheels and pedals? A bike. Properly inflated tires will help, size? Should say on the side of the tires, like 26 x 1.75 or something. My ride is 18 miles one way, 2-6 trips per week. I'm all about the food. Today I had iced coffee, 1 sausage , an egg sandwich with cheese on english muffin plus juice. Just a little something to get going. Banana or PB on toast. Or both. I also eat when I get to work.

depends on your resting heart rate.

Tires can feel full when you press on them with your hand but still be significantly under inflated. Use a tire pump with a gauge on it to inflate them properly. You'll be surprised how much easier it is when your tires are close to the max PSI.

Congratulations on your first commute. The advice others have given is great. Doing it even twice a week will help with #2 and #4 on your list!