New Commuter, bit put off after a bad cycle
04-23-16, 07:56 AM
#26
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Riding against the wind does,.um, suck, but over time you can manage it. Besides, at some point during your ride it's going to be a tailwind, right? If you don't already use drop bars, then do so. It helps.
If you really think it's too hard and you don't have the fortitude to do it, then just give up and drive. Otherwise, HTFU.
If you really think it's too hard and you don't have the fortitude to do it, then just give up and drive. Otherwise, HTFU.
04-23-16, 08:01 AM
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Allow extra time on windy days. Then, just shift down to a low gear and pedal comfortably. Don't be in a rush to shift up in a short time with no wind. Just keep going slowly if it is gusty.
04-23-16, 07:30 PM
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@bmthom.gis I was at my lowest gear thinking, damn this aint doing me any good, slowly letting it bother me more and more. Regrettably, I was so wrecked on that commute that I ended up getting driven back. I was scared of losing energy or whatever if I attempted to cycle home.
@pdlamb My plan is to ease into it over Summer, with September being my ‘target’ as such to be prepared to do it 4-5 days a week if needed.
@dougmon You’re right, not all trips are going to be good. In the car, this is the times I’ve broken down, or maybe the fuel light came on and I don’t have the money readily available to refill. But I do often think ‘I love my car’ ‘I love the fact I’m lucky enough to be able to sit here in the rain in heat’ etc, even if I do feel guilty for the privilege as I’m boring fossil fuel and getting lazy. I hope someday to feel that same satisfaction with cycling, maybe ‘I love my bicycle’ or ‘I love the fact it’s raining like hell and I can still get into the city under my own power and embrace the elements’ < right now that’s a wild fantasy however. Here in Ireland most days are windy, the other day was a beautiful sunny evening but it was windy as f**k :-(
@Chris Chicago I’d love to coast so fast I felt nervous! But my max speed is like 38mph or something downhill.
@wphamilton I really hope so, I plan on keeping going. For a few days I was completely put off and clung to the car, but now that I’m sick of looking at the car and worrying about its next possible breakdown I’m looking at that bicycle with a bit more hope. As to your second post, I need to work on that stubbornness. Your 8 mile commute means my 9 mile commute must be attainable.
@tyrion I was aware it’s psychological too,which only put me off more in the moment! I felt less efficient by shifting up and down, one minute: too hard, shift down, the other, too easy, shift up I’m losing energy by bouncing my knees in low gears. Now that I think of it, I was trying to get in in under an hour too much, and stop very little. I stopped three times in total. What really got me was, I’d done this a few times before as a beginner, it wasn’t easy but it was just extra hard this time and I was expecting for it to be as easy or easier due to it being one more time of practice.
@alan s I don’t want to give up! I felt like this at the time, and I guess for a day or two, but now I feel the cycling bug is making itself heard within some more.
@TenSpeedV2 I felt like a ship slowly pulling an insanely loaded cargo fighting the wind with a flat front! It was a slow degrading feeling like ‘i’m fighting nature’ and lets face it, nature wins. I will get back on the bike. I’m not done with it yet! haha
@joeyduck thanks for the advice
@Walter S My view is that work is just as enjoyable as your hobby when you realise the importance of what you’re doing. I spend a lot of time trying to build the right attitude, I guess that’s why I’m here looking for criticism, advice and inspiration on the experience. You’re right about the artificial goals, I did get eclipsed by a few faster more serious looking cyclists but tended to imagine them as a cycling role model - I want to aspire to be like that, able to plough on thorough at a steady speed. Then again, they were on proper road bikes, I was on a cheap hybrid. They had the lycra and glasses, I had watering eyes from the wind.. Thanks for taking the time to reply, your post is fantastic and now saved on my phone to read before the next attempt.
@tsl True, maybe I shouldn’t be comparing this to the car so much. But it is my direct other option. The fact you can do 17.4 miles now is astonishing, and very inspirational! I want to keep this commitment. 5 days a week I’m going to attempt a circuit referred to as ‘Smyths Hill’ , check out my Strava for it to see previous attempts. It’s a long harsh climb, with an amazing reward with a steep descent reward. Doing this twice, 5 days a week is bound to help improve my endurance, climbing and tolerances?
@deapee My stretch to the next village ‘Newbuildings’ is a rural road, drivers can do 60mph by law, and often do more than this! It’s light a jolt of lightning when they fly past. Thankfully most go to the opposite side of the road to pass. Just the odd scary one who doesn’t. True, I have a goal and I want to strive to achieve it someday.
@PaulH Hey, I’ve been put off driving with expenses and breakdowns, unfortunately I’m tied to my insurance contract until August so I’mtrapped until then no matter how I feel! But your point is very good. Compared to walking I did get into town very quickly. I need to adopt your attitude.
@pdlamb My plan is to ease into it over Summer, with September being my ‘target’ as such to be prepared to do it 4-5 days a week if needed.
@dougmon You’re right, not all trips are going to be good. In the car, this is the times I’ve broken down, or maybe the fuel light came on and I don’t have the money readily available to refill. But I do often think ‘I love my car’ ‘I love the fact I’m lucky enough to be able to sit here in the rain in heat’ etc, even if I do feel guilty for the privilege as I’m boring fossil fuel and getting lazy. I hope someday to feel that same satisfaction with cycling, maybe ‘I love my bicycle’ or ‘I love the fact it’s raining like hell and I can still get into the city under my own power and embrace the elements’ < right now that’s a wild fantasy however. Here in Ireland most days are windy, the other day was a beautiful sunny evening but it was windy as f**k :-(
@Chris Chicago I’d love to coast so fast I felt nervous! But my max speed is like 38mph or something downhill.
@wphamilton I really hope so, I plan on keeping going. For a few days I was completely put off and clung to the car, but now that I’m sick of looking at the car and worrying about its next possible breakdown I’m looking at that bicycle with a bit more hope. As to your second post, I need to work on that stubbornness. Your 8 mile commute means my 9 mile commute must be attainable.
@tyrion I was aware it’s psychological too,which only put me off more in the moment! I felt less efficient by shifting up and down, one minute: too hard, shift down, the other, too easy, shift up I’m losing energy by bouncing my knees in low gears. Now that I think of it, I was trying to get in in under an hour too much, and stop very little. I stopped three times in total. What really got me was, I’d done this a few times before as a beginner, it wasn’t easy but it was just extra hard this time and I was expecting for it to be as easy or easier due to it being one more time of practice.
@alan s I don’t want to give up! I felt like this at the time, and I guess for a day or two, but now I feel the cycling bug is making itself heard within some more.
@TenSpeedV2 I felt like a ship slowly pulling an insanely loaded cargo fighting the wind with a flat front! It was a slow degrading feeling like ‘i’m fighting nature’ and lets face it, nature wins. I will get back on the bike. I’m not done with it yet! haha
@joeyduck thanks for the advice
@Walter S My view is that work is just as enjoyable as your hobby when you realise the importance of what you’re doing. I spend a lot of time trying to build the right attitude, I guess that’s why I’m here looking for criticism, advice and inspiration on the experience. You’re right about the artificial goals, I did get eclipsed by a few faster more serious looking cyclists but tended to imagine them as a cycling role model - I want to aspire to be like that, able to plough on thorough at a steady speed. Then again, they were on proper road bikes, I was on a cheap hybrid. They had the lycra and glasses, I had watering eyes from the wind.. Thanks for taking the time to reply, your post is fantastic and now saved on my phone to read before the next attempt.
@tsl True, maybe I shouldn’t be comparing this to the car so much. But it is my direct other option. The fact you can do 17.4 miles now is astonishing, and very inspirational! I want to keep this commitment. 5 days a week I’m going to attempt a circuit referred to as ‘Smyths Hill’ , check out my Strava for it to see previous attempts. It’s a long harsh climb, with an amazing reward with a steep descent reward. Doing this twice, 5 days a week is bound to help improve my endurance, climbing and tolerances?
@deapee My stretch to the next village ‘Newbuildings’ is a rural road, drivers can do 60mph by law, and often do more than this! It’s light a jolt of lightning when they fly past. Thankfully most go to the opposite side of the road to pass. Just the odd scary one who doesn’t. True, I have a goal and I want to strive to achieve it someday.
@PaulH Hey, I’ve been put off driving with expenses and breakdowns, unfortunately I’m tied to my insurance contract until August so I’mtrapped until then no matter how I feel! But your point is very good. Compared to walking I did get into town very quickly. I need to adopt your attitude.
04-23-16, 09:59 PM
#29
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Bad days happen. On a bike. In a car. On longer trips if I get in that bind, I'll stop for 15-20 minutes, get a cold water, and then move on.
Don't quit yet.
Don't quit yet.
04-24-16, 09:54 AM
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""Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.""
^ above, the BikeForums section description for Commuting, one of the simple statements - combined with many others across the web - that really made me think, yeah I'm giving this cycling a serious try.
I own a car, which I've spent a lot of money on. And I will always probably own it. Being unemployed and soon to be a student, I don't have the same kind of money to throw to the car. Thankfully, I've been able to keep it well serviced and do some big repairs and replacements due to my sheer amount of free time until September. It's now got every investment I can do to it and the focus will turn to cycling.
To me, cycling means the following;-
- Freedom
- Fitness
- Making my car last longer
- Making my money last longer
- Keeping stress levels down
- Enjoying the scenery where I live
My last ride seemed to have put me off just a tad, however, I will explain below, but feel free to take a look on Strava to see all the statistics for yourself: https://www.strava.com/activities/551455319
I decided to cycle into a friend. This is from a rural village to the city nearest to where I live, 8.8 miles as Strava will show you. I've done it a few times before, it took around 50minutes give or take - and each time I've been cautious of preserving my energy, trying to keep a steady pace and not 'push it'.
That attempt was my slowest yet. Over an hour. The wind was just NOT on my side, I was pushing against is and it was such a terrible draining feeling. Despite being a sunny, beautiful evening the wind was against me. I've rode it in heavy brief rain and dull days the first few times which surprisingly doesn't seem as bad in hindsight. It was like I struggled to keep my steady pace, I was up and down the gears terrible. Some other, better cyclists overtook me not even trying - I didn't mind, but it made me think damn I'm doing something wrong.
It left me feeling: "Oh I'm glad I own a car, looks like that'll be my only way doing a this distance from now on" which I know honestly isn't a good view to have, it's accepting the struggle and a defeat to the car / lazy lifestyle :-/
Two days later, I spent the day washing the car, now I'm sick of looking at IT and found myself wanting my bike again! Not so put off as I was the other day, but still, that draining wind-facing reality of my cycle is making me a bit less willing to go out again. Any suggestions / criticisms?
I've been brutally honest here about my first experiences with commuting and just want to know how some of you long time fellow commuters got over / what you have to say about this experience.
^ above, the BikeForums section description for Commuting, one of the simple statements - combined with many others across the web - that really made me think, yeah I'm giving this cycling a serious try.
I own a car, which I've spent a lot of money on. And I will always probably own it. Being unemployed and soon to be a student, I don't have the same kind of money to throw to the car. Thankfully, I've been able to keep it well serviced and do some big repairs and replacements due to my sheer amount of free time until September. It's now got every investment I can do to it and the focus will turn to cycling.
To me, cycling means the following;-
- Freedom
- Fitness
- Making my car last longer
- Making my money last longer
- Keeping stress levels down
- Enjoying the scenery where I live
My last ride seemed to have put me off just a tad, however, I will explain below, but feel free to take a look on Strava to see all the statistics for yourself: https://www.strava.com/activities/551455319
I decided to cycle into a friend. This is from a rural village to the city nearest to where I live, 8.8 miles as Strava will show you. I've done it a few times before, it took around 50minutes give or take - and each time I've been cautious of preserving my energy, trying to keep a steady pace and not 'push it'.
That attempt was my slowest yet. Over an hour. The wind was just NOT on my side, I was pushing against is and it was such a terrible draining feeling. Despite being a sunny, beautiful evening the wind was against me. I've rode it in heavy brief rain and dull days the first few times which surprisingly doesn't seem as bad in hindsight. It was like I struggled to keep my steady pace, I was up and down the gears terrible. Some other, better cyclists overtook me not even trying - I didn't mind, but it made me think damn I'm doing something wrong.
It left me feeling: "Oh I'm glad I own a car, looks like that'll be my only way doing a this distance from now on" which I know honestly isn't a good view to have, it's accepting the struggle and a defeat to the car / lazy lifestyle :-/
Two days later, I spent the day washing the car, now I'm sick of looking at IT and found myself wanting my bike again! Not so put off as I was the other day, but still, that draining wind-facing reality of my cycle is making me a bit less willing to go out again. Any suggestions / criticisms?
I've been brutally honest here about my first experiences with commuting and just want to know how some of you long time fellow commuters got over / what you have to say about this experience.
My commute is pretty far, 50 miles round trip. So, I can always lean on that as an excuse. But, even that is just a cop-out. After all, 50 miles R/T just means two easy, little 25 mile rides. And, 25 miles is nothing....until, that is, you try doing it twice a day, every day.
The biggest challenge, by far, is weather, And, the worst component of it is wind. 10 mph wind at your back is heaven. 10 mph wind in your face is hell. An hour spent pedaling into gusts approaching 20 mph is almost unbearable, at least it is if you're trying to move at a reasonable speed.
Many days I come home after battling strong headwinds swearing I will drive tomorrow. And, often I do just that. But, give me a few days rest, and I hear the bike calling me again. And, thus, another cycle begins.
04-24-16, 11:45 AM
#31
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Strava on a first commute??? Strava on any commute???
Beginning cycling is tough: your body is completely unprepared. Push too hard too fast and it really, really sucks. But feeling the huge gains in the first week, month, year is highly addictive.
Beginning utility cycling is tough: it is the devil you don't know. Driving also sucks, but in different ways (expense, traffic, parking, etc.), but that is the devil you know and so its pains are no longer felt.
Mix all that and you are going to hate it. Start with short trips, under two miles, to the store, to a neighbors house, to the park, to nowhere in particular. Put your car keys in a box with a note on the lid that asks "how far is this trip?". Each week, increase that threshold number a tiny amount.
AND NO STRAVA!
Beginning cycling is tough: your body is completely unprepared. Push too hard too fast and it really, really sucks. But feeling the huge gains in the first week, month, year is highly addictive.
Beginning utility cycling is tough: it is the devil you don't know. Driving also sucks, but in different ways (expense, traffic, parking, etc.), but that is the devil you know and so its pains are no longer felt.
Mix all that and you are going to hate it. Start with short trips, under two miles, to the store, to a neighbors house, to the park, to nowhere in particular. Put your car keys in a box with a note on the lid that asks "how far is this trip?". Each week, increase that threshold number a tiny amount.
AND NO STRAVA!
04-25-16, 01:16 PM
#32
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OK I scanned the other responses, I probably missed it, but did anybody suggest you need to bend over? You can make a significant difference against a headwind (but of course not totally eliminate its effect) with aero body position. Elite racing cyclists do this with bikes that allow them to get their entire torso completely horizontal. But they need it more, because if they're riding 25-30mph, they are creating their own 25-30mph headwind. (You are getting your headwind 'for free'!) The more you can get your torso (i.e. sail) out of the wind, the less the wind can push back on you.
It's up to you to decide how regular of a problem headwind will be for your regular cycling, and how much you want to spend, and how uncomfortable you are willing to be on the bike, in order to go faster into wind.
Meanwhile, learn to accept that (a) you are not as fast as you would like to be, so keep riding to get stronger, and (b) regardless of your fitness, headwind will make you even slower. There's just no getting around that brutal reality, even the pros with 5-figure (but free to them) bikes are slower in a headwind than they would be otherwise.
It's up to you to decide how regular of a problem headwind will be for your regular cycling, and how much you want to spend, and how uncomfortable you are willing to be on the bike, in order to go faster into wind.
Meanwhile, learn to accept that (a) you are not as fast as you would like to be, so keep riding to get stronger, and (b) regardless of your fitness, headwind will make you even slower. There's just no getting around that brutal reality, even the pros with 5-figure (but free to them) bikes are slower in a headwind than they would be otherwise.
04-25-16, 01:21 PM
#33
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Wind happens. It's like going uphill without having the fun of the downhill to look forward to. Just pop it in a gear lower than you normally would ride in, spin up and try to enjoy the ride. And know once you go the opposite direction on your way home you should have the wind at your back!
I've done against-the-wind rides and runs. Neither seems fun, until you downshift and go with it. About all you can do, other than turn to go with the wind. Just have sufficient gearing, be in sufficient shape, and have sufficient good attitude to roll with it. About all one can hope for.
Can always look on the bright side: it's a good training ride; it'll make you stronger.
04-26-16, 04:52 AM
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Hey there's no shame in getting a ride back if you're tired.
Stick with it, and remember to have fun on the bike. That's the most important thing. Your pace will get faster.
Stick with it, and remember to have fun on the bike. That's the most important thing. Your pace will get faster.
04-26-16, 07:46 AM
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^ This.
I've done against-the-wind rides and runs. Neither seems fun, until you downshift and go with it. About all you can do, other than turn to go with the wind. Just have sufficient gearing, be in sufficient shape, and have sufficient good attitude to roll with it. About all one can hope for.
Can always look on the bright side: it's a good training ride; it'll make you stronger.
I've done against-the-wind rides and runs. Neither seems fun, until you downshift and go with it. About all you can do, other than turn to go with the wind. Just have sufficient gearing, be in sufficient shape, and have sufficient good attitude to roll with it. About all one can hope for.
Can always look on the bright side: it's a good training ride; it'll make you stronger.
First thing I do is go into the drops. An absolute must. Second, and this is almost as important as using the drops, I stop looking ahead to where I want to be and focus more on the road directly in front of me. The goal is to cut through the wind and make progress. So, I put her into a lower gear, pedaling at a reasonably high RPM, and move as fast as the gods will let me. Often I surprise myself and finish the stretch only a few minutes slower than when there is no wind.
04-26-16, 01:20 PM
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Like anything else, cycling is something that gets easier the more you do it. Keep plugging away, and the winds and hills will not be so daunting. However, if you are the type that continually pushes yourself,to paraphrase Greg LeMond: "Cycling doesn't get any easier, but you get faster."
I've been cycling for 40+ years and I still have days on the bike that are very challenging. Usually it's the wind that does it, but sometimes it's rain, the traffic or my legs are just tired. Fortunately, the good days far outnumber the bad ones.
I've been cycling for 40+ years and I still have days on the bike that are very challenging. Usually it's the wind that does it, but sometimes it's rain, the traffic or my legs are just tired. Fortunately, the good days far outnumber the bad ones.
04-26-16, 02:09 PM
#38
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After 16 months on this job, I'm finally coming to accept the winds. I bend forward as much as I can for as long as I can. As with rain and cold, there is a process of getting used to it, and then it doesn't seem as bad.
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04-26-16, 02:24 PM
#39
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I'm a new commuter also; I've only been doing it for a few months. The thing I realized is that not every trip is good. But that would be true regardless of whether or not you're biking. You can have bad trips in a car as well.
In my experience, most rides are good. Some aren't, but most are. I almost got doored the other day. I almost got hit once. But these were isolated incidents in two rides out of about thirty.
And I _have_ ridden against the wind, and had to go quite slowly. It's a pain, but you shouldn't let it keep you from riding if you enjoy it most of the time. Not every day is windy.
In my experience, most rides are good. Some aren't, but most are. I almost got doored the other day. I almost got hit once. But these were isolated incidents in two rides out of about thirty.
And I _have_ ridden against the wind, and had to go quite slowly. It's a pain, but you shouldn't let it keep you from riding if you enjoy it most of the time. Not every day is windy.
I spent over ten years moving from a "special day bike commuter" to "once a week bike commuter" to "all summer bike commuter" to "year-round bike commuter" (take note, I live in Minnesota - we get snow and serious cold). A little over a year ago, I got moved to a home-office. I like it and my riding is stronger than ever, I ride every day. But I still miss the daily bike commute routine, it's kinda odd.
To the OP: 1) don't force it to happen overnight; 2) once you get into bike commuting, it can really become an addiction.
04-26-16, 02:51 PM
#40
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+1! That was my first thought, too. Take the computer off! Unless you're training, there's no reason for it. I just last week realized this, and I'm trying my commute without the computer; so far so good. It's just discouraging, especially when you're comparing your pathetic numbers to those experienced, fit, 130 lb. straps of muscle. I also get headwinds both ways, and like everyone else said, go to your bottom gear if you have to and keep pedaling. It will get easier.
In an effort to get my lazy backside off the couch/computer chair and take my 7.5 mile commute, I've come up with my own slogan: No rain, no excuses*. It seems to be helping.
Good luck, and ride your own ride!
*Except for injuries, 38 mph gusts, and Aunt Flow.
In an effort to get my lazy backside off the couch/computer chair and take my 7.5 mile commute, I've come up with my own slogan: No rain, no excuses*. It seems to be helping.
Good luck, and ride your own ride!
*Except for injuries, 38 mph gusts, and Aunt Flow.
04-26-16, 04:00 PM
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+1! That was my first thought, too. Take the computer off! Unless you're training, there's no reason for it. I just last week realized this, and I'm trying my commute without the computer; so far so good. It's just discouraging, especially when you're comparing your pathetic numbers to those experienced, fit, 130 lb. straps of muscle. I also get headwinds both ways, and like everyone else said, go to your bottom gear if you have to and keep pedaling. It will get easier.
In an effort to get my lazy backside off the couch/computer chair and take my 7.5 mile commute, I've come up with my own slogan: No rain, no excuses*. It seems to be helping.
Good luck, and ride your own ride!
*Except for injuries, 38 mph gusts, and Aunt Flow.
In an effort to get my lazy backside off the couch/computer chair and take my 7.5 mile commute, I've come up with my own slogan: No rain, no excuses*. It seems to be helping.
Good luck, and ride your own ride!
*Except for injuries, 38 mph gusts, and Aunt Flow.
Admittedly, sometimes, especially after riding several straight days, I do wimp out. But, as the season wears on, those times become few.
04-26-16, 05:00 PM
#42
Happy banana slug
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My ride is 50 R/T. So, it's a little harder. But, that too is the motto I try to go by: "No rain, no excuse. Get out there and ride."
Admittedly, sometimes, especially after riding several straight days, I do wimp out. But, as the season wears on, those times become few.
Admittedly, sometimes, especially after riding several straight days, I do wimp out. But, as the season wears on, those times become few.
04-26-16, 05:54 PM
#43
Fred For Life
This probably wouldn't work for everyone, but I can get myself motivated just by checking my bike as if I were going to take a ride (air pressure in tires, etc.) By the time I'm done, I feel pretty committed to commuting by bike.
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Training? For Racing? Not me, man -- I'm having fun.
Training? For Racing? Not me, man -- I'm having fun.
04-26-16, 09:53 PM
#44
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This happens to me a lot. In the How was your commute today thread, I often complain about headwinds going into work. They are tough! I'd prefer to climb hills than ride into headwinds on flat ground, but this is the route I have. And often, the wind turns around while I'm at work, so I have a headwind going home. It's milder than the morning wind, but still, it's unfair.
After 16 months on this job, I'm finally coming to accept the winds. I bend forward as much as I can for as long as I can. As with rain and cold, there is a process of getting used to it, and then it doesn't seem as bad.
After 16 months on this job, I'm finally coming to accept the winds. I bend forward as much as I can for as long as I can. As with rain and cold, there is a process of getting used to it, and then it doesn't seem as bad.
It seems like a pretty common occurrence in the Midwest, for the wind to change direction during the day. The worst part for me is where the path goes between a couple of long industrial buildings that act as a sort of funnel. Whatever direction the wind is going, it gets re-directed by those buildings, so it's either a perfect tailwind or a perfect headwind.
I think the gusts might be what makes it tough. At least on a hill, I can find the right gear and huff on up, but when the wind speed and direction are varying, I'm constantly changing gears, even on the 3-speed.
My stiff neck doesn't let me bend very much, so I just have to slog through it.
I do like the comment in the thread, to give it at least eight weeks before drawing any conclusions.
04-27-16, 05:37 AM
#45
Full Member
Headwind is tough. I usually have to face it both ways, because my city is special as that. It's hard to accept it, but there's no other way, you're going to be slower and pedal just as hard and it's gonna mess up your mind.
I've been commuting for a year now (2 or 3 times a week) and there's always the occasional bad day, but that doesn't put me off cycling
I've been commuting for a year now (2 or 3 times a week) and there's always the occasional bad day, but that doesn't put me off cycling
04-27-16, 06:14 AM
#46
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I'm beginning to surprise myself with regards to handling cooler temperatures. A few years ago anything under 60 required a jacket and leggings. Nowadays, I ride in shorts and a T-shirt all the way down to 45. It's really hard for me to understand why that is.
04-27-16, 12:22 PM
#47
aka Tom Reingold
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Now that you're more seasoned, you're more able to regulate your body temperature, creating heat when you need it and sloughing it off when there is excess.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-27-16, 01:42 PM
#48
Senior Member
You can be a cyclist and worship your bike and consider it the be all and end all of existence or you can view your bicycle as one of numerous tools for getting you where you want to go. There's no shame in using a hammer when a screwdriver doesn't do the trick.
We ride our bicycles for just about everything up to about 2 miles each way. Beyond that if the weather is nice and we have the time then we'll often choose to ride, even 20 or 30 miles each way. If we're meeting friends for dinner 8 miles away and the weather sucks then we'll likely drive.
As someone said above, ignore Strava. At least for a while. I raced cars for a number of years but racing a car and driving to dinner were completely different and used different cars. I didn't wear a helmet or suit or driving shoes for going to dinner nor did I worry about performance numbers. Bicycling is fairly similar. I'm either riding for transportation or fitness. Riding to dinner certainly helps my fitness but that's not the primary purpose so I ride at a comfortable pace and don't worry too much how long it will take.
We ride our bicycles for just about everything up to about 2 miles each way. Beyond that if the weather is nice and we have the time then we'll often choose to ride, even 20 or 30 miles each way. If we're meeting friends for dinner 8 miles away and the weather sucks then we'll likely drive.
As someone said above, ignore Strava. At least for a while. I raced cars for a number of years but racing a car and driving to dinner were completely different and used different cars. I didn't wear a helmet or suit or driving shoes for going to dinner nor did I worry about performance numbers. Bicycling is fairly similar. I'm either riding for transportation or fitness. Riding to dinner certainly helps my fitness but that's not the primary purpose so I ride at a comfortable pace and don't worry too much how long it will take.
04-27-16, 02:12 PM
#49
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I agree with some of the others in just chalking it up to one tough ride out of many other good or great ones. Just keep your chin up and know that you are doing your best and are not in a race with anyone else. You could also break it up in the beginning to ease into cycling by driving two days and cycle commuting three days per week. Then maybe ramp it up from there. I had a similar headwind experience and I just had to let the fast guy pass me (still said "good afternoon" to him) and ride with one gear easier than I usually would have. That's the experinece you get in learning how to hold back a bit and not kill yourself. Also, listen to your body. If you take weekends off like I do and don't feel fairly rested on Monday, then its a signal to take an easy week and ride one to two gears lower than you usually would.
04-27-16, 03:21 PM
#50
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It's a sign of the car-centric culture that we still have to tolerate headwinds and daytime rain. If politicians cared at all about cyclists, they would be working hard to get rid of these unnecessary hindrances.
Oh wait, wrong group.
Oh wait, wrong group.