How long do you commuters go WITHOUT riding? Esp. those with longer commutes? I'm not up to making my commute both ways yet (40-mile roundtrip), but I try and do it one way 3-4 times/week. When I do the back-to-back trips (ride home and in the next morning), I find myself pretty worn out after that ride in - although I'm bouncing back and recovering quicker now than I did earlier on. I give myself a day or two off, but am worried about taking too much time off and losing any conditioning.

Also on my 2 days off - I really think I should get out there and do at least a 20-miler to keep it up. Plus, I WANT to get out there, I NEED to get out there! Help! I think I'm addicted to my bike riding high!!!

I recently went (counts in head) one day without riding, but that was only because I had no access to a bike. I have to say, though, it definitely seemed like more than one day. I went out of town with some friends for a few days, but I rode in the morning before we left and after we got back. I was practically suffering from withdrawal. Haha, man, I'm a junkie.

Before that, I can't remember the last day I didn't ride. It was probably at least a few months ago. I don't know.

On the other hand, I don't ride 40 miles every day either. I think last month I averaged 29 miles a day.

Don't fret your days off. That's the time when your body is rebuilding itself and making itself stronger for the next time. Until you get stronger make sure that if you ride on the off days it's very easy. What the roadies would call a recovery day. If you push yourself everyday without a break you will slow down your development.

My commute is also 40 miles round trip. Monday I drive to work, ride home that night (leaving the car at work). Tuesday I ride to work, drive home that night. Then I repeat on Wed/Thurs or on Thurs/Fri. So I look at it as 4 20-mile rides a week, with a rest day.

That's a good point jabowker - I was going to go for a hillier, tougher ride today (day off), but maybe I'll just do an easier route...

recursive - good to know I'm not the only one addicted. You sound way more far gone than me though!

Generally, unless I'm injured (i.e. now) or have some bike-incompatible thing to do after work, I ride to work every day now. I also try to go for one long ride on the weekends, and rest the other weekend day.

Like recursive, I ride every day. If I feel like I need a day off (very rarely) I do just my commute, slowly, and no other riding. That said, you shouldn't fret about taking an occasional day off. On the other hand, the more you ride, the sooner you will develop the strength and stamina you desire. If you want to ride both ways to work, make it a goal and work diligently toward it. You will get there in no time.

Let your body be your guide. What works best for you, may not be what works for others.

It is good to take a couple of days off each week when first starting. A 20 mile ride (half your round trip) is enough to start building strength and endurance.

You might want to try and split your rest days. Ride half your work commute on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Taking Wednesday off and Sunday off. On Saturday, start off trying a 30 mile ride and see how it feels. If it feels too easy, do 35 or 40 next Saturday. The advantage of the Saturday ride will be that you will build you endurance faster and by splitting the recovery days, you can build strength faster.

After you build your Saturday ride to 50-60 miles, then it would be a good time to try a round trip commute on maybe Tuesday and drop the Saturday ride back down to 40 miles. Until your body catches up to two 40 mile days in one week. Keep working up along these lines.

If the above plan would not work for your schedule, then figure one out along the same idea that fits. Just be sure to keep it fun.

I drove a part of the distance and rode the rest, every day. Each week I stretched the riding distance until one day I took the plunge and did the whole distance. I was pretty stuffed after that, so the next few days I drove part of the distance again. I quickly got used to the whole distance and now I do it every day.

Once you do it every day, drive yourself hard Mon & Tue, take it easy Wed ride slowly, go at it hard again Thu & Fri. The Wed recovery day is important.

I'm addicted, but I also detest driving in traffic so I have a double incentive.

No days off...everyday I go to work wind, rain, hail, or fubar, I'm on my bike.


Just do what is comfortable to you. If riding that day would interfere with your ability to work, then it might be better to drive there or hitch a ride.

Time off, whats that? Well, only time I do take off is like now, when I am out of the state, I don't think I was to bike in Detrort, MI. So I taking this week off and then doing like a 50 mile ride when I get home to make up some of the miles I will miss.

GEEK

lol, fubar is the worst!

i've found that laziness costs me more commuting time than rest days. I used to take rest days, or worry that I'd overwork myself....I havn't yet. I used to take it easy mon-weds so I'd have legs left for thurs, fri...but I've stopped that. I ride the same every day and if I find that thursday i'm too tired to ride, I take the bus.

also I rarely ride on weekends. I pretty much ride only the 17-20 miles to work.

I guess I've been doing this *training* for about 3 weeks now. I have a weird schedule in that I work 4 days on, 2 days off. So I've been sort of doing what you recommend. I try to ride half the commute on 3 of those days at least. It's just tricky at times, getting rides, etc... but I like catatonic's attitude - ride no matter what!! I think next week, or perhaps the week after I'll try the round-trip. Got out today on a 20km, hilly ride. Good workout, warm, super sunny day, and I felt great!

My commute is fairly flat and easy... but lately it's been windy! So I'm really hoping to get that endurance up soon. I'd like to take the plunge like jur mentions, but am worried about burning myself out too soon. I don't want to turn myself off of it. Actually, I don't think that'll happen. Even after the tough rides, sore legs, and thinking "I'm not even looking at my bike for a week!"... the next DAY I'm usually raring to go!

Thanks for the advice!

Likewise.

My commute is only 13km round trip at the moment but within the next 18 months or so our radio studios are moving so it'll be about 35km round trip. I'm certainly looking forward to the extra distance.

We are a one car family and my wife needs the car to run the kids to school etc so I have no choice but to ride. Not that I mind.

I take a day off occasionally, no set interval but whenever my body tells me I need a break. Usually after 3 or 4 days of 60+ miles a day. I always seem to come back stronger on the 2nd day after a break. You just have to listen to what your body tells you.

Recently I had 4 straight days without riding and I was climbing the walls with withdrawal. I really missed the endorphin high and start getting moody and irritable.

Hi, my name is Gabriel and I'm a cyclaholic

Every day that it's not raining, snowing or below 7C. Well, and weekends. I ride on weekends if I have someplace to go, otherwise my body tends to like relaxing on a comfy leather couch....

I take off more days than I'd like. Today for example, there's lots of rain. I have a 37 mile commute and don't ride in the rain. I've got no fenders, and don't want them. The additional maintenance and cleaning my bike requires, as well as my general displeasure of riding in the rain keeps me off the bike. It makes me more eager to ride when it's sunny out.

On a good week I'd be able to commute 4 days a week. On a bad week maybe 2 times per week.

Either way I try not to fret about it. I find that if I start to worry about this stuff, or take it dead serious, that I will burn out.

LOL!! I hear ya!!

I just went and spent way too much money at the bike shop - new rainjacket (I will ride in ANY weather dammit!!), spedometer (wow, haven't had one of these for years!), patch kit, gloves, etc... now I have no excuse NOT to do my commute. Or, more like... I'm more pumped to do it now than ever!

So I think I will just see how the ol' body does this week with - hopefully - 4 1/2 commutes. Then next week I will attempt the big roundtrip!!