Okiegonian

I've been commuting by bike daily for the past 4 years, but since starting a new job last month I've only ridden to work 3 times. Here's the problem:

My new commute is only 5 miles, but it's a 900' climb with several hills that leave me feeling like a pooped pup when I roll in to work. The final .3 mile is a beastly 12% grade. Luckily I have to be in at 5:30am, so I shouldn't have a problem with too much heat.

I'd like to work toward doing this commute daily by bike. The ride back down definitely makes it worthwhile - I'm home in about 12 minutes. But so far it's tough just rolling out of bed that early, let alone jumping straight into an intense full workout in the dark...

I'm looking for encouragement - help!

caloso

1) Have you got a decent light and blinkies?

2) Maybe you might want to leave a few minutes early and add a mile or two to warm up for that climb?

superdex

first two weeks: ride to work twice a week
following two weeks: ride to work three times a week
then move up to every day.

Give your body a chance to adjust. You'll get strong quickly, but you'll need recovery time.

I've been doing the commute below for a couple months now, but haven't worked up to all five days yet (but that's primarily because my schedule is a little unpredictable). Going home is the 'fun' part...

https://www.routeslip.com/routes/57445

edit: and no, you're not crazy. But you'll be crazy strong!

Okiegonian

yeah, caloso, just a few weeks ago it was fairly light out that early; now it's dark the whole way and it doesn't look like I'll have any help from the sun again until the beginning of next summer...

rschulze

I roll out at 5:40 and ride 13 miles with 1800ft. My big grade averages about 8% with one spot hitting 10. More climbing, not as brutal. You'll get use to it and it will help your climbing and racing SO much.

Okiegonian

superdex, cool route calculator - I think I'll run this one through it. Do ya'll have any advice on food/energy for an early start? Caffeine doesn't quite seem appropriate.

KingTermite 

Wow....that's some serious hillage.

MWP

Wow, thanks for the cool site. I'm also in the Denver area. Here's mine: https://www.routeslip.com/routes/57456

Pretty flat most of the way, but me no likey a particular section of the ride home.

Okiegonian

Ok here's what I'm talking about:
https://www.routeslip.com/routes/57462
Looks like it's closer to a 1000' climb...

chipcom 

I'd rather climb in the wee hours of the morning than in the afternoon...especially if it's dark. Less traffic, cooler outside, well-rested and climbs always seem to go faster and easier in the dark.

Okiegonian

MWP, how often do you do that trek?

MWP

Sadly, I've only been doing it once a week. But I just bought a new dedicated commuting macheen and decked it out with a rear rack and panniers. Couldn't stand the backpack anymore. So I plan to do it at least 2-3 times a week now. As for your route...ouch. But the ride home has to make it almost worth it, right?

brew

+1, i cant say enough for warm up rides. one of the places i love rides has a long hill (almost 3 miles) that is 6 to 12% grade. i tired to start out at the base of that one day, it was killer.

mhifoe

I heartily recommend porridge (oatmeal). I used to be ravenously hungry after my commute until I changed my breakfast from cereal to porridge.

If you are getting hammered on the hill, remember there's no shame in walking bits of it until you get your strength up.

oboeguy

Quit complaining. I wish I had 900' of climbing in my commute!

gear

As a middle aged man who is a bit overweight I leave my home everyday at 4am and do my 12 mile bike commute and cover several hills ending in one that is higher and steeper than the one you describe. Now if I can do it you surely can do it. "Get obsessed and stay obsessed" J.I.

Benton

Here is my old commute https://www.routeslip.com/routes/12637 The trick was to do it without breaking a sweat.

Benton

I made my commute longer so that the climb wasn't as steep. You may find some alternate streets that may be longer but not as intense. Explore on the way home.

DataJunkie

+1
Sounds like a good hill for hill repeats or hill sprints.
Go for it!

Mr. Underbridge

Impressive!

The only question is whether you have the right gear setup for that beast. If you do, I guess just grind away in a low gear. Unless you feel like the challenge!

Only other thing I might think about is maybe adding a couple of warm-up miles to your commute - if you can find a relatively flat loop or something. Then you might feel up to the hills when you get to them.

superdex

honestly, I roll out with nuthin. I also do my climbing heading home, so I've had a full day's worth of eating. Maybe a gel, or small bowl of cereal (not too much, your body is getting enough of a shock)? I echo the idea of making the commute longer to flatten out the climb -- how is Lorane Hwy at that time of day?

Crash716

Seriously....900'...really...i am not trying to be a D and i am no king of the mountains but i climb about 1500' on my 12 mile commute and because i live in San diego it is really up hill both ways unless i go way out of my way....2 climbs are over 10% and on is actually closer to 20%...just climb it....do some stretching and roll up it....stop letting a little bit of altitude intimidate you....





psssttt....

IT MAKE YA STRONGER.....



no go forth and tackle.

toucci

Where's this near 20% climb? The steepest I've been able to find around here is 15% on Mt. Soledad.

Crash716

laurel street coming out of downtown.....it's gotta be close to 20%....it's steeper than Mt Soledad.

Okiegonian

I avoid Lorane Hwy in Eugene city limits - loose surface, tire-eating potholes, no shoulders, deer jumping out from overgrown shrubberies... although that route would smooth out the first hill. I hear Lorane Hwy on county maintenance is a pretty popular ride, but I don't have a road bike so I haven't ventured out farther than my commute takes me.