wickedxawesome

So I usually work at 2 or 3pm, which leaves me a nice little time in the morning to hammer out 30-50 miles before work. The only thing is, I usually have about an hour before work to have a little recovery time, in which I eat a small meal, shower, and walk my dog.

Then I commute to work which is 4 miles one way, on my singlespeed. My legs are usually pretty sore for the first mile or two and then the seem to loosen up. Is it bad to start riding so soon after a ride like this? I read that a short ride 4-6 hours after a ride helps your muscles recover a little better.

Should I be a typical LA citizen and drive to work and let me legs rest, or just hammer it to work?

Velo Fellow

If your legs are toast after your serious morning ride, then why not make your commute an easy recovery ride that flushes out the soreness and leaves you refreshed for tomorrow morning. "Hammering it to work" for a few miles is probably not a kool idea if you've already exhausted your legs. You might also consider structuring your morning riding so your legs aren't blown out every day.

** To be honest, I wonder if cycle commuting in LA may ever be an "easy" relaxing ride?

wickedxawesome

it is usually slow paced and i take it easy, just my main question was if i should wait longer (by riding earlier) and then commute.

Roody

If this routine hasn't killed you yet, it probably won't.

As a fellow second-shifter, I do the exact same thing as you--a long ride in the morning/early afternoon, then a piddly four mile commute to work. I do the commute slowly if I'm tired, but often I'm running late and I have to hammer it out--even when I'm already tired. This hasn't killed me yet, and I doubt if it ever will. BTW, my 4 mile commute home at 11:30 PM is always a time trial, rode flat out for a personal best every night.

What are you riding for? For me, one reason is to have the strength and endurance to lead a healthy active life. That means being able to ride when I want to ride, not when some training guru tells me I should ride. Just pay attention to your body and give life your maximum effort.

wickedxawesome

thats funny you do a little time trial on the way home. i was doing the same thing, but i usually work later than 1130. it all depends. but i am never too sore or anything from riding to and from work, so i guess that is a good sign.

Roody

Using the commute as a TT means I can ride it really fast, which comes in handy if I'm late for work. It also gives me a benchmark for health & fitness--if I do it 30 seconds slower than usual, I know there's something bad going on with my body or my mind. I do it the fastest when I do an extra-long ride the day before, then pretty much rest for 24 hours.

I wouldn't give up second shift for anything. Having every day of your life free to ride--it doesn't get any better than that! I also like riding at night without having to get up early. Sometimes I work until 3 AM. I love riding then. No traffic except for cops and street sweepers (they're so fun to mess with ), the traffic lights are all blinking yellow--the city is mine!