How do you do it?!?!

Today was my very first bicycle commute. It kicked my butt. I was so excited, but now I feel like a wet noodle. It is 20 miles round trip. I live in North Park and am commuting to Park Ridge. How do you daily commuters do it?!?!? Does it get easier? At this point, I don't think I could ride again tomorrow if I wanted to! I would say that I am reasonably fit, and ride my bike quite a bit, but I feel like I ran a marathon while carrying a 50 lb bag of cement mix. Tips???

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on June 20, 2013 at 11:30am

that feeling of cement in your pack pack will eventually be replaced with a feeling that you can conquer anything... but that does not mean you have to. Take t slow, commute on the nice days of the week and never let yourself feel bad if you "chicken" out and take your car or public trans. Start with one day, then two with rest days in between. Use it as another means of transport so you do not dread riding your bike.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 20, 2013 at 11:40am

It does get easier.  Like Michael and Cameron said, just keep building up slowly to more and more mileage.  Never feel bad about taking it easy.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 20, 2013 at 11:47am

It's unanimous for building up gradually. What kind of riding did you/do you do prior to undertaking the 20 mile round trip commute?

Permalink Reply by Anne B. on June 20, 2013 at 12:16pm

Another vote for "it gets easier." I remember my first 15 mile round trip commute feeling so epic, like it went on and on and these days it is no big deal. Also, cut yourself some slack- it's hot out there right now and that is an extra challenge. And 20 miles is impressive no matter what the weather! 

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 20, 2013 at 12:27pm

The first time I tried a commute I tried it on a Saturday for 32 mile roundtrip from Lisle to Westchester. I bonked - got light-headed and was unaware where I was 2 miles from home - and wondered if I was doing the right thing. It got a lot easier and quickly.

Start with a few weeks of Tuesday and Thursday. Ride at a comfortable speed. Then try a few weeks of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Take it from there.

I now commute all year, regardless of weather, and I am a baby-booming old crank. You can do it, too, Amanda.

Permalink Reply by Naomi Ruth Jackson on June 20, 2013 at 12:32pm

The first time I commuted downtown and back I felt the exact same way. I also live in the North Park area so that's 20 miles there and back. 

The best thing you can do is make sure you carve out the time you need. What helped me was to have a few different routes. I had a quick and direct route for going to work, to make sure I got there as fast as possible. But coming back I took another way that had more rest stops. Also locate parks with drinking fountains along your commute. 

What kind of bike do you have? For a longer commute a road bike is the way to go. If you just have a commuter bike then just make sure it's in peak condition for the ride so that you wont have to work harder on your bike. 

It does get easier, you'll be amazed at how your body builds up stamina. 

Permalink Reply by ilter on June 20, 2013 at 12:46pm

If you carry a backpack & plan to commute regularly, invest in a rack! You can also invest in some sort of bike bag/pannier or try to somehow tie down your backpack on the rack.

Permalink Reply by Haddon on June 20, 2013 at 1:11pm

Amanda,

A)    All the Tony Robbins stuff here is true, you can do it.  So round tripping it is a big first step, perhaps more than you were ready for.   So break it down a bit, how about biking one way every day, say going home?  Or bike to work and public trans your bike home. 

Do that every day and before long that will be easy for you.  Ride half way each way and take the train or bus the other half.  Depending on your situation there are ways to work up to it.

B)    You are writing this today after the long ride.  My guess is that you'll wake up tomorrow and, though sore, feel better than you have in a long time.  Perhaps take friday off but be sure to take a long ride saturday.  Downtime will harm rather than help your endurance.

C)   This sounds like cheese but in a couple decades you'll tell people how, some weeks, you would bike 100 miles on your way back and forth to work and you'll be proud of it.

D)    Honestly before you go to bed go bike a mile, there is evidence that the exertion (extra blood flow) helps your body recover.

Go be a ninja bike woman.  And feel free to update this and tell us how it's going, we are all rooting for you !

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on June 20, 2013 at 3:43pm

Amanda,

I am not as old as Gene :-) but I am also a baby boomer.  I started commuting last year and I thought 3 miles one way was to the other end of the earth.  I am not commuting 20 miles round trip today--only about 13 round trip.  But I know that I could easily do 20 miles round trip now.  

Give yourself some extra time to start.  You will get faster as you build up endurance.  If you don't want to do the public transit route for one way or part of the way, ride 5 miles, stop for ten minutes, ride 5 miles.  It is amazing what a little rest will do.

On the "non-commute" days, go out for a longer ride than you might otherwise, just for fun.  It all adds up.  

Riding to and from work is the best part of  my day, and I love my job.  You can do it!

Permalink Reply by yai danche on June 20, 2013 at 4:23pm

I second that!  With a change of clothes and lunch (glass container) and random shiz, my bag is pretty heavy and I wouldn't carry it for 4 miles let alone 10 miles!  So I understand the sore back.  Personally, I find the first four miles to be a chore and then it gets more enjoyable as the rhythm sets in.  That distance is different for everyone and I think soon enough your body will adjust and it won't be bad at all!  Also I think the ride home feels a lot easier compared to first thing in the morning.  Also props for going to the suburbs, I didn't even think it was possible.  


ilter said:

If you carry a backpack & plan to commute regularly, invest in a rack! You can also invest in some sort of bike bag/pannier or try to somehow tie down your backpack on the rack.

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 20, 2013 at 6:38pm

It's a  pretty quick acclimation, I think. I used to ride a whopping pilsen-to-loop commute and the first few days was like "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahoooooeeeee what a workout" and now I'll ride my eight mile commute before I wake up really. 

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on June 21, 2013 at 1:34am

Agreed that "all the Tony Robbins stuff is true." I remember my first 20-mile round trip. I thought I was going to die before mile 9!

 

A year later I biked 72 miles in one day and felt like the Incredible Hulk.

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