OK I've been cycling to and from work for a week and a half. That's gotta make me close to an expert now. And this is what I've learnt so far:
1. Use the low gears to go up hill.
2. If you ride as fast as you can down hill then you make it further up the other side before you start stuggling.
3. You can't REALLY tell how fast people are running as you overtake them. (This was a pleasant surprise to learn.)
4. Some idiots on bikes ride far too fast for the conditions, or they take up the whole path, or they are just rude. Runners and walkers in general are very polite.
5. Riding is like a short sprint followed by a walk break, then a short sprint followed by a walk break. You get much more "rest" riding a bike than you do running. Except going up hills. Hills are hard.
6. You get a sweat up even just going down hill. I'm not sure what the go is there - but I find it just as hard to get home (downhill) as getting to work (uphill). Of course I love getting a bit of pace up on the downhill and maintaining it for as long as possible - so that could have something to do with it.
7. 40km/h is just plain silly - and damn scarey. I found a big hill and rode down it. I don't need to do that again for a while. Silly.
8. When it's cold in the morning, your fingers freeze into shape on the handlebars. And your nose goes numb. And your ears. (I'm not sure how people would cope with me wearing a balaclava - but I might have to do something for when it really gets "cold".)
9. Lights are a really good idea at dusk and at night. Plus the flashing ones are pretty.
10. OK OK, so cycling IS fun after all!
My commute to work is about 11km all up (there and back). Today I started a second job so I cycled to work, then cycled to my other job, then back to my first one, then home. All up 27km!! Now that sounds like a long way, but when you do it in four stints, it's quite achieveable and much more convenient than driving. NO parking problems, no traffic problems. My second job is three days a week for five or six weeks. Then I'm ditching it so I only have one job. But during that 5 or 6 weeks, man my fitness is BOUND to improve!!!
I'm really itching to run again, so I haven't been bitten by the tri bug (phew!) but I will make cycling my commute. And even though I've only been exercising 25 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night I've lost weight! Not sure how that works so I have to credit that completely to cycling.
I get to find out on Monday if I can run again soon.
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17 comments:
I am really loving your bike riding journey :)
Hhhmmm, did you say weight loss? I think it is time I got myself a bike!
Goodness Celeste! I didn't think anyone could make bike riding sound like fun and you've gone and done it.
Way to go girl!
Two jobs? Are you insane?
Wow - you've learnt a lot very quickly. No 2 is my personal fave, anything that helps me get up the hills which are my personal nemesis.
Good luck for Monday Celeste. It sounds like you are enjoying the bike riding though!
You are cycling so much- that is fantastic, you must be ready for your 1000km service already! Definitely get some gloves- I have fingerless cycling ones for when I fall off (yes, can you believe it!) because the first thing you do is put your hand down and lose half your palm. Maybe I should wear them running!
Michelle and I bought one of these earmuffs to keep our ears warm when it gets cold
http://www.kathmandu.com.au/14.html?category=fleeceouterwearaccessories&id=244598921
Great work on your bike riding too. And congratulations on your weight loss :-)
Sounds like you're having a lot of fun with the bike, that's great. I agree with the 40k - that seems a bit fast! I'd be scared!
Yay for the weightloss too!
Congrats on the weight loss Celeste - lets see if you can go 45kmh :-)
Enjoy the bike ..... and good luck with returning to running.
Take care
Eat Em
Hi you're back!!
So nice to read your cycling stories, whow what alot of km's you are doing, you are putting me to shame! (hanging head humbly here).
You lost weight, yipeee, I should then cycle more I decided.
I've never been faster than just over the 30km/h mark, a big chicken I am.
I did a quick 3km to the deli and back yesterday and the afternoon weather was mighty fine.
Shall we catch up at some stage?
Hi Celeste, sorry its so long since I've been here and sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I have to say - you just have the most awesome attitude! Of course you had to have a good cry (I cried in the specialists office when he told me I had a femural stress fracture!) but you've picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and got busy on the bike! And a mighty fine looking one it is too! That is so great and if you are enjoying it as much as it sounds like you are, thats even better. What a great way to get to work, etc and its only going to compliment the running once you get back into it, which I have no doubt you will.
Oh and I see what you mean about Pooky looking similar to my Baxter!
Go girl, MAR.
You are so right - bike riding is great isn't it - I'm having a second lease of life as far as bike riding goes too. I'm probably one of those idiots you mentioned - I scared myself the other day when I nearly hit 70km/h.
Here are my 2 rules of cycling;
1. No matter which direction you are cycling and no matter what direction the wind is blowing, you are always riding against the wind.
2. In winter wear gloves and a thin woolen hat under the helmet.
Hey Celeste
You forgot # 11 "It's not as good as running."
Thanks for the nice comment on my blog. I don't think I'm anything special, but I do value your opinion and if you think so it must be true ;)
Great list. I didn't think it got cold in the West.
Ooooh fingers crossed for good news on Monday!
so glad the cycling is proving to be such a pleasure and a benefit :)
Excellent attitude, as per, well done.
For the ears grab yourself a thin wide headband to cover them, the helmet will still go over the top. And this sounds really daft, but my ears used to ache so bad until I stuffed a little bit of cotton wool in them before heading out, and yes, I could still hear :-)
Keep it up!
I posted this on my blog for you in comments but I'll leave it here too:
"I agree, let's do a ride together, do you want to e-mail me what day you are available and we can arrange? Best for me is maybe to meet at South Perth eg. Ferry jetty and we can ride around the river or so and stop for a coffee, I will bring Liam with me and pull him in his buggy.
If you want to we can even include the hubbies and do it on a weekend?
(hannelie01@dargs.com)"
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