View Full Version : Wish me luck....
Lee
July 25th 03, 04:23 PM
My new fitness regime starts tomorrow with a test run of my new cycle
commute to work and back. (approx. 6 miles or so)
Hope I handle it ok - any tips from you vets out there?
Lee
Lee
July 25th 03, 04:26 PM
I should add thats 6 miles each way ;-)
"Lee" > wrote in message
...
> My new fitness regime starts tomorrow with a test run of my new cycle
> commute to work and back. (approx. 6 miles or so)
>
> Hope I handle it ok - any tips from you vets out there?
>
> Lee
>
>
Lee
July 25th 03, 04:43 PM
"Tim Woodall" > wrote in message
.. .
> On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 16:23:43 +0100,
> >
> Don't give up in the first few weeks. It takes maybe 4-6 weeks before
> some of the "hills" flatten out (I'm assuming you don't have any real
> hills but if your not used to it every incline will feel like a hill)
>
> When I started commuting to work I had four "hills" and I would count
> them. Within a couple of months I would be thinking "oh, I'm at the top
> of the last hill." Now I can't even remember which particular slopes were
> two of the four hills and the other two are short enough that I can sprint
> up them.
>
> Tim.
>
Yeah its reasonably flat - there are a few steady inclines but nothing that
is horrendous. Plus, as a bonus, there are cycle paths nearly all the route
so im hardly ever on the road!!!
I am under no illusion that it isnt going to be easy to start with but that
fact that I am excited about doing it must be a good sign! My downfall has
always been willpower and sticking at things - lets hope this one is a
little more successful!
All being well, if tomorrow goes ok Ill be cycling to work on Monday and
will let you know how it all goes ;-)
Dave Kahn
July 25th 03, 05:02 PM
On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 16:23:43 +0100, "Lee" >
wrote:
>My new fitness regime starts tomorrow with a test run of my new cycle
>commute to work and back. (approx. 6 miles or so)
>
>Hope I handle it ok - any tips from you vets out there?
Don't ask yourself the question: Shall I ride to work today or...
Just get on your bike and go. It may help if you lay out your cycling
clothes each night and get into them as soon as you get up. Once the
pedals are turning the rest is easy.
--
Dave...
Philip TAYLOR [PC87S-O/XP]
July 25th 03, 05:14 PM
Lee wrote:
[snip]
> My fiancee has a car and one is enough for us!
Steady, lad, that way lies perdition : if you've
already given up the second car /before/ you get
married, what will you have left to give up /after/ ?!
** Phil.
Lee
July 25th 03, 06:52 PM
"Philip TAYLOR [PC87S-O/XP]" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Lee wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> > My fiancee has a car and one is enough for us!
>
> Steady, lad, that way lies perdition : if you've
> already given up the second car /before/ you get
> married, what will you have left to give up /after/ ?!
>
> ** Phil.
Hee hee thats a good question... let me see
Johnny Klunk
July 25th 03, 07:14 PM
>
> Yeah its reasonably flat - there are a few steady inclines but nothing
that
> is horrendous. Plus, as a bonus, there are cycle paths nearly all the
route
> so im hardly ever on the road!!!
>
> I am under no illusion that it isnt going to be easy to start with but
that
> fact that I am excited about doing it must be a good sign! My downfall
has
> always been willpower and sticking at things - lets hope this one is a
> little more successful!
>
> All being well, if tomorrow goes ok Ill be cycling to work on Monday and
> will let you know how it all goes ;-)
>
Aye, just hop on the bike and go. If you're not on the road and don't push
too hard 6 miles isn't that far. If you're like me - you'll get to really
enjoy it. Get to work wide awake with a smile and a quiet moral smugness.
Don't think you'll need any tips, just breathe deep and enjoy the ride. Its
especially nice to enjoy the control - cars get stuck in traffic and can
never find a park - Nowt they can do about it. On the bike it's up to
you - ride faster,slower, park where you like, duck into shops quickly
without worrying about meters, start talking to other cyclists at the
lights.....
If you don't have a cycle computer its £15 really well spent (for me,
anyway). It's motivating to watch the miles add up and racing yourself is
fun.
The hardest time to get on the bike is with a killer hang-over. Thats the
most important time. After 15 mins it's gone. If I cheat and get the tube
I'll be hungover till lunch.
andrew
July 25th 03, 09:07 PM
"Dave Kahn" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 25 Jul 2003 16:23:43 +0100, "Lee" >
> wrote:
>
> >My new fitness regime starts tomorrow with a test run of my new cycle
> >commute to work and back. (approx. 6 miles or so)
> >
> >Hope I handle it ok - any tips from you vets out there?
>
> Don't ask yourself the question: Shall I ride to work today or...
> Just get on your bike and go. It may help if you lay out your cycling
> clothes each night and get into them as soon as you get up. Once the
> pedals are turning the rest is easy.
Agreed. The way I get to work is by bike. Make sure you either carry to work
or have dry clothes for the day. Then you can go for it if need be & not
worry about the weather or being sweaty.
Personally I don't mind the rain as I know I'll be in work in nice dry
clothes unlike some of my co-workers
Don't give up too soon. You'll find your fitness increase very quickly.
Speed will help in traffic. Don't ride in the gutter you'll get more room
that way & use eye contact (even if you've got shades on).
Stare at people & they will look at you.
--
Andrew
"Look laddie, if you're in the penalty area and aren't quite sure what to do
with the ball, just stick it in the net and we'll discuss all your options
afterwards."
>
> --
> Dave...
>
Andy P
July 26th 03, 08:51 PM
"Lee" > wrote
> Well my ultimate aim (2-3 months or so) is to get rid of my car so I guess
> its either cycle to work or dont go ;-)
>
> My fiancee has a car and one is enough for us!
>
Good luck. I gave up my car about a year ago and am really glad I did. I
know I can make use of my girlfriend's if I really need to but it's
surprising how well you can manage with a bit of determination. I wavered a
bit as winter approached last year but once I'd got some decent enough
lights for the regular weekend hour and a half ride I need to do along dark
country lanes (or offroad through the woods even for some of it) I soon
realised it was actually more of a pleasure than a hardship.
Just zis Guy, you know?
July 26th 03, 09:19 PM
On Sat, 26 Jul 2003 20:51:43 +0100, "Andy P"
> wrote:
>I gave up my car about a year ago [...] I wavered a
>bit as winter approached last year but once I'd got some decent enough
>lights for the regular weekend hour and a half ride I need to do along dark
>country lanes [...] I soon
>realised it was actually more of a pleasure than a hardship.
Good for you. We sold the second car last year as well and it's saved
us a packet. Winter riding is worse in the contemplation than in the
reality, and once you have a dynamo lighting system on your bike dark
evenings become a non-issue - with the additional benefit that if you
leave work late during Warmrain[1] you will still be safe and legal.
[1] formerly known as Summer
Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony.
http://www.chapmancentral.com
[currently offline awaiting ADSL transfer to new ISP]
Lee
July 28th 03, 09:03 AM
"doobrie" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> yes, im also 'thinking' of doing this too ... but for me its 15 mile
> each way on an A road more or less all the way fairly straight ... if i
> went alternative routes then that'd just make the trip impossible for me
> adding crazy milage to it and to top it off the smaller roads would
> probably just have as much if not more traffic on aiming for the main A
> road ....sigh!
>
> i guess it doesnt really matter if i give myself plenty of time to get
> there and back on what the fitness level is - even if i start a couple
> days a week to get the fitness up i spose i'll soon find me legs
I have BIIIIIG fitness issues!
Thought I would go for a test drive on Sunday, not all the way but see how
far I could get - managed about 1/2 a mile!! Now, im not sure if I should
put this down to my general fitness (which I am sure will play a BIG part)
or the fact that I was rather drunk on Saturday night (actually, replace
rather drunk with VERY drunk) and I woke up feeling ok - got half way up a
hill and suddenly felt really ill! Had to stop and heaved a few times - then
went home!!
Any tips for increasing fitness (i do need to lose weight too as lugging
16st around on a bike isnt easy!)?
Stevie D
August 7th 03, 12:57 PM
Lee wrote:
> Any tips for increasing fitness (i do need to lose weight too as lugging
> 16st around on a bike isnt easy!)?
An article I read the other day said that a cup of coffee, tea, coke
or any other caffeinated drink before exercise promotes weight loss,
because the caffeine -somehow or other- gets your body to burn its fat
reserves more quickly.
--
Stevie D
\\\\\ ///// Bringing dating agencies to the
\\\\\\\__X__/////// common hedgehog since 2001 - "HedgeHugs"
___\\\\\\\'/ \'///////_____________________________________________
Lee
August 7th 03, 04:49 PM
"The Real Slim Shady" > wrote in message
...
> It does. Fat is mobilised from the andipose cells (eg on your beer belly)
> and metabolised (burnt) more easily in the presence of caffeine. The net
> effect is small though - about 5% more fat is burnt. Not a great deal but
> if you have a lot to lose then every little helps.
>
> I had some research papers on this very subject that I have mislaid
> somewhere.
>
Confirmation from a scientist! Wow im sold - just sipping my coffee now
ready for the ride home :-)
The Real Slim Shady
August 7th 03, 04:51 PM
It does. Fat is mobilised from the andipose cells (eg on your beer belly)
and metabolised (burnt) more easily in the presence of caffeine. The net
effect is small though - about 5% more fat is burnt. Not a great deal but
if you have a lot to lose then every little helps.
I had some research papers on this very subject that I have mislaid
somewhere.
"Stevie D" > wrote in message
...
> Lee wrote:
>
> > Any tips for increasing fitness (i do need to lose weight too as lugging
> > 16st around on a bike isnt easy!)?
>
> An article I read the other day said that a cup of coffee, tea, coke
> or any other caffeinated drink before exercise promotes weight loss,
> because the caffeine -somehow or other- gets your body to burn its fat
> reserves more quickly.
>
> --
> Stevie D
> \\\\\ ///// Bringing dating agencies to the
> \\\\\\\__X__/////// common hedgehog since 2001 - "HedgeHugs"
> ___\\\\\\\'/ \'///////_____________________________________________
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