Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Commuter Challenge!

[colorisnt]

radacrider,

That's great news on your building!

I have done no commuting this week because of early mornings and now the flu! Life will NOT slow down, but I have to.

[Rebecca19804]

I'm in. I haven't quite formulated my goals for the season. Had arthroscopy on left knee yesterday, not allowed on the bike at least until I see the surgeon 8th Nov to get stitches removed. Then I'm starting physiotherapy at a place that specialises in cycling.

I've got an invitation to start riding out with a south London road cycling club, as soon as the knee is okay. The only group I've been out with before is a social one - about 30 miles over 8 hours with lots of stops. That's becoming frustratingly slow for me. The club I'll be joining has several group levels, are no-drop and sound very supportive - well respected and recommended club. So I'm feeling very optimistic about improving my strength and endurance and generally 'raising my game', as I'd like to have a serious go at audaxing next year.

So - no firm pledges yet on what or how I'll do this winter. But I wanted to get a note down on this thread now, so at least I've committed myself TO SOMETHING -- haha -- and will be sure to come back in a couple of weeks and set out a PLAN. Yay!

You ladies rock and are a constant inspiration. Thank you!

EDIT - and our clocks don't go back til this coming Sunday... which buys me a little time til the TE Challenge starts properly, right?

[girlsubobscura]

It's starting to get cold and dark here, so it's scarf and mittens time, but it's not as rainy as I remember from last october, so looks like the waterproof panniers are working as intended: a city wide weather shield

[Melalvai]

...so looks like the waterproof panniers are working as intended: a city wide weather shield

Yes! That is how my magical goretex rain gear works! I bought it during the rainy fall 3 years ago, and after it arrived? I did not have another rainy bike ride for 3 months!

[colorisnt]

Gah! I bought rain gear, too (it was on sale), but I have yet to have a rainy day in months!

[Melalvai]

The week's not quite over yet but I wanted to report on it because I got really philosophical when considering how this week counts on the continuum between success and failure. I concluded that in some ways, it is more of a success than last week when I was really gung-ho and accomplished all kinds of things, like lifting tall buildings and leaping speeding bullets.

Specifically I want to swim MWF, go to the gym for weights and then run T/Th, do my core exercises every day, go for a bike ride on weekends, and of course bike commute during the week. Technically I did all that except Monday, when we were traveling, I did not swim (although I could have) or do my core exercises.

The problem is, the rest of the week I did a half-hearted job of the running and swimming. The reason I decided this was more of a success than last week's accomplishments is because it is harder to get out there AT ALL when you are having a rough week for whatever reason (I think I was having trouble because it got cold), than it is to do well when you are feeling really motivated.

So I gave myself credit for doing it at all.

I also gave myself credit for doing the core exercises every day. They count for more, to me, because I follow them up with my jaw and neck stretches, and so the whole thing counts more as "taking care of myself" instead of "training for the triathlon". (One is less selfish than the other in my head.)

Finally I gave myself credit for commuting. Not that that is difficult. In fact it is the easiest thing which is why I continued to do it. Each time I might think "It's cold, maybe DH will give me a ride", the next thought is "How will I get home?" and the logistics of that are so complicated that immediately I say "Screw it, I'll just ride, that's easiest". So this 'credit' was earned by the years of bicycle commuting that has made it a habit, and by the investment of ~$500 in cold weather gear three years ago (a lot of money but how much have you spent on your car over three years?), and by the fact that we never did buy that second car.

We're riding out to the corn maze this afternoon, and tomorrow I plan to run again.

Overall, this week was strongly on the "success" side of the continuum. And that makes me feel more motivated for next week's swimming & running.

[CommuterChick]

I'm with you! Problem is once I started working from home, the bike rides dropped -- I miss my commute! And I travel a great deal. But I'm pretty good down to mid-30s, as long as it's not snowy or icey.

So my goal will be to ride min 3x/weekdays -- to gym, to pick up mail at corp hq, those doable errands -- unless snowy, icey, or on travel.

Thanks! Having community like this helps when working solo.


marcy

[blackhillsbiker]

Today I had to dig out the wool longies and cap. I got some new gloves. My ride in was beautiful this morning. Frost on the grass, not a cloud in the sky. I had to use my light this evening for the first time. I guess the season has officially started.

Deb

P.S. Wish me luck. I have to go back to the Dr. to have my left leg checked out. I don't think the surgery was as successful as I had hoped (my right leg is great). If he has to do any more procedures, I'll be off the bike again for awhile.

[lilly99]

I am up for the challange!

I'm aiming to commute at last 4 times a week to work. Found this and have it stuck to my fridge to help keep me motivated....

http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/benefits.htm

Let's keep going ladies

[out_spokin']

Melalvai, I like your philosophy of the "success continuum". I've been struggling more that I thought I would to get back some biking and core/Pilates momentum. And I haven't been on the commute much even -- for mostly totally reasonable reasons (like, hey, I've got a comp day, I'm not going to the office. Or hey, I've got a bike to pick up and it's impossible to commute to that.)

I'm doing OK but a little under my goal for commutes. The last couple I've done have been sweet, but COLD -- how did it get down to 18 the other morning when the daytimes have been in the 60s? So I'm still adjusting...but my ride home tonight was mild, started in twilight and ended needing my full-on lights, and just the best feeling of being free and happy on a bike to end my day.

[Melalvai]

I'm going to go ahead & call it for this week.

Biking, running, swimming, work out goals: big fail. I swam Monday, did the weight machines at the gym and ran on Tuesday. I did not swim on Wednesday because my back hurt, and the rest of the week I've had other things on my mind!

Ignoring the training when I ought to, such as after my daughter gets hit by a truck: big success.

I learned that I should only do my core exercises 2 or 3 times a week, not every day. Doing them every day caused an upper back injury (stiff neck/ shoulder). I think the neck & shoulder are still awfully stiff a week later but I haven't paid much attention to it since Wednesday.

[bikegurl]

I only go to work once a week, but still, it will be a challenge when winter really sets in....
I don't drive, so if I don't bike, I would have to arrange for rides from friends, and also, rely on buses. I don't feel like giving my money to the metro system (they increased the fare ) and I am saving money for bike gear..... so, biking was the only 'sensible' option.
I just told the people I work with that I will try to cycle to work all winter, so....here goes!!!

Good luck on winter commuting!

[Rebecca19804]

my daughter gets hit by a truck

Whoa!!! Is she okay?

[Melalvai]

Whoa!!! Is she okay?

She's going to be fine: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=40444

[bikerHen]

Checking in with a "so far so good" report. I'm long over my cold/flu and riding my 5 days a week. Weather is definitly starting to feel like winter. Cold and almost snow type rain this morning. My evening commutes are now in total darkness. Gotta say I'm loving it!

Melalvia, I feel your pain with trying to fit in all the other "stuff" with commuting. Three days a week I ride to the gym, do weights, walk/run on the treadmill, ride to work then ride home at the end of the day. On the other three days I do weights at home then ride to and from work. On the seventh day we take the dogs for a long 3-4 mile walk. I'm looking forward to my surgery in January so I can take a few weeks off. But then as my shoulder heals I'm going to have to figure out how to fit swimming into the daily mix. I tell ya this getting into shape is not for the timid. It's darn tough!