Finally did it, but my body didn't appreciate it

[NoNo]

For months I've had all the good intentions in the world to bike to work. For various reasons, mainly concern over a certain stretch of road, I never did it. At the very least I started taking the train to work, so I was polluting a lot less. This week my friend came to my desk and said "There's a bike in the stock room, looks like a women's one." Couldn't think of anyone that would be biking in, but the next day he came back and told me who it was: the tiny 60 year-old woman upstairs Worse yet, I knew she had to bike the very area I had been avoiding Well that did it, there were no more excuses!

Packed up the bag last night, filled the tires, made sure I had everything I needed. This morning I woke up, ate a little granola and got on my way. It normally takes me a little time to warm up, but today it didn't happen. I noticed this the one other time I got up super early to ride. I was much slower than normal, but I plugged along. I also noticed my heart rate was about 20BPM higher than normal. Does this happen to anyone else? Any idea what it can be from or what I can do to help? Again, I noticed that on the other early morning ride.

It really was a perfect morning, and overall I feel pretty good. A few things I have to work on: 1) the backpack I have just isn't going to work, or I need to plan better. It started to feel heavy, and I certainly noticed the extra weight going up the hills. I had clothes, my pump, and a pair of shoes, but my shoulders were tired. 2) I think I need a new frame pump, as I seem to be missing a piece of mine, the little thumb lock on the head of the Road Morph.

Even if I ride in a few days and take the train the rest of the time, it'll be nice. Looking back, I don't know why I waited so long, it was a great ride. We'll see how I feel riding home in Friday afternoon shoreline traffic

[Melalvai]

Super! How long is your commute?
The backpack can be solved in a couple ways. 1) your shoulders and back will grow accustomed to the weight as you build muscle. or 2) get a rack.

[NoNo]

It was just over 9 miles, which I can do easily. I just never felt "on" during the ride this morning, like my body didn't have the energy it needed. I have a Dolce Elite, and there are no braze ons for a rack, and it has a carbon seat post, so I can't do one of those racks. This is foremost my road bike, so I don't necessarilly want to start adding stuff to it that I won't need during my regular rides. I just can't fathom lugging my mountain bike and it's 30+ lbs, or I'd attach some racks to that. Until I find a nice beater bike, this is my best option.

I've started lifting again, so hopefully my shoulders will get stronger. I can probably adjust the straps so that it's higher on my back, too. Aside from that, my legs were pretty tired and as I said, my heart rate was a bit high. What do you guys eat before you ride? I have to have something in me, or I crash completely.

[Tri Girl]

Yay- you did it! Glad the little lady was your motivation to get you out the door (for me- that's all it takes is a little: ooh, she did it, I can do it, too).
I hope your ride home goes well. Let us know.

What about leaving a couple pairs of shoes at work, and bring a few days worth of clothes with you when you ride the train- you wouldn't need to put much in there. Just a thought (although you may not have storage space at work for your clothes and shoes).

[NoNo]

That's exactly what I was thinking. A little preparation (which I'm terrible at) will probably help a lot. I have to drive in next Tuesday, so I'll have to bring some clothes with me then.

SCORE! Today is bring your kid to work day and there's a whole bunch of muffins and fruit in the conference room! Nothing like gaining back those calories

[tulip]

A backpack will really fatigue me, so I always use panniers on a rack. Why carry the extra weight when your bike can carry it for you? Plus, when the load is on the bike and not on your back, the center of gravity is lower and the bike is easier to control.

Good for you for biking in. I hope you continue. It gets downright fun and addictive.

[sfa]

I love it that a 60 year old was your motivation for riding to work! I was driving my route home last week and passed one of the professors on his bike presumably on his way home too. He's got to be at least 60--full white beard and everything.

I hate riding with a backpack, no matter how small and ergonomically designed, so I'm a fan of my rack and panniers. I'm the same way with being sluggish in the mornings and really shaky after a workout in the morning that wouldn't bother me any other time of the day. Eating a mix of protein and carbs and washing it down with a lot of water in advance helps a bit, as does stopping and stretching really well after about five minutes. But mostly I think it's just the way my body works so I don't worry about it too much. You could ask the 60 y.o. how she does it!

Sarah

[mimitabby]

ha, maybe i'm your motivator? I'm 56 and i'm doing it too.

Did you eat enough breakfast? maybe you need to get up a little earlier to eat something more than "a little" granola?
I wouldn't suggest this except for the way you described your condition.
I carry a backpack too, but i can put stuff on my rack to keep the backpack from getting too heavy.

I am very glad to hear that you finally tried it!

[GLC1968]

You know...when I used to commute 14 miles each way, I noticed the same thing. My morning rides never quite got into that 'zone' at all. My HR was higher, my legs were just not as strong. By the afternoon commute home, all was good though.

I think my body just never really got into the grove for the morning ride. I think that's just the way some people are? Or maybe doing it more consistently can get you accustomed to it? (I never did my commute as consistently as I would have liked, back then). Now I ride daily, but it's so short that I don't even think of it as a 'ride'. It also happens to be all down hill on the way to work, so that probably compensates for any physical sluggishness and I've never noticed it.

I'm glad you reminded me of this, actually. In a little over a week, my commute is going to go to 19 miles each way. Remembering this will help me get past that sluggishness in the morning (at least mentally)! I think the best thing to do is NOT look at your speed or HR in the morning and just use the time to enjoy the ride for the scenery, the weather or the fresh air.

[NoNo]

Ideally I could get up earlier, but as it is I got up at 5:45, I can't imagine getting up any earlier. I start work at 7:30, which is a bit of a pain. By a "little" granola, I meant the 1/2 cup serving, but perhaps some protein is a good idea. Maybe if I hard boil some eggs in advance I can have a few before riding. And maybe I'm not just a morning person

Again, my bike doesn't have any holes to attach a rack to, so that's not an option. I talked to the woman and I don't think she carries anything with her. She wears her clothes on the bike (but not a helmet!) and keeps some shoes here. I'll be keeping my eyes open on Craigslist for a used commuter, but there don't tend to be many posted, and almost never in my size (I'm 5'1").

[BBsw]

Ideally I could get up earlier, but as it is I got up at 5:45, I can't imagine getting up any earlier. I start work at 7:30, which is a bit of a pain. By a "little" granola, I meant the 1/2 cup serving, but perhaps some protein is a good idea. Maybe if I hard boil some eggs in advance I can have a few before riding. And maybe I'm not just a morning person

Again, my bike doesn't have any holes to attach a rack to, so that's not an option. I talked to the woman and I don't think she carries anything with her. She wears her clothes on the bike (but not a helmet!) and keeps some shoes here. I'll be keeping my eyes open on Craigslist for a used commuter, but there don't tend to be many posted, and almost never in my size (I'm 5'1").

Good for you! I did my first commute on Wednesday. It will take us a few tries to get the bugs worked out of our routines. I need to lighten my load and after looking at all the gorgeous bikes others are commuting on....

As far as protein in the morning, use yogurt in your granola instead of milk. If you really wanna get healthy, use non-fat PLAIN yogurt and add fruit to your granola.

[Tri Girl]

I'll be keeping my eyes open on Craigslist for a used commuter, but there don't tend to be many posted, and almost never in my size (I'm 5'1").

Don't rule out garage sales, either. I happened to drive down a street I never venture on in my neighborhood one day because they had a garage sale sign up and I found my great commuter/touring bike. It was only $40 and in great shape. I'm 5'3" and although it's probably a wee bit big, it works great. You never know what you might find sitting in someone's yard for sale. Just a month before another house in my neighborhood had 2 identical Raleigh hybrids for sale. I saw them early, then went by later to test ride and they were gone.

[lovelylibrarian]

A backpack will really fatigue me, so I always use panniers on a rack. Why carry the extra weight when your bike can carry it for you? Plus, when the load is on the bike and not on your back, the center of gravity is lower and the bike is easier to control.

I was so happy when I put a rack on my bike and got rid of the backpack. I would make my back all hot and sweaty.

Great job on commuting.

[sbctwin]

Congrats on your first commute and I hope you have many more. Is there a place you can keep your shoes. I have several pair in my desk. Along with other 'essentials'. Maybe on a day you take the train, you can take your clothes for the day you ride and leave them at work. Anything to lighten the load in your daypack will be better....Good luck on your ride home...

[PscyclePath]

They make these little "P" clips that you can attach a rack to if your bike doesn't have braze-ons or the little screw holes... You didn't mention if your bike was meatl-framed or carbon fiber... Personally I wouldn't use the clips on carbon fiber stays, so I did the backpack thing until eventually splurging for a regular commuter bike with racks and the other trimmings. If an aluminum or steel-framed bike, a rear rack and the little clips are definitely the way to go. It's a lot more comfortable to carry the load on your bike than on your back!

Another thought might be a messenger bag... a little more expensive, but maybe more comfortable than a backpack...