[Closed] Just started commuting to work

Get a cycle computer if you haven't already, reset the riding time every day, then sprint like buggery and try and beat your best time. I'd put money on it you'll get faster and stronger, and depending on the bike, you might learn some skills as well... 🙂

my commute into work is only about 5 miles but i often take a 'scenic' route home to bump up the miles. in the summer i can end up doing 25-30 miles, in the winter its more like 15.

My commute is only 2 miles each way, but it keeps base fitness ticking over. As the others say, vary your route according to weather - if nothing else, it keeps it from getting boring.

Depends to some extent how fit you are to start with but basically yes. the fitter you are now the less difference it will make.

Mrs TJ does a 3.5 mile commute and her base fitness was low - the difference after a few months of doing the commute was clear and obvious

Dunno about fitness but you will be the most productive in your office all morning, nothing beats blasting it to work and getting on with your work while all your work mates are still bleary 🙂 It makes for a peaceful afternoon!

🙂 Cheers all

Its great fun, don't take it too seriously... and also don't let yourself become the bitch of every bad driver. Keep your wits about you.

Fitness will occur.
Make sure you smell good for your colleagues.

My commute is 20 miles each way on the road bike but recently I’ve taken to getting the MTB out and doing the “scenic route” out to a Village train station. It is less total Mileage, however the MTB is noticeably harder work, and I’m carrying more kit, so I’m almost as knackered after a Bike-Train-Bike commute than a 20mile road commute. plus you get a bit more MTB “skills practise” and turning up in the office hot stinky and muddy is way better than plain Hot and stinky. Using your commute as a benchmark for fitness makes good sense, it’s a repeatable exercise, you do it at about the same times each day/week with the same preparation….

You will compete with yourself, you may well go as far as a spreadsheet, which lets you keep track of times and how many miles you’ve clocked up and your Average times and speeds, Excel is actually really useful if you want to keep track of performance and helps you spot any improvements…

Good luck…

i'd say it will improve your fitness - cant really fail to

as far as losing weight, probably not, in fact possibly the reverse. The ride will not be long enough to burn any fat and you will certainly want elevenses as a 'reward' for riding to work. You could counter this slightly by riding in empty and having your breakfast when you arrive.

Thanks - I can't help feeling like I'm cycling to school once more 🙂

You could always make the loop longer, link it with some local stuff if you have anything decent near?

Nothing better than turning up to work splattered in mud.

Keeps you from getting bored too and in the summer, its something to look forward to after work 😉