CityCyclingEdinburgh was launched on the 27th of October 2009 as "an experiment".
IT’S TRUE!
CCE is 15years old!
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It soon became useful and entertaining. There are regular posters, people who add useful info occasionally and plenty more who drop by to watch. That's fine. If you want to add news/comments it's easy to register and become a member.
RULES No personal insults. No swearing.
@Amir struck a chord with me in Confessions of a Cycle Commuter
"That slightly guilty feeling when, in - 1 degrees and with tired body, you opt for the bus, accentuated by seeing a surprisingly large number of cyclists braving it. Next time.... "
The week has finally caught up with me - facing a similar decision to Amir this evening (although I don't feel I have been overly exerting myself ). Apart from not cycling (a last resort) - how do folks deal with fatigue?
Day off then ride harder the next time to make up for it. Although this doesn't work anymore as I stick to the paths rather than the roads - instead I just feel guilty and eat nutella straight from the jar.
I'd say try to change things in some way.
Go in a lower gear and spin the legs rather than grind.
Try to find a different route- Edinburgh Cycle Streets should help you find one if you are not sure.
Stop en route for a rest to take photos or for a coffee.
For me, when I'm getting jaded (or particularly enthused), I go through Dalmeny Estate. Adds about 10 mins to my ride, but is lovely, easy traffic free cycling and never fails to brighten my mood. This morning was an absolute cracker.
'instead I just feel guilty and eat nutella straight from the jar.'
LOL!
For me cycling is all about mood. A short period off can lead to renewed motivation and vigour on the bike, especially if the alternative has been the bus or driving in heavy traffic.
I do also take different ways in to add variety. But this mainly happens when it's lighter or less icy.
Depends how long your commute is I think. You do have the option of just getting more and more tired until you recover on the weekend, then after a month or two you won't be able to fatigue yourself day to day. (Doesn't apply to really long commutes, obviously).
Remember you are only getting fitter when you rest. Exercise is breaking your body down, so if you don't rest enough, you aren't going to get that much fitter.
I've not ridden to work since the start of the year - mainly because of the storm-forced winds and the ice risk. Over the years I've found that whilst Leith can be fine, by the time I get half-way to the Gyle it can be lethally slippery (and I use to get ripped clothing, paintwork scrapes and bruises to prove it).
I try to keep myself bike-ready by using the turbo indoors, but I do find that once I get back to riding outdoors after longer absences and the rest it has given me, I enjoy it all the more.
Falling off on ice or being blown across the road tend to have the opposite effect ;-)
"Remember you are only getting fitter when you rest."
If you're feeling tired, perhaps just don't cycle as fast that day?
[Bernard Hinault]
Or cycle faster - just think how tired everyone else must be
[/Bernard Hinault]
I have a 30 odd mile round commute and usually do two days, day off then back on it. I couldn't do five days a week, legs still get too heavy.
@paddyirish - how were the roads through the Estate? Would have thought they would have been treacherous this morning! I avoid the paths when it's been this cold. Came via Kirkliston road then straight along Queensferry Road today.
how do folks deal with fatigue?
Allow more time for the journey and more time in bed...
Slight problem if the cause of the fatigue prevents either of both of these solutions - kids, I'm looking at you!
Robert
@deckard112- SQ cobbles were interesting and then once I got into the estate, I hugged the coast and with paths were rough, ice wasn't a factor under the trees. When I came out in front of the house it was glassy. I slowed down, didn't brake and got away with it, probably relaxed as no traffic there to hit me... Then once I emerged after Strade Bianche, it was lots of icy puddles, a couple of which I couldn't avoid.
Worst part of the ride was probably through Cammo Estate which wasn't gritted.
Not sure I fancy the elevated sense of danger taking that route! I had a hairy moment past Royal Elizabeth Yards where the road was completely sheet ice (water running off the field and across the road had frozen. Didn't notice it until I was on it...daren't touch the brakes, closed eyes, clenched cheeks and expected to be on the deck but somehow made it over!
Cow-orker cycled in a couple of times this week and said how he is impressed that I always do it.
I don't think I deserve any kudos for this as it's the way I like to travel, it's not a chore.
Swap bikes? My old hub gear bike is sit up and beg stylee and slow so you take a different approach and attitude
If I am knackered after a day at work and the cycle home seems daunting, I will eat something before I get on the bike (banana! but more often chocolate...) and that gives me a bit of energy to get up the road :)
I was feeling weary for a few weeks, which I mostly put down to the regular high winds and general lack of light, but I finally came down with a nasty cold towards the end of last week so I took a couple of days off work to avoid spreading it any further and then took a bus this morning to take it easy while I'm still recovering. I would say that I've generally been ill less often after becoming a regular cyclist, but I do often end up feeling run-down, probably because my body spends more time trying to fight off illnesses before(/if) they do take hold than before.
some people wouldnt be as tired if they didnt feel the need to chase ever other cyclist on their commute down and try and rip their legs off. It`s usually only a commute after all
feel free to pass me without the need to be putting out more watts than your average pro rider as I`ve grown out of the commuting racing lark at my age.
my commute : from town up the Gilmerton road out to Eskbank
Reckon my tiredness is partly related to my immune system kicking into action - similar to what Daniel described. My heavy legs are probably due to over cycling/climbing exercise - and reckon sleep and a rest day is the only solution.
Swapping bikes and routes I do try - although my second bike is a knobbly heavy steel frankenbike - hard work for ~20 mile commute home.
I'm never stuck for motivation - its usually looking forward to the cycle home that gets me through the work day. The prospect of chasing Grahamns down....
Funny how things go in cycles! I'm feeling fairly unenthusiastic about the cycle-commute this weather. My posts above were 12 months ago - must be a seasonal thing! Summer can't come fast enough.
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