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Bike Commuting Agonistes
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 2009-07-12 7:20 PM |
New user 11 Takoma Park, MD |  Subject: Bike Commuting Agonistes(cross posted from Slowtwitch): I would be grateful if anyone out there might have some advice on my current predicament: I’ve started an easy bike commute to and from work each day, and it’s KILLING me on top of my regular tri workout routine. What gives? Any commuters out there? I realize these are the classic overtraining symptoms, but I figured a couple of short, pretty easy bike rides each day wouldn’t be that big of a deal. My heart rate computer on the bike tells me that on each 30 minute ride, I’m spending only about 6 or 8 minutes in zone 2, and only a few minutes above zone 2. Everything else is below. What’s going on? Is it possible to commute to and from work by bike and still maintain 1-2 other triathlon workouts per day? Seems like it would be do-able, but it’s not working for me at the moment. Now I’m taking off several days in a row to get myself back together, and it’s been a humbling experience. Anyone out there commute by bike in addition to a full triathlon training schedule? Some possible explanations to my difficulties?: * My commute is on back streets with lots of stop signs and lights. All the stopping and starting means lots of accelerations and lots of braking. Maybe that uses different muscles than my 1-2 hour regular distance rides? * I’m riding my very nice carbon road racing bike while I look for a used beater to commute on. Perhaps the tough DC streets are jarring the living daylights out of me with the stiff bike frame and high-pressure tires? I know my hands, arms and shoulders never hurt like this before… * Although the 2 extra rides per day aren’t very challenging compared to my regular workouts, maybe they are occupying space in the day that would otherwise be used for recovery--specifically a nice easy walk to the train which loosens my muscles up? * Perhaps I just need to HTFU, and my body just needs to adjust to the new muscles that bike commuting requires? I know people who bike commute every day from my neighborhood, and have for years, and most of them don’t seem to be in especially good shape. Maybe I’m not the tough guy I thought I was… * The one hour a day extra of biking increases my total training time by 50-60% overall, if you count the commuting as training time. Maybe I need to count that time, in which case it’s too sudden an increase overall? If anyone out there has any suggestions or explanations, I would be very grateful. It’s a bummer that my real triathlon training problem to date has apparently involved the easiest workout of any that I’m doing. Meanwhile, I’m back on the train… Thank you! |
| 2009-07-12 9:01 PM in reply to: #2279712 |
Veteran 314 SoCal | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes i'm commuting to work by bike as well ... 6.5 miles one way for a 13 mile round trip. (i only have this commute for the next three months and then things switch up a bit, though.) i do my commuting on what i've dubbed my Minivan - a hybrid-like urban bike, comfy seat, back rack, double panniers, lights, you name it; total Fred. i don't push it too hard on my rides to/from work, but on the way home i do get my heart rate up a bit and pick up the pace -- it's awesome flying by gridlocked traffic, even if i'm only maxing out at probably 14mph on my Minivan.  the first few weeks when i started my season tri training, i had all those classic over training symptoms you mention. i kinda just decided that my commute would be my during-the-week bike time, and i'd do a long ride on my road bike each weekend to keep my road shape and endurance up. the rest of my during-the-week workouts, i've stuck to running and swimming.... so yeah, i count my commuting time as time-spent-on-bike towards my overall weekly training plan. otherwise it was just too much. (and i was eating us out of house and home! haha!) i'm no pro, not looking for AG finishes, just doing tris for my own personal fitness and satisfaction, so i'm ok with my plan. and i hurt a lot less now that i've backed down on my non-commuting-bike riding. i'm not necessarily suggesting you do the same - i don't know what your personal goals are - but just wanted to put it out there that you weren't the only one bike commuting and let you know how it worked out for me.  good luck! Edited by novas 2009-07-12 9:03 PM |
| 2009-07-12 9:53 PM in reply to: #2279712 |
Veteran 262 Sarasota, Florida | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes Exercise is exercise regardless of if you call it commuting or training. Your body doesn' t make a distinction. As long as your HR is up and your muscles are working, your body needs recovery. What I would do is cut down your bike commute to 2-3 times/week instead of every day and save the long ride for a weekend. The days you don't commute are the days you get your swim or run in, or if you're up for it you can turn that afternoon commuter ride into a short brick. That way all those biking muscles get a break for the rest of the week. You said yourself that you realize a lot of your symptoms sound like overtraining, and you might be right. I wouldn't wait until you start getting sick and burnt out to confirm it though. |
| 2009-07-12 11:25 PM in reply to: #2279712 |
Veteran 732 Pittsburgh, PA | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes I'm a regular bike commuter, and definitely, having the right bike for it makes a huge difference. You might be a few minutes slower but so much less sore. A couple of other things: I've found that carrying a bag on my body (either a backpack or messenger bag) can really mess me up. If you do carry a bag, use a rack (you can just bungee cord your bag to the rack, no need to get panniers). If you're still using your road bike, you can buy a removable one and take it off for your long rides. Also, be sure to warm up and cool down. I felt like, because I wasn't riding hard, that wasn't too important, but it's made a big difference in my soreness. |
| 2009-07-13 6:54 AM in reply to: #2279712 |
Veteran 351 | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes I'm starting to do commuting on my bike too. In order to save on time, I've replaced my bike workouts with commuting to work. I'll take off from my apt and bike away from work for a while, then finally turn around and bike to work, so in total I bike 15 (aiming for 20, but got lost last week :-p) miles to work. Then I come straight home, so I only bike 6 miles home.... |
| 2009-07-13 9:27 AM in reply to: #2280299 |
| New user 11 Takoma Park, MD | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes Guys this is very, very helpful---thank you! Sounds like I need to take the commuting time more seriously and treat it as part of my overall training plan, rather than an afterthought. I appreciate hearing the experience of other bike commuters. Interesting suggestion on using a rack---I've been carrying my change of clothes, books, newspapers, files, etc on my back in a large backpack. Maybe that's adding to my shoulder and arm pain, or somehow altering my position on the bike in a way that adds to my misery. As I'm looking for a new bike, I'll be sure to find one that can accept a rear rack. I appreciate the advice! |
| 2009-07-13 9:38 AM in reply to: #2280703 |
Champion 10020 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes As you said in your post, you've been training 7-10 hours a week and in the last 3 weeks added an additional 5 hours of riding per week? No wonder you're tired! Definitely replace some of your training rides with the commute. You will also find it easier when you've time to adjust to the extra load. Regarding rear racks versus backpacks. I used to commute occasionally and tried every pack situation known to man. I much preferred a backpack. A rear rack and panniers were second best, and a rear rack with the stuff bundled on top was the worst. I found anything on a rear rack totally threw off my balance making starting/stopping difficult as well as managing hills. The center of gravity shifts entirely and wearing a backpack actually helped. Just something to consider so you don't invest in something and then hate it. Like I did And yes, having a softer ride will help. Even switching to a friendly road style bike would help. That jarring of the carbon bike would kill me, but my aluminum frame entry level trek is my preferred commuter bike. I hated using a more upright bike, after getting used to the roadie, and it make my commute miserable until I switched. |
| 2009-07-13 9:51 AM in reply to: #2279712 |
| Regular 107 | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes * The one hour a day extra of biking increases my total training time by 50-60% overall, if you count the commuting as training time. Maybe I need to count that time, in which case it’s too sudden an increase overall? |
 2009-07-13 9:56 AM in reply to: #2279712 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2009-07-13 11:16 AM in reply to: #2279712 |
Master 1790 Tyler, TX | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes I commute a few times a week as part of my training (15 miles each way). I commute on a fairly heavy fixed gear bike with fairly wide tires (a must in my opinion if you ride on bad roads). The fixed gear bike forces me to work harder than I normally would on a regular road bike (no shifting and no coasting!). I'm incredibly happy with this Topeak rack with Topeak bag which slides on and secures with no bungee cords. A bit expensive but quick and easy to secure and remove. Bungee cords are a pain, and may squish items in your bag! http://www.topeak.com/products/Racks/ExplorerTubularRack_w_o_spring Brian |
| 2009-07-13 12:49 PM in reply to: #2279712 |
| New user 11 Takoma Park, MD | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes It's great to read about different ways people approach the commute as part of their training. And the Topeak bag/rack thing looks very nice. My shoulders feel better already! As foolish as it sounds, I really wasn't considering the commuting as part of my "official" workouts. Now I don't feel quite so crazy. You guys are great! |
| 2009-07-13 1:18 PM in reply to: #2279712 |
| Expert 684 Portland, Oregon | Subject: RE: Bike Commuting Agonistes 1. Make sure your commuter bike is properly fit to you - if it isn't already. 2. Packs, panniers, baskets, as others have said, make commuting much easier. 3. Ditch 2-3 of your 3-4 training rides. I train 2x a week and commute the rest (steel, fixed gear, front basket). 4. It will get easier! Congrats on committing to commuting by bike! |
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