Favourite Commute (Morning or Evening?)

"Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Completely different for me. To work is mostly flat or downhill often with
the wind behind. Coming back its obviously the reverse. I still prefer to be
cycling home though...

Jc

Duncan Smith said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Evening.

Work and home are both at about the same altitude - about 10m, with
the Quaggy and Wricklemarsh watershed between. Going to work its a
long shallow pull up to the watershed, then a steep descent. Homeward
bound it's a short steep ascent followed by the long shallow descent,
frequently at speeds exceeding the limit for motor vehicles.

"Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Yes I find the journey back from work easier but that is because there is
around 220m of ascent going to work but only about 90m of ascent coming back
home.

I must admit though cycling home in the dark on the pothole ridden Surrey
minor road network can get a bit nerve wracking sometimes.

Duncan Smith said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

[...]

Quoted message said:

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Isn't it obvious? You just don't like your job!

Brendan
--
Brendan Halpin, Department of Sociology, University of Limerick, Ireland
Tel: w +353-61-213147 f +353-61-202569 h +353-61-338562; Room F2-025 x 3147
[email hidden] http://www.ul.ie/sociology/brendan.halpin.html

On Sat, 03 Mar 2007 23:38:49 +0000

Brendan Halpin said:

Isn't it obvious? You just don't like your job!

A half-empty man.

He loves his job, but just loves his evenings even more.

I don't commute anymore (bedroom-study being a couple of
seconds walk), but ISTR enjoying morning rides in to work.
Especially at times of year when that was in daylight but
the homeward journey in darkness.

--
not me guv

Duncan Smith said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

My commute is only about 1.5 miles. On the way home, I often decide to
extend this and even call into the neighbouring town. Another advantage is
that I feel a bit more free to stand on the pedals and sprint, if I feel
like it, as I don't have to worry about getting sweaty.

Homeward commutes are a bit more pleasant if you are lucky enough to leave
work at a non standard time, thus avoiding the rush.

That said, in T-shirt weather, a leisurely cruise to work is a great
start to the day.

There is a saying that "a bad day on the golf course is a better than a
good day at the office". I'm not much of a fan of golf myself but I think
that it could be paraphrased as "apart from the odd occasion, every cycle
journey is at least fairly pleasant". Or, "Commute by bicycle! It nearly
guarantees that at least one nice thing will happen to you that day."

--
***My real address is m/ike at u/nmusic d/ot co dot u/k (removing /s)
http://www.unmusic.co.uk - about me, music, geek sitcom etc.
http://www.unmusic.co.uk/amhs/ - alt.music.home-studio

"Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

When I was 'commuting' it was always harder in the morning, but I had just
rolled out of bed. I found that doing the same route later in the day was a
lot easier and a lot faster.

At the moment my daily trek (only 2 miles) is harder in the morning but
that's because it's uphill, I've just got up and it's in the middle of the
morning rush hour. Coming home is a nice gentle downhill all the way and
there's much fewer cars (and pedestrians) around.

--
peter

Cheap train tickets database
http://www.petereverett.co.uk/tickets/

Email sent to this address is generally deleted upon arrival
Visit website if you want to contact me

Duncan Smith said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Regards,

Duncan.

I prefer morning rides to work, it's due east, so I usually get a
backwind. My favourite though is after an afternoon shift in summer
with a ride in the cool evening air at 10pm with a nice sauna and beer
at home waiting.

On 03/03/2007 21:13, Duncan Smith said,

Quoted message said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

It has to be the commute home for one simple reason. In the morning I'm
going to work, and in the evening I'm coming home.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Paul Boyd said:

It has to be the commute home for one simple reason. In the morning I'm
going to work, and in the evening I'm coming home.

How true 😉

I don't commute by bike at the moment, but when I did I found the way
home easier. I tend to find I have very little energy to do anything
physical for the first hour or two of being awake, which I guess makes
me not a morning person...

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

Duncan Smith wrote on 03/03/2007 21:13 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Regards,

Duncan.

I would think your problem is you have eaten heartily just before riding
to work and your body has diverted some of your energy into digestion.

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> of http://groups.google.com

Quoted message said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction?

I don't have a strong preference. Some days I set out in the morning, the
sun is shining, I go through the park see the flowers, say hello to the
regular dog walkers, and arrive at work feeling refreshed and cheerful. The
gloat at all the car drivers who have just battled through loads of traffic
rounds it off nicely.

Other days I go the long way home (well any way other than the direct one is
long when the commute is only 1km) and being on my bike seems the best place
to be, especially with a nice hot bath or cold beer to anticipate when I get
home.
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm

Quoted message said:

I would think your problem is you have eaten heartily just before riding
to work and your body has diverted some of your energy into digestion.

A good point, I'd originally thought the body would be better fuelled
up in the morning, but if you can't wake up 2-3 hours before starting
exercise (who wants breakfast a 3am?), then it looks less than
optimum. After a little research, maybe I'll try skipping the big-bowl
of low GI porridge and just having a yoghurt at home (for a smidgen of
protein), taking a 5.5% solution carbo-drink on the bike, and then
some malt-loaf and recovery drink at the other end for replenishment.
Feels faster already...

Thanks,

Duncan.

in message <[email hidden]>, naked_draughtsman

(') said:

"Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

When I was 'commuting' it was always harder in the morning, but I had
just
rolled out of bed. I found that doing the same route later in the day
was a lot easier and a lot faster.

I think it depends on distance. When I was last commuting by bike I was
doing 21 miles each way, and had quite a long climb - to about 200
metres - in the first five miles. Doing that after a long day at work was
quite tough, and I was noticeably slower on the way back than on the way
in.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

Wise man with foot in mouth use opportunity to clean toes.
;; the Worlock

On Mar 4, 10:39 pm, "Duncan Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

After a little research, maybe I'll try skipping the big-bowl
of low GI porridge and just having a yoghurt at home (for a smidgen of
protein), taking a 5.5% solution carbo-drink on the bike, and then
some malt-loaf and recovery drink at the other end for replenishment.
Feels faster already...

Thanks,

Duncan.

How long is your commute?

Regards,

bookieb

naked_draughtsman said:

When I was 'commuting' it was always harder in the morning, but I had just
rolled out of bed. I found that doing the same route later in the day was a
lot easier and a lot faster.

For me I think it varies with time of year.

In the winter, when I'm riding to work in daylight and home in the dark,
the morning commute generally seems easier. That's despite the fact
that I always feel like [censored] at 8:30 on a winter morning.

At present, riding to and from work in daylight, the evening commute
seems easier simply because I function so much better at 17:30 than 08:30.

In the school summer holidays, when being out of bed at 08:30 is almost
natural, the roads are relatively clear in the mornings and the
cyclepath is packed with family groups in the evenings, the morning
commute will once again seem easier than the evening.

--
Danny Colyer <URL:http://www.colyer.plus.com/danny/>
Reply address is valid, but that on my website is checked more often
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine

Duncan Smith said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The best commutes to work when I (very rarely) work earlies, in the
summer at dawn. The worst commutes are always if I come home in the rush
hour after working and early shift.

I usually work lates, and on the whole, the commute home is better (in
the dark except late June, little traffic). However I am often tired
after a hard day in the office, and don't go as fast as I would like.

It is much nicer if it rains on the way home than on the way to work.

Martin.

Duncan Smith said:

Has anyone else noticed they have a strong preference for commuting in
a particular direction? My commute home seems much easier (and
therefore more enjoyable) than the way in - bike seems to ride itself,
legs are much more able, no strain, power in reserve, etc.

The elevation profile is roughly similar so that doesn't explain it,
also have a hearty breakfast of porridge, banana and High-5 energy
drink about a quarter hour before setting off.

Even taking headwinds and conditions into consideration, it just
doesn't seem to balance..

Evening. I live east of work, so there is normally a tailwind.