Trouble Commuting.

In message <[email hidden]>, D Hall
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

After cycling to work for the first time this morning (about 16 miles), I was unusually wasted
afterwards. Normally I'm used to doing about 30-40 miles when I'm out on my bike recreationally
(haven't been out much this year though) and don't usually have any problems, which is why I was
quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat much
breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts). Is this likely to be the case, and if
so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I can eat for breakfast.

Alternatively, this could be 'cos I'm just totally unfit at the moment, if so, has anyone any
idea how long it may take to get into condition so I don't feel like I'm going to die when I get
into work.

cheers in advance for any advice.

Darren.

It sounds as if you've identified the problems - lack of fitness and inadequate food. The fitness
will come back with time, my recommendation for a high calorie, easily digestible breakfast is
sweetened porridge, failing that cake. (I actually prefer cake for breakfast but it somehow doesn't
see right.)
--
Michael MacClancy

In message <[email hidden]>, D Hall
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

After cycling to work for the first time this morning (about 16 miles), I was unusually wasted
afterwards. Normally I'm used to doing about 30-40 miles when I'm out on my bike recreationally
(haven't been out much this year though) and don't usually have any problems, which is why I was
quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat much
breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts). Is this likely to be the case, and if
so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I can eat for breakfast.

Alternatively, this could be 'cos I'm just totally unfit at the moment, if so, has anyone any
idea how long it may take to get into condition so I don't feel like I'm going to die when I get
into work.

cheers in advance for any advice.

Darren.

You seem to have identified the causes of the problem, inadequate fitness and inadequate food. The
fitness will return with exercise over time, my recommendation for energy-giving breakfast food is
sweetened porridge or, failing that, cake. (I prefer cake but it somehow doesn't seem to be the
right thing to be eating for breakfast.)
--
Michael MacClancy

D Hall said:

After cycling to work for the first time this morning (about 16 miles), I was unusually wasted
afterwards. Normally I'm used to doing about 30-40 miles when I'm out on my bike recreationally
(haven't been out much this year though) and don't usually have any problems, which is why I was
quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat much
breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts). Is this likely to be the case, and if
so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I can eat for breakfast.

For a non-voluminous breakfast with a good chunk of energy either a bowl of cereal (add a banana
sliced on top) and some juice or an egg roll and juice. Wonderful though I think coffee is, it's a
diuretic (actually dehydrates you to some extent) so not necessarily the best thing before a big
ride. You can supplement brekkie with "little and often" nibbles of stuff like raisins or banana
chips when you're on the move.

Quoted message said:

Alternatively, this could be 'cos I'm just totally unfit at the moment, if so, has anyone any
idea how long it may take to get into condition so I don't feel like I'm going to die when I get
into work.

Shouldn't take that long if you have got the basic muscles in there somewhere used to 30 milers.

It could just be you're just slightly under the weather at the moment (even if you don't realise it:
minor ailments can leave you simply not feeling 100% rather than having you feel actively ill).

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

(D Hall) said:

I was quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat
much breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts). Is this likely to be the case,
and if so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I can eat for breakfast.

I feel your pain. I cannot eat too much at breakfast due to IBS; the solution I suggest is to eat
what you normally would and carry something like cereal bars for when you get going. Or maybe get up
earlier, eat small breakfast, then get ready to go and eat second small breakfast as you hop on the
bike, in the hope that by the time your body notices it'll be too buy pedalling to protest...

Quoted message said:

Alternatively, this could be 'cos I'm just totally unfit at the moment, if so, has anyone any
idea how long it may take to get into condition so I don't feel like I'm going to die when I get
into work.

Guessing: about two weeks if repeated regularly, assuming you're used to cycling (which you
say you are).

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗ (BT ADSL and
dynamic DNS permitting)
NOTE: BT Openworld have now blocked port 25 (without notice), so old mail addresses may no longer
work. Apologies.

Thus spake Michael MacClancy <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

It sounds as if you've identified the problems - lack of fitness and inadequate food. The fitness
will come back with time, my recommendation for a high calorie, easily digestible breakfast is
sweetened porridge, failing that cake. (I actually prefer cake for breakfast but it somehow
doesn't see right.)

Not enough food and not enough fluid methinks.

I *love* cake. Even a big bowl of cornflakes won't keep you going for very long, I'm afraid.

I'd suggest:

1) A bowl of cereal (I mostly eat muesli) before leaving the house.
2) Plenty to drink en route.
3) A High-carbohydrate snack on arrival at work.

The body attempts to restore glycogen supplies soon after exercise so the post-ride snack will help
your homeward journey.

A reasonably high carbohydrate evening meal might also help your morning commute the next day.

You could also consider taking your ride to work faster on only two days per week and take it easy
on the other days.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

hi Darren

Quoted message said:

Is this likely to be the case, and if so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I
can eat for breakfast.

half strength orange juice in your water bottle.

Jeremy Parker

Darren Hall wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat
much breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts).

And don't forget the mid afternoon drop of blood sugar too. You'll need something to fuel the
journey home. You're probably using about 3-400 calories on the journey back so don't worry too much
about the impact on your weight.

Tom

Tom C said:

Darren Hall wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I was quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat
much breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts).

And don't forget the mid afternoon drop of blood sugar too. You'll need something to fuel the
journey home. You're probably using about 3-400 calories on the journey back so don't worry too
much about the impact on your weight.

Tom

16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??

Tom wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??

Tim replied

Quoted message said:

A 140lb rider doing 16mph on a still day on the flat - 557 cal.

Tim.

I stand corrected!

Tom www.brightfield.org.uk

"D Hall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After cycling to work for the first time this morning (about 16 miles), I was unusually wasted
afterwards. Normally I'm used to doing about 30-40 miles when I'm out on my bike recreationally
(haven't been out much this year though) and don't usually have any problems, which is why I was
quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat much
breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts). Is this likely to be the case, and if
so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I can eat for breakfast.

Alternatively, this could be 'cos I'm just totally unfit at the moment, if so, has anyone any
idea how long it may take to get into condition so I don't feel like I'm going to die when I get
into work.

I usually find no problem eating one of those ghastly looking Heinz "Full Breakfasts" in a tin
on top of a couple of slices of toast. Either that or carefully microwave two eggs then put them
on top of Marmite toast. Have a cup of strong coffee. I also take one litre of Lemon Barley
Water or the like in the bottlecage.

Try to set off early enough so you have plenty of time in hand and try to find the wind direction,
so if it's a headwind allow another 10 mins. You can do yourself in upping your speed if you are
running late.

--
Simon Mason Anlaby East Yorkshire. 53°44'N 0°26'W simonmason.karoo.netsimonmason.karoo.netOpen ↗

Tim Woodall said:

Quoted message said:

16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??

draco.acs.uci.edu9.23.htmlOpen ↗

A 140lb rider doing 16mph on a still day on the flat - 557 cal.

Tim.

That's quite suprising as I burn ~85 calories during 5 minute stints on a rowing machine covering
about 1250m each time.

On Mon, 19 May 2003 18:41:44 GMT,

Tenex said:

Tim Woodall said:

Quoted message said:

16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??

draco.acs.uci.edu9.23.htmlOpen ↗

A 140lb rider doing 16mph on a still day on the flat - 557 cal.

Tim.

That's quite suprising as I burn ~85 calories during 5 minute stints on a rowing machine covering
about 1250m each time.

85cal*4200J/cal=357000J
357000J/300sec = 1200W

557*4200/3600 = 650W.

So in a five minute rowing stint you are burning calories at less than twice the rate that a fairly
mediocre cyclist might be able to maintain for an hour or more.

Regards,

Tim

--
God said, "div D = rho, div B = 0, curl E = - @B/@t, curl H = J + @D/@t," and there was light.

tjw.hn.orgtjw.hn.orgOpen ↗ locofungus.btinternet.co.uklocofungus.btinternet.co.ukOpen ↗

Tim Woodall said:

On Mon, 19 May 2003 18:41:44 GMT,

Tenex said:

Tim Woodall said:

> 16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??
>
draco.acs.uci.edu9.23.htmlOpen ↗

A 140lb rider doing 16mph on a still day on the flat - 557 cal.

Tim.

That's quite suprising as I burn ~85 calories during 5 minute stints on a rowing machine covering
about 1250m each time.

85cal*4200J/cal=357000J
357000J/300sec = 1200W

557*4200/3600 = 650W.

So in a five minute rowing stint you are burning calories at less than twice the rate that a
fairly mediocre cyclist might be able to maintain for an hour or more.

Regards,

Tim

Errrr I think I follow that. So the rower is quite a useful exercise machine? Seems like a
reasonable rate of calorie burning. Shame there's no fresh air / car fumes etc. ;-)

Pity I can't row as well as two years ago as I was much fitter then.

"D Hall" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

After cycling to work for the first time this morning (about 16 miles), I was unusually wasted
afterwards. Normally I'm used to doing about 30-40 miles when I'm out on my bike recreationally
(haven't been out much this year though) and don't usually have any problems, which is why I was
quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't eat much
breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts). Is this likely to be the case, and if
so, can anyone suggest any decent non-voluminous stuff I can eat for breakfast.

Alternatively, this could be 'cos I'm just totally unfit at the moment, if so, has anyone any
idea how long it may take to get into condition so I don't feel like I'm going to die when I get
into work.

cheers in advance for any advice.

Darren.

Give your body a couple of weeks to get used to it. When I started commuting the 17miles to work I
felt drained and needed a cereal bar or similar when I got into work. Now I can manage OK on a bowl
of muesli for breakfast and a sandwich and a bit of fruit at lunchtime.

Neal

"Neal Milne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Give your body a couple of weeks to get used to it. When I started commuting the 17miles to work I
felt drained and needed a cereal bar or similar when I got into work. Now I can manage OK on a
bowl of muesli for breakfast and a sandwich and a bit of fruit at lunchtime.

Neal

This sounds like good advice. Commuting can be surprisingly strenuous compared to a leisurely
recreational ride. There's probably a lot more starting and stopping; sometimes you need to sprint a
little when you're overtaking and the traffic suddenly speeds up; you may feel pressured into going
a bit faster if someone can't get past you, etc.

Personally I only have a small bowl of cornflakes and a glass of water before my 15-mile commute. I
certainly don't have anything special the night before and I rarely have a drink on the way (unless
it's particularly hot). I do enjoy a jam sandwich and some water when I arrive at work, though.

As Neal says, just give yourself time and maybe learn to take things a little easier if necessary.

Mike

"Neal Milne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Thanks to all for the advice, it all sounds very sensible.

I think what I'll do is only cycle to work every other day for a couple of weeks until I get used to
it and experiment with the breakfasts. Cake and diluted orange juice sounds like something I could
get used to though.

Incidentally, I had no problems on the return journey yesterday (apart from the persistent
torrential rain!) after pigging out all day so I think it must have been the breakfast problem.

Darren.

Thus spake "Tenex" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Tom C said:

Darren Hall wrote

Quoted message said:

> I was quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't
> eat much breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts).

And don't forget the mid afternoon drop of blood sugar too. You'll need something to fuel the
journey home. You're probably using about 3-400 calories on the journey back so don't worry too
much about the impact on your weight.

Tom

Quoted message said:

16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??

I reckon 3-400 Kcal is a reasonable guesstimate for ~1 hour of moderate exertion.

An elite athlete going flat out for an our might burn 6-700 Kcal but would cover rather more
than 16 miles.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

Helen Deborah Vecht said:

Thus spake "Tenex" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Tom C said:

Darren Hall wrote

>> I was quite alarmed at how knackered I was this morning. I suspect this is because I didn't
>> eat much breakfast before I left (not really keen on big breakfasts).

And don't forget the mid afternoon drop of blood sugar too. You'll need something to fuel the
journey home. You're probably using about 3-400 calories on the journey back so don't worry too
much about the impact on your weight.

Tom

Quoted message said:

16 miles must surely be more than 3-400 calories??

I reckon 3-400 Kcal is a reasonable guesstimate for ~1 hour of moderate exertion.

An elite athlete going flat out for an our might burn 6-700 Kcal but would cover rather more than
16 miles.

See Tim's post 557 Kcal is the result.

Porridge topped with sliced banana and a dash of milk. Lovely stuff and enough to keep the hunger
pangs from this fatbirdonabike until lunchtime. Easily made in the microwave too.

Cheers, helen s

~~~~~~~~~~
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Any speeliong mistake$ aR the resiult of my cats sitting on the keyboaRRRDdd
~~~~~~~~~~