iheartbenben

I have a question about the implications of riding 15 miles to the track to run with partners then riding back home. The same thing with the lake (aprx 10 miles one way), I would like to cycle there and cycle back.

Other than the obvious concerns of being just too physically beaten to make the commute back safely, or worrying about the commute hampering my efforts in running/swimming workouts.

Anybody do something similar to what I am describing? Pro's and con's?

Thanks for the responses.

Love The Ben.

Snail Male

I've had mostly good luck with this. I'll ride to my club's bricks and track workouts, mind you they are both about half the distances you quote. I see it as mostly just another chance to practice pacing... it's a warm-up and cool-down period for me; if I really pushed on those rides I am sure I'd be baked for the w/o and rides home. Give it a try, leaving yourself plenty of time at the start?

tessartype

I've been wondering the same. My work, my pool and the runner-friendly park are all 6km from my apartment - rolling urban terrain. I use the bike as my sole means of transportation, but lately I've been wondering if I'm not overworking myself there. I usually do 20km just in everyday errands and stuff, and my job is physically demanding (waitressing at a posh restaurant) - and I'm often completely done by the end of the day.

If I add bike-training 3-4 times a week, will it even be beneficial? How far does the overtraining-barrier move when you're on the bike an hour or two a day anyway?

pharasz

It all comes down to how hard you ride. You can pedal a bike very easily and do nothing more than burn calories. It's all in how hard you push the pedals. Ride easy and with little effort and it makes for a great warmup.

tessartype

It's in my nature to ride hard. I can't help but push it - even when I swear to myself that in this heat, I have to take it easy and sweat less, by the end of my ride I find myself pushing and pulling the drops in an uphill sprint. The start is slow, but once I'm warmed up I can't help it.

Burning calories is the last thing I'm after - if anything, I need to gain. An extra 5kg at least - currently 1.88m @ 63kg.