Living 30mi away from work creates a logistical, scheduling problem once you get to triathlon training. Since on most days I would spend atleast 2hrs commuting back-and-forth it leaves very little daylight to spend running or biking.
So like the past year, I decided to bike to work. The 30mi is on the fringe of what most people would consider to far. I think of it as doing my regular scheduled ride, working and then doing another ride. In the end I am hoping the long hours on the bike would build aerobic efficency. My only concern is that I am not going to fast, I avg around 17 mph which 3-4 mph slower than my regular pace. As the season goes on will have to sub some speed workout.
The bike route is interesting to say the least. I start off in milford and bike on rt 1 and rt 133 going to fairfield. During this time I have to go through the worst and best parts of bridgeport dealing with the worst of its traffic. After fairfield it is somewhat smooth sailing till I get some more traffic by norwalk. Barring traffic and bridgeport it makes for a scenic bike-ride.
I usually leave at around 6:45 and get in by 8:30. So in all not a bad morning and evening workout
Category: Biking
Bikes
So rest assured I have a very “special” relationship with my bikes. It is as the level that car-maniacs have with their ultra tricked out ; double exhaust; custom chipped cars.
Mine is with my Bikes. Their beauty , elegance, aero-dynamic nature,and the fact they hardly every break down. I guess the latter is what attracts me to bikes. I find that nearly every other transportation mechanism requires a high degree of maintenance. From the car, motorbike to even trains. There are just so many electrical , mechanical part over time that require some degree of maintenance. And most require some of the transportation mechanism require some amount of CO2 producing fuel.
Whereas on a bike you are the engine.The engine doesn’t really need that much maintenance just the regular food you consume. And unless you have a crash no real break downs occur. From the perspective of the bike itself the maintenance is low, clean it regularly, tune the gears if need be, every once in a while replace tires or breaks.
As of late I own 2 bikes. My road bike a specialized tramac expert , and then my triathlon bike a specialized transition elite . Always looking at expanding collection. I am like the 5year old boy who ogles at all the bikes when he enters the bike store. Probably towards the end of the year I will look at getting a mountain bike (again) or possibly a cheaper road bike. Just for some winter riding.