Yesterday i finally whip up the courage to try commuting with bike, i planned the 40km round trip to visit my mom and go grocery shopping on the way back, planned the route with as much residential street as possible, and that was a fun experience! While there’s a lot of “woah, ebike”(where i live a proper ebike is rare, even though mine is converted) and “you travel from that small town? That’s insane!” from stranger, what’s not fun is the ride on some stretch of the road.
I live in a small town outside the city, a lot of the road going out of the town is pretty much 1 lane each way, no cycling facility for the whole country(Malaysia), the road shoulder is narrow to non-existent(the line is basically bordering between road and grass/dirt) if not filled with potholes/cracks/sketchy road maintenance/bump made by tree root, and motorist often driving very fast even on narrow road. Luckily more often than not they does give me a lot of space when they’re passing(thanks to motorcycle culture), but those who don’t is very discouraging for the whole experience, mostly it’s the one riding moped that pass me too close for comfort with 30/50kmph faster than me(no thanks to motorcycle culture).
I planned to do it often, first by doing a no-car sunday, then slowly switch to commuting to work(also 40km round trip), and eventually cut down car use to only just a day or two a week or only on long distance travel, but this experience kinda made me second guess the whole plan. It’s also quite tiring, i can still feel the fatigue today.
So how did you guys that do the commute able to keep going? Any advice on that end?
On the topic of fatigue: They to eat enough. It sounds silly, but you burn quite some calories while riding a bike and you will need to fuel yourself. Have something with carbs after the ride or even a snack during. You will also get used to it more and more over time. The first rides are always the hardest.
And it might really not be possible in the place where you live, but prefer smaller paths/roads over the main roads. It might add a couple of km to your ride but you will reach your destination much more relaxed.
Wish you all the best.
Thanks! i think i’ve figured out my fatigue, it’s a hot, sunny afternoon and i didn’t drink much water during and after the trip, and didn’t eat much the morning before the commute as well. I ride for about 45minute every other day unassisted and i don’t feel that awful afterward so this might explain it i guess.