What do you guys think? Is bike commuting alone in itself enough of a workout? Do you mix in extra workouts on top of bike commuting, or add extra intervals during your ride?
I commute 26km to school everyday, 260km a week. My bike is nothing special, 7 speed gears and about 20kg with the usual payload. My average speed is ~26kp/h, depending on the wind direction. I'm doing short bursts at usually 40kp/h when I feel like it. The terrain is totally flat with a couple traffic lights. For me this is enough of a workout as a 19 year old student. Fastest time is currently set at 47 minutes, 34kp/h avg with a lot of tailwind. I'm currently bottlenecked by my gearings, topping out at about 160rpm at 65kp/h on flat terrain.
Two Wheel Cruise I’m friends with all those guys you rode with in dongyuanshan in taiwan before. Kirk and all of em. That’s how I saw you. Now be started getting active on my youtube channel. Hope I get a plug from you too! Thank you!
Personally, I don't give a rat's ass about performance. I just ride my bicycle because it's fun, I get some fresh air, and even just casually cruising through the scenery keeps me from turning into a fat slouch. I believe purely from a health perspective, moderate exercise is better for you than constantly pushing yourself to perform harder (in the long run, anyway).
I think commuting casually does maintain a minimum level of fitness, even if you aren't doing intervals or interested in performance cycling. But I do it because it is FUN! And I arrive at work and I'm not stressed out from traffic.
The intensity of riding depends on the rider. 15kms at an average speed of 20kph is going to be very low intensity. But pushing yourself to 35+ kph is going to be a much higher intensity.
@@HandsomeNamed precisely, it all depends on how you use your time. I'm constant pushing myself to do faster and faster times. If you're not sweating and panting then you're not exerting yourself enough. I mean, if that's what you're aiming for. The great thing about riding a bike is you choose your intensity level. You can go for an easy ride or you can treat each ride like you're on the tour de France and really pelt it like you would in a spinning class. It's up to you.
Japan is so beautiful in america all i see is 4-6 line highways and roads with people driving the biggest trucks they can afford even if they have to sleep in them.
@@jameswalker8300 actually , here's a tip (do your own google) . I was diabetic and take metformin , and I eat dark chocolate (resveritrol) . This is by accident an effective anti aging recipe .
I use my commute as a workout when I'm going back home. There are 5 ways to go home, from 12 to 14 km, lots of hills and ranging since 25 min to 40 min. I'm very happy when I do 1 second less, like wow, world record. By the way, I have 3 bikes and I like to change the bike I ride almost everyday. There is a huge hill near house, the challenging time, focus on the pace, the breath, the strength, every move in the cycling counts. Please do more videos. You live in a wonderful country. Cheers from Brazil.
Thank you for bringing this topic up. I’ve started adding large d-tours to my commute routes both ways. As a result I’m topping 200 km on my bike just from the commuting. Three times per week on my way back I’m doing the “focused” training. This will be short sprints (Monday), intense 1min climbs (Wednesdays), 15 km, 90% effort (Fridays). It more than satisfies my desire to improve my cycling, keeps me hungry like there’s no another meal, and made me skip my other routines. So, basically, having added mileage and a plan to my commuting, I removed my other workouts from the calendar. This will change in November.
Walking around for 30inutes is healthy for the heart and for most people better than some hard gym workouts. Same with bike, it’s great for heart, mood and energy levels. Love your vids man!
I think people come at it from totally different viewpoints. For me it’s just about forcing myself out of the car to ride. 5 miles on my commuter bike each way makes me feel good when I know I was tempted to sit still driving. So every commute by bike is a success in that way, and I feel like it’s a pretty good workout for me relatively speaking. If someone commutes 2 miles on an e-bike in turbo mode, they’re still moving when they wouldn’t be otherwise. It’s all relative and it varies massively from overweight couch potatoes to pretty serious athletes. Got to celebrate anyone riding any bike. And I hope to get out of my car lease as soon as I can next year, and just hire one when I need it. And then really enjoy the simple bike life.
That's a good point. I didn't think about the alternative being just sitting for most other methods of commuting. Very true that any movement is better than no movement at all.
ebikes are just the revolution if commuting, as fun as regular bicycle without the too sweaty experience specially on minor hills or false flats. At house I have a stationary bike.
Agreed, better to ride than not, and couch potatoes can turn into athletes... Be safe out there, had an encounter with a motorist less than 300 yards from home today, I was alert enough to see it coming and deescalate. Dude had mental issues and he didn't get hurt. I was ready to mess him up.
Well, what got me into cycling was just commuting to my university on daily basis which is 1.5 km away. ( I am a foreign student studying in malaysia in MMU university, 18 years old) Then I discovered my passion in cycling longer distances such as 30-60 KM. So, I think it is relatable when you say commuting doesn't feel like a real workout. But at least cycling for short distances is better than not cycling at all. ( That is what I tell myself on daily basis to stop myself from going on crazy rides that will eventually make me fail my finals lol) Anyways, keep up the great work. I just wanted to say you are an awesome inspiration !
I cycle 3 days a week and use that as a work out, 2 days on the moped, which gives me the energy to cycle on the weekend. When I cycled 5 days a week like you, I also didn’t cycle much at the weekends.
Well that’s different. I think it depends on your fitness level on weather or not it can be considered a workout. I started at 340lbs with a 12.5 mile one way commute, so 25 miles a day. At 340lbs I lack the fitness level to simply ride that much 5 days a week. So I purchased an E-Bike one that only has a peddle assist option no throttle. My goal is to ween myself off the motor as I drop weight and my fitness level increases. I’ve only just started and even with the motor helping me I’m still sore as hell. Your comment on time is so very true. I have a wife and 3 kids so when I’m not at work sitting at my desk I’m playing Barbie dolls, Pokémon, GI Joe and helping with homework and bed time routines. Commuting by bike to seems to be the only place I can fit any kind of physical activity in my day. Also Japan looks amazing and I really enjoy your videos so thank you for that.
Anything you do that requires energy is a workout. Commuting on bike: workout. Chopping Wood for the furnace: workout Sex: short workout. I wouldn't use commuting as a standalone workout, but it bleeds off calories, so it's a workout.
I would say it would depend on the length of commute and how hard you push while commuting. My commute is 40 miles one way - so I drive, but come home after a 12 hour shift and ride 10 miles. I've been working on riding faster to improve the workout and have just added a separate aerobic work out as well. Love this channel! Thanks for all the videos and inspiration!
Yeah it is a work out, say from the first day to the following weeks, but as you move on it becomes a way of life you sweat a lot but not getting tired of doing it, as if it's a cure every itch, love it.
Hey Cruise. After 22 years without a bike, I feel my MTB commute of 17k round trip is far more exercise than I ever had before. At 40 years old I was feeling sluggish. It has helped my stamina, my leg strength, and that speaks for itself. I guess it depends on your previous fitness level whether it can be considered a workout or not. Keep it up.
hi, im daily commuter.. back then when im working at the office about 5-6km from home one way, with weekend be holiday i still can enjoy cycling on weekend, doing grandfondo and stuff, but now i got another job about 13km one way, and got only one holiday a week, i got a wife and daughter.. i dont have much time and energy left for cycling as hobby anymore, so now a bike is just a tool for me to stay in shape and take me from a to b.. still, i always go moderate, not too slow, sometimes i want to go as fast as i can, because i dont want to stay outside longer than i need to, because polution and such, also i feel bad when cycling slowly with other road user because they use motored vehicles... basically i still want to be as fast as motorist, but not for a pro race career, just for good...
For a seasoned cyclist its probably not a workout. But For a 57 year old guy with a heart condition, 20 km to work and 20 km home is one hell of a workout.
Nice video doc. Well. I after work to do - *short, interval full gas rides 3x a week 1hr , *followed by a fast full body dumbbell workout and calisthenics, *2x longer endurance rides 3/4hrs *1x recovery ride at tempo 2hrs, *1 day complete rest. Keeps me interested and motivated. Cheers man
Five years ago I worked 4 on/4 off so used to have a round commute of 14 miles. Not into racing, but used to do intervals on my tourer/mtb on the way home, and was chuffed with my fitness with no gym fees being paid!!! Been off the bike since then, but getting back on now. Stuffed as new job is office hours, mon-fri and a 40 mile round trip would kill me!!! Goal is to TRY it next year by splitting into two rides each way, on a non-work day just for the heck of it!!😊 Love the vids and gives me that "back in the day" motivation to saddle up!!!👍🇬🇧😊
From what I've see of your footage, your cycling is completely outside my experience - dedicated cycling path, that's completely out of my world. What I can say is that without cycling in traffic you may be missing the upper body workout. As for your workout, as long as your thinking about your fitness level, your likely to get the workout you need.
I used to ride 25 miles each way to work twice a week, with a long club ride at the weekend. With lift sharing, I only needed to use the car twice a week, and finding the motivation to get out at the weekend was a doddle. If I had moved closer, I could have ridden every day, but I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much.
You mentioned ideas for new videos; I'm curious how one goes about finding new routes to get to work? Some of those paths you ride in Japan look so inviting. I ride into London, but take my MTB on the train with me for the middle section. An 80-mile round trip is a little too much to take on, but it would be great to discover some hidden paths by alighting the train a couple of stops before reaching the city.
My way to work takes about 25 minutes and I can decide for myself if I want it to be 30 or 45 min., by choosing a different route. Currently, the short route is blocked by construction anyway. I only ride road bikes and I would never ride anything without a drop bar. In the beginning I saw it as a workout, but in the meantime I ride more relaxed, because I had to eat a lot and was sweating too much. My craving for sugar and food was huge, because I pushed myself on every ride.
I commute to work 95% of the year on my bike and though it's only barely a 6-7 mile trip it is a good workout some days considering the conditions. The commute back is always a workout because it is all hills; if windy, in the track to work can become a chore. Depending how you push yourself and the conditions, any ride could be considered a workout.
That's a nice Schwinn! It's been raining so much here too, I consider every nice day to be precious, so I try to get my maximum effort, depending how my body feels. I'm retired, but I think any riding, including commutes are beneficial.
I like to watch ur channel v much. Really motivates me to cycle practically everyday. Daily commuting do consider workout. Unless u r participating in a competition which needs extra practices. Meanwhile stay cool 😎✌️
one thing I'd personally like to hear about is what gravel or road race could you recommend for a foreigner like myself, that I could do in Japan while there on holiday.
Great to watch your commute, this one seems quieter and mostly off road. The same here in the UK a little cold when I left for work at about 7am but soon got warm after few miles. Today's commute was 25 miles each way and I did put some effort in on certain sections. Lovely and warm on the way home...
Depends on time available. And intensity. My shortest is 4.5 miles. The longest route that isn't long all over the city is 16. Lots of hills. I have probably half my KOMs on my commute. (KOMute). I also start work after noon, so I have a lot of freedom in my time in the morning. In the winter I put the bike up & lift weights. I'll get up to 190lbs. By fall I'm 165-170. I'm not a climber. I'm 5'8, mid 40s, eat Keto 8 months out of the year and just took a KOM (on a commute) from a current TDF rider by 9 seconds on a 1/2 mile section. On my Chinese frame and wheels with r7000.
I am having the same problem since I switched from a short commute with a 20km round trip to a longer commute with a 50km round trip which I do 3-4 times a week. I am not very motivated to do long rides on the weekends, I just do shorter, harder rides, mostly because the longer rides take up so much time of the day and I've got stuff to do and other hobbies. I am not sure about the effects on my fitness, but I have never really trained anyway and don't do any races. After I have acclimated myself to the longer commute, I will try to do some proper intervals when riding home. Being faster on the commute saves time, too!
My commute was only 5 miles each way but I stopped that in favor of just doing indoor trainer sessions instead for fitness. 2 main reasons for that. First, my job is physically demanding as I'm standing all day and do heavy lifting. So fatigue in the legs was a major factor. Second, flats were my nemesis. I work in an industrial area so it wasn't uncommon for me to get 1-3 flats a week sometimes. And it was no fun changing flats at 5am. And, no, tubeless does not solve all flats when you have a 3" nail going thru your tire and wheel.
I have a commute of 6 miles and it weren't for the rough roads of Cleveland I would be able to make it a really hard sprint however I cannot. Most of the time though I am pretty invigorated after each leg of the trip.
Where I live there are a lot of tall hills to traverse. I would consider it a workout when I’m powering up these. (Then again I’m using an ancient Schwinn that’s only got a 2x5, so it’s either powering through or walking the bike)
what do you do if you come to office super sweaty? do you carry extra clothes in the office? or you have the facility for baths in office? I mean how do you keep your self dry?. I live in India and the weather here is always very humid and hot so its impossible for me to not get sweaty😥.
Good topic, was thinking about this myself. It was just commute and wasn't workout when I started cycling four years ago. I gave myself a week to see if it was practical at all at the beginning. Daily schedule wise I have absolutely no time for extra workout. As my commute habit and interest gradually built also my fitness improved along, I became more demanding on speed. Switched to a roadbike and started to compete with younger cyclists along the way (over ambitious as I just turned 60), some ride for fun and some are training. My commute route is pretty flat, not demanding unless riding at higher speed. Recently the restaurant near where I live stopped serving breakfast on weekend and I have to ride a longer distance to my new breakfast place 10Km away and hilly as well. Then I discovered I am not that capable and needs training. As the weather gets cooler I am doing more hilly route on weekends see how it goes.
@@adityawardhana6066 most of times when and if I get a flat tire because of low pressure is when I jump down from side walks or when I hop on to curb and hit the curb. I think flat occurs from tube hitting the inner wall of wheel. I'm not too worried about thorns and sharp object protruding thru outer surface of tire...
My body reacts the same as yours. I do a lot of strength / power lifting type work outs and if I want to drop 20 pounds I just stop hitting the iron so much. Undoubtedly much of that is muscle mass but it is nice to be quicker with less pain on the old joints. Cycling for me is more for fun cardio and commuting whenever possible. I hate treadmills. It is so nice when I am able to find balance between both pursuits.
I ride 8.5 miles to/from work for 17 miles per day, 85 miles per week with hills, flats, canal trail, and riding on streets in traffic. It takes me 50 minutes each way. It feels like a workout for me at 56 years old. I’m starting to feel invigorated after my rides after 1 month riding.
Personally, any amount on the bike for me is a definite workout simply because I'm out of shape. However, I have been slowly working up on speed though the hills in my area means I can't be too intense from the start and will walk up some of the more steeper hills. However, I did manage to commute home in under 30 mins the day before and so progress. I do have to take a few days off due to work conflicts and weather not permitting this weekend. Hopefully I can keep it up next week!
I’m from Taytay Rizal Philippines and I’m doing bike to work everyday specially when there’s no rain. The terrains here are really challenging. The uphills are hard and I think this is already my everyday work out. I’m using a cross country hardtail bike with a plus size wheels.
I do the same distance for comutting 20km one way. I found my fitness went up during this summer. I did ride hard a couple of times a week and did easy rides twice a week. This is the only time I have for riding so I used it to my advantage.
I am working 2km from my house so using it as a workout is not an option but...I live about 25km from the beach so several times a month that becomes an excellent time....plus the stationary bike once a week...live in florida so everything is flat terrain....the programs on the stationary bike is a fun change....ride safe !
I used to have days off in my old job but never had the energy to work out before work, 2x 12 hour shifts and 1x 8 hour. There were so many good parks to ride in on my off days that I could pick up more riding time then. I never got into training per say(health limitations), but am more interested now(maybe some light training). Currently there is not really any "safe" options to commute for me. I have been riding the trail once or twice a week but it has been way too hot and humid to do more than that. When fall and winter come I will ride/train more, I have the gear and impetus with cold weather to ride more. I might even work some pre/post workout supplements in if I get good enough.
I use my bike only on saturdays to go work because is not a lot a traffic in my city but am still going to gym to workout for 1hr 30 min always or sometimes 2 hrs, but really love those rides on saturdays / Monday thru Friday traffic is a caos . Nice video 💪💪
My commute to work is easy and downhill. Sometimes I take the "long route" (12km). But coming back home has a 2km long climb segment. So, it's a basic workout at the end of the day.
Actually my commuting to work brought me back to my bikes passion. I started riding my trecking bike to commute to my job and started to feel how i was burning cause i was a bit late and started to give everything to come puntual. So i started to loose fat and i was very happy! (lost 15 Kilos! in six months) Then i was so happy to change my bike to an old Biancci Rekord bikes to go faster then after a year no touching public transport or a car i decided to adquire an folding bike to do travel and biking, so i got a beautiful Tern! more than happy and still doing my workout this 40 minutes to my work and the same to come back. So yes! is great!
I completely use the commute as the workout. As an easy-sweat person, my mind set when I ride in the morning is to not to put much effort on riding. However, whenever i see the traffic light green, i always end up rushing to pass through.. and end up getting lot of sweat. Also I often leave the house quite late, so I have to ride fast or i will be late. This all, by chance, end up being intense as same as the workout. On the way back home, I don't mind sweating, so I fully set my mindset as a workout mode. So I pick the different (longer) route, and do multiple intense riding session (35+ Km/h, that's already intense for me >_
Yes, commuting to work is considered a "work out" all types of exercise count, no matter the intensity. If you want or think you need a harder workout, then do intervals on your ride, maybe best on the way home. Your videos are awesome and inspiring.
Great video! I just got a hybrid bike and am planning to use it for fun and exercise here in Nagoya. Are there any other cycling courses you could suggest in this area? Do you use any apps?
It's certainly a workout for me as a beginner! 16,6km at 42-50min each direction, with hr avg around 140 and hr max around 170. Polar/Strava estimates around 500-600kcal each direction. Maybe if I were (or became!) a stronger cyclist it would be less demanding in relation and I would need more to keep improving.
I've also been super busy lately and haven't been working out that much lately. But I have two races coming up in the fall so I get to get my butt in gear. I think I'll get my zwift setup going again.
I count my commute back home as a work out, because I try to go easy on the way to work and take the route that I feel is safer but also short to minimize sweating (10km) and usually on my way home I go harder and take a longer road ( 13 to 18km) with more ups and downs. But I tend to go on longer rides on the weekends. Also when I go to my parents I use my old MTC to ride up a mountain and do 1000m of climbing in total (mostly every 2 weeks), because where I live and work it is too flat.
The only exercise I do is commuting by bike and only during dry days (I don't feel safe when the road is wet. So I do 20 km a day and as far as I am concern this is a work out... I am not athletic and I am overweight, but this simple exercise is giving me energy, also my mental health is greatly improve.
Suggestion: You have a vehicle now so break up the monotony of the daily commute by driving to work (or take transit) every other Friday - allowing your body to rest, and ready for a good, solid Saturday training ride, Sunday slow spin/rest. I've been doing the 35 km round trip commute to work for more years than I can remember but break it up so I have the weekends to properly train. Also, if you have a locker/office at work- leave some work clothes there allowing you to ride (once in a while) without the backpack. Trust me, your neck/shoulders will thank you. Commuting is great for volume and keeping the legs supple but not real training.
Feeling obligated to train and hammer on commutes I've found just leads to frustration., you can't expect yourself to perform when you're leaving work at 9 in the evening and you're tired and it's raining. Do it when you feel like it but don't feel obligated. Setting a good pace can give you a certain base and you arrive at work at a regular time and clean and not sweaty. Bottom brackets shouldn't be making noise by the way :)
I've recently had the same thought and pulled out my mountain bike. I used it for my daily commutes and boy was that a workout. I had to put so much more effort to get the damn thing up to speed and keep it there. But then my body eventually adapted. :(
I'm working out during my commute with the bike, especially on the return which is mostly uphill. Eventually I will get a motorbike for commuting to work, and use the bicycle for weekend excursions.
It can, it depends on the distance and the intensity. But hey if it is fun go for it! You can always do a 40+ mile ride a couple of times a month to boost your work out and hit target zones. Remember enjoy the ride or it becomes a job and that sux!
I’m jealous of the amount of bike trails that you’re riding..... America is way behind on creating proper bike routes in the city that connect you to all areas. It’s dangerous to ride in certain places.
Is the same about walking in your neighborhood to meet someone or buy something, if you called it workout so bike commuting is the same, but if you not count it as workout so bike commuting not counted as workout
For me commuting makes me weaker when I use it as work out, the thing is I don't get enough rest/recovery and ended up over training/under recovery. On contrary when I treat it as zone 1-2 ride my body adapting and become weak as well because there's not enough intensity to stress the body to make adaptation. To get the win win solution I keep the commuting as zone 1 recovery ride, and one day on weekend do the training Vo2max lung buster or long endurance ride. That's kinda keep me barely in shape.
Great video Cruise. Unfortunately I don't commute as it's a 30 mile (50km) ride each way, which would take up far too much time. However, I work shifts so I get plenty of time before or after work (depending what shift I'm on) to get a workout in. I've been using Zwift with a smart trainer recently especially as we'll soon be going into winter. I use the weekends to get out for a longer ride. Like you say though, it all depends on your priorities.
Yes it does.. about 3 months ago i decided to start commuting to work on my bicycle; rain hail or shine (in part thanks to your videos).. & just today i tried on my old ‘’skinny’’ shirt that no longer fit me because I’d gotten too fat; & it now fits me perfectly (i reckon I’ve lost at least 10kg!). Now to take shit to the next level; i want that shirt to be way too big for me, so I’ll push myself harder on my 7km commute.
Bike to work in my route downhill so I just spin relaxed. When its bike to home ride, Its uphill so I spin slower, but still on a relaxed pace. Uphill but relaxed pace, does that count as a workout?
I do 20 to 40 km/ day for commute. In the morning I'm mostly in zone 2. In the evening though I usually go harder, at the top of zone 3 mostly. I don't really count it as workout but it's definitely exercise. I complete with high intensity and interval at the speed ring of bois de Boulogne (a 3km round bike lane with priority where a lot of parisian cyclists train, there is an actual peloton that forms and accelerate through the evening and a few slower groups) for 1/2 to 1.5 hours, usually before coming home, two days a week and a long ride every other weekend. Plus a bit of pushups, core workout, stretching, etc, 20 min every morning on a rotation. And I run with a fwb 1 in 2 weeks on average. I don't compete so it's really enough to keep a good fitness level without having my life revolving around it (I still go out, drink, party and go clubbing a few time a week).
I bike to work but I would say that is a warm up ? As far as a bike work out well I work as a bike patrol officer and I do cary my bike up and down stairs and I also am a bike messenger and the same I do cary my bike up and down stairs ? Does that count as a bike work out ?
I'd consider it if I had more hills and luggage. Wouldn't increase my speed though with the limits. They're not popular on sport or real commuter bikes yet since the import is strict here
My commute is about an hour to an hour & a half with a lot of uphill, there's also significant downhill but I'd say the uphill is definitely a workout.
Let me put this simple. You could do anything all the day. If you don't focus on some muscle and maintain a cardiac routine, it is not a workout. It will be simply called active throughout the day or close to being hyperactive.
My commute is my workout. Two times per work day/night almost 16 miles with more then 500 ft of height difference. I intentionally use it to improve fitness, so I can make long(er) rides in the weekend. +100 km rides are no problem at the moment even though I only started in June after a very long pause of almost 40 years.
balance is the key to balance upper body and lower body. that means cycling is lower then rowing is upper body. situps, etc. are abs. enjoy whatever time you have to work out. sadly, reality is 24 hours per day .... what is most important is where you spend your time.
It's perfectly sufficient for a cardio workout - if cardio and weight loss is all one cared about. For a more complete workout, no, it's not enough as there is little to no core or upper body strength building. When I took up cycling again, I had to do core exercises because my weak core was the cause of back pain. Bear in mind too that what you get from cycling or any other workout depends entirely on how much intensity you put in. A person could ride every day but at such a low speed and rate of effort that they aren't really pushing their cardiovascular system or leg strength.
My advice is just keep focusing on your bike commute to work. The weekends work on your projects, go out with your wife. I believe that by riding your bike to work is an excellent workout! That’s my opinion! Good luck! I enjoy your videos!
I went on a year tour in Mexico and Central America and rode my bike to work everyday for a year beforehand to 'train' because didn't have much time to do much else. I'm not a racer or anything but I think if I'm not riding at all then I can't enjoy doing long distance when I have the time. So any kind of riding is good IMHO. Not really related but what audio equipment do you use to record? Do you record audio externally and sync in post?
i once in a while ride (both ways) or run (work to home)... recently been using my Fridays to ride my single speed Brompton on a short relaxed 10km route to office to avoid sweating too much, then a longer more scenic but harder ride home at the end of the day... its a good use of time to keep your workout routine on weekdays to maintain fitness, as i sometimes get lazy to workout after getting home and having had dinner already...
I typically ride hard 2 days and take it somewhat easy the rest of my commute days. For a guy who hasn't historically been the most athletic, that's a pretty decent workout schedule I would say :p But haven't been riding as much lately because of my post grad mid-sem exams this weekend :( I get too tired to study once I reach home so had to dial back the intensity. Will be back to longer commutes and improving my strava PRs from next week :)
hi luv your streams , you inspired me to get a entry level road bike on my budget a carerra vanquis disc version , and had two rides on it luv it , thanks to you and your good lady for great streams . i luv your kit designs , but i am 20 stone so need a 4x size , if you get any let me know . thanks
What do you guys think? Is bike commuting alone in itself enough of a workout?
Do you mix in extra workouts on top of bike commuting, or add extra intervals during your ride?
Two Wheel Cruise I’ve been filming already because of you !! I hope you can see my channel too!! Taiwan!!!
I commute 26km to school everyday, 260km a week.
My bike is nothing special, 7 speed gears and about 20kg with the usual payload.
My average speed is ~26kp/h, depending on the wind direction. I'm doing short bursts at usually 40kp/h when I feel like it.
The terrain is totally flat with a couple traffic lights.
For me this is enough of a workout as a 19 year old student.
Fastest time is currently set at 47 minutes, 34kp/h avg with a lot of tailwind.
I'm currently bottlenecked by my gearings, topping out at about 160rpm at 65kp/h on flat terrain.
Wow, that's the same time as me and I'm only 20km haha. You must be cooking it or have a really nice tailwind
Two Wheel Cruise I’m friends with all those guys you rode with in dongyuanshan in taiwan before. Kirk and all of em. That’s how I saw you. Now be started getting active on my youtube channel. Hope I get a plug from you too! Thank you!
Thank you do job! You will love my channel! Welcome to taiwan!
Personally, I don't give a rat's ass about performance. I just ride my bicycle because it's fun, I get some fresh air, and even just casually cruising through the scenery keeps me from turning into a fat slouch. I believe purely from a health perspective, moderate exercise is better for you than constantly pushing yourself to perform harder (in the long run, anyway).
I think commuting casually does maintain a minimum level of fitness, even if you aren't doing intervals or interested in performance cycling.
But I do it because it is FUN! And I arrive at work and I'm not stressed out from traffic.
Even though bike commuting is in low intensity, I still think it is a workout.
Certainly better than sitting in a car.
if cycling uphill its high intensity
Definitely, try not doing it for 2 weeks and you'll really feel the difference when you start back.
The intensity of riding depends on the rider. 15kms at an average speed of 20kph is going to be very low intensity. But pushing yourself to 35+ kph is going to be a much higher intensity.
@@HandsomeNamed precisely, it all depends on how you use your time. I'm constant pushing myself to do faster and faster times. If you're not sweating and panting then you're not exerting yourself enough. I mean, if that's what you're aiming for. The great thing about riding a bike is you choose your intensity level. You can go for an easy ride or you can treat each ride like you're on the tour de France and really pelt it like you would in a spinning class. It's up to you.
Japan is so beautiful in america all i see is 4-6 line highways and roads with people driving the biggest trucks they can afford even if they have to sleep in them.
My semi is more expensive than I can afford, but quite comfortable to sleep in, thanks.
If this is any example, then no.
Then go live there
if your over 60 and your moving , it counts as a workout !
hahahahahaha I'm getting closer everyday
@@jameswalker8300 actually , here's a tip (do your own google) . I was diabetic and take metformin , and I eat dark chocolate (resveritrol) . This is by accident an effective anti aging recipe .
It counts even if you're under 60.
@@johnmills9360 fasting and ketosis will help you a lot more
@@soarnex .. As well as fasting and ketosis :-)
If everyone would commute to work by bike general health would be much much better so yes definitely count as a workout
If they did the government would tax everyone for it.
I use my commute as a workout when I'm going back home. There are 5 ways to go home, from 12 to 14 km, lots of hills and ranging since 25 min to 40 min. I'm very happy when I do 1 second less, like wow, world record. By the way, I have 3 bikes and I like to change the bike I ride almost everyday. There is a huge hill near house, the challenging time, focus on the pace, the breath, the strength, every move in the cycling counts. Please do more videos. You live in a wonderful country. Cheers from Brazil.
life changes and so does our focus, we can always come back to something we love...
Thank you for bringing this topic up.
I’ve started adding large d-tours to my commute routes both ways.
As a result I’m topping 200 km on my bike just from the commuting.
Three times per week on my way back I’m doing the “focused” training.
This will be short sprints (Monday), intense 1min climbs (Wednesdays), 15 km, 90% effort (Fridays).
It more than satisfies my desire to improve my cycling, keeps me hungry like there’s no another meal, and made me skip my other routines.
So, basically, having added mileage and a plan to my commuting, I removed my other workouts from the calendar.
This will change in November.
What a fantastic route to and from work. The UK needs bike routes like this.
Walking around for 30inutes is healthy for the heart and for most people better than some hard gym workouts. Same with bike, it’s great for heart, mood and energy levels. Love your vids man!
I think people come at it from totally different viewpoints. For me it’s just about forcing myself out of the car to ride. 5 miles on my commuter bike each way makes me feel good when I know I was tempted to sit still driving. So every commute by bike is a success in that way, and I feel like it’s a pretty good workout for me relatively speaking.
If someone commutes 2 miles on an e-bike in turbo mode, they’re still moving when they wouldn’t be otherwise. It’s all relative and it varies massively from overweight couch potatoes to pretty serious athletes. Got to celebrate anyone riding any bike. And I hope to get out of my car lease as soon as I can next year, and just hire one when I need it. And then really enjoy the simple bike life.
That's a good point. I didn't think about the alternative being just sitting for most other methods of commuting. Very true that any movement is better than no movement at all.
Be happy in your commutes, be safe out there!
ebikes are just the revolution if commuting, as fun as regular bicycle without the too sweaty experience specially on minor hills or false flats.
At house I have a stationary bike.
Agreed, better to ride than not, and couch potatoes can turn into athletes... Be safe out there, had an encounter with a motorist less than 300 yards from home today, I was alert enough to see it coming and deescalate. Dude had mental issues and he didn't get hurt. I was ready to mess him up.
Definitely understand that temptation to sit in the car some times but always great once I'm on the bike and pedalling.
Well, what got me into cycling was just commuting to my university on daily basis which is 1.5 km away.
( I am a foreign student studying in malaysia in MMU university, 18 years old)
Then I discovered my passion in cycling longer distances such as 30-60 KM.
So, I think it is relatable when you say commuting doesn't feel like a real workout.
But at least cycling for short distances is better than not cycling at all.
( That is what I tell myself on daily basis to stop myself from going on crazy rides that will eventually make me fail my finals lol)
Anyways, keep up the great work.
I just wanted to say you are an awesome inspiration !
Thanks! Very true that short distances are still better than nothin at all! :)
I cycle 3 days a week and use that as a work out, 2 days on the moped, which gives me the energy to cycle on the weekend. When I cycled 5 days a week like you, I also didn’t cycle much at the weekends.
Well that’s different. I think it depends on your fitness level on weather or not it can be considered a workout. I started at 340lbs with a 12.5 mile one way commute, so 25 miles a day. At 340lbs I lack the fitness level to simply ride that much 5 days a week. So I purchased an E-Bike one that only has a peddle assist option no throttle. My goal is to ween myself off the motor as I drop weight and my fitness level increases. I’ve only just started and even with the motor helping me I’m still sore as hell.
Your comment on time is so very true. I have a wife and 3 kids so when I’m not at work sitting at my desk I’m playing Barbie dolls, Pokémon, GI Joe and helping with homework and bed time routines. Commuting by bike to seems to be the only place I can fit any kind of physical activity in my day.
Also Japan looks amazing and I really enjoy your videos so thank you for that.
E bike is not a work out... 😆
Anything you do that requires energy is a workout.
Commuting on bike: workout.
Chopping Wood for the furnace: workout
Sex: short workout.
I wouldn't use commuting as a standalone workout, but it bleeds off calories, so it's a workout.
Since when is 20-30 minutes of sweaty pounding a short workout?😪
JD 😂😂😂
Have longer sex.
Should not be a short workout lol 😂
Sex? absolutely HARAM
Japan looks so much better than here in the US.
I went there last year. It's more beautiful than any other European country
@@alfredconqueror4422 i think austria norway etc are just as beautiful...
How? With drab, grey cookie cutter houses?
nature is always best.
@@alfredconqueror4422 Switzerland? ;-)
I'm glad you said something about sweating , I do too ,a lot, that was part of the reason thought twice on going to work by bike.
no just a workout, one of the best kind of workouts
I would say it would depend on the length of commute and how hard you push while commuting. My commute is 40 miles one way - so I drive, but come home after a 12 hour shift and ride 10 miles. I've been working on riding faster to improve the workout and have just added a separate aerobic work out as well. Love this channel! Thanks for all the videos and inspiration!
Awesome dedication!
Yeah it is a work out, say from the first day to the following weeks, but as you move on it becomes a way of life you sweat a lot but not getting tired of doing it, as if it's a cure every itch, love it.
I love these roads for biking. I also love the bike course. Unlike in where I live I can't imagine cycling in the middle of traffic jam & pollution.
Hey Cruise. After 22 years without a bike, I feel my MTB commute of 17k round trip is far more exercise than I ever had before. At 40 years old I was feeling sluggish. It has helped my stamina, my leg strength, and that speaks for itself. I guess it depends on your previous fitness level whether it can be considered a workout or not. Keep it up.
hi, im daily commuter.. back then when im working at the office about 5-6km from home one way, with weekend be holiday i still can enjoy cycling on weekend, doing grandfondo and stuff, but now i got another job about 13km one way, and got only one holiday a week, i got a wife and daughter.. i dont have much time and energy left for cycling as hobby anymore, so now a bike is just a tool for me to stay in shape and take me from a to b..
still, i always go moderate, not too slow, sometimes i want to go as fast as i can, because i dont want to stay outside longer than i need to, because polution and such, also i feel bad when cycling slowly with other road user because they use motored vehicles...
basically i still want to be as fast as motorist, but not for a pro race career, just for good...
For a seasoned cyclist its probably not a workout. But For a 57 year old guy with a heart condition, 20 km to work and 20 km home is one hell of a workout.
Nice video doc. Well. I after work to do - *short, interval full gas rides 3x a week 1hr , *followed by a fast full body dumbbell workout and calisthenics, *2x longer endurance rides 3/4hrs *1x recovery ride at tempo 2hrs, *1 day complete rest. Keeps me interested and motivated. Cheers man
Five years ago I worked 4 on/4 off so used to have a round commute of 14 miles. Not into racing, but used to do intervals on my tourer/mtb on the way home, and was chuffed with my fitness with no gym fees being paid!!! Been off the bike since then, but getting back on now. Stuffed as new job is office hours, mon-fri and a 40 mile round trip would kill me!!! Goal is to TRY it next year by splitting into two rides each way, on a non-work day just for the heck of it!!😊 Love the vids and gives me that "back in the day" motivation to saddle up!!!👍🇬🇧😊
From what I've see of your footage, your cycling is completely outside my experience - dedicated cycling path, that's completely out of my world. What I can say is that without cycling in traffic you may be missing the upper body workout.
As for your workout, as long as your thinking about your fitness level, your likely to get the workout you need.
I used to ride 25 miles each way to work twice a week, with a long club ride at the weekend. With lift sharing, I only needed to use the car twice a week, and finding the motivation to get out at the weekend was a doddle. If I had moved closer, I could have ridden every day, but I don't know if I would have enjoyed it as much.
You mentioned ideas for new videos; I'm curious how one goes about finding new routes to get to work? Some of those paths you ride in Japan look so inviting. I ride into London, but take my MTB on the train with me for the middle section. An 80-mile round trip is a little too much to take on, but it would be great to discover some hidden paths by alighting the train a couple of stops before reaching the city.
strava route explorer and google maps walking routes can be good for finding new roads
I use commuting as a workout, but I also do long-distance (100km+) rides on weekends to supplement and prepare for multi-day bikepacking tours.
My way to work takes about 25 minutes and I can decide for myself if I want it to be 30 or 45 min., by choosing a different route. Currently, the short route is blocked by construction anyway.
I only ride road bikes and I would never ride anything without a drop bar. In the beginning I saw it as a workout, but in the meantime I ride more relaxed, because I had to eat a lot and was sweating too much. My craving for sugar and food was huge, because I pushed myself on every ride.
I commute to work 95% of the year on my bike and though it's only barely a 6-7 mile trip it is a good workout some days considering the conditions. The commute back is always a workout because it is all hills; if windy, in the track to work can become a chore. Depending how you push yourself and the conditions, any ride could be considered a workout.
To me . It’s the perfect workout. Fun . Entertaining and motivating.
That's a nice Schwinn! It's been raining so much here too, I consider every nice day to be precious, so I try to get my maximum effort, depending how my body feels. I'm retired, but I think any riding, including commutes are beneficial.
Love my Schwinn!
I like to watch ur channel v much. Really motivates me to cycle practically everyday. Daily commuting do consider workout. Unless u r participating in a competition which needs extra practices. Meanwhile stay cool 😎✌️
Of course it counts as a work out,but it all depends on your pace and intensity. If it raises your heart rate it's a workout.
one thing I'd personally like to hear about is what gravel or road race could you recommend for a foreigner like myself, that I could do in Japan while there on holiday.
The biggest gravel race is Grinduro, which is new and pretty intense. The UCI Grand Fondo's like Niseko would be good I think..
@@TwoWheelCruise thanks for the heads up, searching now.
Great to watch your commute, this one seems quieter and mostly off road. The same here in the UK a little cold when I left for work at about 7am but soon got warm after few miles. Today's commute was 25 miles each way and I did put some effort in on certain sections. Lovely and warm on the way home...
Depends on time available. And intensity. My shortest is 4.5 miles. The longest route that isn't long all over the city is 16. Lots of hills.
I have probably half my KOMs on my commute. (KOMute).
I also start work after noon, so I have a lot of freedom in my time in the morning.
In the winter I put the bike up & lift weights. I'll get up to 190lbs. By fall I'm 165-170. I'm not a climber.
I'm 5'8, mid 40s, eat Keto 8 months out of the year and just took a KOM (on a commute) from a current TDF rider by 9 seconds on a 1/2 mile section. On my Chinese frame and wheels with r7000.
Beautiful nature
Didn't expected so much countryside as well as parks dispite that I know the fact Japan doesn't not only have citys or mountains.
These places are rare, I just know all the good spots 😉
I am having the same problem since I switched from a short commute with a 20km round trip to a longer commute with a 50km round trip which I do 3-4 times a week. I am not very motivated to do long rides on the weekends, I just do shorter, harder rides, mostly because the longer rides take up so much time of the day and I've got stuff to do and other hobbies.
I am not sure about the effects on my fitness, but I have never really trained anyway and don't do any races. After I have acclimated myself to the longer commute, I will try to do some proper intervals when riding home. Being faster on the commute saves time, too!
True! Much more motivated to ride fast home haha, but there's almost always a headwind
My commute was only 5 miles each way but I stopped that in favor of just doing indoor trainer sessions instead for fitness. 2 main reasons for that. First, my job is physically demanding as I'm standing all day and do heavy lifting. So fatigue in the legs was a major factor. Second, flats were my nemesis. I work in an industrial area so it wasn't uncommon for me to get 1-3 flats a week sometimes. And it was no fun changing flats at 5am. And, no, tubeless does not solve all flats when you have a 3" nail going thru your tire and wheel.
Ride an e-bike with Schwalbe Marathons maybe.
Flats can be extremely frustrating, especially during a work commute.. Indoor setups are way more reliable for dedicated training
I have a commute of 6 miles and it weren't for the rough roads of Cleveland I would be able to make it a really hard sprint however I cannot. Most of the time though I am pretty invigorated after each leg of the trip.
Where I live there are a lot of tall hills to traverse. I would consider it a workout when I’m powering up these.
(Then again I’m using an ancient Schwinn that’s only got a 2x5, so it’s either powering through or walking the bike)
what do you do if you come to office super sweaty? do you carry extra clothes in the office? or you have the facility for baths in office? I mean how do you keep your self dry?. I live in India and the weather here is always very humid and hot so its impossible for me to not get sweaty😥.
Usually stay sweating for an hour. Have extra clothes at work
@@TwoWheelCruise humm that's what I am thinking, it's very difficult here in India to carry such healthy route, thanks for replying buddy 😊👌.
Good topic, was thinking about this myself. It was just commute and wasn't workout when I started cycling four years ago. I gave myself a week to see if it was practical at all at the beginning. Daily schedule wise I have absolutely no time for extra workout. As my commute habit and interest gradually built also my fitness improved along, I became more demanding on speed. Switched to a roadbike and started to compete with younger cyclists along the way (over ambitious as I just turned 60), some ride for fun and some are training. My commute route is pretty flat, not demanding unless riding at higher speed. Recently the restaurant near where I live stopped serving breakfast on weekend and I have to ride a longer distance to my new breakfast place 10Km away and hilly as well. Then I discovered I am not that capable and needs training. As the weather gets cooler I am doing more hilly route on weekends see how it goes.
Reduce ur tyre pressure to 30 psi then yeah! Its a work out!
You'll get flat tires more often...
@@howie4206 depends the quality! Kevlar protected!
@@howie4206 #tubeless tires :)
@@adityawardhana6066 most of times when and if I get a flat tire because of low pressure is when I jump down from side walks or when I hop on to curb and hit the curb. I think flat occurs from tube hitting the inner wall of wheel. I'm not too worried about thorns and sharp object protruding thru outer surface of tire...
@@robbie6625 I haven't tried tubeless tires yet...
Props for setting your priorities.
Can't wait for all my new parts to come in so I can get on my MTB again. Love your videos btw mate! ✌
Cheers!
My body reacts the same as yours. I do a lot of strength / power lifting type work outs and if I want to drop 20 pounds I just stop hitting the iron so much. Undoubtedly much of that is muscle mass but it is nice to be quicker with less pain on the old joints. Cycling for me is more for fun cardio and commuting whenever possible. I hate treadmills. It is so nice when I am able to find balance between both pursuits.
Love your videos man
Thanks! 😃
I ride 8.5 miles to/from work for 17 miles per day, 85 miles per week with hills, flats, canal trail, and riding on streets in traffic. It takes me 50 minutes each way. It feels like a workout for me at 56 years old. I’m starting to feel invigorated after my rides after 1 month riding.
Personally, any amount on the bike for me is a definite workout simply because I'm out of shape. However, I have been slowly working up on speed though the hills in my area means I can't be too intense from the start and will walk up some of the more steeper hills. However, I did manage to commute home in under 30 mins the day before and so progress. I do have to take a few days off due to work conflicts and weather not permitting this weekend. Hopefully I can keep it up next week!
I’m from Taytay Rizal Philippines and I’m doing bike to work everyday specially when there’s no rain. The terrains here are really challenging. The uphills are hard and I think this is already my everyday work out. I’m using a cross country hardtail bike with a plus size wheels.
I do the same distance for comutting 20km one way. I found my fitness went up during this summer. I did ride hard a couple of times a week and did easy rides twice a week. This is the only time I have for riding so I used it to my advantage.
I gotta start mixing in a few hard rides again..
I am working 2km from my house so using it as a workout is not an option but...I live about 25km from the beach so several times a month that becomes an excellent time....plus the stationary bike once a week...live in florida so everything is flat terrain....the programs on the stationary bike is a fun change....ride safe !
I used to have days off in my old job but never had the energy to work out before work, 2x 12 hour shifts and 1x 8 hour. There were so many good parks to ride in on my off days that I could pick up more riding time then. I never got into training per say(health limitations), but am more interested now(maybe some light training). Currently there is not really any "safe" options to commute for me. I have been riding the trail once or twice a week but it has been way too hot and humid to do more than that. When fall and winter come I will ride/train more, I have the gear and impetus with cold weather to ride more. I might even work some pre/post workout supplements in if I get good enough.
I use my bike only on saturdays to go work because is not a lot a traffic in my city but am still going to gym to workout for 1hr 30 min always or sometimes 2 hrs, but really love those rides on saturdays / Monday thru Friday traffic is a caos . Nice video 💪💪
My commute to work is easy and downhill. Sometimes I take the "long route" (12km). But coming back home has a 2km long climb segment. So, it's a basic workout at the end of the day.
Actually my commuting to work brought me back to my bikes passion. I started riding my trecking bike to commute to my job and started to feel how i was burning cause i was a bit late and started to give everything to come puntual. So i started to loose fat and i was very happy! (lost 15 Kilos! in six months) Then i was so happy to change my bike to an old Biancci Rekord bikes to go faster then after a year no touching public transport or a car i decided to adquire an folding bike to do travel and biking, so i got a beautiful Tern! more than happy and still doing my workout this 40 minutes to my work and the same to come back. So yes! is great!
I completely use the commute as the workout. As an easy-sweat person, my mind set when I ride in the morning is to not to put much effort on riding. However, whenever i see the traffic light green, i always end up rushing to pass through.. and end up getting lot of sweat. Also I often leave the house quite late, so I have to ride fast or i will be late. This all, by chance, end up being intense as same as the workout. On the way back home, I don't mind sweating, so I fully set my mindset as a workout mode. So I pick the different (longer) route, and do multiple intense riding session (35+ Km/h, that's already intense for me >_
Traffic lights can really help motivate some quick intervals. I've got most of mine timed now 😅
Yes, commuting to work is considered a "work out" all types of exercise count, no matter the intensity.
If you want or think you need a harder workout, then do intervals on your ride, maybe best on the way home.
Your videos are awesome and inspiring.
Thanks man!
Great video! I just got a hybrid bike and am planning to use it for fun and exercise here in Nagoya. Are there any other cycling courses you could suggest in this area? Do you use any apps?
The best one is Morikoro on the east side. I just use Strava
Two Wheel Cruise Thank you!
It's certainly a workout for me as a beginner! 16,6km at 42-50min each direction, with hr avg around 140 and hr max around 170. Polar/Strava estimates around 500-600kcal each direction.
Maybe if I were (or became!) a stronger cyclist it would be less demanding in relation and I would need more to keep improving.
I've also been super busy lately and haven't been working out that much lately. But I have two races coming up in the fall so I get to get my butt in gear. I think I'll get my zwift setup going again.
I miss doing ZWIFT, I had a lot of fun with it last winter....
Right when I read your right glove you said "I'm loving it" 💀2:28
I’d say as long as your heartbeat goes over a certain threshold
I count my commute back home as a work out, because I try to go easy on the way to work and take the route that I feel is safer but also short to minimize sweating (10km) and usually on my way home I go harder and take a longer road ( 13 to 18km) with more ups and downs. But I tend to go on longer rides on the weekends. Also when I go to my parents I use my old MTC to ride up a mountain and do 1000m of climbing in total (mostly every 2 weeks), because where I live and work it is too flat.
The only exercise I do is commuting by bike and only during dry days (I don't feel safe when the road is wet. So I do 20 km a day and as far as I am concern this is a work out... I am not athletic and I am overweight, but this simple exercise is giving me energy, also my mental health is greatly improve.
Definitely helps with the mental health bit. I think I'd go insane if I had to drive or take the train every day
Suggestion: You have a vehicle now so break up the monotony of the daily commute by driving to work (or take transit) every other Friday - allowing your body to rest, and ready for a good, solid Saturday training ride, Sunday slow spin/rest. I've been doing the 35 km round trip commute to work for more years than I can remember but break it up so I have the weekends to properly train. Also, if you have a locker/office at work- leave some work clothes there allowing you to ride (once in a while) without the backpack. Trust me, your neck/shoulders will thank you. Commuting is great for volume and keeping the legs supple but not real training.
Tried driving once and it drove me insane lol
Feeling obligated to train and hammer on commutes I've found just leads to frustration., you can't expect yourself to perform when you're leaving work at 9 in the evening and you're tired and it's raining. Do it when you feel like it but don't feel obligated. Setting a good pace can give you a certain base and you arrive at work at a regular time and clean and not sweaty. Bottom brackets shouldn't be making noise by the way :)
My bikes are starting to rebel against my lack of maintenance 😅
I've recently had the same thought and pulled out my mountain bike. I used it for my daily commutes and boy was that a workout. I had to put so much more effort to get the damn thing up to speed and keep it there. But then my body eventually adapted. :(
I'm working out during my commute with the bike, especially on the return which is mostly uphill. Eventually I will get a motorbike for commuting to work, and use the bicycle for weekend excursions.
I use my commute as a workout as its got hills and flats but on days off I do enduro training and also hit the gym for weights
cycling to commute is my workout :D
It can, it depends on the distance and the intensity. But hey if it is fun go for it! You can always do a 40+ mile ride a couple of times a month to boost your work out and hit target zones. Remember enjoy the ride or it becomes a job and that sux!
I’m jealous of the amount of bike trails that you’re riding..... America is way behind on creating proper bike routes in the city that connect you to all areas. It’s dangerous to ride in certain places.
Is the same about walking in your neighborhood to meet someone or buy something, if you called it workout so bike commuting is the same, but if you not count it as workout so bike commuting not counted as workout
For me commuting makes me weaker when I use it as work out, the thing is I don't get enough rest/recovery and ended up over training/under recovery. On contrary when I treat it as zone 1-2 ride my body adapting and become weak as well because there's not enough intensity to stress the body to make adaptation.
To get the win win solution I keep the commuting as zone 1 recovery ride, and one day on weekend do the training Vo2max lung buster or long endurance ride. That's kinda keep me barely in shape.
Good point, recovery is key
@@TwoWheelCruise Watch out of Central Nervous System Fatigue(CNS)
Great video Cruise. Unfortunately I don't commute as it's a 30 mile (50km) ride each way, which would take up far too much time. However, I work shifts so I get plenty of time before or after work (depending what shift I'm on) to get a workout in. I've been using Zwift with a smart trainer recently especially as we'll soon be going into winter. I use the weekends to get out for a longer ride.
Like you say though, it all depends on your priorities.
Yes it does.. about 3 months ago i decided to start commuting to work on my bicycle; rain hail or shine (in part thanks to your videos).. & just today i tried on my old ‘’skinny’’ shirt that no longer fit me because I’d gotten too fat; & it now fits me perfectly (i reckon I’ve lost at least 10kg!). Now to take shit to the next level; i want that shirt to be way too big for me, so I’ll push myself harder on my 7km commute.
That's awesome man! Keep it up!
Bike to work in my route downhill so I just spin relaxed. When its bike to home ride, Its uphill so I spin slower, but still on a relaxed pace. Uphill but relaxed pace, does that count as a workout?
well it's better than sitting on bus, car or train it is still workout regardless of the terrain type or intensity of the ride
I do 20 to 40 km/ day for commute. In the morning I'm mostly in zone 2. In the evening though I usually go harder, at the top of zone 3 mostly.
I don't really count it as workout but it's definitely exercise.
I complete with high intensity and interval at the speed ring of bois de Boulogne (a 3km round bike lane with priority where a lot of parisian cyclists train, there is an actual peloton that forms and accelerate through the evening and a few slower groups) for 1/2 to 1.5 hours, usually before coming home, two days a week and a long ride every other weekend.
Plus a bit of pushups, core workout, stretching, etc, 20 min every morning on a rotation. And I run with a fwb 1 in 2 weeks on average.
I don't compete so it's really enough to keep a good fitness level without having my life revolving around it (I still go out, drink, party and go clubbing a few time a week).
I bike to work but I would say that is a warm up ? As far as a bike work out well I work as a bike patrol officer and I do cary my bike up and down stairs and I also am a bike messenger and the same I do cary my bike up and down stairs ? Does that count as a bike work out ?
Would you consider using an ebike to speed up your commute or reduce how sweaty you would be before and after work? Are ebikes popular there?
I'd consider it if I had more hills and luggage. Wouldn't increase my speed though with the limits. They're not popular on sport or real commuter bikes yet since the import is strict here
My commute is about an hour to an hour & a half with a lot of uphill, there's also significant downhill but I'd say the uphill is definitely a workout.
Dang, the roads are so nice and flat, where I live it's full of uphills and downhills and the asphalt is dug and there's a whole lot of dirt and mud
Let me put this simple. You could do anything all the day. If you don't focus on some muscle and maintain a cardiac routine, it is not a workout. It will be simply called active throughout the day or close to being hyperactive.
My commute is my workout. Two times per work day/night almost 16 miles with more then 500 ft of height difference. I intentionally use it to improve fitness, so I can make long(er) rides in the weekend. +100 km rides are no problem at the moment even though I only started in June after a very long pause of almost 40 years.
balance is the key to balance upper body and lower body. that means cycling is lower then rowing is upper body. situps, etc. are abs. enjoy whatever time you have to work out. sadly, reality is 24 hours per day .... what is most important is where you spend your time.
In general, I ride to work slow and ride home fast. But I'm only doing short hops on my brompton so it still isn't much of a big workout.
It's perfectly sufficient for a cardio workout - if cardio and weight loss is all one cared about.
For a more complete workout, no, it's not enough as there is little to no core or upper body strength building.
When I took up cycling again, I had to do core exercises because my weak core was the cause of back pain.
Bear in mind too that what you get from cycling or any other workout depends entirely on how much intensity you put in. A person could ride every day but at such a low speed and rate of effort that they aren't really pushing their cardiovascular system or leg strength.
My advice is just keep focusing on your bike commute to work. The weekends work on your projects, go out with your wife. I believe that by riding your bike to work is an excellent workout! That’s my opinion! Good luck! I enjoy your videos!
I went on a year tour in Mexico and Central America and rode my bike to work everyday for a year beforehand to 'train' because didn't have much time to do much else. I'm not a racer or anything but I think if I'm not riding at all then I can't enjoy doing long distance when I have the time. So any kind of riding is good IMHO.
Not really related but what audio equipment do you use to record? Do you record audio externally and sync in post?
Wow, would love to do a trip like that one day..
twowheelcruise.com/camera-gear/
yes, I sync in post with an external mic and my gopro
i once in a while ride (both ways) or run (work to home)... recently been using my Fridays to ride my single speed Brompton on a short relaxed 10km route to office to avoid sweating too much, then a longer more scenic but harder ride home at the end of the day... its a good use of time to keep your workout routine on weekdays to maintain fitness, as i sometimes get lazy to workout after getting home and having had dinner already...
No doubt about it. Especially in japanese summers
I typically ride hard 2 days and take it somewhat easy the rest of my commute days. For a guy who hasn't historically been the most athletic, that's a pretty decent workout schedule I would say :p But haven't been riding as much lately because of my post grad mid-sem exams this weekend :( I get too tired to study once I reach home so had to dial back the intensity. Will be back to longer commutes and improving my strava PRs from next week :)
hi luv your streams , you inspired me to get a entry level road bike on my budget a carerra vanquis disc version , and had two rides on it luv it , thanks to you and your good lady for great streams .
i luv your kit designs , but i am 20 stone so need a 4x size , if you get any let me know . thanks
Awesome! Kit info will be announced very soon