A middle aged newbie

[Ganymede]

Welcome and enjoy.... and don't think to yourself "I've ridden five miles, so I can have a cake"!!! There's lots of advice on here from people who have lost amazing amounts of weight while cycling, but remember a) muscle is heavier than fat, so don't worry if you start by not losing weight; b) calories in still have to be less than calories out!

The greatest thing you will gain is wellbeing - exercise is proven to strengthen your immune system and will make you feel immensely cheerful!

 

[screenman]

Not meaning to high jack this topic, but I do not go by this muscle is heavier than fat. You would burn one hell of a lot of fat before you replace it with muscle if you are eating correctly.

 

[skt71]

Many thanks for the warm welcome and words of encouragement; looks like some good advice above.

Definitely bitten by the bug again - out for a near 10 mile ride tonight - flattish terrain, although even the slightest inclines proved difficult on the way back: http://www.strava.com/activities/185595219.

Some further details from the health check that helped kick this off:

Age is 43, if not worked out from my nick.
BMI was 31, technically obese.
High (ish) blood pressure
Resting heart rate in the 80's
Biometric age ( i think it was called) 58.

Hoping that with some focus on the diet as well, will be able to improve all of these...

 

[Bryony]

 

[Trull]

skt71 I'm sure your stats will improve markedly, don't focus too much just on weight to start with, just enjoy the sensation of carving a nice corner downhill… don't count miles, just think about getting some time on the bike.

My BMI is roughly the same as you, although BP is fine and resting heart rate is 57, I'm pretty much your age, 6ft and 16stone :-)

I just completed the Rothes Reccie 200km randonneé last weekend - felt great towards the end (last 40k at 27kph average speed) and was able to walk around with little aches or pains the next day. And the good lady wife much appreciates the muscle! http://www.strava.com/activities/184416972

 

[screenman]

skt71, you are not middle age, I am 58 and still think I am 35. Growing older is compulsory, growing up is not, with a bit of effort and desire you should be able to get those years of yours a lot closer.

 

[ScotiaLass]

I took up cycling again last winter, to improve my health and fitness and get me out of the house and meeting new people.
I have achieved all, and it's an ongoing process!
Just enjoy it!

 

[Dave 123]

I think a few of us here were in that boat. Keep at it, including winter.
This time next year you'll be hard as nails*


*I tell myself this every year. Maybe you'll manage it!

 

[Garry A]

40's are the new 20's

 

[raleighnut]

40's are the new 20's

With creaks

 

[skt71]

Thanks for the continued words of encouragement. Seems like there is a fair few of us all with the same objective. Some good motivation derived from the comments above.

A couple of rides the last few nights.
Last nights wasn't great - first puncture a mile from home: http://www.strava.com/activities/186093866. On the plus side, there was some "hedge porn" at the top of one of the climbs, which made me smile.
Tonight's ride was the best yet: http://www.strava.com/activities/186546447. Everything just felt comfortable. I didn't get out of the saddle once. I had a nice rhythm on the hills and back along the coast road in to a headwind, and was able to not have to fight to find a comfortable gear. I think the wind contributed to some of the personal records though.

Couple of good and bad things I've noticed since I was last on a bike.

Good - gear change from the brake levers; padded shorts; just getting out and about locally and the great views that are possible from a 5-15 minute ride.
Bad - the roads are in an awful state; cracks and potholes everywhere; cycle lanes that go on and off the road/pavement and then randomly end.

 

[skt71]

Hi - just wanted to provide a quick update before I disappear to the .Beginners forum. Posted this just over a week ago, and have since been out most days, gradually going longer and harder:

Found my challenge today - a few rides I've bottled out of tackling a hill nearby, but attempted it today - it's shown on strava as 0.4miles at an average 8%. http://www.strava.com/activities/185095802/segments/4334280785 Stopped halfway and ended up walking the last 50 metres. I'm hooked enough to make sure I'm able to ride this with ease in the next 6 months.

Achieved the climb in one go earlier this evening - http://www.strava.com/activities/189309195/segments/4444593370 - absolutely made up. Was an absolute slog in the lowest gear for most of the way, but real progress in just over a week.

Thanks again for the words of encouragement.

 

[Suffolk Cycling]

You're about seven months behind me! I'm now up to coping with 63-mile sportives and really enjoying it.

Good luck!

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Many thanks for the warm welcome and words of encouragement; looks like some good advice above.

Definitely bitten by the bug again - out for a near 10 mile ride tonight - flattish terrain, although even the slightest inclines proved difficult on the way back: http://www.strava.com/activities/185595219.

Some further details from the health check that helped kick this off:

Age is 43, if not worked out from my nick.
BMI was 31, technically obese.
High (ish) blood pressure
Resting heart rate in the 80's
Biometric age ( i think it was called) 58.

Hoping that with some focus on the diet as well, will be able to improve all of these...

First of all, a big ..

I'm a bus pass holder (60 here in Scotland)
BMI still higher than yours
On drugs for blood pressure
My diet is still shot
still over 18st

but since getting my bike early 2013, I'm almost at 4,000 miles....
hills? Cat 3 and 4 now conquered...I get up them now albeit in the granny gears...
Get out and enjoy, my first out was 7.5ml mixed hilly and flat and I almost had to be helped off the bike....
I do Strava and am well down the rankings, no lycra and a hybrid but I keep trying to improve..
so keep in there, its great out there

 

[i hate hills]

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