3rd week now, does it get easier?

[Doc333]

This is my 3rd weekend with my new bike, and I've just completed my 5th ride, with No6 in the morning I hope. Today was very breezy and it seemed to take forever and expend a lot of energy. I did however get back in just over the hour and averaged only 10.8 mph. Looking at the stats since I started I don't seem to be improving much and my legs are still like jelly the first time I head upstairs when I get home.

I'm hoping I can extend the mileage in the next week or so as I want to do 20-miles, and would love to be able to do it in 1 hour. I'm trying to pace myself and have not got out of the saddle yet. I'm no spring chicken and want to get fit for my own health reasons. Isn't cycling good fun though. Slower than my car yes, but I'm noticing stuff I've never seen before.

 

[Roadrider48]

Cycling IS certainly good fun!

 

[Cycling Dan]

It doesn't get easier you just go further and faster.

 

[MikeW-71]

Wind really drags your speed down.

That's only 5 rides, it'll take a few more but you should already be starting to see improvements. Keep it up, it is good fun

 

[simon.r]

For various reasons today was my first ride for 2 weeks and I'm also a bit under the weather physically, so I deliberately decided to take it steady and just do what felt comfortable. I did 18 miles at an average of 12 mph. When I'm feeling on top form and I push myself I can get my average over that sort of distance up to 15 or 16mph.

I'll never be a racer and I'm no spring chicken either, but gaining that extra 3 or 4 mph seems to take a massive increase in effort!

I hope you do get to 20 miles in an hour, but I wouldn't be too concerned if you don't - it's still fun at slower speeds

Edit - the difference now, after years of riding, is that I can't tell I've done it when I get home if I take it steady. No jelly legs or even minor aches!

 

[Dusty Bin]

It doesn't get easier you just go further and faster.

Although that is unlikely unless you increase either your pace, your distance or your riding frequency...

 

[ianrauk]

Well done on getting on your bike and riding.
It took me many months before I noticed any difference in speed and stamina.
Just keep riding. It takes time but you will get there.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Good for you - forget the speed and distance, just enjoy the ride

This basically.

Firstly, ditch the computer and stats, just go and ride, the first 10 mins or so at a gentle pace to properly warm-up and the last 5 mins at a gentle pace to steadily warm-down.
Don't fight the wind, it'll beat you every time.
10.8 sorry 11 mph average on a windy day is not bad for a beginner, but don't under estimate the size of the gap between 11mph and 20mph average over an hour, it's huge This is because wind resistance increases as a cube to your speed, not linearly. There is a big difference in effort required for each mph gained over say 15mph than up to that speed, so don't be disheartened. 20mph average over an hours solo ride is very good going indeed!

As a beginner - particularly at this cold time of year, you're much better off just getting comfortable miles under your belt and gently building up your distance and stamina. Most of all, just get out there and enjoy it rather than focusing on the stats .... they'll not help you.

 

[potsy]

I'm still waiting for it to get easier, saying that it's only been 4 years

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Hi @Doc333 well done on your rides, this weather makes it harder, don't give up.
Maybe try to do the 20 miles first, then worry about times.
Above all, enjoy, it does not have to be a race against you.

 

[potsy]

Good advice Pat, didn't you used to be called Pat 4mph when you first joined CC?

 

[ianrauk]

Oh... I have never managed a 20mph average

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Good advice Pat, didn't you used to be called Pat 4mph when you first joined CC?

 

[MikeW-71]

Keep racking up the miles through the winter and by next summer you'll be fancying rides like this:


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCnckoF8QA

 

[Doc333]

Thanks a lot all, and reading this back does seem a bit ambitious. That will make me feel better in the morning if I'm still hovering around 11 mph. Expecting wind again in the morning and if it's much worse than today's stiff breeze, I may give it a miss. The wind nearly had me over on a couple of wide open areas today, as it whipped across the fields into me side-on.