Another newbie

[daddypaul3]

hello from sunny Manchester

thought id take the plunge and buy a bike after about 17 yrs off the saddle !! and 5 stone heavier than i used to be..............kid + marriage = contentment, well that's what people tell me .so i have just bought a trek 3500, helmet,scull cap, gloves ,lights, 3 pairs of tights, 4 pairs of bib shorts,base layer,jerseys and a lightweight waterproof jacket oh and cycling socks and am now a few pounds lighter !!! out of my wallet not weight ......................................and so the journey begins..

i need to get fit ,but need to take things slowly as im still recovering from a botched appendectomy last march ,still on medication and having to wear a medicated plaster for 12hours a day for nerve damage ........ NHS ...
any sugestions people ???? the one thing i dont want is to get fed up or lose motivation

cheers
paul

 

[daddypaul3]

oh forgot it was NYD !! said botched operation was march 2011 so nearly 2 yrs ago

 

[MattHB]

Paul

blimey sounds like youve been in the wars! Just take it steady and listen to your body

 

[Saluki]

Welcome Paul.
Just get on your bike and do it. Download an app like 'my tracks' or 'strava' on to your phone and then you can see where you have been and what sort of speed you were doing. Not essential but I find it interesting.
Make sure you take water with you and once you are doing over 15 miles or so on a ride, find a tea shop for a break (again not essential but it is nice)

 

[daddypaul3]

have downloaded mapmyride onto my BB is that any good ???

 

[paul04]

Hi Paul, I'm not that far from middleton myself, like the others have said, just take it easy and add the miles week by week,
I've not tried "map my ride" I use the strava and runkeeper apps,both are quite good, strava can be additive, trying to beat your best times.

 

[DCLane]

My suggestion's simple; get out there and keep it steady. I did 6 miles three times a week for the first 6 weeks, until I could get round without stopping. [for reference, I stopped 5 times the first time I went out!]

After that I upped it to 11, then 19 and then 35 miles over the next 3 months.

The weight only started to come off once I'd upped the mileage though and started commuting by bike as well.

I'd suggest the following:

- keep a record of your trips, how long it took on the route and how many miles
- weigh yourself weekly and record it
- plot a weekly mileage total and weight, which helps with visual motivation

- Oh, and just get out there and ride

 

[Boon 51]

Hi Paul...
Welcome to the forum and and others have said... just take it easy mate..

 

[smokeysmoo]

to CC from unsunny Bolton

 

[wisdom]

Hi Paul andJust take things as they come and dont overdo it.
You'll soon get fitter and if it starts to hurt too much just back off a little bit.Set some realistic goals and remember you have the better weather to come.Just get out there and enjoy your cycling.Good luck with the weight loss.I lost two stone.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Paul!
Take it easy, with the support of cycle chat you won't stay a newbie for long

 

[daddypaul3]

an gonna try tomorrow ! 5 am wake up call , will let the dog out whilst I get ready

 

[daddypaul3]

sorry was on my wife's kindle...................... not good when you have sausage fingers lol
want to go before work as there are no showers at my place of work and don't fancy sitting in my work suit after a ride without showering.
so it starts tomorrow have downloaded mapmyride on my BB so will let you guys know how i get on ,how far i rode and how long it took
will also weigh myself tomorrow that should be fun

 

[daddypaul3]

well im back 4.67 miles in 28 minutes , stopped once for a drink of water
good or bad ????

 

[Biker Joe]

Welcome.
You're doing OK. Well done.
Take care.