Can’t get back in to it

[Rock bus]

I’d got up to fairly decent club member riding ie comfortable at 50\60 miles at c16 mph and could do 100 mile sportive.
But gave it up to focus on running as had place in London Marathon.

Now trying to get back on bike but finding it REALLY tough - can’t do 16 at easy pace

It’s frustrating and thinking of just giving up cycling and sticking to running.

Any tips on getting back in it or is it just case of being patient and time on the bike?

 

[ianrauk]

It's a case of being patient and time on the bike.

 

[Zeffer]

Having got back into cycling for different reasons, I’d say don’t worry about the speed, just get miles in your legs and the speed will come in its own good time.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Ride without a GPS or bike computer for now. Don't let the figures taunt you. All you need to know is that you are working hard during sections of a ride and it will start to improve your bike fitness and speed.

 

[biggs682]

Just enjoy it and don't worry about the speed

 

[Ian H]

As above, the secret of being a good cyclist is to enjoy it. "Training" (presumably to get fit for something specific) is just a small subset of riding your bike.

 

[fossyant]

More miles = more smiles.

 

[Slick]

I don't think anyone would post anything to contradict anything above. No shortcuts, put in the work and you'll get your reward.

 

[Vantage]

Ride because you enjoy it, not to be fast.
I've been stuck at an avg 9mph for 2-3 years. Who cares?

 

[vickster]

Join the club again but go with a slower group

Many of us can only dream of a 16mph average (but as above, who cares)

 

[CXRAndy]

Ive been the same, weight has gone up and enthusiasm has gone down. But I see light appearing.
Ive made up and converted a bike to electric for the wife. She loves these 20 mile trips to pubs. This has rekindled my desire to cycle. She is much faster and I have to work a little to keep up. Its keeping my fitness from disappearing completely. I'm trying to organise another trip to the Canaries this winter-that should give me the target to get fit again and shed alot of weight.

 

[johnblack]

I’d got up to fairly decent club member riding ie comfortable at 50\60 miles at c16 mph and could do 100 mile sportive.
But gave it up to focus on running as had place in London Marathon.

Now trying to get back on bike but finding it REALLY tough - can’t do 16 at easy pace

It’s frustrating and thinking of just giving up cycling and sticking to running.

Any tips on getting back in it or is it just case of being patient and time on the bike?

Find a goal, I usually have two or three a year and that keeps me going out. At the minute there isn't a lot going on and I've had a few weeks off. Went out and just pottered around on Saturday, enjoyed it and now I'm thinking about what I want to achieve next.

 

[pjd57]

I enjoy watching the miles rack up , but the MPH is never an issue.
Getting out is the best bit.

 

[flying start]

Just reading though some posts on hear. I'm almost 7years out of riding my bikes, with changing jobs so no more commuting to work. 2 children now so just sort lost touch with the bikes. Reading your topic reminds me of the friend I done most of my riding with. Although I was a faster rider than him. He would always be competitive with speeds and times having strava on his phone. He would always go on about me getting the times and that app. But for me it took the freedom and the enjoyment out of the riding for me. I'm not saying don't record your gains and speeds it is a good thing. Itll come back sooner than you know it. For now just enjoy the peddle time. If you push your self to hard you'll just put to much pressure on your self and just think no its not for me.