Disappointment

[Highfire]

Folks

As you may know, I'm a newbie to these forums, having taken up cycling again after many years away.

I have been really enjoying getting out on my bike in the early mornings, when the roads are quiet and relatively traffic free. I live in a rural area so follow alot of country roads, and also it is very hilly around here.

I went out on Friday morning at 5.30 and basically just rode without a particular route in mind. I tend to rely on road signs to get an idea of the approximate mileage I cover.

However, when I mapped out my ride I was highly disappointed to see that it only came to 12 miles, after being out for an hour.

Now to many of you on here that is no doubt a very short ride. However, with the hills that I encountered I really felt as if I'd worked hard, and was ready for a hot coffee and shower when I got home!

I have to admit, though, that it was a bit demoralising to find that it was only 12 miles when it felt as if it should have been at least 20!

Ah well, onwards and upwards................

 

[Peter91]

12mph over a hilly area after coming back to cycling isn't bad at all! Keep in mind, if you where to do 20mph then that's the kind of speed tour de france winners were averaging in the 50's.

 

[lukesdad]

It ll come Highfire dont get disheartened

 

[400bhp]

Don't get hung up on mileage. Just getting out there is more important, and arguably time in the saddle takes precedent.

 

[Moodyman]

12 miles in a hilly area is good going. Don't forget that it's been windy the last few days and that makes it doubly hard.

 

[ACS]

12 mph over a hilly course is respectable, fast for some of us. Saddle time is more important than speed or distance covered.

Take a look at some of the average speeds logged in the Groups Section on MyCyclingLog. You may just discover that the ride you find disappointing is in realty a great starting point.

 

[david k]

Folks

As you may know, I'm a newbie to these forums, having taken up cycling again after many years away.

I have been really enjoying getting out on my bike in the early mornings, when the roads are quiet and relatively traffic free. I live in a rural area so follow alot of country roads, and also it is very hilly around here.

I went out on Friday morning at 5.30 and basically just rode without a particular route in mind. I tend to rely on road signs to get an idea of the approximate mileage I cover.

However, when I mapped out my ride I was highly disappointed to see that it only came to 12 miles, after being out for an hour.

Now to many of you on here that is no doubt a very short ride. However, with the hills that I encountered I really felt as if I'd worked hard, and was ready for a hot coffee and shower when I got home!

I have to admit, though, that it was a bit demoralising to find that it was only 12 miles when it felt as if it should have been at least 20!

Ah well, onwards and upwards................

i was disapointted to find my avaerage of 14 mph on the flat was actualy 11 when i used endomondo, so know the feeling mateyclong?

but when i sit back and think, does it really matter how far and how fast if your enjoying the c

 

[Highfire]

Hey thanks for all the repies everyone! I really appreciate the encouraging words and have to say that I'm more positive about tomorrow's ride now.

I have had a look at MyCyclingLog and think I might register. It looks very interesting, and it's good to see that the average distances and speeds, in some cases, are on a par with mine at the moment.

I think you are all right - it's time in the saddle and also the sheer enjoyment of riding is more important in the long run ..... or should that be long RIDE?

Thanks again - tomorrow morning can't come soon enough now!

 

[funnymummy]

I try not to look at mileage anymore - I have to squeeze my solo rides in around children & work. I would go out aiming for 30 miles, but depending on route or weather conditions found that somedays it just wasn't possible, and having to cut the ride short to get bcak, now I just go out for whatever time I have available.
And 12 miles over hills is as good as 20 flat miles LOL!!

Take a look at some of the average speeds logged in the Groups Section on MyCyclingLog.

Why have i never noticed this section before

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Nothing wrong with that at all. When I am on my MTB I aim for an average speed of 10mph. So 12mph over a hilly route is not bad at all, especially as you were "working hard" but not going for a speed record. I'd be pleased mate

Folks

As you may know, I'm a newbie to these forums, having taken up cycling again after many years away.

I have been really enjoying getting out on my bike in the early mornings, when the roads are quiet and relatively traffic free. I live in a rural area so follow alot of country roads, and also it is very hilly around here.

I went out on Friday morning at 5.30 and basically just rode without a particular route in mind. I tend to rely on road signs to get an idea of the approximate mileage I cover.

However, when I mapped out my ride I was highly disappointed to see that it only came to 12 miles, after being out for an hour.

Now to many of you on here that is no doubt a very short ride. However, with the hills that I encountered I really felt as if I'd worked hard, and was ready for a hot coffee and shower when I got home!

I have to admit, though, that it was a bit demoralising to find that it was only 12 miles when it felt as if it should have been at least 20!

Ah well, onwards and upwards................

 

[david k]

i hate hills, they seem to be everywhere i go! i must live in a valley!

i do have some flat rides about but i dont want to overdo the same ones too much or it can spoil them

 

[Munchkin100]

Sometimes it pays to just go out and ride with no plan. Unlike myself, who a couple of weeks ago mapped my ride on line before leaving home. Great, had 30 mile planned route! Somehow that 30 miles turned into over 40. I had only been back in the saddle for 5 weeks and that was only a ride at weekends, so fitness was not great. At 38 miles I hit the limit of, can I manage the last 4 miles home? or shall I just sit at the side of the road and weep? I did get home and surprisingly didnt suffer the next day. Perhaps my map reading skills need brushing up, no comments from men about women and map reading LOL

The following week I used a route that I found on here that a forum member had posted. 30 miles ! Well maybe, at 20 miles the heavens opened and I cut short the route and made my way home a total of 26. Strange though because the rest of the day I felt cheated. I thought I would go out and try it again, unfortunately feel rough so not going anywhere :-(

 

[gregsid]

It took me two weeks of persevering before my commuting hills stopped hurting. I now REALLY enjoy my daily commutes. Like the above replies, it'll definitely come.

BTW. I love your Tawny Owl avatar!

Greg

 

[pshore]

Now to many of you on here that is no doubt a very short ride. However, with the hills that I encountered I really felt as if I'd worked hard, and was ready for a hot coffee and shower when I got home!

Sounds like a good effort to me! If your body says you worked hard, that's what matters. Sometimes even the same route and weather conditions can seem harder some days depending on what you've eaten, sleep, time of day etc.

Average speed is only a rough indicator. Mountain bikers in proper hills tend to measure rides in the amount of vertical climbing rather than horizontal distance. Your ride software might be able to tell you something about that.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Rides will vary. I did 50 miles the other Saturday and it felt quite easy. Conversely I cycled 19 miles back from work one Wednesday recently and had to stop and buy an energy drink - I was absolutely shattered.

As others have said just be pleased that any hour in the saddle is better than an hour on the sofa.