Getting slower :-(

[Sandra6]

I've never been a speed demon and I'm happy pootling along at a leisurely pace but recently I've seen a drastic reduction in speed and my cycling " fitness" in general.
I had bronchitis a couple of months before Xmas and it really floored me, but I kept up with the couple of miles ride to work each day.
Since Xmas we've moved house and while I'm loving the slightly longer, downhill, commute, the ride home is becoming a real chore and I've resorted to "granny gear" for most of it.
I don't want to give up, but I don't want to lose the joy of cycling.
Any tips or encouraging words to help me get my oomph back?

 

[summerdays]

Is it worth checking something like your iron levels? That's something that has a knock on effect on my cycling when it gets low, which often seems to combine with winter.

Have you still got the electric bike? Would that give you a chance to enjoy cycling by going back to it?

 

[Sandra6]

I don't have an electric, kind of wish I did :-)
Iron might be a thing, didn't even think of that. Thanks

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The bronchitis knocked your fitness back a fair bit (Not a good idea to cycle through it) and takes a bit to recover from. It's winter when we all go slower anyway, energy is being used to keep you warm as well as power your legs. Wait till the weather warms up and you'll see an improvement. Maybe a week or two off the bike to recharge your batteries will help?

 

[Sandra6]

The bronchitis knocked your fitness back a fair bit (Not a good idea to cycle through it) and takes a bit to recover from. It's winter when we all go slower anyway, energy is being used to keep you warm as well as power your legs. Wait till the weather warms up and you'll see an improvement. Maybe a week or two off the bike to recharge your batteries will help?

Because of now having to walk littlest6 to school I'm only cycling half the week.
I even catch the bus sometimes

 

[Sbudge]

While recovering from bronchitis you may want to warm up more thoroughly before exercising and layer up a little better. I had it years ago and found that the cold air really made me struggle.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well, if it's downhill to work, it must be uphill back home, and you're tired already from work, this could be the reason.

 

[Hyslop]

Because of now having to walk littlest6 to school I'm only cycling half the week.
I even catch the bus sometimes

Catch the bus,here?I tried that the other day,it still hasn't come back from the terminus,I blame our mania for traffic lights in these parts.In all seriousness,the bronchitis will have knocked you somewhat,and then,in many ways,this isn't much of a time of year for the bike.Take heart though,youre still looking up,the days are slowing lengthening and soon we and you will be out on the roads just outside Carlisle and farther afield.Just think of what youd miss in Spring,all that beauty for a few hours on the bike,stick with it,you know it makes sense!

 

[Montydog]

I've never been a speed demon and I'm happy pootling along at a leisurely pace but recently I've seen a drastic reduction in speed and my cycling " fitness" in general.
I had bronchitis a couple of months before Xmas and it really floored me, but I kept up with the couple of miles ride to work each day.
Since Xmas we've moved house and while I'm loving the slightly longer, downhill, commute, the ride home is becoming a real chore and I've resorted to "granny gear" for most of it.
I don't want to give up, but I don't want to lose the joy of cycling.
Any tips or encouraging words to help me get my oomph back?

.....had bronchitis years back when I was involved in athletics....was fit as a fiddle running 70-100 miles a week depending on time of year, raced on track and cross country/roads
does take it out of you and took me a long time getting over it and back in shape.....

nice and steady and don't worry to much about speed just enjoy the ride

 

[Globalti]

Neurofen for bronchitis. Works a treat.

 

[Joffey]

You'll speed up in summer. Rest up and take it steady these next couple of months, don't worry about speeds and you'll be fine.

 

[Lonestar]

Weird.I'm getting older and faster.

 

[Sandra6]

Weird.I'm getting older and faster.

I'm clearly too young then ;-)
Thanks for the encouragement all.

 

[Katherine]

You will definitely speed up when it gets warmer. Up hill on the way home is hard when you are tired. Well done for getting out on the bike.

 

[Oldfentiger]

Weird.I'm getting older and faster.

That's because, like me, your brain goes slower and everything feels faster