Hi folks
Around 20-years ago I was a mad keen MTB rider and did quite a bit of cycling, but due to pressure at work and lack of time I gradually stopped. fast forward to April this year, I had a heart attack (57-yo) whilst playing golf. Had a stent fitted, Massive scare as I have always been fairly fit and played high standard/grade of football into my 40's. Long story short, I went through a full course of cardiac rehab and got myself sorted and back to work and golf. I now need to get fitter and golf alone doesn't do it as its not realy aerobic.
After a lot of thought and research I went out last weekend and bought a new bike. I took it out on Saturday knowing my backside was in for some pain, and worried about the skinny tyres sticking to the tarmac. I have been used to suspension and wide nobbly tyres that give some comfort, however 20-years is a lomng time .... How quick it came back to me, my backside and forearms took some hammer. How bad is the tarmac road surfaces in this country, it felt like I was going over pot holes constantly and at times the vibration was really bad. I have to say however that I fell in love with cycling again as I rmembered why I used to love it. I did a 10-mile loop near to home as I didn't want to punish myself first time out, however it seemed that roads that looked flat in my car were like Mont Ventoux on my bike. The loop took me 55-minutes averageing 11 mph which I thought was pretty good because of the way I was gasping for breath when I finished.
I went out and repeated the loop on the Sunday and improved my time by 12 minutes and my speed by 1.5mph. The downhill sections were slicker therefore my top speed reduced but again I was fairly chuffed. I'm going out again this weekend and going to try 15-miles, as i think at my age I need to build up to an all day ride, plus I need to think about my backside.
Around 20-years ago I was a mad keen MTB rider and did quite a bit of cycling, but due to pressure at work and lack of time I gradually stopped. fast forward to April this year, I had a heart attack (57-yo) whilst playing golf. Had a stent fitted, Massive scare as I have always been fairly fit and played high standard/grade of football into my 40's. Long story short, I went through a full course of cardiac rehab and got myself sorted and back to work and golf. I now need to get fitter and golf alone doesn't do it as its not realy aerobic.
After a lot of thought and research I went out last weekend and bought a new bike. I took it out on Saturday knowing my backside was in for some pain, and worried about the skinny tyres sticking to the tarmac. I have been used to suspension and wide nobbly tyres that give some comfort, however 20-years is a lomng time .... How quick it came back to me, my backside and forearms took some hammer. How bad is the tarmac road surfaces in this country, it felt like I was going over pot holes constantly and at times the vibration was really bad. I have to say however that I fell in love with cycling again as I rmembered why I used to love it. I did a 10-mile loop near to home as I didn't want to punish myself first time out, however it seemed that roads that looked flat in my car were like Mont Ventoux on my bike. The loop took me 55-minutes averageing 11 mph which I thought was pretty good because of the way I was gasping for breath when I finished.
I went out and repeated the loop on the Sunday and improved my time by 12 minutes and my speed by 1.5mph. The downhill sections were slicker therefore my top speed reduced but again I was fairly chuffed. I'm going out again this weekend and going to try 15-miles, as i think at my age I need to build up to an all day ride, plus I need to think about my backside.
10 miles for your first ride is great! I struggled to do 2 on my first ride in 11 years!
!
and although I was only out for just over the hour, my backside seems to be getting better, but my thighs are still screaming when going upstairs at home. Nice nap on the settee for me.
