How to get back into cycling??

[FlyingCyclist]

I'm used to walking because I don't drive. Even when travelling long distance by rail or bus, I walk to and from the stations or bus stops. I do all my local shopping on foot too.

If you could use your car less then that would make a big difference to your fitness. You can fit quite a lot of shopping in a 25L rucksack. It's amazing what 10-15 half mile strolls a week would do for you.

I don't go shopping, parents do that lol

I could cycle every day to work (when I finally go back and if they'll take me back), 12 miles there and back, but it's pushing it a little bit since I'm stood up all day.
I have cycled there a few times and its tiring cycling back up a steep hill. I could of course cycle back home along the canal when if its light.

So far from not working, I've only filled up the car 3 times this year. That's saved me a few hundred pound!

 

[Effyb4]

I had heart surgery in September and I have been slowly increasing my fitness by walking, then cycling. For the first 3 months I only walked, starting off with just to the end of the road and back and eventually walks up to an hour long.

The first cycle ride I did was 2 miles long. I increased the mileage by 1 mile every week, until I was able to do 10 miles. I then increased the mileage by 2 miles a week. I am now able to do 25 miles. Mostly I have a stop or two if I am feeling like I need a rest. The most important advise I was given by the heart nurse, was to listen to my body.

If you take things slowly, you will increase your fitness. Btw I started by avoiding hills at all costs, but now I'm trying to do a couple of small hills each ride.

 

[FlyingCyclist]

I had heart surgery in September and I have been slowly increasing my fitness by walking, then cycling. For the first 3 months I only walked, starting off with just to the end of the road and back and eventually walks up to an hour long.

The first cycle ride I did was 2 miles long. I increased the mileage by 1 mile every week, until I was able to do 10 miles. I then increased the mileage by 2 miles a week. I am now able to do 25 miles. Mostly I have a stop or two if I am feeling like I need a rest. The most important advise I was given by the heart nurse, was to listen to my body.

If you take things slowly, you will increase your fitness. Btw I started by avoiding hills at all costs, but now I'm trying to do a couple of small hills each ride.

Wish I could avoid hills, but living in a hilly area, I can't avoid them.

Might drive to Skipton tomorrow and have a ride (being careful in the wet with my Shwalbe City Jets)., ignoring the rain.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

Just keep getting on your bike and ride. A little further every time. Just build it up.
That's all there is to it.

+1 on that. It gets easier with a little perseverance. But most importantly, have fun doing it!

 

[FlyingCyclist]

I also need to go out and not think about it if you know what I mean.

I was thinking about riding in Skipton today but kept looking out at the weather. But now I've changed my tyres ready for the hills of Scotland and now I'm off to Malham Tarn and I'll go round there (5mile) maybe twice. The land is nearly flat, so I should be ok.

 

[lip03]

almost a mile sounds like a bloody good start! good on ya! as everyone has said slow and steady, I had been out of the saddle for a good year when I started commuting again this January! the more you do the further you go, now up to a solid 20 miles a day (if the weather is nice ) but my 1st week I nearly gave up and topped up the oyster! also if you find the hills an issue consider a turbo trainer just to get the muscle memory back in your legs.. and you can ride in the dry if its raining keep it up!!

 

[FlyingCyclist]

almost a mile sounds like a bloody good start! good on ya! as everyone has said slow and steady, I had been out of the saddle for a good year when I started commuting again this January! the more you do the further you go, now up to a solid 20 miles a day (if the weather is nice ) but my 1st week I nearly gave up and topped up the oyster! also if you find the hills an issue consider a turbo trainer just to get the muscle memory back in your legs.. and you can ride in the dry if its raining keep it up!!

I did a little riding, less than a mile when I first started again this year, but my first 'proper' ride was 5 miles.

From my latest post, I didn't go to Malham again. It was throwing it down, so I turned back and drove home. I've considered a turbo trainer and have asked about it on the forum. But I'm giving it a miss
since I don't have any where to put it. I could use it in my bedroom but it'll be in the way.

When I'm in Scotland next week, I've worked it out on Strava, that I would do 22.8 miles if I ride every day for 6 days. But I'm planning on riding from Ardrishaig (near Lochgilphead) to Crinan along the Crinan Canal and that would take
me 8.4miles there and back. I could take a de-tour at Bellanoch and take the single-track road and see how far I get!... I could do it twice depending on how I feel, which would get me around 40miles on the Garmin!!! But I'll have to think about that.

 

[Maverick Goose]

I did a little riding, less than a mile when I first started again this year, but my first 'proper' ride was 5 miles.

From my latest post, I didn't go to Malham again. It was throwing it down, so I turned back and drove home. I've considered a turbo trainer and have asked about it on the forum. But I'm giving it a miss
since I don't have any where to put it. I could use it in my bedroom but it'll be in the way.

When I'm in Scotland next week, I've worked it out on Strava, that I would do 22.8 miles if I ride every day for 6 days. But I'm planning on riding from Ardrishaig (near Lochgilphead) to Crinan along the Crinan Canal and that would take
me 8.4miles there and back. I could take a de-tour at Bellanoch and take the single-track road and see how far I get!... I could do it twice depending on how I feel, which would get me around 40miles on the Garmin!!! But I'll have to think about that.

Hello David I had a 6 month layoff from riding after breaking my arm, and within a few months of starting again I was tackling the Bealach Na Ba...like everyone says just take it nice and easy to start with and you'll get there. Btw the area round Crinan is lovely! I lived in Oban for a couple of years so I know the area well.
Good luck!

 

[FlyingCyclist]

Hello David I had a 6 month layoff from riding after breaking my arm, and within a few months of starting again I was tackling the Bealach Na Ba...like everyone says just take it nice and easy to start with and you'll get there. Btw the area round Crinan is lovely! I lived in Oban for a couple of years so I know the area well.
Good luck!

Just had a look on Google Earth. Lovely scenery at Bealach Na Ba !!

I'm staying on the Ellary Estate on Loch Caolisport if you know it?

 

[Maverick Goose]

Rings a bell!

 

[laurence]

I used to go swimming with scouts but haven't been since. I'm not sure what chlorine would do to my leg ulcer scars and I'm rather conscious about the way I look.

"you should wear with pride the scars on your skin, they're a map of the adventures and the places you've been"

it's from a Poi Dog Pondering song.

well done on getting out there. i have been on and off the bike(s) many times due to depression(mainly) and i'm now signed up for the ride london 100. the first few rides will hurt, but you WILL find you have gone further before the hurt the next time you go out... and further... and further. soon the dread of getting on the bike will go and you will look forward to the hurt. it may take weeks or months, but it sounds as if you know it will happen and want it to happen, so you're half way there.

chapeau.

 

[michaelcycle]

As everyone said build up gradually and regularly and you'll be golden.

Start / stop works rather well. Cycle for as long as you feel comfortable. Rest for a bit. Do a bit more cycling. Repeat as you feel comfortable.

The next time you go out reduce the rest times a bit and so on. Soon you will do the whole ride without stopping at all.

 

[slowwww]

I was out for ages due to knee problems and so also suffered when I started again. 2 things that have helped me

1. Make sure that your bike fits. Visit LBS and they'll check this for you and make sure everything is adjusted to your needs
2. Remember what Sean Kelly said - "...it doesn't get easier, you get faster". I got frustrated that I still seemed to be just as out of breath when I cycled, but it was only when it dawned on me that I was doing the same route faster and faster did I realise how much fitter I was becoming.

 

[John the Canuck]

.........................., but it was only when it dawned on me that I was doing the same route faster and faster did I realise how much fitter I was becoming....

so so true...i was still gasping yesterday, - then realized it was at the top of the hill not halfway up like last month

stick at it David...and enjoy your trip up here..!
i used to scuba up that area - gf and I stayed at Tarbert and Oban a lot - lovely countryside
Diving here and in Malta was my life - developed asthma and had to quit - now i ride - we adapt to what we have ...

 

[brand]

Would it be a bad idea for me to push myself to and ride non stop on a route. If I reach a small gradient I would change to the smallest cog, maybe even the smallest cog on the crank?

Okay this may sound like bollocks but I am a fan of abusing your body occasionally (in the past regularly). What I am saying here is set yourself something very very hard. Lets say in your case a full 30 to 40 miles. The figures are based on how hard/big the hills are.
YOU will be able to achieve this no matter what you think. You may take 6 hours or more and you may be wrecked afterwards but you will have an overwhelming feelings of accomplishment/achievement. Everything after will be easy even if it is hard.... odd statement but I have always found it true.
I once did a 100 k run/walk map reading all the way. Okay I didn't come first no where near. But I can assure you everything after that WAS EASY OR A BETTER WAY OF PUTTING IT IS I WAS MENTALLY CAPABLE OF DOING A 100K THE PAIN WAS THE SAME BUT AS THEY SAY "pain is all in the head" and of course that is actually true!!!