I think I got the wrong bike! Advice, please?

[Fab Foodie]

Loads of good advice above, don't be disheartened, take it easy, breathe the air, take-in the views and it gets easier mile after mile.
How you're positioned on the bike makes a difference to how efficiently you propel it. The best ever set-up advice that's easy to comprehend is here. Small changes in seating position for example can make a big difference.

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[CindyB]

This sort of thing ?

http://www.schwinnbikes.com/gbr/bikes/cruisers/2012-sprite-14592

You'll get no-where fast on one I am afraid. It's a pootle about tank.

You'd be better off with a quick hybrid like this.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/cobalt-two-womens-hybrid-bike-ec027457

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I wasn't really looking to get anywhere particularly fast, obviously. Thought it sounded like a fun way to get some exercise and cover some other/different territory than just walking could take me.

My bike is like this (only baby blue in color):
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Point-Beach-26-Ladies-Cruiser-Bike/16913458?findingMethod=rr

I may give it a little more time/effort and see if I can't get in the groove with it. If not, perhaps next spring I'll trade up to a hybrid.

 

[fossyant]

That's fine, but use as intended to cruise about.

A colleague has a Specialized Globe and a Pashley. Her Globe is a heavy duty hybrid, and she's used it on tours, but it's way faster than her Pashley. That's for whafting along down to the shops. She said she'd not want to do any distance on it as it's like a tank, but lovely for what she uses it for. Anything serious, she uses the Globe.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I wasn't really looking to get anywhere particularly fast, obviously. Thought it sounded like a fun way to get some exercise and cover some other/different territory than just walking could take me.

My bike is like this (only baby blue in color):
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Point-Beach-26-Ladies-Cruiser-Bike/16913458?findingMethod=rr

I may give it a little more time/effort and see if I can't get in the groove with it. If not, perhaps next spring I'll trade up to a hybrid.

One reason why it feels hard work is that you're sat upright with arms wide apart as aerodynamic as a barn door. Overcoming wind resistance as speed increases requires a really big increase in effort, so keep it gentle and build-up confidence, distance and stamina. If you upgrade to a light hybrid in the future you'll go like a steam-train!