New and unfit!

[Mushroomgodmat]

So...today i made my first commute into the city, 7.3 miles one way according to run keeper.

It had it's good points and bad, the best being I did it without killing myself, the worst being it took me 55mins. It's probably the single most exercise iv done in the last 10 years! And while I was never out of breath, or even broke a sweat, I really really felt it in my legs.

Generally speeking though I feel fine, but I'm wondering (given my clear unfitness) that overdoing it -ie, biking to and from work ever day for a week (60+miles). might be a stretch to far. Does anyone have any general advice for someone like me?

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

Well..if you feel it is a stretch too far how about 3 days on 2 days off, for 2-3 weeks?

Or can you leave your bike secure at work? If so you can always say, cycle to work and back on Monday, to work on Tuesday and then decide how you feel about the return leg, and use public transport home and back to worg weds am, then ride home weds night, see how you feel in the morning etc etc

If it's flat, then I don't think more than a couple of weeks ofalternating between bike and car/public transport will be needed before you can do the daily run without too much fuss

 

[david1701]

my personal record for the 4 mile trip home from town in 25 minutes so I wouldn't worry

hills are horrible things

alternating sounds like a great idea you should build up real quick (my journey has gotten a lot easier with time)

 

[Fab Foodie]

I agree with Sheffield Tiger.

For starters alternate cycling days with other transport for a few weeks. No point killing yourself and loosing motivation early in the game.
The nice thing about cycling is that fitness and ability grows quickly, but a slow build-up will pay dividends.



The other thing is technique, use the gears to make it easy for yourself, select an easyish gear and spin the legs around rather than trying to 'bench-press' every pedal stroke. Relax on hills and concentrate on cycling with a gentle rhythm.
Make sure your tyres are suitably hard and your clothing is not acting like a parachute.

Final thing is bike set-up which can have a big input on how effectively you pedal. Good advice here.

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

Take it easy and it'll soon be a mere bagatelle!

 

[661-Pete]

Looks like a good start!

You don't say how unfit you regard yourself to be, what are your reasons for saying that, how old you are, or what the route into work is like (urban? rural? hilly? flat?). All these things may have a bearing and may lead to more focused advice.

Also say a bit about your bike, perhaps?

Apart from that I'd go along with the others. Build it up at first, at a rate which you feel comfortable with. Don't knacker yourself in week 1!

 

[slowmotion]

Just keep it gentle fun when you start.
















Addiction sets in a bit later

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

When I started I was nearly18 stone at 17 miles each way, it gets easier mate just stick with it and a few months you will look back and think it was the best thing you did

 

[som3blok3]

Your bum and leg muscles will get used to it within a few days, just grit your teeth and keep pedaling.

I started my 18 mile daily cummute 2 years ago, 8 and a half miles took 50 mins back then and I walked up the only hill on my journey.

3 stone less and 3 bikes later, it's down to 26 mins and I laugh at hills.

It's the best feeling in the world (well, one of them) in the end, and well worth the effort.

So yeah, just grit your teeth (although watch out for flys in summer ) oh, and welcome to CC!!

 

[400bhp]

Well..if you feel it is a stretch too far how about 3 days on 2 days off, for 2-3 weeks?

Agree and perhaps prolong the days off until nicer weather.

One of the largest reasons (excuses ) why people give up exercise is because they don't get (perceived) enjoyment from it.

You are better off doing a couple of days a week and enjoying it.

 

[Alien8]

Do what makes you happy.

If you want to bike some days and not others that's fine - just listen to your body.

You've got over the biggest hurdle already by doing your first ride.

As long as your motivated and enjoying it (even perversely) that's what it's all about.

Good luck!

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

Cheers for all the great advice and encouragement!!!

I think you guys are right... I could just bike in for the AM and get a lift back (a friend has a bike rack on his car). I think I'll try that for a week or five and see how i feel then.

Regarding my current bike - its a Giant XTC se, which is a good bike, but I find it quite heavy, and tank like. I'm thinking of selling it for a specialised Crosstrail which I looked at today, seems like a much nicer bike for commuting - if anyones interested in buying my Giant XTC let me know

Thanks again for the fab advice, if I need anymore I know where to come!

 

[PBancroft]

What's your route like? If its on roads, consider going for something with skinny tyres. I did this in 2009 and haven't looked back since. On an MTB I got fed up with seeing people scoot past me with ease - very frustrating when you're trying to lug a heavy frame up a hill.

I went for a Giant CRS and although people still scoot past me with ease, its not as much hard work for me as it used to be.

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

It's about 20% dirt/road and 80% standard roads/city streets....and while I live about 7 miles outside of Norwich, outside of the city itself is quite rural.


These are the two bikes im intrested in, not knowing a lot about bikes I think they are a good option being hybrid bikes (someone please tell me if Im wrong!). And judging by the one I looked at today (lower spec version of these) they have very thin wheels compaied to my mountain bike.

option one - £499

option two - £679

 

[Davidc]

Don't worry about thinner wheels, normal mtb tyres are very fat for roads. Unless your 20% dirt/road is mud then it's worth thinking about slick or semi slick tyres to get rolling resistance down as well, marathons or equivalent are a good compromise with reasonable puncture resistance as well.

The other thing worth considering is suspension. Both of those bikes have front suspension, and it's worth thinking about whether or not you need it. Suspension forks weigh a lot more than plain ones, and you have to carry that weight around with you, and all the energy turned into heat as they bounce up and down comes from your leg muscles - there's nowhere else for it to come from - so you need to be sure that's a good use for your effort. Again if that 20% is really rough it may well be.

Enjoy the rides - you'll soon get fitter and faster!

 

[photography27]

best thing i did was to set off for work about half hour earlier than normal, so i could trundle along, that what i did when i started cycling to work, and before i knew it i was arriving in work faster each week, give it a couple ofmonths and you'll be whizzing to work.