Please tell me it will get easier!

[Coxyuk]

At the beginning of May I was 14 stone 4 and started doing a similar commute to yourself (less hilly by the sound of it). I tended to keep dropping down gears until I could manage to pedal at first, and then gradually increased the gear to increase the pace. It gets easier because you carry less weight (I'm down 22lb so far), it gets easier because you get fitter, it gets easier because you learn how to use your gears better. Gradually the hills become easier and the commute time shorter (my first, unsteady, journey was 37mins I'm doing it in 20 now).

So, yeah, it gets easier

 

[marshmella]

you'll soon get the feeling that your commute is the best part of the day.

 

[endoman]

I've been commuting 2 or 3 days a week for about 6 weeks now, love it, got much easier, but still some horrid hills for me, but stick at it and you'll be fine.

I've started extending the route home to 30 miles with some decent climbs out in the Peaks, great way to finish the day

 

[BrumJim]

As above. Use lower gears and pedal faster.

Also, take the bottom half of the hill gently, and attack from half way up. Better to collapse out of breath and out of energy at the top, than looking embarrassed half-way up.

Hill climbing is fitness, i.e. sustained power output. This takes a lot longer to build up than strength, which is what is getting you up to speed on the flat. Also every pound you loose will benefit you, and that takes time too.

It'll come.

 

[2Loose]

Definitely start up hills easier and slower, rather than attacking from the bottom only to run out of steam halfway up.
I used to attack from the bottom and end up stopped\pushing by halfway up. Since taking things easier and saving strength for further up, things work a lot better for me.

 

[PompeyBill]

They say 'It never gets easier, just hurts less' Just keep going it gets more enjoyable.

Are you in Pompey? What's your route? I'm from there so know the area really well. There may be a less taxing route, just a bit longer.

I'm actually just outside Pompey, in Fareham. I cycle from Fareham up past Titchfield, not got much choice about the type of route I take, it's Incline City

 

[PompeyBill]

Thanks for the advice, pointers and encouragement everyone, they are much appreciated. I did make an effort today to go with the gearing a bit more, experiment and, as suggested, go with a target. I did get further than I have so far, which was encouraging, apart from yet another cyclist on a road bike absolutely tear past me as if he was on a flat.

I might get hold of a helmet cam and record my progress, and maybe do a video blog of how a really unfit bloke continues on his cycling journey, and video my routes and journeys, both commuting to work and for leisure. Have read, and been really encouraged, by one or two I've seen around. There are also some really nice rides around here (I'm only literally fifteen minutes ride from the seafront) so hopefully people might enjoy them too.

 

[lilolee]

I'm actually just outside Pompey, in Fareham. I cycle from Fareham up past Titchfield, not got much choice about the type of route I take, it's Incline City

Just keep doing it. It will take a while but in 6 months time you'll wonder what the fuss was about

 

[dellzeqq]

PB - the motivation thing is all well and good, but, actually it's as well to have someone who knows about cycling take a look at the way you're going about it, and, hopefully, get you on the right road.

I'd suggest you ask for a bit of help. There are plenty of people in your neck of the woods capable of offering that help. PM me if you're interested

 

[Arfcollins]

I'm actually just outside Pompey, in Fareham. I cycle from Fareham up past Titchfield, not got much choice about the type of route I take, it's Incline City

Hi Bill, was that you I said hello to going up Titchfield hill towards Fareham tonight? You with orange hi-viz, me in red shirt and rear light flashing?