Please tell me it will get easier!

[PompeyBill]

Hi all,

Have started commuting to work on a regular basis only recently. I have about a four and a half mile one way, which does have a fair few inclines and hills (quite steep at times as well), which I cover in about 30-35 minutes., including walking time. I've got some nice tyres on my bike now, which really make a massive difference on the flat, but the hills still get me. I get into my head to have a go but, after a few pedals, my legs tell me to give it up, and I end up walking up the steeper inclines.

Give me confidence that I will get better! I'm 5'9" and carrying a few extra pounds (am about 13 and a half stone, so not massively overweight) am have taken up cycling again after a long gap to 1) get fitter and 2) help control my hereditary diabetes (thanks gran).

The flats have definitely got better since I first started, but the hills are an absolute killer. Am loving cycling again though.

 

[gaz]

It never gets easier, you only go faster!

 

[PompeyBill]

It never gets easier, you only go faster!

Thanks Gaz, I think I do watch your Youtube videos, and wish my route could be a bit more like yours, a bit flatter. Not sure I could put up with the traffic and interesting people you come across though. I've got a decently rural commute, so roads are pretty quiet but, as mentioned, it means it's a bit more hilly. Didn't feel great this morning when I was walking my bike up the steepest hill and another cyclist on a road bike whizzed right by me

 

[BSRU]

One question, do you use your gears, that is nice low one's for the hills.

 

[Buddfox]

Absolutely - stick with it! I reckon I'm now about 20% faster than I was when I started and that was only a couple of months ago. You'll soon notice your leg muscles getting stronger and fitter, but it will take a bit of time!

I'm pretty sure most people when they start aren't doing much more than walking pace up steep or long hills, so it sounds like you're exactly where anyone else will be at this point!

 

[PompeyBill]

One question, do you use your gears, that is nice low one's for the hills.

I do, yep, not to the lowest but I do take it down a bit. To be honest, am probably still getting used to that side of things, so probably don't make best use.

 

[PompeyBill]

Absolutely - stick with it! I reckon I'm now about 20% faster than I was when I started and that was only a couple of months ago. You'll soon notice your leg muscles getting stronger and fitter, but it will take a bit of time!

I'm pretty sure most people when they start aren't doing much more than walking pace up steep or long hills, so it sounds like you're exactly where anyone else will be at this point!

That's reassuring I will definitely stick with it, am determined to get up to speed and get myself nice and fit. I just don't want to think I'll be walking up any decent inclines for evermore. I have noticed a difference on the flats, when I first started my legs were really pulling, but I manage just normal cycling OK now plus I've gone from thinking 'This is really going to hurt and be hard work' to really enjoying it and looking forward to going out for a ride.

 

[Sapper]

It can get easier, but as some one else at the beginning, invariably it stays hard, but it takes you less time as you get faster..

So you cycle for a shorter duration, so yes it does get easier, honestly....

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Do the hills bit by bit. Pick a spot on the hill you reckon you can realistically reach and make that your target on day one. Gradually pick a point further and further up the hill, but be prepared to cut yourself some slack on any bad days.

 

[downfader]

Do the hills bit by bit. Pick a spot on the hill you reckon you can realistically reach and make that your target on day one. Gradually pick a point further and further up the hill, but be prepared to cut yourself some slack on any bad days.

This is good advice! The human body is great at adapting and it just takes time.

Using the little ring on the front, and the big on the back is the general way to go. It takes around 6-8 weeks to get used to the basics, and then up to 4-6 months before it becomes second nature. Before you know it this time has flown by!

 

[dondare]

Don't push the pace every day. Take it easy every other day and use low gears to get you up hills. You will get both stronger and lighter and it will get easier.
And you will get faster as well.

 

[tmcd35]

I do, yep, not to the lowest but I do take it down a bit.

When the going get's tough, why not take it down further? There's one or two bumps on my route that I sometimes take it down to the lowest gear on (on the rear cassette, I keep my front on the middle 99% of the time).

It never gets easier, you only go faster!

So true! Best thing I've read in a while.

 

[BentMikey]

It always hurts. I'm so sore after this weekend and the week before that I've relented and taken a paracetamol. I do have a long commute, and had some particularly high energy skating lessons though,leaving me hurting, and not enough sleep to recover properly.

You'll be fine. Just slow down a bit, take it easy uphill, and your body will get stronger and faster.

 

[lilolee]

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.

 

[corshamjim]

So long as you don't try to go much faster then take it from me it gets a whole lot easier.

If you're pushing so hard you would find it difficult having a normal conversation with someone, drop down a gear and ease off a bit. IMO cycling 4 miles to work and back should be not a lot more effort than walking to work a mile or so and back.

If you wan't to push yourself to go faster that's fine and probably better for your fitness but if the objective is simply getting to work and back, there's really no need to exert yourself over much.