Was every one as bad at the beginning?

[mchunt]

As a teenager I managed to do what seemed like long distance rides (20 miles) all the time without too much problems but when I started cycling again 3 years ago the 3.5 mile ride to work was a struggle! I then started going on 10 mile round trips on a few weekends, they then quickly turned into 20 mile trips and I knew I was hooked again and a replacement for the Halfords BSO was needed. 30 mile trips are now short, 40 miles is normal and 50m not impossible - 100k almost killed me but hopefully this year (time permitting) I can make 50m normal and 100k not so hard - think the 100m will have to wait until next year don't think baby Nathaniel will appreciate me being out all day!

 

[mark1974]

I would like to know when.
It does, you just get faster ( all be it at a slower rate the more you do)

For me it got easier after a few weeks then distance i was cycling became easier
After few more weeks the distance on the route i travelled became quicker
Now like i said in my initial reply i dont pay attention to speed or distance anymore
when i am feeling tired i stop
when i get bored i go back home

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I started with this aim to carry my camera, with a target speed of 15mph avg, never got there nor carried the camera( well I did once), but I am starting to return averages of 14+mph over most of what I do, but the biggest difference is my H.R. in Jan it was 148bpm this month so far 139bpm cadence about the same around 80rpm height climbed a mile a little more, gear " 3" longer and avg sp from 13.59mph to 14.17mph.

 

[Tribanite]

I was just like you when i started. Then a cycling buddy took me under his wing,showed me how to ride on the roads,and how to spin faster (cadence) in a lower gear.
He also showed me it's ok to slow down, roll down a hill and take a breather and to drink water,at regular points such as traffic lights.
It took me a month of riding to feel any real improvements,but then the changes happened quickly. 5,10,15 miles became a possibility and 20 became a goal.
Now a 10 mile'er feels like a warm up,a 20 is pretty easy. 30-40 is the norm and my goals are 50-60 on the weekends.
To coin a popular phrase " it doesn't get easier,you just get faster"

 

[ColinJ]

To coin a popular phrase " it doesn't get easier,you just get faster"

Or you become able to ride much longer and/or hillier routes at the same average speed!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I took up running for a bit of variety, I cycle & walk lots, I thought how different and hard can it be.
Big mistake! I made about half a mile before I was on my knees.

Don't assume gym or running etc fitness is immediately transferable to cycling

 

[SWSteve]

I like to think that looking back I wasn't bad at cycling, however that isn't the case. I've only been cycling for about 2 months, and on that time I've taken 20 minutes out of my commute time (from 50+ minutes down to an average of 35) and I am enjoying it a lot more.
This will come with time with you as well, you'll get faster on average and be able to go further without it being a task. Just stick at it and the results will come.

 

[SWSteve]

I like to think that looking back I wasn't bad at cycling, however that isn't the case. I've only been cycling for about 2 months, and on that time I've taken 20 minutes out of my commute time (from 50+ minutes down to an average of 35) and I am enjoying it a lot more.
This will come with time with you as well, you'll get faster on average and be able to go further without it being a task. Just stick at it and the results will come.

 

[paulw1969]

i started cycling again after a twenty plus year lay off....overweight and under fit and a recently stopped smoking 40 plus year old...it was hard going to start with.....but you will surprise yourself how quickly your body adapts to being in the saddle again....I can only echo what others have said....get your bike set up correctly...this can be a pain if your bike is set up wrong (literally in so many ways...back/legs/arms etc).....try lower gears and spin rather than grind........don't worry about keeping up with traffic...you wont......and try instead to keep things at a steady pace......start out at a lower comfortable distance wait for improvements then increase the distance and if all else fails check you do not have an underlying medical problem.

Oh and to the madness .

 

[Nomadski]

First time I did a local 4 mile route I was nearly in fits when I got home. Breathing madly, red faced as hell, drank a pint of water. Felt like I just ran a marathon.

Your making it worse for yourself by trying to steam along. That's not how this gig works. Go at a comfortable pace, stay at a healthy distance from the kerb, but allow traffic to pass as and when its safe. Don't try and keep up with anyone, on any number of wheels.Just focus on getting thru the distance at a comfortable pace for you, and enjoy the scenery!

And !

 

[Gravity Aided]

I started out when I started again (after 14 years away from athletics) with a bike from a parish sale, and rode a couple of hills on a 3 mile circuit. For about 2-3 months. Low traffic and slow speeds. Give it some time. If things don't improve, it may be time to see the Doc for a test or two.

 

[Rev]

Yesterday I cycled about three to four miles a at faster pace than previously without being as out of breath and with a bit of get up and go left in me! So it was easier than the 3 to 4 times I had been out previously. I am still fat, I am still unfit but I am getting (ever so slightly) thinner and fitter as the weeks go by

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Yesterday I cycled about three to four miles a at faster pace than previously without being as out of breath and with a bit of get up and go left in me! So it was easier than the 3 to 4 times I had been out previously. I am still fat, I am still unfit but I am getting (ever so slightly) thinner and fitter as the weeks go by

Well done and keep at it Rev.