sydney
Active Member
- Location
- Newcastle upon Tyne
I've not really ridden a bike since I was a kid thirty years ago. For the past five weeks commuting six miles per day - three each way - and want to add some longer rides at weekends.
I'm overweight and pretty unfit. I'm 5' 10" and weigh 16 st 5 lbs (104kg) though I've lost 5lbs in the past five weeks mainly due to my increased activity and the fact I have been paying more attention to what I eat.
Three weeks ago I rode 16 miles in just under two hours and was pretty tired the next day but OK the rest of the week. On Sunday I rode 32 miles with just over 2000 feet of climbing and my legs were very tired Monday and Tuesday. I rode to work Tuesday and struggled slightly on the hill on the way home, I made it all the way but definitely felt it. I'm in a different office today and yesterday so I'm in the car but still feel it a little in my thighs.
My question is how far should I be aiming for? I want to progressively get further but I need to be able to ride to work on Monday morning. Am I better off selecting flatter routes before adding climbing or will the climbing help push me on faster and be worth the pain on a Monday? The last thing I want to do is injure myself and end up unable to ride for fun or for work. Would it be a good idea to get a bus on Mondays if I'm sore or should I push on?
I'm overweight and pretty unfit. I'm 5' 10" and weigh 16 st 5 lbs (104kg) though I've lost 5lbs in the past five weeks mainly due to my increased activity and the fact I have been paying more attention to what I eat.
Three weeks ago I rode 16 miles in just under two hours and was pretty tired the next day but OK the rest of the week. On Sunday I rode 32 miles with just over 2000 feet of climbing and my legs were very tired Monday and Tuesday. I rode to work Tuesday and struggled slightly on the hill on the way home, I made it all the way but definitely felt it. I'm in a different office today and yesterday so I'm in the car but still feel it a little in my thighs.
My question is how far should I be aiming for? I want to progressively get further but I need to be able to ride to work on Monday morning. Am I better off selecting flatter routes before adding climbing or will the climbing help push me on faster and be worth the pain on a Monday? The last thing I want to do is injure myself and end up unable to ride for fun or for work. Would it be a good idea to get a bus on Mondays if I'm sore or should I push on?