5 Mile and Maxed Out

[Wetdog]

Hi Guys, now before I start I'd just like to give some background. I was very very unfit, I have troublesome type 1 Diabetes, and more injuries than I can shake a stick at. Now that's out the way we can go on.
I'm up to 5 miles on my ride and seem to be up to my max. I don't feel as if I could do a foot more let alone 1/2 a mile. I'm absolutely tommied, recovery time is quicker and seems to be getting a bit quicker each and every time.
Now my question is should I be looking to improve my distance or hold on until I feel as though I could? It's a little frustrating as at first my miles built up quite quickly.

Mick

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I would do the same until you feel ready to venture further, that may be weeks or months, it matters not.

 

[ianrauk]

Just take it as it comes. If you feel like and are up to adding a couple more miles then do it, don't go too mad and just build it up slowly. Cycling is not a quick fix.

I was in the same situation as you a good few years back when I got back onto the bike. Every single mile seemed like hard work. I took it slowly but surely building the miles up over time. It took a long while but go there. I was so chuffed to have managed 10 miles, but then had to lie down for a rest for half an hour.

So keep at it, don't over exert yourself and the miles will come.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Are you enjoying what you are doing, Yes? then why worry about distance, speed, one day you may feel you want to go that bit further, but if you don't what does it matter?

 

[Markymark]

Eat and drink properly. Check tyres inflated properly. Find a comfortable cadence when cycling.

Cycle somewhere 3 miles away. You'll make it back just fine.

 

[mjr]

So keep at it, don't over exert yourself and the miles will come.

This. Also, are you trying to ride too fast?

 

[fossyant]

Just keep at it, and check your bloods regularly until you are used to how your body is reacting. My son goes hypo quite quickly if we hit a big hill when cycling. He's usually OK, but takes a big drop when there are big hills.

 

[ColinJ]

Also, are you trying to ride too fast?

That makes sense ...

You must be getting fitter because you are able to go faster. If you rode at your original speed you would be able to go further instead. (Or you could ride at a speed somewhere in between and go a bit further before running out of steam.)

Do you think that the diabetes is a factor? I don't know much about it, but I have ridden myself to exhaustion enough times to know what running low on blood sugar feels like - NOT VERY NICE!

 

[MichaelW2]

Check your gears and pedalling cadence. You should be pedalling fairly easily, spinning at about 80 rpm. If you push hard in too high a gear and low revs you will fatigue more rapidly.

 

[rugby bloke]

Do you mix up the routes ? I find some are mentally harder than others - a guess its a mixture of prevailing wind, gradient etc. A new route may make all the difference.

 

[welsh dragon]

Forget mileage. Forget times. Forget what everyone else is doing. Just ride to your ability and don't obsess about anything else. Enjoy the ride no matter how short It is. Gradually you will be able to increase you're distance.

It may take a week, or a month, but however long it takes, have fun.

 

[Nibor]

Hi Guys, now before I start I'd just like to give some background. I was very very unfit, I have troublesome type 1 Diabetes, and more injuries than I can shake a stick at. Now that's out the way we can go on.
I'm up to 5 miles on my ride and seem to be up to my max. I don't feel as if I could do a foot more let alone 1/2 a mile. I'm absolutely tommied, recovery time is quicker and seems to be getting a bit quicker each and every time.
Now my question is should I be looking to improve my distance or hold on until I feel as though I could? It's a little frustrating as at first my miles built up quite quickly.

Mick

I hear you are troubled by dodgy couriers in your area too?

 

[jefmcg]

I find that at sit down, with a cuppa and something to eat, refreshes me quite a lot. Maybe if you have a good break after 3 or 4 miles, you may find doing a little more after the break that you could door without a stop. This might help you get over the 5-mile-barrier in your head.

And is your blood sugar in good control? I don't know much about diabetes, but I know how bad low blood sugar can make you feel.

 

[Wetdog]

Good advice from everyone there, thank you.

I'm riding around the block, don't take it too far at the moment to see how I'm doing. No Hypos at the moment but one or two close ones.
The ride is 1.4 miles a lap, and a mixture of road surface also up and down aswell, then I add a bit which makes it 5 mile. I had a suspicion to keep doing what I'm doing and add to it later because I can feel it. The legs get a bit stronger and the recovery time. I remember the first time out and I needed a sleep hahahaha.

Thank you for the info, but it highlights the need for a cadence sensor I think so I can keep an eye on progress.

Dam Couriers.

Mick.

 

[steve50]

Just enjoy riding your bike, find yourself a nice route on google maps, set the desired distance, say 3 miles out and the same back , then get on your bike and ride it. Don't worry about speed, take it easy, take in the scenery, stop for a brew and piece of cake. A slow steady ride will enable you to go a lot further than "racing" flat out to try and beat your own time, take it easy and enjoy.