Building up the miles

[vickster]

When you do go out, make sure you have a pump, tyre levers and a spare tube or two just in case (and know how to use them). You do NOT want to be doing the walk of shame in your shiny new road shoes

What's the state of the tyres on the bike, given it's been sat neglected for years? Might want to get new ones if they are worn

 

[Jody]

There are so many variables that it isn't easy to answer your question. Start with a couple of miles, see how you feel and add more distance. I would start local with a small loop round where you live. At least if you get tired you won't have far to travel before you're back. Do it a few times and you will have a better idea of what distance you feel comfortable with.

It will get harder but it will also get easier as time goes by

It never gets easier. You just end up going faster.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Do whatever you enjoy the most.

Some folk like smashing it out time trial every day, some only ever have a gentle pootle. It matters not, and is entirely up to you.

The main thing is not to force yourself to do things you don't enjoy. Why would you?

 

[carlosfandangus]

Recently noticed that even more, my average cadence has increased by 4 over 20 miles, I have not been trying to up it, however my recent rides are all the same, highest cadence has increased too, not trying harder, just the same, just a bit quicker.

There are so many variables that it isn't easy to answer your question. Start with a couple of miles, see how you feel and add more distance. I would start local with a small loop round where you live. At least if you get tired you won't have far to travel before you're back. Do it a few times and you will have a better idea of what distance you feel comfortable with.



It never gets easier. You just end up going faster.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

1: Ride to a town or village fairly nearby, and see how you feel, you could then go to another village or landmark if you feel good, there's no magic mileage number. Your body will tell you. Start smaller and build up if you're up to it.

2: Sweat is (of course) just water, it's there because you're warm and you need to be cooled, it's no indication of fat being burned. Just ride your bike at a comfortable pace and you're burning some fat.

3: Again, no magic number. If you feel good the next day, by all means ride again. If you're a bit sore or are too tired, rest. Or go for a walk instead, more fat will be burned, but you won't be using the exact same sore bits.

 

[r04DiE]

I think there are some great answers here, just do what feels enough. Also its usually much better to base your early rides on time, not distance. Do 15 or 30 mins the first day, 30 or 45 the next, etc.

 

[Fab Foodie]

It's really dead simple. Just ride. Ride until you think you've had enough. It's not a thing to obsess about. Your body will tell you when you've ridden enough and when you need to rest. Just get on your bike and ride the thing, then ride it some more the next day.

Stop being sensible....

 

[LemonJuice]

Well. To be honest, in order to properly answer your question there are several answers to questions that I believe we need from you.

1) How old are you?
2) What kind of shape/fitness level are you in at the moment?
3) What kind of bike did you buy? Road or mountain?
4) What is the terrain in the area in which you intend to ride? Approximate elevation gain you expect on your ride?
5) What specific bike did you buy and how much does it weigh? (Full specs please).

1. I’m in my late 40s.

2. Well, I wouldn’t describe myself as healthy, but at the same time I wouldn’t consider myself to be unhealthy.

3. My brother gave me a road bike that is a Boardman.

4. There are plenty of hills around here. It’s up and down.

 

[LemonJuice]

I thought that someone sweating a lot was a good indication that he or she is burning fat because people at the gym, cyclists, runners, etc, are always pouring of sweat and tend to be in good physical shape.

 

[LemonJuice]

Theory is that fat burning is linked to relatively low HR not full out effort. What’s your current body fat %?

Did you get some padded shorts/padded underwear, otherwise your backside could be the major limiting factor, and that’s if the saddle suits you

I’ve got no idea, but since cutting out the alcohol and changing my diet, I have already noticed that my beer belly has gone down.

I bought cycling gear the other day.

 

[dodgy]

Theory is that fat burning is linked to relatively low HR not full out effort.

We need to stop regurgitating this myth.

 

[vickster]

We need to stop regurgitating this myth.

I did say it’s a theory

 

[vickster]

I thought that someone sweating a lot was a good indication that he or she is burning fat because people at the gym, cyclists, runners, etc, are always pouring of sweat and tend to be in good physical shape.

There are plenty of overweight sweaty people too

 

[vickster]

I’ve got no idea, but since cutting out the alcohol and changing my diet, I have already noticed that my beer belly has gone down.

I bought cycling gear the other day.

Presumably because you’re having far fewer calories and are losing weight

 

[Fab Foodie]

I thought that someone sweating a lot was a good indication that he or she is burning fat because people at the gym, cyclists, runners, etc, are always pouring of sweat and tend to be in good physical shape.

No. Sweating simply means your body is trying to remove heat (often but not always because it's working harder) and that depends on many factors like the external environment. I can sweat profusely typing at my keyboard if I'm wearing too many layers....

Again, FFS, forget all this mumbo-jumbo pseudo-science stuff and go ride. Start slow and warm-up properly, for at least 10 mins, enjoy the ride, slow-down before you finish. That's all.
Repeat when you feel like it.