Complete beginner

[Hellsbells2504]

When I say I am a complete beginner I am not kidding. I have just recovered from a long illness and want to get fit. I have a bike but literally cannot do more than a short burst at a time. I'm determind to keep trying and improving. My problem is I'm quite unsure of the roads just now. I recently moved into the eastend of Glasgow and wonder if there is any like minded person who would be interested in biking with me?

 

[Nigelnaturist]

, hope the illness has passed, just keep cycling at this point it gets easier, hopefully someone will give you a shout.

 

[Lanzecki]

Any distance is better then none. Find a quiet road and go for a spin. Speed just like distance is irrelevant when recovering. Ride for the enjoyment of it all.

 

[DougieAB]

Good for you! Take your time and progress will come slowly but surely. Above all enjoy your ride.

 

[Shaun]

I recently moved into the eastend of Glasgow and wonder if there is any like minded person who would be interested in biking with me?

Hello Hells - welcome to CC - and as others have said, just keep riding, it does get easier.

It might be worth posting a request in our rides forum too - maybe outline when you're available, Mondays, Thursdays, evenings, weekends, etc. and then ask if anyone would like to accompany you to help you get back into the swing of things.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Spally]

as above dont get tied up in speed/distance to start with. Just get out there and enjoy riding. You will then find yourslef going further without realising it. I only got my road bike end of feb and was struggling to do 10 miles (smoking and drinking to much). Started getting out on it as much as i could to enable me to complete the ride london on sunday.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

as above dont get tied up in speed/distance to start with. Just get out there and enjoy riding. You will then find yourslef going further without realising it. I only got my road bike end of feb and was struggling to do 10 miles (smoking and drinking to much). Started getting out on it as much as i could to enable me to complete the ride london on sunday.

Well done.

 

[Mo1959]

When I say I am a complete beginner I am not kidding. I have just recovered from a long illness and want to get fit. I have a bike but literally cannot do more than a short burst at a time. I'm determind to keep trying and improving. My problem is I'm quite unsure of the roads just now. I recently moved into the eastend of Glasgow and wonder if there is any like minded person who would be interested in biking with me?

Maybe this would be of interest.
http://www.meetup.com/Belles-on-Bikes-Glasgow/
also if you can message @Pat "5mph" she may be able to offer some more advice.

 

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forum. I think short rides done frequently is the way forward let your body adapt to it and slowly increase the mileage as you feel you can. Good Luck

 

[Pat "5mph"]

@Hellsbells2504 !
As @Mo1959 wrote, the Glasgow Belles on Bikes are here to help
I am actually about to think of some short beginners routes, with a bit of "do I know my bike" thrown in.
I see you are in the East End, the meetings will be held at Glasgow Green.
I can come ride with you from your area to the Green: you don't even need to join the Belles, will pm you on here once I've organized dates and activities.
Pat

 

[Gravity Aided]

Many of us started out on the short miles. I considered it a great achievement when I got on the bike and went off the block, and returned. Soon, I was doing miles, and a couple years later, I did a metric century. Habits, food, and fitness all are related. Short bursts of riding seem to have a tendency to become longer bursts as your health and well-being return. Best of luck on your journey.

 

[Hellsbells2504]

Thank you all so much for your replies. @Pat '5mph I will look out for your posts.

 

[Hellsbells2504]

@Hellsbells2504 !
As @Mo1959 wrote, the Glasgow Belles on Bikes are here to help
I am actually about to think of some short beginners routes, with a bit of "do I know my bike" thrown in.
I see you are in the East End, the meetings will be held at Glasgow Green.
I can come ride with you from your area to the Green: you don't even need to join the Belles, will pm you on here once I've organized dates and activities.
Pat

New to this so didnt see I could reply here. I will keep a look out for your posts and pm.

 

[Hill Wimp]

you have a beautiful landscape to cycle round up there so slow is good as you will enjoy far more. Keep it steady, look around you, smell the air and enjoy. But you must tell us how its going good and bad and we will offer you tea and cake whatever.

Can i just add that i am a complete Hill Wimp that has just learnt to conquer a few more gears and get over what you would call a road hump and now because i can do some of them i consider myself Queen of the mountains only i feel a bit daft when i say then to those that live in Scotland as you have real mountains just look at Pats strava segment, its virtually vertical

 

[shouldbeinbed]

welcome aboard as others have said, speed and distance and climbing longer, steeper hills will come -theres no shame in getting off and pushing if you need to & you'll be amazed how soon you don't.
It may be a heresy to some on here but you don't need to set achievement targets or map your riding or anything like that, you can just ride for the sheer damn hell of turning the pedals over and being a part of the world around you.