Every day

[s7ephanie]

As a beginer, is trying to cycle a little more each day too much? i have got up to about hour and a half, that was yesterday, but today i could only manage 40 mins but then i did try a new route and it was uphill and it HURT !!!!
I used to teach aerobics and i know that you shouldnt do the same exercises everyday, but is it the same with cycling ? I aim to have one day off a week.

with no road signs here, how can i tell how steep a hill is? it felt pretty steep to me, no doubt just an incline to most of you though lol

 

[T4tomo]

Definately have one or two days off a week to recouperate. Also its fine to have a "short" day or two. What you should do is build up your long days and yes it is much harder when its hilly!

 

[thegravestoneman]

I have found that varying my routines has helped me a lot with my return to cycling, and definitely have a day off every now and then. They all start out steep and after a while it is good to return to them to pour scorn and contempt on them with your new found fitness and technique.

 

[Sittingduck]

I would suggest that an hour and a half every day is a lot, for a beginner. If you feel fatigued, take a day off or just have days with much less mileage.

With ref' to the gradient question - plug in the stretch of road to a mapping website, like mapmyride or search for it on the Strava segment explorer. Should be able to discover the % this way.

 

[Rob3rt]

Generally, you shouldn't be looking to increase day after day. You should be looking to increase your TOTAL load per week (or month) gradually over a period of time. Your total load is comprised of say, everything you do in a week, which should be a mixture of rides and also adequate rest.

Eg. In a week you may do 2x1 hour rides, 1x0.5 hour ride and 1x2 hour ride. Total load = 4.5 hours.

The following week you may do 2x1 hour rides, 1x0.5 hour ride and 1x2.5 hour ride. total load = 5 hours.

and so on.

What you describe is a none sustainable workload growth rate.

 

[DWiggy]

I commute 6 days a week 20 mile round trip with a longer ride 30-40m on the Saturday on the way home, I used to get fatigued during the week wed/thurs/fri were my bad days, but I just kept pushing on and eating and now I never really feel fatigued have been riding for a year and a half now and feeling fitter than ever, although I'm not sure this is the best advice

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I'd suggest that you just do 2-3 rides a week 30-60 mins for a couple of months and then take it from there.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Take it easier for a while. I have been averaging 10 miles a day for the last 18 months, commuting and general coming and going with no problems.
Then I did 2 x 60 miles within 4 days, felt it for a week!
Building up distances/hills gradually is best

 

[Eribiste]

I've got a regular training circuit of 9.32 miles that I do two or three times a week, spiced up with longer (ca 25 mile) rideouts on Sundays, other responsibilities permitting. It's nowhere near a proper training regimen, but I am finding that by doing this, so far none of the occasional 50 mile organised rides I've done have given me any serious bother. On those 50's, I always start off gently, take a bag of wine gums so I can reward myself for some 'achievement' like getting to the top of the next hill or whatever, and try to leave some powder in the locker for the last 3 or 4 miles of the event.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Yes, some variance is good for you, so have occasional rest or short cycling trip days. I ride the same commuting distance every work day, and all it gets me is continually aching legs .