Feels like slow painful progress

[slowmotion]

Don't push yourself too hard. Just take it easy and learn to enjoy riding by going out on the bike for short trips, even a three minute ride to a shop, as often as you can. When you start, ignore the blinged-up athletes with miserable faces and gritted teeth who you think you want to be. This should be fun, not some kind of torture. If you see it as a pleasure, not a chore, you will want to ride more often. Lots more. Gradually you will get fitter. You may not get faster but it will get a lot easier. You can go faster later, if you want to.
My first five mile commute, five years ago, left me dizzy and nauseous, on the brink of vomiting into a bush in a park. I despaired of ever getting to enjoy it, and thought of packing it in, but I went out at weekends and explored my city through its alleys and lanes, seeing places that I would never visit on foot or in a car. It got interesting, and then I was hooked, got a bit fitter and just wanted to ride more and more, not for speed or extra long trips, but because I enjoyed just to be on a bike. Gradually the rides got longer and I came home not quite so tired, but always happy and satisfied. You can do that too, easily.

Have fun.

 

[Arthur]

As others have said, stick with it and you'll be amazed at the progress. I started riding again in March this year - I used to cycle-commute but then I changed jobs and foolishly went through 5 years of doing no exercise whatsoever, during which I gained an extra 4 and a half stones in weight.
Back in March a 7-mile ride left me gasping for breath, feeling sick and with legs as you described.

Yesterday I was able to tick off my last main target for this year (breaking the 100) with a 105-mile ride. Although tired by the end, I could have kept going if I'd needed to. This morning there are no aches or pains and I feel I could jump on the bike and do some more.
My training, apart from quick runs to the shops, has consisted of a midweek 18-miler (as soon as I was able to get that far) and a weekend ride where I'd usually try to increase the distance a bit over the previous week.

Good luck with the Aberdeen-Portsmouth ride. I'm seriously tempted to put a multi-day staged ride onto my target list for next year.

 

[Big Nick]

As everyone has said you just have to stick at it and ride your bike as often as you can

Before I got my bike a friend of mine used to tell me how he couldn't be arsed getting ready for a ride of less than 20 miles which I was in awe of but now I feel the same just 8 months later!

Most start out just doing 5 miles or so each ride and build up slowly so just carry on what you're doing

 

[Wetdog]

I personally think that's awesome progress, 12 miles after only 5 rides. Well done to you sir

 

[Retribution03]

Are you selecting the right gears?If it's restrictive to pedal try an easier gear.Keep hydrated and take energy bars or other solid fuels to keep your energy levels up.dont worry about stopping for a quick rest every few miles maybe have 1 or 2 min off the bike every 3 miles or so and increase the miles before a rest as you feel ready...and the most important part ...enjoy it cycling is fun

 

[Luked1980]

My 12 mile ride was the first time I have had to stop on my route. It was after a bit of a hill and my legs felt like they had upped and left!!

Good to hear that it is fairly good progress. I don't have anyone else that is new to cycling to compare to. Only the guys on the strava!!

 

[Peteaud]

My 12 mile ride was the first time I have had to stop on my route. It was after a bit of a hill and my legs felt like they had upped and left!!

Good to hear that it is fairly good progress. I don't have anyone else that is new to cycling to compare to. Only the guys on the strava!!

Dont get into ive got to beat the strava guys. Just keep on riding, maybe do a couple of 12-15 milers but then look at strava and how YOU are doing. Your PR will be changing and the end result is an easier ride.

FWIW, i came back to cycling after a 10 year lay off, having smoked and drunk way way way to much. CC helped me give up the weed, i got the road bike bug (still have the MTB) and went for it. The massive, impassable, mountain like climb i had to walk up is now done without a thought, in fact, its flat!!!!

Just dont overdo it, enjoy it and in the end you will wonder what the fuss was about.

 

[cyberknight]

Wow. Thanks for that Fab. I knew that the saddle height was important but never knew the rest of it. Think a bike fitting might be on the Xmas list!!

Thats a good site , also ...
http://www.bikefit.com/s-13-road-bikes.aspx
http://bikedynamics.co.uk/guidelines.htm

 

[andrew_rc46]

I bought a defy 5 on Friday to get more focused on road cycling,longer,harder and faster rides, I went out and beat my best on a 15 miler by 2 mph and 7 minutes quicker.
I'll be building up as the months go on, I live near th start if the tdf and my goal by the spring is to do stage 1 of the tdf )