First ride done!

[Steampig]

Well after over 5 years of no cycling (even then i only did 6/7 miles a time) and 9 weeks in a cast and ski boot jobbie i decided it was time to get out and get a few miles in.
I'm 32 5ft 10 and 15st 7 when i last rode i was probably 13st 5ish so im well over weight.
Used to be fairly fit playing and training football 4 times a week although but haven't done anything over the last 3 years due to ankle ligament problems resulting in surgery 10 weeks ago.
Decided to due a route i know and used to do for work (half before work and half to come home).
The first 3 miles are uphill, the first 2 are a steady incline the last mile has 2 quite steep incline and declines.
Now ill be honest i couldn't breath properly, i was all over the road, and didn't enjoy it one bit!! buy the time i got to the top of the last hill i genually thought about chunking the bike over the dry stone wall and ringing for a taxi!! Them 3 miles took me 24 minutes to do, i never left the bike but i was almost at a crawl on the saddle. i really couldn't generate any power on the saddle but felt better when stood stomping on the pedals!
The next mile was flatter with only gentle inclines and my breathing felt better. I got to a fork in the road and as i approached i was thinking about taking a right turn and taking the easy way home which would of shaved 4/5 ,miles off the route .
I decided to stick the route out and the next couple of miles were flat and i managed to do them quicker, my breathing felt much better and i was actually starting to enjoy it!
The next 8 miles was flat and i got right into my stride, my legs felt like new and i never left the saddle. i did them 8 miles in just under 30 minutes, felt strong and comfy and felt i was flying in the sun .
The last mile an half was all up hill, just a steady drag nothing too bad but the legs had started to go to jelly and i was pleased to see home!!
All in all just over 15 miles done in 1h22. Now i'm not sure any of the tour riders are going to be worried but it felt a decent start.
I've now got something to ride against and a time to beat and surely them first 3 miles wont feel as bad as they did today!?!?
Things i noticed
1) think my saddle is too low, dont think i was getting a decent pedal stroke.
2) I'm defo going to have to invest in some padded shorts/tights, feel like i've had a right kick up the backside
3) The Carrea Virtuoso Ltd Editon rode really well and after one ride im quite pleased with the purchase.

 

[Nosaj]

Well done won't be long till you post a sub one hour time although by then you will now doubt be searching longer and more challenging routes.

Remember you are still in recovery from ankle ligament surgery so it is no surprise that there may be less strength there than you previously had. Try not to overdo it, it will all come good in the end.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Good work, and having done it you're already thinking about the next ride which is great.

Finding the right saddle set up genuinely makes a difference - you'll find it easier to go further and faster, but I can't promise it'll flatten out those hills.

 

[Steampig]

Well done won't be long till you post a sub one hour time although by then you will now doubt be searching longer and more challenging routes.

Remember you are still in recovery from ankle ligament surgery so it is no surprise that there may be less strength there than you previously had. Try not to overdo it, it will all come good in the end.

Thanks. tbh honest i didnt feel the ankle at all, although if im honest i probably shouldnt be riding on it for for an other couple of weeks

 

[FailedComic]

Yay! Well done! Keep it up!

 

[lavoisier]

Great start and determined by the sound of it. Well done

 

[Peteaud]

Nice but dont overdo it.

 

[BrumJim]

Good start. Glad you managed to conquer that hill. It'll look easy next time, so search out your next nemesis.