First ride.....how far?

[toddmeister]

Hi everyone,

My first "proper" post.

So I'm a total newbie to cycling & just ordered my first road bike (carrera zelos). I do a fare amount of running (doing next months Great North Run followed by the Kielder half-marathon a few weeks later). As much as I enjoy running it does get a little boring after 7 or 8 miles.
Anyway, I've fancied a road bike for a while & I'm thinking by introducing cycling into my training it will be much more interesting than just running alone.

I'm collecting the bike tomorrow and will do my first ride at the weekend. So to my question.....

When I go for a run I already know beforehand how far I'm going to do on that session, but I haven't got a clue about what starting distance I should be looking at on a bike? If I can comfortably run 6,7, or 8 miles should I say double that on a bike?

Probably a daft question and won't know where I'm at until I get on it. But I'd like to plan at least a rough route before I go out

Thanks
Steve

 

[steve50]

hi and welcome Steve,firstly you need a pair of good quality cycling shorts (DHB), secondly your backside is going to hurt after your first and perhaps your next few rides due to your sit bones getting a little bruised. I would suggest you ride until you start to feel a little discomfort then head home. Try and get up out of the saddle as much as you can, let the pedals take the strain instead of your backside.
Your sit bones are going to hurt for a week or two so allow time for everything to "bed in", as you settle into cycling, your distance and speed will start to increase naturally. Above all else enjoy your bike, cycling should be fun not a chore.

 

[slowmotion]

My first bike ride was five and a half miles across London to my office in Battersea. One mile from the end, I felt nauseous. Gasping, with the bike leaning against me on a traffic island in the middle of the road, a white van man stopped his Transit and asked " Are you all right mate?". No, I wasn't. I thought I was about to die......but you will be fine because you are fit.

Try a gentle ten miles and see how it goes. Have fun!

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've introduced many to the joys of cycling. From where I am Oxford and back is a decent target. 12 miles max. it seems to hurt but people overcome and soon become 100 milers with a bit of support. It doesn't matter how far your first ride is, it's where it takes you that counts.

 

[ColinJ]

Hi toddmeister!

Running is a lot harder on your body than (moderately quick) cycling (on flattish routes with no nasty headwinds). I have never run more than 6 miles but have cycled well over 100 miles on numerous occasions and didn't find those rides that much harder than my longest run.

Your cardiovascular system should be fine, but you will be using your leg muscles differently. Still, I would be very surprised if you couldn't get on your bike and do 30+ miles on your first ride without any problems except perhaps a sore bottom, provided that you wear suitable clothing, and that the bike fits you and is set up properly.

I did no exercise for 3 years and was overweight, but did 15 miles on my first ride, and that included one steep hill and a couple of long uphill drags. I was very tired when I got back and struggled to walk upstairs, but I coped.

 

[biggs682]

@toddmeister welcome , i presume its still a road bike you are collecting

either way it does'nt matter as others say just enjoy it no need to go fast or far

some of my routes are decided as i ride along it makes it more fun not having or following a set route

so just enjoy it

 

[welsh dragon]

There are no set rules about distance or time. Take things as they come. Stop when you have had enough. If you havn't been on a bike for a long tIme, just try cycling to the end of the road and back, or round the block.

Don't keep going if your body tells you its had enough. Take things slowly. And above all Have fun. Good luck.

 

[toddmeister]

Thank you all for your replies.

Looks like a pair of cycling shorts is top of my shopping list today.

I've decided to ride from Sunderland to South Shields (pier to pier) which is roughly 7 miles each way but its a mostly flat coastal road. If I struggle early I can easily turn back.

Thanks again

 

[GlenBen]

Good luck! Youll be absolutley fine with 14 miles. Just slow right down if youre struggling, but I doubt it.

 

[Tanis8472]

Headwind out tailwind back.

 

[rugby bloke]

Make sure you stop for coffee and cake when you get to South Shields ! Sounds like a sensible distance, have fun and enjoy.

 

[Nibor]

That sounds like a really nice ride enjoy your day. Remember and this is a cardinal rule, no underwear under padded shorts believe me you will be far more comfortable they are designed to be worn next to the skin

 

[rugby bloke]

That sounds like a really nice ride enjoy your day. Remember and this is a cardinal rule, no underwear under padded shorts believe me you will be far more comfortable they are designed to be worn next to the skin

I'll second this - it seemed a bit weird at first and it took me a long while to get my head around the idea but it's certainly true.

 

[Markymark]

Given your fitness 14 miles is easy. The first to give out will be a sore bum and possible sore shoulders or neck as you're holding a position you're not used to.

It'll be fine but you may ache tomorrow as you'll be using different muscles. You'll get passed it in a very few rides but you'll then be pushing up the miles.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thank you all for your replies.

Looks like a pair of cycling shorts is top of my shopping list today.

I've decided to ride from Sunderland to South Shields (pier to pier) which is roughly 7 miles each way but its a mostly flat coastal road. If I struggle early I can easily turn back.

Thanks again

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