first ride

[Shut Up Legs]

Similar story here: just over 2 years ago I was 16.5 stone and riding 25 miles on the flat exhausted me, now I'm about 13 stone and just did the rather hilly Audax Alpine Classic 200km (125 mile) option a month ago. Oh yes, and I'm on the wrong side of 40.

 

[ThePainInSpain]

I'm 62 and took up cycling again last September. I did my first 50km last week, that's all off road on an MTB and very hilly. I'm really loving it.

Very frustrating at the mo we've had a lot of heavy rain again and everywhere is like a quagmire so not able to get out.

 

[Sheepy1209]

You'll be doing your 8-mile commute in no time, it's surprising how quickly fitness improves initially - as someone who was in a similar position I'm now doing a flat 10-mile commute an average of 3 days a week through the year (this is Blackpool, when the wind blows it REALLY blows!).

One piece of advice from me - if you find you're in pain and it doesn't improve as fitness improves make sure your bike is set up correctly - just a few mm of saddle height can make all the difference with knee pain for example.

Interesting what you say about needing to get reasonably fit before riding with the traffic - it's one of the barriers to road cycling and I think those of us who ride regularly can forget what it's like when you start out. Rest assured you'll soon be mixing it with the traffic, and this in itself boosts fitness as you'll push yourself to stick with the flow.

 

[PhunkPilot]

Nice work some lovely riding round Chichester, I managed 2 miles my first ride out AND I was sick! I did 35 round the new forest last week. Keep at it you'll be amazed what you can achieve.

 

[middleagecyclist]

I'm 43 and was 20 stone when I started cycling again just over 2 years ago. I am now down to 16.5 stone. Last year I cycled the 355 mile Pennine Cycleway over 6 days on a fully loaded touring bike. A couple of weeks ago I was going to visit some friends in Wales for the weekend. Thought it would be nice to cycle rather than drive. Apart from one close shave, the 83 miles were bloody lovely.

Believe me it just gets easier and more enjoyable. I hope you really stick at it. Good luck.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm 62 and took up cycling again last September. I did my first 50km last week, that's all off road on an MTB and very hilly. I'm really loving it.

b****y hell. That's brilliant! Hats off!

 

[Wardos]

b****y hell. That's brilliant! Hats off!

that's what I thought. Inspiration is what I need!

 

[Wardos]

hi fella nice one keep up the good work

but is your backside sore ?? i was in my bike shop yesterday to buy a new road bike had a go on a giant and the bianchi only riding in a car park to get the feel for them and my backside is sore the saddles on the road bikes are so slim think i need to change my saddle ?? what have you done ??

have not done anything yet, the bike is standard. The reason I went for the Z100 was the reviews I read suggested it was a good starter bike & quite "comfortable". I think my butt just needs to toughen up a bit. 20 odd years of no cycling & desk job have not helped!

 

[Wardos]

One piece of advice from me - if you find you're in pain and it doesn't improve as fitness improves make sure your bike is set up correctly - just a few mm of saddle height can make all the difference with knee pain for example.

Interesting what you say about needing to get reasonably fit before riding with the traffic - it's one of the barriers to road cycling and I think those of us who ride regularly can forget what it's like when you start out. Rest assured you'll soon be mixing it with the traffic, and this in itself boosts fitness as you'll push yourself to stick with the flow.

When the bike goes in for it's first service at about 6 - 8 weeks at the lbs, I'll ask them to assess my set up.

Have to say, so far so good with the traffic, all gave me plenty of room. But the commute will involve a couple of slight inclines on narrow twisty bits.

 

[fatboysoontobeslim]

you stick at it fella and the weight will come off good on you

 

[Telemark]

hehe ... careful, this cycling lark is addictive !

As you say, your backside needs to get used to cycling, but the wrong saddle can make it very uncomfortable.
Contrary to what may seem logical, a saddle that is too soft can cause more problems than a harder one. This is because you are supposed to sit on your sitbones, and if they sink very deeply into the saddle, the rest of the contact zone rubs with every turn of the pedals.
A further thing to watch out for: depending on your sitbones, the saddle may be too wide or too narrow for them. Many bike shops have a device that measures the distance between the sitbones (like a soft bench you sit down on), and many of saddles come in a range of widths.

If you don't live too far from a bike shop, I wouldn't necessarily wait for 6-8 weeks before asking about saddles. Any local bike shop (often referred to as LBS) worth their salt will be happy to give you advice without you needing to buy anything. Some even have test saddles they loan out, so you can try before you buy! If this isn't available locally, you could also try the CycleChat saddle library

And finally, some people swear by Brooks saddles (made from leather), which you supposedly "wear in" like old fashioned leather boots (no personal experience) .... but everybody's backside is different, and there is a comfortable saddle for everybody.

Good luck!

T

 

[Norm]

Well done, when I cycle on my commute, i do singleton to chichester and back, plus a train ride to London and. back. I really need to up my mileage and do some long slow rides.

Do you do the A286 or up and over the Trundle via Goodwood?

Climbing past the open air museum to the racecourse has always been hard work when I've tried it on a bike - and I've only ever done it on a motorbike. I've climbed it from the golf club once, and ridden from Bognor up to the racecourse from Eartham once.

 

[billy1561]

When the bike goes in for it's first service at about 6 - 8 weeks at the lbs, I'll ask them to assess my set up.

Have to say, so far so good with the traffic, all gave me plenty of room. But the commute will involve a couple of slight inclines on narrow twisty bits.

That's good advice you give yourself there mate. I am forever tinkering with my ride position to get the best out of my bike. Gets better every ride. Only been cycling since may last year after 30 years break. I'm 49 and 19st, but i find it so much easier now than when i first started. Initially my saddle felt like a bacon slicer but your rump does toughen up eventually and your lungs seem to improve dramatically.
Good luck and keep it up,

 

[Arch]

May you continue to enjoy your bike!

If you have any worries about cycling in traffic, consider investing in a book called Cyclecraft.

http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/

It's a guide to riding in modern traffic conditions, including a few things that may seem counter-intuative, like riding further out to 'claim your lane'. It's worth a read (and regular re-reading) - it's a bit like doing advanced driver training, in that it gets you considering hazards ahead and so on. Having a bit of speed under your belt certainly helps, but isn't vital.

 

[The Jogger]

Do you do the A286 or up and over the Trundle via Goodwood?

Climbing past the open air museum to the racecourse has always been hard work when I've tried it on a bike - and I've only ever done it on a motorbike. I've climbed it from the golf club once, and ridden from Bognor up to the racecourse from Eartham once.

Sorry Norm I missed this. I have cycled up knights hill and back down your hill, I've also run from singleton to west dean then up a trail to the top of the trundle many a time, pre knee injury but yes the 286 for my commute. Even that seems hilly coming back after a day's work In London. You know here well.