First time back on the bike...this is gonna be a long road

[Lazy-Commuter]

<snip>
I'm not looking for performance, just to be able to get to work by bike - that is my goal right now. I realise that it'll take a few weeks of cycling a bit each night, increasing my range before I can do that. I don't mind walking up the hills if I have to.

One step (or perhaps pedal revolution) at a time

That's the spirit, Phump!! It worked for me.

Admittedly, I had a (very) basic level of fitness due to the reasonable amount of walking we do as a family, and no smoking to worry about. But I really wasn't very fit at all, and asthmatic, so puff can be an issue for me as well. Little and often in the early days soon sorted me out.

 

[Cubist]

With you all the way Phump. Increase your route gradually, but most importantly don't cycle at a speed where you are out of breath. You need to get your muscles into a regime of working for you.

Trust me, once you start riding for longer distances you'll pick up speed and stamina, but your main aim must be to stop smoking. That's the thing that's stopping you from blitzing your commute without a second thought. I did it the hard way, forcing myself to ride longer and longer distances, starting with a mile or two, then doubling that, then (and I can hardly believe I survived it) a 20 mile off road challenge on an old rigid MTB that nearly killed me.

Settling down into a 7 mile flattish commute after that was comparatively easy, but it took me another twelve months to give up the fags. By that time I had ridden some long distance off-road rides, and on some very steep hills. I learnt to suffer, and get to the top, taking as long as necessary to get my breath back. Once I took the plunge and gave up smoking, I was able to double the gains, so much so that I now treat steep hills as a bit of fun. My new commute is six miles uphill, and in the three months since I gave up smoking I have cut 12 minutes off my time.

Use the bike to get fit, be prepared to suffer a bit to get there, and then use the fact that you have got yourself fitter not as a reason to give up the fags, but as an incentive not to start them again.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi Phump - I got back on this Jan after a 5 year break - similar condition to you (smoking and generally not fit). It's still not easy, especially the hills and headwinds, but I'm 100% fitter than I was and the improvement does come albeit a little slower than I expected.

I "cheated" a little bit by getting the best road bike I could afford so as to make the sudden shock a little less painful.

 

[ACS]

April for me after a 15 year lay off. Happy to say now almost 2 stone lighter, commute 20 miles 4 days a week, averaging around 500 a month, knocked off 2x 100km audax, spent a fortune and I love every minute of it.

Welcome back you are joining many like minded people, stick with it and remember its all about cake, coffee and jelly babies

 

[Dilbert]

I've just got back into it after 10 years, after getting the bike out to keep up with the kids and suddenly realising how much I use to enjoy cycling. My first ride on the road in 10 years was 2 miles onto the Prom and back to watch the finish of the ToB. Since then I have built up slowly by doing more and more laps of the park to build up fitness and road confidence. Saturday I did my first ride that was out of walking distance of the house and managed 15 miles, which is more than I need to do from work.
I have picked up many gems off here but I think the one that has helped me most is to use the gears to keep the legs spinning.

Keep it up and good luck

 

[JediGoat]

Take 2...and Action!

Or almost, no action

Got home from work after a very windy and wet motorbike journey, and decided not to go out for my two-and-a-bit mile circuit, but rather to stay in a tinker incompetently with the gears again.

But I changed my mind

Just went out to redo the same circuit (only this time I started from my house, rather than wheeling the bike a couple of hundred yards down the road so the neighbours don't see me). I took on board what folks have said - little and often, take it easy, etc.

So, I didn't belt it, just pedalled steady, freewheeled a bit on the downhills, and concentrated on keeping my breathing steady. I was fortunate with a lovely red light at some temporary roadworks that took forever to change

So, I got home, rain-sodden, windswept, breathing a bit heavy, legs ever so slightly wobbly, but pleased with myself

Am rewarding myself with a beer, as I think it's important not to shock my body to much with a new regime B)

Oh, and I got a whistle on the route...although it may have been sarcastic (i don't care if it was, I'm telling myself it wasn't )

 

[Chrisc]

Amazing how many of us were in the same boat. I started with bikes again in August. First ride on my new machine was a couple of miles and nearly killed me. Found a reasonable four mile loop with minimal hills (difficult round here) and stuck to that everyday for a week or so. Now can manage 20 miles and 1500 of climbing on a Sunday easily.
Softly softly and it'll come to you. Feels really good to see that improvement and you'll be amazed how quickly it comes and how much better you feel. Only time I get crabby now is if I'm denied a ride on my bike!

 

[Arch]

Hoorah and well done. I agree, forget gyms, forget jogging (oh, the knees, the knees!), just get out on the bike when you can, it'll get easier and easier.

The one thing is, there'll come a point when it doesn't seem to get any easier while you're actually doing it, but the benefit then will be that you'll recover much more quickly. I'm like this with hills, I still swear up them, after 10 years of cycling, and my first century this year, but once I'm at the top, I'm better instantly. So be prepared for plateaux of improvement.

I loved the bit about the front mech only working on two rings, and then you fiddling with it and it only working on one. That's just so... true....B)

If it's a whistle you want...



(I know it's more nonchalent than wolf, but it's the best I can do...)

 

[StuartG]

I can do many things but I can't solder and I can't fix derailleurs (holds head in shame). Have you thought of trying out your LBS? You will need them from time to time so what better way to find out if they are any good?

Then if you ain't going to Jog or Gym - you will have no excuses to get out on the road. And the full range of gears easily selectable is going to make things a lot easier.

 

[Chrisc]

The one thing is, there'll come a point when it doesn't seem to get any easier while you're actually doing it, but the benefit then will be that you'll recover much more quickly. I'm like this with hills, I still swear up them, after 10 years of cycling, and my first century this year, but once I'm at the top, I'm better instantly. So be prepared for plateaux of improvement.

I'm finding this now. Can be absolutely on my knees at the top of a big climb if I push it, but it only takes a few minutes to recover enough to go again. That's the real gain I'm getting now.
I'm making it hard using my Dutch bike which is a 22kg fatty so that the road bike I plan to treat myself to in spring will pedal itself up the hills....

 

[ianrauk]

Well done Phump. Your on your way mate. It's a long hard slog ahead and a lot of us here (including me) have been in the same situation. Forget Gyms and Jogging.. just get on your bike and ride. Don't ride yourself into the ground but build it up..very soon you will be feeling fitter, riding faster and losing weight.

 

[JediGoat]

I did find myself, from time to time, 'flicking' my thumb at the rapid shift lever on the left. I couldn't work out why I kept doing it, and it was starting to annoy me as I knew that the front gears won't shift.

As I was about to turn right into my street, I did it again...then realised why - I'm a motorbike rider, and my brain automatically tells me to push the indicator switch

Surely I can't be the only person to suffer from this?

 

[Fab Foodie]

As I was about to turn right into my street, I did it again...then realised why - I'm a motorbike rider, and my brain automatically tells me to push the indicator switch

Surely I can't be the only person to suffer from this?

I had something similar for a while, kept falling to my left at junctions... then I realised I no longer had the side-car...

 

[Randochap]

Keep at it. Consistency is key. Start slow, but stay committed.

Trust me, you do need lights.

 

[Banjo]

This may help wityh the incompetent tinkering http://www.bikewebsite.com/ftder.htm

To be honest if your routes arent too steep the middle ring will do for now .The main thing is getting out there and doing some miles.
Havent watched thisd yet but may be worth a look
http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_4415606_adjust-front-derailleur-bicycle.html
The bit about enjoying a nice long red light amused me