First time out in months

[adamangler]

Hi. i have suffered with anxiety and depression most of my adult life. (on and off meds, panic attacks etc) its a hard thing to deal with.

I have stopped and started cycling so many times over the last few years.

Anyway one thing i have notices is that i rarely can be bothered to go cycling, im ok on a weekend but after work midweek i really cant be bothered most of the time. However what ive found is that when i get back from ride i feel better, more energinzed, mood has lifted and look forward to eating and chilling out.

Exercise definately helps mood its just that you dont realise it when you feel low, action comes before motivation for me.

 

[Vickivix]

I did another couple of miles yesterday. My right leg was aching badly. I suspect it was because I wasn't on the saddle properly. I had a problem that meant sitting hurt (a problem with me not bike).

But that's now going away and I'm itching to get back out

 

[MikeW-71]

Excercise does help, it certainly helps me as I am going through the same, and I am now determined to commute more on the bike than I did before.

Good luck

 

[Vickivix]

I decided to take my road bike out today. Didn't really have a plan but just ended up doing a 3.5 mile loop around home.

Whilst I find the road bike less hard to ride, it's more uncomfortable. My wrists were hurting quite a lot despite moving positions a lot and I kept slipping forward on the saddle.

I need to have a look at my set up before next time.

Still feeling good though! One day I may even hit 5 miles in one go (I really am that unfit!).

 

[Smithbat]

I decided to take my road bike out today. Didn't really have a plan but just ended up doing a 3.5 mile loop around home.

Whilst I find the road bike less hard to ride, it's more uncomfortable. My wrists were hurting quite a lot despite moving positions a lot and I kept slipping forward on the saddle.

I need to have a look at my set up before next time.

Still feeling good though! One day I may even hit 5 miles in one go (I really am that unfit!).

It soon changes I promise. My commute is 2.5 miles each way but I try and do more at lunch. The most I have ridden in one day is 16 miles and that was in two stints with tea at my parents in between. My fitness has improved so much in the month I have had my bike, it really is that fast. Well it has been for me, speaking as a 40 year old very over weight woman.

 

[DaggersJeff]

Whilst I find the road bike less hard to ride, it's more uncomfortable. My wrists were hurting quite a lot despite moving positions a lot and I kept slipping forward on the saddle.
I need to have a look at my set up before next time.
Still feeling good though! One day I may even hit 5 miles in one go (I really am that unfit!).

Vicki,

Well done!! 5 miles will soon be flying past!

The one thing you need to avoid is injury and/or pain on top of what you are fighting.
Take your bike to the local bike shop (prefereably not Halfords), and for a small fee (mine charges £15) they will get you set up on the bike and advise you on comfort issues.

 

[coco69]

I started doing a little riding last summer, mostly 7 mile commutes a couple of days a week. I stopped when depression and anxiety kicked in.

After 7 months my medication didn't seem to be doing much so I went to the doc for a change. She offered me a different AD but also "prescribed" that I have to use my bike 3 times a week as exercise helps no end. So, on Monday I decided to cycle from work into the city centre to watch Leicester's parade then cycle back to work to collect the car.

Ok it was only 3 miles and I was shattered at the end of it (although when I got home I realised I'd got confused with my gears and had 9 more easy gears to go). Anxiety makes me so tired and I have little energy. But I slept better and I felt so much brighter the next day.

I plan to do another little spin tomorrow. Small acorns and all that.

Good to hear...onwards and upwards, cycling is a cheer up medicine on its own.
Well done.

 

[Vickivix]

Ok had a couple more weeks off it, but popped into town last Thursday and came home beaming.

I've spotted a reasonably flat 25 mile sportive at the beginning of October and I'm tempted to go for it.

 

[13 rider]

Flat round here ? Go for it if that the motivation you need to get out .plenty of time to get up to 25 miles

 

[Tojo]

+++++to everyone on this thread, just wish I could get some consistency, was doing 7- 9 miles straight out 2-3 times a week when I got a new road bike just under two years ago no problem and felt great , since had two bouts of surgery and degradation of my left arm from nerve damage from five and a bit years ago from a motorcycle accident, went out on my MTB round the tracks around my house a couple of days ago, four and a half miles and I was totally knackered..and stopped and drank the contents of my electrolyte at two and a half......

I'm waiting for a new groupset for the MTB and have the frame stripped...looking forward to building it up and of course getting out on it....hope it helps....IT WILL it's new......

 

[Smithbat]

Ok had a couple more weeks off it, but popped into town last Thursday and came home beaming.

I've spotted a reasonably flat 25 mile sportive at the beginning of October and I'm tempted to go for it.

Go for it. I have signed up for a 100km ride next year to give me something to aim for.

 

[SkyBlue_87]

Ok had a couple more weeks off it, but popped into town last Thursday and came home beaming.

I've spotted a reasonably flat 25 mile sportive at the beginning of October and I'm tempted to go for it.

Go for it, the extra motivation you'll get with a specific target will surprise you......

 

[montroseloon]

A lot of people use exercise to help fight depression and keep fit too but also by getting yourself out there and all the challenges that go with it you will be helping yourself no end. I find getting home from work after a month and being able to get back out on my bike for a while a joy, seeing the family and things do come first though. Well done though and hope you continue with being on the mend

 

[DaggersJeff]

Ok had a couple more weeks off it, but popped into town last Thursday and came home beaming.

I've spotted a reasonably flat 25 mile sportive at the beginning of October and I'm tempted to go for it.

Well done Vicki!
I had a 52 mile ride booked for next weekend (London-Southend), but injured a shoulder at work, which has restricted my training miles. Have now signed up for London - Milton Keynes (60 miles) , also at beginning October