heavy lead legs

[stephyt]

hi guys I'm just startin out and rode home yday on me new bike from the store and me legs felt like lead ;( it's only 1 mile and the seat was to low but now my dad has put the seat higher for me I'm hopin this will make my legs feel better. I've not rode for yrs so am I better goin on few small rides of a couple miles ? my first long ride for me wanna head to blyth n back think its abt 6 mile there and back?!? I'm only 5ft tall and abt 3 st overweight. does anyone have any tips and advice on how to strengthen my legs please ?!?

thanx steph xx

 

[DCLane]

Keep going - it'll get easier.

Honest.

It just doesn't feel like it when you're starting out.

 

[calibanzwei]

Cycle more, legs get stronger
Don't try too much, too soon.

 

[Sittingduck]

Make sure you're spinning a lowish gear and not pushing a difficult resistance. Don't overdo it at this stage and stick with shortish rides, gradually building up. Might be worth doing some basic leg stretches after the ride too - specifically quads and hamstrings. Drink plenty of fluids.

Good luck!

 

[stephyt]

thanx guys good tips will put them to use

 

[musa]

If you do decide to go gym to do more for your body, squats are very ideal nothing to heavy but manageable

 

[smutchin]

What everyone else said - just keep at it. It aches because you're using muscles in ways that you're not used to using them. You just need to ride more to get used to it.

I can ride my bike for over 100 miles without it hurting because I'm very used to it. But if I run three miles, I ache for a week afterwards.

d.

 

[Highlander Neil]

To be honest Steph I know alot of people are going to suggest weights and stuff here, but If you are overweight the best thing you can do is start gradually on the bike, your body will always be adapting to the weight you're carrying around that way.

It's what I did for losing some weight and getting fit for an 81mile ride, the weekend past. Smutchin made a very good point about running, your body will get used to what you are doing if you keep doing it. I am a good swimmer, rower and cycler, but when it comes to running my body hates it because i hate it and I don't do it. Shame, or I would be keen on Triathalons.

Once you are fit on the bike and have shed the weight, after that, do some weights, its my plan this week as I did not have the correct set up on my bike clearly for that large distance, got numb and need to recover now from that.

Good luck with your biking!

 

[stephyt]

thanx for all ur advice

goin to the gym is out the question ATM can't really afford so doin exercises at home wud b ideal lol I do watch what I eat 99% of the time I've lost 2 n half stone last yr gunna get up earlier in the morning go for a couple miles I don't have to leave for work til 11am so plenty time gunna try get a routine in place too orherwise I won't go out lol

 

[smutchin]

goin to the gym is out the question ATM can't really afford

Getting out on your bike is much nicer than being stuck inside a stuffy old gym anyway.

d.

 

[musa]

fair enough Gym doesn't pay (literally) but leg excerise, what a lot of people fail to do is work leg, to strengthen from carrying the top load hence you see big chested skinny leg guys .
Another thing to add is to change your mindset I think that we all fail, if you tell yourself negative you won't do it but you have the determination which is good

 

[calibanzwei]

Getting out on your bike is much nicer than being stuck inside a stuffy old gym anyway.

d.

Ai, thats true but working both halve's of your body is better than the one
Wake up that little bit earlier, some light dumbbell exercises working the arms/shoulders/back/front, some 'core' work with planking/crunches and I also work in a jog (I hate mornings & I hate jogging, in doing both simultaneously I'm saving time ).
No gym required.

 

[ianrauk]

All you need to do is get on the bike and ride, ride, and ride some more.
The more rides you do and the further you ride the easier it becomes. You will get fit and the weight will come off. (as long as you stick to a sensible diet)
Just take it easy first off.
Don't beat yourself up about it if it's hard going. Exercise ain't easy, especially when starting out.

 

[stephyt]

been on me first ride and rode around the outside of me local shoppin centre as I live near it I did just shy of 2mile on a comftable high gear and felt fine just a little out of breath and slight jelly legs when I got off haha took abt 20 mins xx

 

[Nearly there]

Well done and youll find after a couple of weeks of regular riding if you do that loop around your shopping centre again it wont take 20 minutes keep it up.