How can this be the beginners forum......

[Kazd]

So I popped in here hoping to find some like minded old fatties like me but I keep opening threads that start 'I have just done a 45 mile bike ride'!

A bit about me, I am truly a beginner, I have a mountain bike (Trek Antelope 820) which I truly hate, bought 22 years ago and I estimate I have probably ridden it less than 15 times. I have now purchased a Pashley Princess Sovereign, totally old fashioned but gives me the riding experience I remember as a child.

I am 49 years old, totally unfit and good 40 - 50lb overweight for my height (5'8"). One of the reason I disliked the Trek was I didn't like the hunched over stance and I could not work the 21 gear out, I only have 5 on the Pashley and I still struggle although I went on my third ride today and I think I am starting to get it. (have only had the bike since Wednesday).

I have the Strava app on my phone and have taken it out with me and according to it I have done 1.9m, 2.8 and 2.2 but when I look at the map it appears that the signal may have dropped as the maps are not complete. At the moment I have to take even the slightest incline on the lowest (?) gear, they confuse me so bear with me. The gear is a lever that I push out in an anti clockwise direction, I personally would start counting when the lever is next to the handlebar ie 1st gear but as that is the hardest it appears that is 5th and the further I push it out the easier on a hill.

I am hoping that eventually I will be able to make the slight incline up my drive in a high gear when the muscles in my legs improve. I am going out every other day at the moment as my butt is a little sore but apparently as the saddle is leather it has to be broken in.

Told you I was a beginner!

 

[Norm]

Greetings, Kaz, welcome to CC and I love the Pashley Princess, so I think you've made a grand choice of ride there.

 

[Primal Scream]

Go for it, I have lost 42lbs in 15 Months and if a procrastinating, lazy, unmotivated couch potato like me can do it ANYONE can do it.


btw my wlfe agrees with and in fact gave the above oplnions of me

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Welcome Kazd

Just keep getting out and enjoying the freedom, it gets better with time. Don't be put off by the big milers, they've just been practicing a little longer!

 

[MrJamie]

Welcome

You'll find if youre cycling every other day and upping the distance you should get some pretty decent improvements fairly quickly, maybe not 45 miles but you'll very likely suprise your self if you read this thread in a month or two.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Kaz from another 49 year old!
Did you ask yourself this question: "yeahbutt ... how long did it take the beginner to do 45 miles?"
And how many cake stops in between?
Don't worry about the gears, high, low, who cares as long as the bike goes ....
I only started last October, great fun cycling, great way to commute, great way to keep your weight under control. Wish I'd started 30 years ago

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Nice one, as they say just keep at it, I did 8.53m on 23/6 @ 9.3mph, today I did 40m today @ 15mph avg,(first time, though I did do 50m+ on Friday, but that was 3 rides with good breaks in between) and I have used straps for the first time in my life, I dont think they improved my speed, but my feet felt more secure on the pedal's. Gears you will get use to them, and again you will get stronger and what appears daunting now will become easier.

 

[outlash]

FWIW, my wife recently bought a new bike (pendleton dalby) and she made a very good point. Cycling is so much better if you're on a bike you want to ride. Do what you want to do and enjoy it .


Tony.

 

[antonypo]

i too am having trouble with hills! I can reasonably chugg along at 24 mph on a fast bit but as soon as i hit that incline - disaster! I was overtaken on a particularly horrible hill the other day by a bloke at least 15yrs older than me. he thrashed past me and up the hill but never really slowed down! i watched his back wheel and he didn't even change gear for gods sake. What am I doing wrong? is it just fitness or is it technique - or maybe its just skill? Wish i knew. Anyone any ideas?

 

[mickle]

Trek Antelope 820, that takes me back! I sold millions of them in the day!

 

[Nearly there]

i too am having trouble with hills! I can reasonably chugg along at 24 mph on a fast bit but as soon as i hit that incline - disaster! I was overtaken on a particularly horrible hill the other day by a bloke at least 15yrs older than me. he thrashed past me and up the hill but never really slowed down! i watched his back wheel and he didn't even change gear for gods sake. What am I doing wrong? is it just fitness or is it technique - or maybe its just skill? Wish i knew. Anyone any ideas?

I think technique getting the gears right and fitness are the main factors

 

[antonypo]

well the suns out and im back at work tomorrow so its off on the bike now for another 24.5 miler. I see your point on the fitness but technique? How is there technique when he didn't even go to an easier gear? is there a technique involved on climbing hills on bikes?

 

[Tight Git]

Kaz

I'm 52 and bought a secondhand roadbike a year ago, as like you never liked my mountain bike. My first ride out was 7 miles and I was absolutely knackered and had to stop for a rest half way!

Keep it up and things will improve gradually - yesterday I did a 100 mile sportive and I'm knackered again!

Don't worry about speed/hills/fitness/gears etc - all of it will come with time!

 

[Saluki]

Hi & Welcome

I am 48 1/2 and a good 30lbs overweight, so you are not alone.
I have been cycling a little longer and I did lose a lot of weight last year cycling, until about February this year when I stopped cycling but continued eating the same. Not quite back at square 1 but back on my bike and watching the weight drop slowly.

Just googled your new bike and its very pretty. I am not suprised that you like to ride it. Its just like a bike that I had when I was a kid (right until I needed to keep up with my cousins on road bikes in my early teens). I understand your saddle issues. I had a leather seat on my last bike. I still have that seat, in the garage somewhere, because after a fortnight of a sore backside I went out and bought a comfy one. I never did 'break the saddle in'. Horrible thing.

Keep on riding, it gets easier the more you do it.

 

[black'n'yellow]

well the suns out and im back at work tomorrow so its off on the bike now for another 24.5 miler. I see your point on the fitness but technique? How is there technique when he didn't even go to an easier gear? is there a technique involved on climbing hills on bikes?

technique is largely irrelevant other than turning the pedals at a comfortable cadence. Aerobic fitness is your friend...