How far for a newbie on a MTB

[butki55]

First of all hello to all, happy holidays and a happy new year to all in advance.

I have decided to take up some sort of fitness outdoor activity. My missis said get your old bike out. So after reading the advice for newbies from andyfromotley regarding dig out the old bike give it a clean......yeh right.....and get out on it I have.

I wiped the seat just, did a complete check as I have ridden it recently and everything seems to be okay.

The question I have is how far does someone go, how far, fast, hard and how often?

I have a real old MTB but that does not bother me untill I have improved.

I am sorry if this is covered somewhere but I cant find it.

butki55.

 

[ComedyPilot]

Welcome aboard, enjoy the ride.

The cafe is fun.

Politics and Life gets a bit 'Heavy'

Rest of the site is just dandy.

Back on topic, start out small, just do a couple of miles, 3 or 4 times a week, then build up the mileage. You'll soon get addicted to the 'feel good' factor that you get after a ride.

Then it's new bike time / or repair/upgrade the old one.

Basic tips, but stick with it, and you'll be fine.

 

[butki55]

Many thanks comedyPilot.
Was planning on a couple of miles at first but was not sure on how many times a week so thanks for that.

Better safe to ask, If you said start with a fifty miler fast and hard as possible then I might have put the bike back.

butki55.

 

[gbb]

Many thanks comedyPilot.
Was planning on a couple of miles at first but was not sure on how many times a week so thanks for that.

Better safe to ask, If you said start with a fifty miler fast and hard as possible then I might have put the bike back.

butki55.

Hi butki...
If you've not been cycing regularly, there's nothing wrong with starting at a coupe of miles. Everything depends on your age, fitness and health. Build it up as slowly or as quickly as you feel you can...you may (and probably will) find you're soon doing 10 miles, then 15, etc etc.
How often...as often as you can, but if you start to feel heavy legged, take a day off. Recovery is as important as building fitness.
Dont forget...its much harder in the winter. Motorvation is harder and your muscles dont work as well. The summers a different thing altogether..its a joy.
If you can get some mileage started in the winter, come summer, there will be no stopping you.

 

[RedBike]

Start off slow and keep pushing yourself, making sure that you rest when you feel tired.

You'll find that you wont really improve for ages then you'll suddenly dramatically improve.

Apparently you only start burning fat after 30/60 mins continous riding so I would try and make your rides about an hour long. If you find it hard riding for this long then slow down a bit!

If you're riding on the road then make sure those tyres are pumped up as hard as they will go. The max pressure of the tyres should be listed somewhere on the side of them!

 

[Euan Uzami]

The question I have is how far does someone go, how far, fast, hard and how often?

how long is a piece of string mate...

 

[punkypossum]

I only got into cycling regularly earlier in 2008, around March I was proud of 10 miles, then it was 15, by May I was doing a 250 mile charity ride with daily distances between 60-70 miles, did my first 100 miler in September and now 50 miles is an average ride for me...And that's all been on a moutain bike (although I put on some Schwalbe Marathons for road riding).

So, don't worry, it will build up quickly and you will start getting faster as well, without even noticing it... Just go out for whatever feels comfortable and try to set yourself little targets, like "Next Saturday I'm going to ride to XYZ for an ice cream...".

 

[butki55]

Thanks for the tips every one. I may again go out tomorrow as I felt fine today and I have ridden last year, usually on holiday with wife and baby.

punkypossum couldn`t find xyz on my map so thought I little closer to home would be better and as for an ice cream. Your own little planet must be warm this time of year coz it ain`t here.
Maybe I will go for a hot chocolate with cream, mashmallows and chocolate sprinkels on.

 

[Steve Austin]

Forget about miles. Use time as your measure.

An hour off road is a good test of your legs, and build from there.

 

[tyred]

Whatever you feel comfortable with. Start with small rides and go further as you get used to it but never overdo it.

 

[jay clock]

take it easy. little and often. test various combinations of clothes, as too hot or too cold will soon put you off