How to get back into cycling??

[FlyingCyclist]

I haven't cycled for at least 9 years due to me getting leg ulcers every year. They've just cleared up now and I'm getting back into cycling as some of you will know.

I went for not even a mile! this morning on my bike and I was breathing heavily when I got back into my house. That's how unfit I am. But I have been going for walks every now and again. Not too long ago I had a walk round Fewston Reservoir near Harrogate.

There's no flat ground for a good few miles as it's hilly where I live.

I'm wanting to cycle a good 18-25mile, which is my furthest I would go for now.

How can I get back into cycling again without feeling out of breathe when I get home?

 

[Peteaud]

I haven't cycled for at least 9 years due to me getting leg ulcers every year. They've just cleared up now and I'm getting back into cycling as some of you will know.

I went for not even a mile! this morning on my bike and I was breathing heavily when I got back into my house. That's how unfit I am. But I have been going for walks every now and again. Not too long ago I had a walk round Fewston Reservoir near Harrogate.

There's no flat ground for a good few miles as it's hilly where I live.

I'm wanting to cycle a good 18-25mile, which is my furthest I would go for now.

How can I get back into cycling again without feeling out of breathe when I get home?

Dont go home.



Just take things easy, increase little by little, rome wasn't built in a day.

 

[Kies]

It might be worth putting the bike in the car and cycling somewhere flat. Build your distances and speed slowly.
I remember my first outing since a teenager - ventolin inhaler featured heavily on that first ride.

Good Luck

 

[ianrauk]

Just keep getting on your bike and ride. A little further every time. Just build it up.
That's all there is to it.

 

[smokeysmoo]

What Peteaud said. Softly, softly, catchy monkey is the only way to go IMO.

Read THIS blog of our very own @gb155

I'm not suggesting your weight is an issue, (God knows mine is!), but it does illustrate fantastically what can be achieved, and the odds at which it can be done as well.

 

[MikeW-71]

It'll happen the first few rides, you just need to give it time. It shouldn't take long

 

[NormanD]

Slow and steady .. remember that "almost mile", is an "almost mile" you didn't do yesterday, so that's your first step accomplished .. your next step is to take away that "Almost" and make it a mile

 

[vickster]

Mix it up with something else like swimming to get the cardio fitness up

 

[jonnysnorocket]

Well done :-) you've already done the hardest bit

 

[FlyingCyclist]

It might be worth putting the bike in the car and cycling somewhere flat. Build your distances and speed slowly.
I remember my first outing since a teenager - ventolin inhaler featured heavily on that first ride.

Good Luck

That's what I was wondering. There's a 10mile ride which is mostly flat. Half of it is a 50-60mile road and the other is moreorless single track. There's about one hill (mountain to me) to conquer, after that it's flat-tish.

Read THIS blog of our very own @gb155

I'm not suggesting your weight is an issue, (God knows mine is!), but it does illustrate fantastically what can be achieved, and the odds at which it can be done as well.

Wow. It's amazing what people can do.

I weighed myself last year and I weighed 11 stone. I used to be slim and now I have a small belly. I tried on my cycling shorts and they didn't fit! Working in a chocolate factory has caused me to become fat and eating choccy biscuits, choccy bistcuits with peanut butter and/or chocolate spread, ice lollies and too much coffee doesn't help. Thankfully I'm cutting back on all of them.

I now may weigh a little more now!!!

Mix it up with something else like swimming to get the cardio fitness up

I used to go swimming with scouts but haven't been since. I'm not sure what chlorine would do to my leg ulcer scars and I'm rather conscious about the way I look.

 

[uclown2002]

Our resident expert will be along soon to preach the virtues of base training before you do the HIT!

 

[ianrauk]

Our resident expert will be along soon to preach the virtues of base training before you do the HIT!

Don't forget the Bananas.

 

[toeknee]

We'll done Dave, hey a mile is a mile, everyone starts somewhere, take your time, and build the miles up, it's quite amazing what gains you make in cycling, as someone said , if you can travel to somewhere slightly flatter all the better, if not , just increase gradually, where you live.

Keep it up Dave... & soon you will be Fit...........

All the best
Tony.

 

[nappadang]

Little acorns, mighty Oaks etc.
Gateshead (my area) is pretty hilly, I used to curse the hills when I first started out but perseverance has brought my stamina on a lot. My advice would be try to split your bike time between flat (bike in the car) and a few hills to get the heart rate up a bit.
Whatever you decide, good luck mate

 

[Ern1e]

Hi @DavidS like everyone else is saying take it steady for alittle while just do what you can and do not be worried about it we all started out doing some thing simular I know I did lol.Going some where flat to start off yes good idea and belive me those hills will soon be not just as steep as they where.Oh and by the way I would have thought that working in a chocolate factory you would have been sick of the site of the stuff by now lol.