I thought I was moderately fit...

[Peteaud]

we have (nearly) all been there,

My 1st hill isnt a hill, and yes i got off the bike and walked it, now i dont even think of it as an incline.

The jargon comes and the more you are on this site the more you pick up.

Biggest thing, enjoyment, dont overdo it, for the sake of it.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

forget all the 'shoulds' for now....just get on a bike and keep riding it...gradually you will realize yourself what you need and dont need. when you get cold buy gloves...simples

+1

 

[helston90]

Don't beat yourself up if you're enjoying yourself- that's what it's about!
It never gets easier you just go faster!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Yea and that guy from the sky team I passed today didn't even say hello, whilst the bloke in jeans we had a bit of a chat, after I caught him up after he had over taken me.

Ha, perfect! Second note is to never let yourself be intimidated by folk with fancy gear

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Don't beat yourself up if you're enjoying yourself- that's what it's about!
It never gets easier you just go faster!

Dont know about that, I am finding I am not going faster, its just getting easier, I am finding the hills dont hurt so much, and the distances, well I wont say fly by, but no matter how far I have just lately it doesnt seem two mins before I have that climb upto the house.
Though having said that I do get a new P.B. from time to time.

 

[helston90]

Dont know about that, I am finding I am not going faster, its just getting easier, I am finding the hills dont hurt so much, and the distances, well I wont say fly by, but no matter how far I have just lately it doesnt seem two mins before I have that climb upto the house.
Though having said that I do get a new P.B. from time to time.

If you're finding the hills don't hurt so much you're not trying hard enough - having said that if you're setting new PB's then you probably are!

 

[fossyant]

Frequency of rinding is the key, and build up slowly. I.e riding 5 miles 5 times a week is better than two 15 mile rides. The body adapts better.

It will take 3-6 months before you see good gains. As for increasing miles, do what runners recommend = plus 10% Day 1 = 5 miles, day 2 = 5.5 miles.

 

[Rob3rt]

Frequency of rinding is the key, and build up slowly. I.e riding 5 miles 5 times a week is better than two 15 mile rides. The body adapts better.

It will take 3-6 months before you see good gains. As for increasing miles, do what runners recommend = plus 10% Week 1 = 5 miles, Week 2 = 5.5 miles.

 

[fossyant]

Gah - it's a bike not a run - 10% each ride !

 

[morebiggins_lesswiggins]

Just add 10% eh? I'm not that good at maths!

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

It's just that feeling of getting of the bike to realise many legs don't work anymore

Don't know about anyone else, but I love that feeling after a ride - be it 2 miles or 20. For me, it says I've given all I can and I know it does me good. If I come back and jump off the bike with no after-effects at all it's like I haven't tried.

 

[Sittingduck]

• Take it easy to begin with and listen to your body
• Select a lower gear than you think you should be in
• Go up in 3 mile incriments, until the mid twenties
• Switch to 5 mile incriments, until 40
• Switch to 10 mile incriments, until 70
• The rest... is cheesecake!

 

[WobblyBob]

Don't know about anyone else, but I love that feeling after a ride - be it 2 miles or 20. For me, it says I've given all I can and I know it does me good. If I come back and jump off the bike with no after-effects at all it's like I haven't tried.

Could'nt agree more....

 

[Nigelnaturist]

If you're finding the hills don't hurt so much you're not trying hard enough - having said that if you're setting new PB's then you probably are!

Maybe I should find some longer steeper hills,
I did 50Km yesterday of a none to taxing route to me these days, though the wind was still a problem from time to time.
The last Km is all climb the first 100m is 8% then it easer's to between 1-3 for most of it with slight dip about half way up.
My slowest was 4'10" on the 6th of this month yesterday I did it in 3'49" thats about a 9% improvement. Though they have varied through the month.
Cobblers Lane

 

[DeepBurn]

I have found that just getting out regularly makes a huge difference.

When I started cycling on my new bike in July I was doing a couple of miles near my house including one steep, short hill. It killed me every time I attempted it. However yesterday, just a couple of months later, I cycled almost 20 miles over hilly terrain, and felt like I could have continued a bit further.

The gains I have made in a such a short space have surprised me a little bit, but being mentally prepared is just as important. I know if I push myself it will hurt and that takes some getting your head around!

But the way I look at it is that you have to take yourself out of the comfort zone otherwise you'll never improve.

Stick at it and I bet you'll see improvements very soon.