I'm slowly dying with this cycling lark.

[cyberknight]

Read this about bike set-up.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
Buy a track pump like a Joe Blow sport and make sure tyres are at full pressure.
If possible, swap knobblies for slicks.
If possible, lock front suspension.
Commute by bike only every other day at first - rest is training.
Relax and enjoy the view.

Well done so far!

+1 on all of the above especially seat height, if my seat is to low it feels like my thighs are screaming after a few miles.
Do you stretch your legs out as well? i find a gentle stretch helps if you target your calfs,thighs and hamstrings.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Good point, I stretch on the go by freewheeling and pushing my heel into the lowest point of the crank revolution.

Best advice I had was 'go easy on yourself'.

 

[Fab Foodie]

+1 on all of the above especially seat height, if my seat is to low it feels like my thighs are screaming after a few miles.
Do you stretch your legs out as well? i find a gentle stretch helps if you target your calfs,thighs and hamstrings.

Good point re stretching afterwards especially. That reminded me about warming-up slowly too, spin along gently for the first 10 to 15 mins.

 

[SoonToBeSkinny]

Thanks everyone. Have the bag packed for the morning but will maybe take a rest on Thursday.

I am enjoying it, great feeling moving past cars that are sitting in traffic

Perhaps I am trying too much on the hills. Will take it a little easier and let the fitness come with time.

 

[MrJamie]

I think the bouncing on a full suspension bike comes from your weight moving from saddle to pedals and back wasting energy bouncing the suspension, its probably less severe if you can smoothly pedal in a slightly easier gear than normal. For hillclimbing, i like the theory that you cant really go too slowly at the start because you can always use the extra energy later, rather than over pacing it and giving out.

Overall though riding a heavy bike with full suspension wasting a lot of your energy into a headwind is going to be horrible and has a lot to do with most people not cycling or giving up, good job on keeping at it - it really will get much easier. Your legs will get better and adapt quickly, but make sure you can tell the difference between good pain and bad pain ie. tiredness and damage since youre pushing way above what youre used to and easing in more gradually would be more sensible, not that many of us would take our own advice on that

 

[lb81]

Also you need to make sure your giving your body what it needs to repair and fuel the muscles. Eating or drinking plenty of protein, particularly in the evening will help your muscles to recover and help stop the lead feeling. Milk, fish or a protein shake will work wonders. Also make sure your well hydrated before during and after your ride. I have a 20 mile each way commute and I really know about it if I haven't fed my body the right things. Had a few beers after work last night and I can feel already my legs won't be up for it today .

+ 1 on the wind as well, had a trully vicious head wind on Monday which nearly finished me off.

Let us know how you get on as the most important thing is that you are able to enjoy it!!

 

[BSRU]

If it is that bad try having rest days, such as cycle Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, gives you body a chance to recover and you will soon not need the rest days.

 

[rollinstok]

keep sticking at it, when you get your new bike it'll seem a doddle in comparison and you'll be flying along

 

[stephen.rooke]

a few months ago i could barely ride 2 miles, now i can manage 20 mile rides and hills, keep at it, it gets easier. i feel like i could do 30/40 mile rides now but not had the chance to try yet due to work/weather

 

[donnyjnk]

can you stiffen up the suspension on the rear. Some have a screw that you can tighten which will compress the spring and lessen the rear bounce. Secondly give yourself some credit for attempting it. check your tyre pressures. if they are flat this will create rolling resistance and cripple your legs. if you are mainly using cycle lanes and roads you could afford to put about 55-60 psi in the wheels. Don't give up

 

[SoonToBeSkinny]

Well another day done. Lasted again, took it a bit easier coming home and felt much better for it. Even took the kids for a 3 mile walk after dinner. This fitness thing could well agree with me!

Only another 2 weeks with the mountain bike and should have a Boardman hybrid

Going to stick with it. Can already notice the difference in my legs. Strange thing though, my stomach is already noticeably smaller, but the scales are telling me I'm getting heavier. On a diet too (which I'm sticking with). Anyone know why this would be happening? I had hopes to drop some lbs during this adventure.

Thanks again for all your kind words. I really appreciate them and feel motivated by you all.

 

[daSmirnov]

It's all that extra muscle in your thighs.

 

[steve keay]

I used to have a full supension mountai bike. I fely like I was using twice as much energy as my bike with just front suspension, I found setting the suspension as hard as I could and having full pressure helped the wasted energy. I had to sell it in the end. Keep up the good work

 

[I like Skol]

Several point's to make here.....

It's not just about the bike, your fitness will improve, stick at it!

Your FS bike is arguabley the worst tool for the job but, it will do the job.

Definitely don't expect to jump straight into a 100% cycle commute straight away. It took me at least 6 months to feel close to comfortable going to 100% cycle commute.

If it is chucking it down, or you don't feel great, then jump in the car without feeling guilty. It is supposed to be enjoyable, not punishment!

Pump them bl**dy tyres up! Whatever the max pressure is marked on the sidewalls then make sure you achieve that!! I would even suggest going 10% over pressured as all manufacturers will factor in at least that much as a safety factor.

 

[DCLane]

Going to stick with it. Can already notice the difference in my legs. Strange thing though, my stomach is already noticeably smaller, but the scales are telling me I'm getting heavier. On a diet too (which I'm sticking with). Anyone know why this would be happening? I had hopes to drop some lbs during this adventure.

Keep going - and the weight will come off.

Last year my weight went up in the first couple of weeks ... and then rocketed down every month for 6 months until I hit my target.