Short Hilly or Long Flatter rides for newbie

[Teddsie]

I'm new to cycling not been regular rider since early teens 45 now. I've bought a Specialized Crosstrail Comp through the C2W scheme,over weight and recently packed up smoking last ciggy 31/01/15 :-) I've done 4 fairly flat rides from 7.5 to 14.5 miles in the last few weeks on my own and been on my first group ride with work mates 15.5 miles with a few reasonable hills in my opinion! They've got 6 to 8 months on me with varying fitness levels, felt abit guilty as they had to wait for me on several occasions but got loads of encouragement which was greatly appreciated up some hills. What would people suggest stick to shorter rides with hills or longer flatter rides to be fair there is enough loops within Charnwood (Leics) to do both and to able to bail if legs give up!! Just would like some pointers in the best way to gain fitness/stamina.
Cheers

 

[13 rider]

Hilly gets my vote or preferably hilly and long

 

[mr messy]

Depends how much time you have available to ride and what floats your boat. Most important thing is to enjoy it.
Shorter regular known routes can build up your speed by noting your times and try to improve on them. Increase miles then try hills. Above all enjoy!

 

[Arrowfoot]

Looks like you are progressing well. Group rides get you fitter faster - forced to follow. As folks have pointed out - distance and hills.

 

[mjr]

Only thing I'd add is that if your mates say they're OK to wait, please don't feel guilty. Enjoy it

 

[Markymark]

Don't stick to either. Mix it up, go where you like.

 

[Sittingduck]

If you have the time, try to do increasingly longer and hiller rides. If pressed for time, try harder shorter rides with intervals.

 

[welsh dragon]

Choose the terrain you want to cycle on, not what others think. If your unfit, you may want to cycle on the flat to build up time in the saddle. Then you may want to shake it up a bit and get a bit fitter by doing some hilly bits. See how you feel. Good luck

 

[LoftusRoadie]

Flatter routes were more enjoyable but hillier ones helped me build my speed up. As others have said: the most important thing is that you enjoy it!

 

[Shadow]

^^^All of the above^^^!
And well done on giving up the fags. You will be surprised how fit you are in 1-2 months time by just going out for a ride 3-4 times a week.

 

[Citius]

Flatter, longer routes will do more for your fitness...

 

[mcshroom]

Variety is the spice of life. A good mix of the two will help with different aspects of your cycling. Best adivice is to find the sort of ride you enjoy, as that will be the riding you will do most often

 

[MrsR15]

I'd love to do some flat rides. Unfortunately we don't have any it's all hills. I'd mix up the rides too. Enjoy yourself.

Mrs R

 

[PK99]

I'm new to cycling not been regular rider since early teens 45 now. I've bought a Specialized Crosstrail Comp through the C2W scheme,over weight and recently packed up smoking last ciggy 31/01/15 :-) I've done 4 fairly flat rides from 7.5 to 14.5 miles in the last few weeks on my own and been on my first group ride with work mates 15.5 miles with a few reasonable hills in my opinion! They've got 6 to 8 months on me with varying fitness levels, felt abit guilty as they had to wait for me on several occasions but got loads of encouragement which was greatly appreciated up some hills. What would people suggest stick to shorter rides with hills or longer flatter rides to be fair there is enough loops within Charnwood (Leics) to do both and to able to bail if legs give up!! Just would like some pointers in the best way to gain fitness/stamina.
Cheers

Neither!

The hardest rides of the lot are long flat rides - you are working 100% of the time.
Insanely hilly rides are really intimidating for new riders - having to get off and walk rocks confidence.
The best rides are over rolling hills - nothing too taxing on the ups, but you get a chance to recover on the downs.

I did 60 miles solo rides last Friday and Monday, each essentially non-stop apart from a coffee midway.
Friday was flat-flat out into the Thames valley heart rate around 135 the whole way - I was knackered the next day/
Monday was hilly, (3300ft) including Epsom downs, Headly, Ranmore, Leith hill, heart rate up to 160 but also down at 110 on the downhills. i was fresh at the end and the next day.

 

[Fubar]

I'm new to cycling not been regular rider since early teens 45 now. I've bought a Specialized Crosstrail Comp through the C2W scheme,over weight and recently packed up smoking last ciggy 31/01/15 :-) I've done 4 fairly flat rides from 7.5 to 14.5 miles in the last few weeks on my own and been on my first group ride with work mates 15.5 miles with a few reasonable hills in my opinion! They've got 6 to 8 months on me with varying fitness levels, felt abit guilty as they had to wait for me on several occasions but got loads of encouragement which was greatly appreciated up some hills. What would people suggest stick to shorter rides with hills or longer flatter rides to be fair there is enough loops within Charnwood (Leics) to do both and to able to bail if legs give up!! Just would like some pointers in the best way to gain fitness/stamina.
Cheers

Both.

Longer flat rides will help get "miles in your legs" and can be as hard (if not harder) than a hilly ride - there is no downhill relief and you are generally not constantly "on the flat" but either on a slight uphill or slight downhill, usually going into a headwind which can really sap your energy.

hills are good too so mix it up - it depends on your goals and if you have any rides coming up.