A return to the saddle
Discussion
So then, as I'm getting old I can't remember if I posted In here when I bought my new bike back in May/June last year.
Since I bought it I've gradually increased my distances starting out at what I think you'll agree is an earth shattering 4.48 miles in 28 minutes.
Bear in mind that I was 51 and 18 1/2 stone when I went back to riding after more than a decade of not riding.
Well I only cycle once a week on a Friday weather permitting, occasionally getting another ride in during the week, but I'm now up to nearly 14 miles in 1hr 14minutes, I decided I'd attempt to cycle to work, work to my dad's, and then home today....................wish me luck.
Since I bought it I've gradually increased my distances starting out at what I think you'll agree is an earth shattering 4.48 miles in 28 minutes.
Bear in mind that I was 51 and 18 1/2 stone when I went back to riding after more than a decade of not riding.
Well I only cycle once a week on a Friday weather permitting, occasionally getting another ride in during the week, but I'm now up to nearly 14 miles in 1hr 14minutes, I decided I'd attempt to cycle to work, work to my dad's, and then home today....................wish me luck.
Good work.
I remember my first ride - admittedly some years ago now - but I rode from my house to the seafront and back. I grand total of 6 miles. I couldn't walk for a week.
Since then I ridden London to Brighton (on and off-road events) a few 100 milers, London to Paris, London to Amsterdam, East coast of Spain, a week in the Alps (Alpe D'huez twice).
Sooo....little steps buddy.
I remember my first ride - admittedly some years ago now - but I rode from my house to the seafront and back. I grand total of 6 miles. I couldn't walk for a week.
Since then I ridden London to Brighton (on and off-road events) a few 100 milers, London to Paris, London to Amsterdam, East coast of Spain, a week in the Alps (Alpe D'huez twice).
Sooo....little steps buddy.
I got my mate back into riding after about 16 years out of it back in 2020 just after the first lockdown. He was fairly overweight and desperately unfit spending his life doing no exercise whatsoever. His first ride I think almost killed him! Was only did a few miles but he stuck at it.
Within a year I had him doing full (black and red) loops of trail centres like Llandegla and Dalby and this year he's doing ArdRock!!
Fitness is a b
h in that it's easily lost and a bugger to get back. Can be incredibly disheartening too when progress is slow but every time you jump on the bike, no matter how short a ride you do, you're building it back up.
Within a year I had him doing full (black and red) loops of trail centres like Llandegla and Dalby and this year he's doing ArdRock!!
Fitness is a b
h in that it's easily lost and a bugger to get back. Can be incredibly disheartening too when progress is slow but every time you jump on the bike, no matter how short a ride you do, you're building it back up. Thanks for the words of encouragement chaps, much appreciated!!!
Bobberoo said:
And lo, it did come to pass that a fat bloke on a bike did cycle 17+miles, yay verily!!!!
And once he did cycle he did pour a bath to soak in whilst he posted upon these hallowed pages, whilst listening to Carl Cox and drinking a beer!!!!
Obviously copied from another thread in which I reside!!!And once he did cycle he did pour a bath to soak in whilst he posted upon these hallowed pages, whilst listening to Carl Cox and drinking a beer!!!!
I'm 61 and 17 stone. I'm planning a 1400 mile bike trip in September. The only difference is I haven't been away as long as you.
As above it's all about getting out regularly. Lots of small rides are better than irregular long rides. My motivation in the dark cold part of the year is picking a pub 5 to 10 miles away and riding there and back. Cafés obviously work as well. 9 rides so far this year. Come better weather I'll up it to 3 rides a week minimum and do a few longer ones.
Any long ride is just a number of shorter ones joined together. Focus on part at a time
Works for longer rides two. When I did a 4000 mile tour it was a bit of a physiological challenge as my longest tour before then was 1000 miles Lands End John O Groats. But I told myself it's 4 LeJogs back to back and it would be achievable because I was aiming for a slower pace.
As above it's all about getting out regularly. Lots of small rides are better than irregular long rides. My motivation in the dark cold part of the year is picking a pub 5 to 10 miles away and riding there and back. Cafés obviously work as well. 9 rides so far this year. Come better weather I'll up it to 3 rides a week minimum and do a few longer ones.
Any long ride is just a number of shorter ones joined together. Focus on part at a time
Works for longer rides two. When I did a 4000 mile tour it was a bit of a physiological challenge as my longest tour before then was 1000 miles Lands End John O Groats. But I told myself it's 4 LeJogs back to back and it would be achievable because I was aiming for a slower pace.
Bobberoo said:
Northwave Spider 3 shoes, multi direction Shimano cleets and Shimano SPD PD-ME700 pedals all ordered!!!
Those shoes look like a decent choice. It doesn't take much to tempt a person over to the Dark Side. Me? I've been off my bike for four months, and got back on last week for all of 8 miles in 1hr 12min. Today I went out again and did 12.5 miles in 1hr 30min. Slow as owt, but better than not riding at all. I've left my Lycra and clippy-cloppy shoes at home though, and gone back to tracksuit pants and running shoes on flat pedals for the time being as it creates fewer excuses for backing out if I go out dressed "as I am" on any given day. Next stage will be to get my MTB out of the garage and get out on the trails. I need to build steadily but quite quickly because I'm racing at the end of March... 
Bobberoo said:
So then, as I'm getting old I can't remember if I posted In here when I bought my new bike back in May/June last year.
Since I bought it I've gradually increased my distances starting out at what I think you'll agree is an earth shattering 4.48 miles in 28 minutes.
Bear in mind that I was 51 and 18 1/2 stone when I went back to riding after more than a decade of not riding.
Well I only cycle once a week on a Friday weather permitting, occasionally getting another ride in during the week, but I'm now up to nearly 14 miles in 1hr 14minutes, I decided I'd attempt to cycle to work, work to my dad's, and then home today....................wish me luck.
Very similar to you.Since I bought it I've gradually increased my distances starting out at what I think you'll agree is an earth shattering 4.48 miles in 28 minutes.
Bear in mind that I was 51 and 18 1/2 stone when I went back to riding after more than a decade of not riding.
Well I only cycle once a week on a Friday weather permitting, occasionally getting another ride in during the week, but I'm now up to nearly 14 miles in 1hr 14minutes, I decided I'd attempt to cycle to work, work to my dad's, and then home today....................wish me luck.
Not been on a bike for longer though....
Trying to get out a couple of lunch times - partly because I want to ride with less traffic, and with kids, I'm struggling to find time whilst running their taxi service.
First ride was just over 8km. 3 rides in and I'm at 11km and looking to get slightly longer each week.
When the weathe gets better, weekends may allow more time and I've got a pub 10 miles away I want to get to, have a leisurely pint and then come back home. Hopefully by the end of Feb, but that is only 4 weekends away.
I'll treat myself to similar shoes if I manage it.
Cupid-stunt said:
Very similar to you.
Not been on a bike for longer though....
Trying to get out a couple of lunch times - partly because I want to ride with less traffic, and with kids, I'm struggling to find time whilst running their taxi service.
First ride was just over 8km. 3 rides in and I'm at 11km and looking to get slightly longer each week.
When the weathe gets better, weekends may allow more time and I've got a pub 10 miles away I want to get to, have a leisurely pint and then come back home. Hopefully by the end of Feb, but that is only 4 weekends away.
I'll treat myself to similar shoes if I manage it.
Congratulations on getting back in the saddle, my next goal is to do the work-dad-home routes without stopping or walking the last bit of hill!!!Not been on a bike for longer though....
Trying to get out a couple of lunch times - partly because I want to ride with less traffic, and with kids, I'm struggling to find time whilst running their taxi service.
First ride was just over 8km. 3 rides in and I'm at 11km and looking to get slightly longer each week.
When the weathe gets better, weekends may allow more time and I've got a pub 10 miles away I want to get to, have a leisurely pint and then come back home. Hopefully by the end of Feb, but that is only 4 weekends away.
I'll treat myself to similar shoes if I manage it.
Then I'm aiming for 20 miles!!!
although a pub stop at 10 miles is very tempting!!!
Bobberoo said:
Congratulations on getting back in the saddle, my next goal is to do the work-dad-home routes without stopping or walking the last bit of hill!!!
Then I'm aiming for 20 miles!!! although a pub stop at 10 miles is very tempting!!!
Thanks.Then I'm aiming for 20 miles!!!
although a pub stop at 10 miles is very tempting!!!Scotland weather isn't conducive to getting out.
I'll need to toughen up or go for really long rides when we have long days.
Till then, its short rides in the week and then trying to sneak in a couple of hours in the weekend in between faily duties.
Cupid-stunt said:
Thanks.
Scotland weather isn't conducive to getting out.
I'll need to toughen up or go for really long rides when we have long days.
Till then, its short rides in the week and then trying to sneak in a couple of hours in the weekend in between faily duties.
I've managed 11 rides this month. Around and in Glasgow. It is tricky though . Today I was standing at my shed ready to go and it was snowing for 5 minutes. Then it cleared up and it was dry for 2/3rds of the way to the pub. Scotland weather isn't conducive to getting out.
I'll need to toughen up or go for really long rides when we have long days.
Till then, its short rides in the week and then trying to sneak in a couple of hours in the weekend in between faily duties.
Dressed for the weather. Wooly hat, fleece gloves, Merino base layer, then fleece top, and Goretx jacket. Rainlegs on top of tracksters. Bike shoes loose fitting enough to wear Heatholder thermal socks which come up to past shins.
But yes, looking forward to getting some longer rides in come spring.
I'm in the NE of Scotland so it's a bit better here as we do get a lot of sunny days compared to the west. It's usually baltic mind you, but at least the sun is out. I'm always up early on a Sat and Sun morning to ride the gravel bike for 2-4 hours, and I also get out on the MTB as much as I can. 52 this year, with a fairly busy and stressful job and biking is the best mental therapy there is, plus I stay fit too.
Well done on getting back in the saddle
Well done on getting back in the saddle
Pablo16v said:
I'm in the NE of Scotland so it's a bit better here as we do get a lot of sunny days compared to the west. It's usually baltic mind you, but at least the sun is out. I'm always up early on a Sat and Sun morning to ride the gravel bike for 2-4 hours, and I also get out on the MTB as much as I can. 52 this year, with a fairly busy and stressful job and biking is the best mental therapy there is, plus I stay fit too.
Well done on getting back in the saddle
Thanks old chap!!!Well done on getting back in the saddle
My pedals arrived today, they're smaller than I expected, but rather nice!!!
^I've recently put the same pedals on the road bike, am not 100% sure yet on them as I've used Look pedals for decades, but double sided clipins do help in traffic etc. But you need some more shoes, a pair for 'racing', a pair for just riding, a pair for winter, and a pair flats for just popping to the shops........and I don't even do any off road riding
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