Recreational & Family - Struggling with what should be an easy ride...GRRR

It's pathetic how LITTLE I can ride at this point, at least when you add hills into the mix. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been riding daily or anything but geeze, 2.7 miles with some hills shouldn't kick my butt! Sure I am totally out of shape and turning 36 hasn't helped my metabolism :).

I just took a 2.71 mile ride through my general neighborhood. I live at the foothills but where it's flatter. Those damned slight grades KICK ME IN THE TUSH! I better start doing more riding if I'm ever gonna beat this! Here's the route I took http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/los%20feliz/247124776721816209

Are any of you newbies or out of shape and are struggling with what seems like it should be an easy ride?:injured:

Make sure you are using your gears (assuming you have gears). Don't try pushing big gears, tires out your muscles before your cardio is done in. Aim for 60-80 rpm cadence, maybe 40-60 up hills. Your cadence should be smoother and probably faster as you get used to riding.

Your rear may hurt on following days but keep riding and that will (should) go away. It will feel tender like a bruise maybe with hotspots. After 5 or 10 minutes of the initial hurt you won't feel it as bad.

Keep at it, the improvements will follow. 36 is still young :)

Make sure you are using your gears (assuming you have gears). Don't try pushing big gears, tires out your muscles before your cardio is done in. Aim for 60-80 rpm cadence, maybe 40-60 up hills. Your cadence should be smoother and probably faster as you get used to riding.

Your rear may hurt on following days but keep riding and that will (should) go away. It will feel tender like a bruise maybe with hotspots. After 5 or 10 minutes of the initial hurt you won't feel it as bad.

Keep at it, the improvements will follow. 36 is still young :)

Hi and thanks!

1. I use the easier gears but I go on comfort. I have a Trek WSD 7000, lots of gears. I usually have it sent (on the left) in 2nd and then work my range depending on how I feel.

2. I have NO clue how to track/follow cadence and I'm so new and don't do long rides that that prob. is little concern for me right now.

3. My tush feels fine! Did I write "pain in the tush", I literally meant, what a pain! LOL. Funny.

4. Yes, 36 is young, I'm just super duper outta shape. The goal is to get comfy enough to do my little commute a few times a week. I teach so I have summer off and work is only an 8 minute ride. Going is a slight grade down the whole way, coming home is the opposite (obviously).

Thanks for the advice and positive thoughts. I feel like a doofus.

Hi and thanks!

1. I use the easier gears but I go on comfort. I have a Trek WSD 7000, lots of gears. I usually have it sent (on the left) in 2nd and then work my range depending on how I feel.

2. I have NO clue how to track/follow cadence and I'm so new and don't do long rides that that prob. is little concern for me right now.

3. My tush feels fine! Did I write "pain in the tush", I literally meant, what a pain! LOL. Funny.

4. Yes, 36 is young, I'm just super duper outta shape. The goal is to get comfy enough to do my little commute a few times a week. I teach so I have summer off and work is only an 8 minute ride. Going is a slight grade down the whole way, coming home is the opposite (obviously).

Thanks for the advice and positive thoughts. I feel like a doofus.

Don't feel like a doofus at all.

The rear pain was just a heads up. It didn't sound like you had experienced it yet, but wanted to warn you in case you do.

Don't worry too much about the cadence. But this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScOvLVqJABE) talks a little more about it. I didn't time or count it but it looked like they were doing 90+. A bike computer can automate showing your cadence or you can use the clock/stopwatch of the computer to count your rpms (like counting your heartbeat). A little computer is nice to have to show your speed and distance. Not a bad accessory to have. Your probably doing okay on your cadence for now. Beginners often will have too low of a cadence. As you progress, try to measure what yours is and up it to the 60-80 rpm range if not already there. It's the same technique spin classes have adopted, higher sustained rpms. Similar to low resistance/high reps in any other type of workout.

For you ladies, comfort can be very difficult to find sometimes. Saddles are one of the biggest problem areas. After that, backs and necks seem to give you all the most problems. If you are not running into any of these problems, you are well ahead of the game.

It feels good after a nice ride, doesn't it? You have the advantage of that SoCal weather too :).

Don't feel like a doofus at all.

The rear pain was just a heads up. It didn't sound like you had experienced it yet, but wanted to warn you in case you do.

Don't worry too much about the cadence. But this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScOvLVqJABE) talks a little more about it. I didn't time or count it but it looked like they were doing 90+. A bike computer can automate showing your cadence or you can use the clock/stopwatch of the computer to count your rpms (like counting your heartbeat). A little computer is nice to have to show your speed and distance. Not a bad accessory to have. Your probably doing okay on your cadence for now. Beginners often will have too low of a cadence. As you progress, try to measure what yours is and up it to the 60-80 rpm range if not already there. It's the same technique spin classes have adopted, higher sustained rpms. Similar to low resistance/high reps in any other type of workout.

For you ladies, comfort can be very difficult to find sometimes. Saddles are one of the biggest problem areas. After that, backs and necks seem to give you all the most problems. If you are not running into any of these problems, you are well ahead of the game.

It feels good after a nice ride, doesn't it? You have the advantage of that SoCal weather too :).

I do have a little bike computer, we haven't put it on yet but don't think we got one that does cadence. I ride a hybrid so I'm not going for ultimate perfection. I do think it's time to go get a first time adjustment though. I think I need to rotate my bars a little closer to me. Luckily the seat is suited for girl parts ;)

Thanks again for the info. And our "nice SoCal" weather is near 100 right now, BLECH!

Haha, I am glad I am not the only one. I gave up going fast and far for now. I use to wonder why I was so slow, but I have come to the conclusion that everyone is just too fast.

Haha, I am glad I am not the only one. I gave up going fast and far for now. I use to wonder why I was so slow, but I have come to the conclusion that everyone is just too fast.
THAT'S IT! Everyone is too fast. And what about those crazies who think hills are FUN :D

Problems with hills require buying more bikes LOL. I bought a Trek Lime... then realized it was too slow and cumbersome... so I bought a Jamis Explorer, and for a while, I could get up hills, but then winter came and after a long layoff, I could no longer get up hills... so I bought a Trek 7.1 FX and wow, I can get up hills and I don't die after every bike ride.

Don't get discouraged... the more you bike, the more you learn about your options...

I love you guys. Bike Forums, although there may be some nutty folks, has the nicest members ever.

Not sure if you guys even looked at what I'm calling a hill. If you click my MapMyRide link, you'll see, the elevation is not big, it's really about my health. It's not even about my bike which is a comfy fit hybrid and nothing for speed or hill climbing :)

I started riding my mountain bike around the neighborhood bike trail. There were two little grades on it that I had to slow down and huff and puff up. But after a while, I got to where I could go right up them, then could go up them in high gear, then could go up them in high gear without slowing down, and finally rode over one of them without noticing I was doing so. Hang in there, it gets easier.

The first month is rough. My wife and I managed (read nearly died trying) a 1.5 mile ride our first time out.

Seat hight is the first step, a seat to low makes things very, very hard.

Cadence is a rough one when starting out (I've yet to get good at spinning fast.) If you're having to push the pedals down with anything but light pressure on your feet you're probably in the wrong gear. Does bad stuff to your knees and will wear you out quickly.

Being slow is not a bad thing. As long as it's giving ya a workout you're doing it right.

The first month is rough. My wife and I managed (read nearly died trying) a 1.5 mile ride our first time out.

Seat hight is the first step, a seat to low makes things very, very hard.

Cadence is a rough one when starting out (I've yet to get good at spinning fast.) If you're having to push the pedals down with anything but light pressure on your feet you're probably in the wrong gear. Does bad stuff to your knees and will wear you out quickly.

Being slow is not a bad thing. As long as it's giving ya a workout you're doing it right.

No doubt I get a workout! I was feeling all confident because I was just on a cruise and went to the gym and rode 10 miles in 28 minutes. My husband reminded me that was on a stationary bike :D Funny.

Another thing I should look into is getting reassessed for my asthma. I was diagnosed when I was 9. Now I'm 36. I take no meds and do nothing to work with it. I don't get wheezy and pannicky, but I'm sure that's partly because I don't push to where it might get ugly.

My only wish now is for the heat to go.

When you have the time, go out and do a few repeats on those "hills" -- get in a decent gear and just push your envelope a little up and over the top, turn around and go back and do it again.

Your general riding ability will improve pretty quickly anyway, but doing this kind of exercise will help a lot.

On my commute (27m round trip) which I ride 3 or 4 times a week, things that used to seem like hills to me seem like just light grades now. Where I used to struggle to stay at 10mph, I now cruise at 19/20.

Keep it up, don't get discouraged because you have the hardest part (starting) behind you already! Don't get obsessed with mileage yet, just establish the habit of riding regularly.

When you have the time, go out and do a few repeats on those "hills" -- get in a decent gear and just push your envelope a little up and over the top, turn around and go back and do it again.

Your general riding ability will improve pretty quickly anyway, but doing this kind of exercise will help a lot.

On my commute (27m round trip) which I ride 3 or 4 times a week, things that used to seem like hills to me seem like just light grades now. Where I used to struggle to stay at 10mph, I now cruise at 19/20.

Keep it up, don't get discouraged because you have the hardest part (starting) behind you already! Don't get obsessed with mileage yet, just establish the habit of riding regularly.

Thanks for the feedback! I can follow your "pushing" over the little grades/hills. But going back and doing it again...Hmmmm. And you are right, riding more often is my goal, not distance.

Glad you're out and trying. Another thing to check is adequate tire pressure because too little air can make you feel like you're riding through sand. Hope it feels easier soon.

Someone had a sig line here to the effect that my bike is slow, but the earth is patient.

Don't try to mash up a hill in your higher gears. Spin in a lower gear. If you do not have a computer on your bike with cadence don't worry about it. Find a comfortable pace for yourself to pedal.

Here is a link that I don't know if anyone showed you yet. There are many good articles for "beginners" or anyone who wants to learn a little more about cycling. Give it a look over, you'll be glad you did.

http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

Someone had a sig line here to the effect that my bike is slow, but the earth is patient.

Don't try to mash up a hill in your higher gears. Spin in a lower gear. If you do not have a computer on your bike with cadence don't worry about it. Find a comfortable pace for yourself to pedal.

Here is a link that I don't know if anyone showed you yet. There are many good articles for "beginners" or anyone who wants to learn a little more about cycling. Give it a look over, you'll be glad you did.

http://sheldonbrown.com/beginners/index.html

Hi Mr. DanW,

Thanks for the kind words. I definitely don't try to 'mash up' a hill. Seriously, what I'm calling hills, many of you would call a slanted street. But it's those long stretches that can wear you out the worst. I definitely switch to the easier gear when doing those.

Can you (or someone) tell me what is considered a challenging grade versus a minimal, etc etc? I can't be the only one or two folks on here that find those slight grades challenging. For example, the elevations are listed here. The graph makes it visually seem like I went up a huge hill, but I didn't. Ok, I'm not an idiot. I'm a high school teacher even, but I need to study up on how to read and understand an elevation chart.

Link: http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ca/los-feliz/247124776721816209

When I first got back into cycling I purchased a brand new mountain bike and decided to take it over to a local greenway where I used to ride with my dad when I was younger to try it out. I got a couple miles up the trail and I was so winded and exhausted that I honestly thought I was going to have to walk my bike to the nearest road and call my wife to come pick me up. It was embarrassing and humbling to me that I was that out of shape at 21y/o.

There is hope though...

I stuck with it and now, a couple years later, I'm in great shape for cycling. So much so that I got rid of my car and now bike pretty much everywhere I need to go. If you keep at it I'm sure you'll get stronger and climbing hills will get easier too. Good luck and happy pedaling.

When I first got back into cycling I purchased a brand new mountain bike and decided to take it over to a local greenway where I used to ride with my dad when I was younger to try it out. I got a couple miles up the trail and I was so winded and exhausted that I honestly thought I was going to have to walk my bike to the nearest road and call my wife to come pick me up. It was embarrassing and humbling to me that I was that out of shape at 21y/o.

There is hope though...

I stuck with it and now, a couple years later, I'm in great shape for cycling. So much so that I got rid of my car and now bike pretty much everywhere I need to go. If you keep at it I'm sure you'll get stronger and climbing hills will get easier too. Good luck and happy pedaling.

THANKS! Out of shape and married at 21? :D Good thing you kept riding! I'm out of shape in a bad way and married and 36 :)

You should find a riding buddy. It really helps to be able to encourage each other along the way. When you are in a bit better riding condition (not that I'm in spectacular riding condition) you can get on the regional forum here and find a "no drop" social ride. No drop means nobody gets left behind. A frequent poster on BF, Chipcom, put one together for last Memorial Day near my hometown. My son(21) and I(45) went just to see if we could do the distance. Chip made sure no one got left behind and we all had a good time...and ice cream. Group rides all seem to have ice cream.

You should find a riding buddy. It really helps to be able to encourage each other along the way. When you are in a bit better riding condition (not that I'm in spectacular riding condition) you can get on the regional forum here and find a "no drop" social ride. No drop means nobody gets left behind. A frequent poster on BF, Chipcom, put one together for last Memorial Day near my hometown. My son(21) and I(45) went just to see if we could do the distance. Chip made sure no one got left behind and we all had a good time...and ice cream. Group rides all seem to have ice cream.

Damn it, my husband should be my riding buddy! But, as many of you know, sometimes hubbies and wifies aren't on the same schedule. Plus, with it being so hot, it's hard for both of us to get out. Neither of us has an interest in riding when it's 95 out, not even a mile in our hood. :)

My plan tomorrow is to go to the bike store for a couple adjustments and then out to the beach to ride along a beach path. Wel'l see if the latter happens.

THANKS! Out of shape and married at 21? :D Good thing you kept riding! I'm out of shape in a bad way and married and 36 :)

Technically, "married at 22", she was my then-girlfriend, now-wife. I was very much out of shape though. I dropped out of college and worked office-type jobs for several years where all I did was sit around all day and go to "business lunches" which usually involved calorifically delicious foods.

It feels like a long slow road toward building up strength and stamina on a bike but it's totally worth it. my legs look hawt now. :D

My wife got back to cycling a year or so before me. Give him time, he'll catch on. In the mean time I'll bet one of your friends would ride with you.

I remember when I first got my folder. I thought is was soo fast (Dahon Mu C9)! until I looked behind me and saw a high school kid on a "mama chari" bike (big heavy bike that kids in Japan ride to school with) catching up to me! I started to pedal faster, but after a few minutes he rode by me......and the kicker was he was text messaging on his phone!

Have you checked to see that the bike was assembled properly?
In order to get maximum ride for the least effort, the bike needs to be properly adjusted. If you lift a wheel and spin it, does it spin freely and slowly come to a stop with the valve in the lowest position? That's a test for properly adjusted axle/bearings. Do the brake pads rub against the rim as the wheel spins? Either of these can make the bike harder to ride. One good test is to ride along side someone of similar weight with a good bike on a slight downhill and see which of you goes faster without either of you pedaling. It's a good test of the bike and its components.

BTW, the first thing that should wear out on you bike should be the rear gear cable. Shifting gears frequently to get a comfortable cadence gets to be second nature and will make the ride a lot more pleasant.

BTW, the first thing that should wear out on you bike should be the rear gear cable. Shifting gears frequently to get a comfortable cadence gets to be second nature and will make the ride a lot more pleasant.

The other parts of your note were good, but the cable part is not typically true.

You'll wear out chain, gears (cassettes and chainrings) and brakes before your cables will wear out.

Have you checked to see that the bike was assembled properly?
In order to get maximum ride for the least effort, the bike needs to be properly adjusted. If you lift a wheel and spin it, does it spin freely and slowly come to a stop with the valve in the lowest position? That's a test for properly adjusted axle/bearings. Do the brake pads rub against the rim as the wheel spins? Either of these can make the bike harder to ride. One good test is to ride along side someone of similar weight with a good bike on a slight downhill and see which of you goes faster without either of you pedaling. It's a good test of the bike and its components.

BTW, the first thing that should wear out on you bike should be the rear gear cable. Shifting gears frequently to get a comfortable cadence gets to be second nature and will make the ride a lot more pleasant.

The bike is in good shape. I trust the shop I got it from, even if the first sales guy let me pick the bike that I thought felt best, but being a TOTAL out of shape overweight newbie, that wasn't smart on his part. Gratefully though, they let me exchange the bike for the smaller size.

Truth be told, I haven't even rode the bike more than ten times yet! I've done little riding due to the fact it was the end of the school year and things were hectic, then I was at a conference out of town, then on a cruise, now it's pushing 100 degrees daily which is just too hot! I posted here because I am surprised at HOW out of shape and challenging little grades are. These aren't steep hills. I'm just really that out of shape. And since I've never been a cyclist (I've had a couple bikes in my lifetime at random times) my body is doing new things of course.

Anywho, back to the bike. It's having it's first sleep over at the shop. I pick it up today. I brought it in for its first adjustments. The rear brake was loose and the brakes seemed a little far from my hands. I also wanted to look into adjusting the handlebars one notch. I needed better grips, once when riding on a hot day, my hands were so sweaty they slipped OFF! The LBS guy said he was surprised I've ridden so little because of that rear brake. Then he said, "you must ride down some hills"! Damn those little itty bitty hills that kick me in the tush!:mad:

I needed better grips, once when riding on a hot day, my hands were so sweaty they slipped OFF! The LBS guy said he was surprised I've ridden so little because of that rear brake. Then he said, "you must ride down some hills"! Damn those little itty bitty hills that kick me in the tush!:mad:

Sounds like a great shop. Better ones will do what you have described, exchange and adjust within a reasonable period.

You might want to check out the Ergon and Lizard Skin grips. Ergons (and the like) are very comfortable. Their only downside is that they kind of fix how you grip the handlebar. It bothers some people, no way to tell if you are one of them. But they are very comfortable.

Gloves would also help with the sweat and comfort. They also have a nice terry cloth near the thumb for wiping your brow and such. Additionally they provide some fall protection. Some like gel gloves others do not. I never liked the squishy feel they give but they the best shock absorbers of the glove types.

Hi!
Don't feel badly...you are not alone! I am going through a "starting over" of sorts in that I moved out to an area with hills and I was used to riding only on a flat rail trail.

Then to add to that change, I rode a scooter for the past 2 cycling seasons and stayed off the bike totally. I am through with that, sold the scooter, and going back to cycling only.

But I am 54 now. When I first started riding "seriously" in 2001 I could barely do a 3 mile ride on a flat rail trail. Well, I'm ok on the flats, but it's the hills that scare me. Literally. I guess it's a fear of failure or the humiliation of having to start completely over, but that is where I am at. So you are at least getting out there and doing it...

This thread is inspiring to me and comes at a time when I was trying to talk myself out the door on my mtb around here. Even if it's a mile at a time, at least I'm pushing to become a cyclist again.

One thing I do recall when I was trying to increase my distances before was that it's no sin to stop and rest. If we plan a stop for 10" to rest, we can push on a lot further than we think. Little steps.

I admire your determination and I appreciate the encouragement I feel for myself reading this thread.

Deb

Hi!
Don't feel badly...you are not alone! I am going through a "starting over" of sorts in that I moved out to an area with hills and I was used to riding only on a flat rail trail.

Then to add to that change, I rode a scooter for the past 2 cycling seasons and stayed off the bike totally. I am through with that, sold the scooter, and going back to cycling only.

But I am 54 now. When I first started riding "seriously" in 2001 I could barely do a 3 mile ride on a flat rail trail. Well, I'm ok on the flats, but it's the hills that scare me. Literally. I guess it's a fear of failure or the humiliation of having to start completely over, but that is where I am at. So you are at least getting out there and doing it...

This thread is inspiring to me and comes at a time when I was trying to talk myself out the door on my mtb around here. Even if it's a mile at a time, at least I'm pushing to become a cyclist again.

One thing I do recall when I was trying to increase my distances before was that it's no sin to stop and rest. If we plan a stop for 10" to rest, we can push on a lot further than we think. Little steps.

I admire your determination and I appreciate the encouragement I feel for myself reading this thread.

Deb

Chili Dog, that was such a kind and nicely worded response, thanks! Good luck with your own challenges. I need to stop reading BF and ride my bike :) Supposed to go try the closest bike path with husband, but he's still asleep, then it will be hot...summer sucks.

Oh, and got my bike back. I love that shop, Dave is the best and so helpful.

I started riding last summer at 31 years old and was doing good to make 2 miles on flat ground. By the end of the summer I was up to 18 miles and I was pregnant. So just keep working on it little bits at a time. I spent from early December to March 15th on strict bed rest and then spent time with an infant in the NICU, so it was Mid-april before I was able to much of anything and haven't been biking that much lately. (Imagine that, I have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and premature infant...wonder why I don't get much biking in) The few times that I have been out I have easily done 12 miles with two kids in tow. So despite a lot of bed rest, I was still in better shape this summer than I was at the beginning on last summer.

Anyway all of that to say, it is worth the effort.