Originally Posted by
SgtSpike
Hey all, I'm new here.
I recently changed jobs, and, to put off purchasing a $438 parking permit, I decided to ride my bike in to work (and back home), about 12 miles round trip, while the weather is still nice. I just have a cheapo $100 Walmart mountain bike, but it gets the job done.
My question is more related to fitness - I don't generally exercise, so this has been a bit of a startling experience to my legs. They are very much fatigued after riding! Also, I have a good deal of pain (normal muscle building pain) when going up small hills, etc. So, how long can I expect this muscle-building pain to last, if I ride 12+ miles each day 5 days a week? When will hills no longer be a big deal?
It generally takes me about 35 minutes to make the ride one direction, so about 10.3 mph average. I'd like to get that down to 25 minutes travel time, or about 14.4 mph average. Is this a practical goal on a mountain bike?
And finally, will I completely lose all of this taking 9 months off bike riding, and have to "start all over" in July of next year if I want to continue riding? I can't start riding earlier, as I have severe grass allergies, unfortunately.
As others have already said a mountain bike isn't the best vehicle for riding on roads but it will do the job. Put more road-friendly tyres on it and it will roll more freely. If you can lock out the suspension do that, failing that set it to be firm so it will soak up some of the larger bumps but won't bounce as you pedal.
Hard to say how long it will be before the hills become less of an issue. No reason why you shouldn't get your speed to 14.4mph average, if you're putting in the effort. Your trip is about 6 miles each way - I've done 5 miles to a friend's house at an average of about 15mph on a mountain bike (with road-friendly tyres on it). The route doesn't have any major hills to contend with - most of it is either flat or a gentle gradient (the false flat that's really a 1-2% incline), with a final hill towards the end that I guess is more like 4% for half a mile or so.
9 months off bike riding sounds extreme even with grass allergies. If you're riding for three months of the year and not riding for 9 months you'll certainly lose a lot of it. Can you get a trainer, or a stationary bike, to keep your fitness up while you're not riding outdoors?