Pedaling all the time
 

This is a new guy question. I try not to stop pedaling but it seems that I do this some.
I will run up a hill in hig gear and maybe stay in high gear to then slow down and scrub across the top to then get going once I pick up a little speed. I think I do this only because I am new to the sport.

Should I just keep going with this right now or is this a bad habit?
Should I try and keep the pedals going all the time or is it ok to take a break for a few seconds?

I do bust my tail when I'm out on my rides, just wondering if I should watch this or just continue and the muscles will allow me to keep going at a later date...

If you are just beginning you should just ride as much as you can however you can. Start developing some fitness base. Technique matters more when you start getting into better physical conditioning.

Shift to lower gears as you slow down going up hill so you can maintain a reasonable cadence. Don't stop pedaling while going uphill or you very quickly lose momentum which makes it harder to finish the hill.

Its much harder to accelerate uphill than to maintain the velocity you already had.

I like to pedal all the time. I don't like climbing in high gear much, though.

I try to ride my fixed gear once a week so that I'll remember to never coast, ever.

The more you reinforce a smooth continuous pedal stroke the better. I tend to pedal even when slowing down, especially when riding in a group. It really bothers me when the guy in front of me in a pace line constantly stops and starts pedaling. I usually will soft pedal when the group slows but my legs don't stop going around. It may be a throwback to when I used to ride a track bike on group rides. I don't do that anymore but the muscle memory is still there.

I do both ways. I use cadence/tempo but sometimes I hammer the legs to to push them and really get after it to make it to the top. If I do this the energy is then pretty well spent. I think I just need more ride time, but I'm working the muscles.
I didn't think I was hurting anything but I just wanted to check. Thanks

Like most sports... cycling is the combination of equipment, fitness, and technique. Getting fit starts with cycling (the more the better). Then... learning to use your equipment more effectively makes a big difference. Anticipate your hills and get in a climbing gear that keeps you moving. Learn to sat loose and keep relaxed. Know when to stand-up... and how to limit your effort and pace yourself.

Before you try to bust yo tail on rides, I always tell people who are starting out to try to pedal at an easy speed/pace, continually pedal while focusing on pedaling in a smooth circle and good cadence. Try to build up distance and develop a steady pace and smooth pedal stroke before worrying about getting "fast".

My usual solo riding sessions consist of A) Doing the whole ride without stopping, B) Unless I'm coming to a stop light I do not stop pedaling, C) I keep a steady pace without trying to go fast n slow fast n slow. Sometimes on my easy days or recovery rides, I would even ride in my small ring in the front and just keep it in one gear for the whole entire ride regardless of terrain.

If you're not racing or training with some specificity...just enjoy the ride. In other words....

http://gc3.smugmug.com/Other/Bikes/i.../0/O/9ytv9.jpg

Thanks - sounds good for me right now. I'm definetly getting the miles in.
Thanks to all as well...

I partly agree. But there are also bad habits you want to avoid getting into from the start, and things you should not be doing so you avoid injury. But I agree this is not one of them.

It sounds familiar. More people who start cycling tend to do this. Another thing you frequently see is that they do not keep a steady pace, are almost constantly in too high gear, and randomly shift for no real reason. In my opinion you should try to keep pedaling and do so at a good cadence. It will improve your pedaling motion and improve your efficiency on the bike.

There is no one rule for this. It varies by circumstance:

When I'm doing my base building during the fall and winter, I work to pedal nonstop - uphill, downhill, on the flats. The goal is to ride for 2-5 hours without ever stopping, except for stoplights/signs...

When I'm doing intervals, I pedal nonstop during the interval, but I may coast periodically in between.

On group rides or other training rides, I coast when I am able.

In races, I try to limit my pedaling to where it will be most effective and to conserve energy by coasting as much as possible.