Getting back on the Bike after ... Well. Too long !

[nick heppinstall]

Many years ago I used to be a keen Cyclist and probably did around 300/400 miles a week on average. When I was about 22 I’d properly discovered cars and that was that really.

I still have my old road bike that I originally had when I was 15 but it would need some work to get it serviceable again ( new chainset ). Not only that but I'm not sure I could handle a 7 speed straight through block anymore !

About 8 years ago I purchased a Mountain Bike that I went out on once then cocooned in the garage. It’s totally as new apart from needing some new tyres.

I’ve decided I will probably be a good idea to attempt to regain some semblance of fitness now I’ve passed the 40 mark.

Any idea what the best approach would be ? Would it just be a case of getting on it and going somewhere ? What sort of distance should I start with.

What tyres would you suggest ?

[itsnotarace]

nick heppinstall said:

Many years ago I used to be a keen Cyclist and probably did around 300/400 miles a week on average.

20,800 miles per year is impressive, that's 3 times what I do annually in my car.

nick heppinstall said:

Any idea what the best approach would be ?

Swing one leg over the top tube, put foot on pedal. Push down on pedal to get going

nick heppinstall said:

Would it just be a case of getting on it and going somewhere ?

Well unless you have one of those fancy remote control bikes that rides itself

nick heppinstall said:

What sort of distance should I start with.

If you get to the end of your road and your legs still feel strong then go further. Try 10 miles?

nick heppinstall said:

What tyres would you suggest ?

For what surface?

[nick heppinstall]

itsnotarace said:

nick heppinstall said:

Many years ago I used to be a keen Cyclist and probably did around 300/400 miles a week on average.

20,800 miles per year is impressive, that's 3 times what I do annually in my car.

nick heppinstall said:

Any idea what the best approach would be ?

Swing one leg over the top tube, put foot on pedal. Push down on pedal to get going

nick heppinstall said:

Would it just be a case of getting on it and going somewhere ?

Well unless you have one of those fancy remote control bikes that rides itself

nick heppinstall said:

What sort of distance should I start with.

If you get to the end of your road and your legs still feel strong then go further. Try 10 miles?

nick heppinstall said:

What tyres would you suggest ?

For what surface?

20000+ Miles a Year ! Never really thought about it that way. I used to live on that bike. I was out from 7am to the early hours 7 days a week.

LOL The remote control bike does sound like the better ide at the mo !!

OK. The tyres. Probably a mixture of surfaces. Park's. Well trodden wood type trails.

[AnotherClarkey]

You know what to do - just get on and ride. My mistake when doing this was to chase similar average speeds to those I was used to in the past. Perhaps the best advice I could give is take the computer off (if, indeed you have one fitted) and just do what feels ok.

[PeteG]

AnotherClarkey said:

You know what to do - just get on and ride. My mistake when doing this was to chase similar average speeds to those I was used to in the past. Perhaps the best advice I could give is take the computer off (if, indeed you have one fitted) and just do what feels ok.

I got my bike back out after about 5 years - I'm currently doing 5 miles in about 20-25 minutes, cycling to and from work. Intend to build it up bit by bit. Best way is to listen to your body.

[nick heppinstall]

AnotherClarkey said:

You know what to do - just get on and ride. My mistake when doing this was to chase similar average speeds to those I was used to in the past. Perhaps the best advice I could give is take the computer off (if, indeed you have one fitted) and just do what feels ok.

First thing I've done this morning is put a new battery in the computer ! Old habbits die hard I guess.

Just been out on purchased a few bits. New bottles, tyres and tubes, tyre levers and gloves. Thats it then I'm commited !

[nick heppinstall]

PeteG said:

AnotherClarkey said:

You know what to do - just get on and ride. My mistake when doing this was to chase similar average speeds to those I was used to in the past. Perhaps the best advice I could give is take the computer off (if, indeed you have one fitted) and just do what feels ok.

I got my bike back out after about 5 years - I'm currently doing 5 miles in about 20-25 minutes, cycling to and from work. Intend to build it up bit by bit. Best way is to listen to your body.

Listen to my body ? If you listen carefully you will probably hear it creaking !

[AnotherClarkey]

nick heppinstall said:

AnotherClarkey said:

You know what to do - just get on and ride. My mistake when doing this was to chase similar average speeds to those I was used to in the past. Perhaps the best advice I could give is take the computer off (if, indeed you have one fitted) and just do what feels ok.

First thing I've done this morning is put a new battery in the computer ! Old habbits die hard I guess.

Just been out on purchased a few bits. New bottles, tyres and tubes, tyre levers and gloves. Thats it then I'm commited !

You'll be fine. Having put on 'a few pounds' before getting back on my road bike I was horrified to find that the handlebars were seemingly much further away than I remembered them - I had to budget for a new stem too!

[nick heppinstall]

New Tyres on ! Now to just lube and tighten everything up !