Why is it ALWAYS uphill, whichever way you go?
Discussion
LOL.
Or so it seems. I bought a new bike a while back - Specialized Hybrid - but due to work, it's kinda made a nice shed ornament.
Last couple of weeks I've decided to get off my butt and use it. Done a couple of jaunts on it this week, 8.5miles and a 7 miler today. I know it's not alot compared to proper cyclists but hey! I struggle with the old asthma abit too. First 2-3 miles I feel like I'm going to die, and then it gets easier.
Lungs today, pretty good. Legs, um less so! More wobbly than Mr Blobby in a chair made of custard.
After the first longish jaunt, I invested in a pair of baggy cycling shorts - I'm not built for lycra! I was walking abit like John Wayne the day after the first long run out. Tell me it gets better!
Trying to mix it up between road and the bridlepaths. Just wish my offroad sense of direction was as good as my road stuff. Does nobody believe in signposts? lol.
Enjoying it at the mo. Need to lose the belly..
Or so it seems. I bought a new bike a while back - Specialized Hybrid - but due to work, it's kinda made a nice shed ornament.
Last couple of weeks I've decided to get off my butt and use it. Done a couple of jaunts on it this week, 8.5miles and a 7 miler today. I know it's not alot compared to proper cyclists but hey! I struggle with the old asthma abit too. First 2-3 miles I feel like I'm going to die, and then it gets easier.
Lungs today, pretty good. Legs, um less so! More wobbly than Mr Blobby in a chair made of custard.
After the first longish jaunt, I invested in a pair of baggy cycling shorts - I'm not built for lycra! I was walking abit like John Wayne the day after the first long run out. Tell me it gets better!
Trying to mix it up between road and the bridlepaths. Just wish my offroad sense of direction was as good as my road stuff. Does nobody believe in signposts? lol.
Enjoying it at the mo. Need to lose the belly..
It all seems uphill until you convince yourself that the whole point is to be fitter and freewheeling doesn't do that for you, that means really, that uphill is the 'good bit'.
Your body may take more convincing!
Try sorting out a route - 45mins worth and doing that a few times in a week, you'll probably notice the difference a bit more quickly and get even more enthusiasm.
Your body may take more convincing!
Try sorting out a route - 45mins worth and doing that a few times in a week, you'll probably notice the difference a bit more quickly and get even more enthusiasm.
I know you're right, it's just the convincing my body that's the tricky bit!
Wind. Why, whichever way you go, it's always against you? WHY!? lol.
I'm quite lucky, where I live it's only a couple of miles and when it's all country parks etc so it's not all battling against traffic.
Good fun, just not easy at the beginning... lol
Wind. Why, whichever way you go, it's always against you? WHY!? lol.
I'm quite lucky, where I live it's only a couple of miles and when it's all country parks etc so it's not all battling against traffic.
Good fun, just not easy at the beginning... lol
Yes - your backside will eventually get used to the discomfort. Just keep at it 
An alternative for those who are a bit self concious about the lycra, is to buy some padded lycra shorts (for comfort) and then stick a pair of baggy cycling shorts over the top. Best of both worlds then
An alternative for those who are a bit self concious about the lycra, is to buy some padded lycra shorts (for comfort) and then stick a pair of baggy cycling shorts over the top. Best of both worlds then minky monkey said:
I was walking abit like John Wayne the day after the first long run out. Tell me it gets better!
Stick with it fella. The uphills are the workout you desire, the downhills help you cool off afterwards.
Unfortunately, if you're like me, it never gets easier. When your arse gets comfortable, you just go further. When the hills get easier, you just seek out bigger ones.
I hope I helped.
Unfortunately, if you're like me, it never gets easier. When your arse gets comfortable, you just go further. When the hills get easier, you just seek out bigger ones.
I hope I helped.
You can't avoid hills in Brighton, nothing is completely flat - even the bloody seafront/promenade is slightly uphill heading West.
With a little thought, you can avoid the worst of them (and some of them are bloody steep) by detouring and finding flatter routes. But I've given up doing this as it's a waste of time and free fitness.
The only nuisance is that it's actually quite difficult to get an rhythm going, as you tend to be slogging uphill in a low gear, or freewheeling down the other side trying to cool off.
With a little thought, you can avoid the worst of them (and some of them are bloody steep) by detouring and finding flatter routes. But I've given up doing this as it's a waste of time and free fitness.
The only nuisance is that it's actually quite difficult to get an rhythm going, as you tend to be slogging uphill in a low gear, or freewheeling down the other side trying to cool off.
Well, I'm still keeping up the good(ish) work.
Cover around 7-10 miles on a run out now, I recognise it's not alot compared to many of the proper cyclists, but I'm enjoying it!
I even go out in the rain and the mud...
Remarkably, my asthma isn't giving my too much jip either. Overall, there's a definite improvement.
Cover around 7-10 miles on a run out now, I recognise it's not alot compared to many of the proper cyclists, but I'm enjoying it!
I even go out in the rain and the mud...
Remarkably, my asthma isn't giving my too much jip either. Overall, there's a definite improvement.
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