caluma
Reged: 20/07/2008
Posts: 8
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Hi there. I'm new to cycling. I'm 50 years old, 5'8" and 14 stone. No major health issues (so far!) but I have the fitness level of a dead sloth.
Just bought a edinburgh bike co-op tourer with the intention of getting back to some level of fitness.
My plan is to do 3 or 10 - 15km rides every week with a target time of 30 - 45 mins for each. There are some sharp little hills on my planned routes so I'll be in crawl mode for those.
Does this sound feasible? Your comments/suggestions would be welcome
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Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 730
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Hi and welcome, dead sloth.
You'll know after a couple of rides what your fitness will allow you to do.
Start off with a 10km, see how long it takes till you feel you can do it again, then gradually up the distance and frequency.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1615
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
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Sound fine but don't start to push yourself for a few weeks, Don't worry if you feel like your saddle is trying to eat your butt, this will pass. Just concentrate on completing the distance and not worry about the time, 10 km will burn about 300 kcals whether you do 15km/h or 20km/h.
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VOTE PENGUIN!!!
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hubbub
Reged: 22/10/2007
Posts: 513
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Ride uphill and/or into the wind until you're crackered, then have a rest before flying home. Repeat maybe 3-5 times per week. When the outward leg reaches about 15 miles you can say the elastic's snapped and a longish day ride won't leave you wrecked for the week.
Edit, shove a chunk of malt loaf and a bag of jelly babies in your back pocket. If you hit the wall you'll need the fuel to get home.
Edited by hubbub (20/07/2008 18:04)
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wuverley
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1490
Loc: Man of Kent
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Your plan sounds feasible.
To start with I would do 10 mile rides, if you can find a flattish ride with not too many cars, hopefully with nice scenery then you will come back, and do it again
I would suggest you ride 3 times a week, your arse will hurt until you get used to it, but once you do, after about 3 weeks, it will be fine- only your lungs and legs will hurt! 
Then your lungs will catch up, and you'll feel better. When you reach this stage, after about 3 weeks, mind you, I would suggest trying to increase the distance or intensity of your rides. I would choose distance, myself, the joy of cycling is to be had riding on country lanes in the lovely summer weather.
It might take 2-3 months but you will find a definite improvement in your fitness, general well being and, hopefully, a love for cycling if you keep it up. Some people even become obsessed with cycling (perish the thought) 
Good luck, let us know how it goes
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Invicta
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