alwolf
Reged: 28/09/2008
Posts: 15
Loc: Shropshire
|
|
Hi when i go out for a ride and that is not very often i get fed up, the reason is up until 1992 i would ride at least 40 miles a day, Club runs every sunday, i was skinny so hills,Mountains were my forte, i would occasionally get dropped on the flat but as soon as the road went up i was back on the front......well in 92 kids and a wife came along,the bike dropped down the list of prioritys until eventually i stopped, last couple of years i have been back out on the bike but what really winds me up is i really struggle uphills to the point where i get off and push...if i persevere will fitness come back or is that it for me....the legs are still skinny but a little weight as been put on in the usual places.
--------------------
Never let your fears stop your dreams
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1614
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
|
|
I'm sorry to hear you're "demotivated" The simple answer is yes, if you keep at it form and fitness will return. I would suggest that in this case you should look at the gearing you use, if you use a standard 39/52 chainset, it would be worth swapping to a 50/34 compact with a 12/27 cassette, that will get you up just about anything and will make you feel better knowing you can get up the hills without walking, in time as fitness and strength returns you can swap the cassettes down to a 12/23 which is not a great deal different in ratios to a 12/25 matched to a standard 39/52. And if you need to walk, it's still getting you fit!
--------------------
VOTE PENGUIN!!!
|
alwolf
Reged: 28/09/2008
Posts: 15
Loc: Shropshire
|
|
Hi Thanks think it is time to get the bike to do some of the work, i think pride stopped me changing things.
--------------------
Never let your fears stop your dreams
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1614
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
|
|
Foolish pride!...whether it's 16 years later, 16lbs heavier or both there is no shame in using the gearing available, it still uses exactly the same energy to move you up that hill whether you use a standard, compact or triple, cycling should be pleasurable first and foremost! The bike will never do any of the work, it's still all you!
--------------------
VOTE PENGUIN!!!
|
bigoldsideofham
Reged: 23/12/2007
Posts: 1070
|
|
Couldnt agree more ferg. I see loads of old fools half my weight struggling up hills on a 22 or 23 rear 54 front. Errr whats the bloody point? The only bikei have that regular gearing on is the one i have used for lap racing and tt's this year. I asked myself as i glided past a guy in full world championship colours riding a 5k cervelo who who looks the silliest? Me obtaining a gold time whilst still over 16 stone on my triple cr1 or the lythe looking chap pushing a lovely piece of over geared kit up hill?
As for Al my additional advice to improve on hills is SLOW DOWN. You wont run out of puff, you wont have to stop half way up, you will build confidence and by default ride more hills. Before you know it you will be gliding up them aain if with a modified technique. Your body has changed so your riding style may have to too.
Keep up the brave comeback!
|
alwolf
Reged: 28/09/2008
Posts: 15
Loc: Shropshire
|
|
Thanks guys for all your advice
--------------------
Never let your fears stop your dreams
|
Stewpot
Reged: 15/06/2006
Posts: 85
Loc: Huddersfield
|
|
Hi alwolf,
You WILL improve your climbing, and the weight will drop off you.
If you need a dinner plate gear on the back then use it.I don't think twice about changing down to a 42/34 when I need it on my winter rattler - and regularly use my little ring on my triple on my posh bike.
I would love to be able to climb like Contador but am happy to stick within my limits with whatever gear it takes to get over that hill.
Enjoy 
|
wuverley
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 1490
Loc: Man of Kent
|
|
Quote:
Hi when i go out for a ride and that is not very often i get fed up, the reason is up until 1992 i would ride at least 40 miles a day, Club runs every sunday, i was skinny so hills were my forte, i would occasionally get dropped on the flat but as soon as the road went up i was back on the front... kids came along,the bike dropped down the list of prioritys until eventually i stopped, .if i persevere will fitness come back or is that it for me....the legs are still skinny but a little weight as been put on in the usual places. [/quote
I have a similar biography, although my kids are younger, and I am getting out on the bike now. I was good on hills and its irritating that I'm not so good now, but its coming back. I can beat any commuter now,  I struggled at first but now its easy to go faster than anyone I see. On the flat I can ride with anyone I come across and I find hills ok.
I want to be back where I was 10 years ago, and I know that if I keep at it then I will be close to that. I've lost half a stone in 5 months and got back odd muscles in my legs I'd forgotten about.
The thing is.... to enjoy it! Cycling is fun, even when its hard work, because you know the good bit is coming, its the top of the hill. the descent, the views, the wind in your hair etc, then hopefully the tailwind home.
Oh yes, then there's the waving. (Rides in the dark are limiting, in that sense).
All cycling is good, keep at it, it will come back to you.
--------------------
Invicta
|
Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 730
|
|
Don't give up! Spinning is the new Grinding!
Unfortunately in my case I'm so bad that I even grind in 34-29, but I hear that spinning is the way to go...
|
bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1614
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
|
|
Quote:
I hear that spinning is the way to go...
That's just the fashionable way to dry cycle clothing this year!! 
--------------------
VOTE PENGUIN!!!
|
Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 730
|
|
I'm not surprised anyone is feeling demotivated after the dismal summer we've just witnessed. I can remember perhaps 2 hot sunny rides all year. Wet, windy and cold: that's how I will remember my first full year of riding.
|
brummiedave
Reged: 13/06/2008
Posts: 15
|
|
Hi Alwolf.
I started again late last year after spending 20 years living a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and drinking too much. Like you, I was always a climber. Thin as a rake. Used to ride 42-52 front and a straight 13-18 block. If the race had a particularly vicious hill, I'd chuck a 21 cog on to be on the safe side.
Not any more! When I said 'wow, that's a small inner ring' to the guy at the shop when he showed me a bike with a triple, he said I'd appreciate it. And boy, was he right!
Yes, the fitness does come and it's great when you start to feel some of that old power coming back into yur legs. I very rarely use the inner ring now and my next bike will have a compact.
I'd echo every one of the above comments, particularly those that talked about enjoying your riding. The key to improvement, I have found, is consistency. Getting out there regularly, even if you can only make half an hour. Better little and often than just one or two rides a week.
For me at least, enjoyment comes from not pushing too hard all the time. Sometimes just soft-pedalling and taking in the countryside. Or 'cheating' on a hill by staying in an easily manageable low gear, getting out of the saddle and pedalling quite slowly to give my legs and lungs a break for a minute.
Anyways, do stick at it mate. I felt exactly like you not long ago and am now starting to really enjoy my riding again. Keep going and you will too.
|
alwolf
Reged: 28/09/2008
Posts: 15
Loc: Shropshire
|
|
Cheers guys,thanks for all your advice and comments,just brushed the cobwebs off the turbo.........god used to hate this even when i was fit.
--------------------
Never let your fears stop your dreams
|
drawkrb
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 60
Loc: chesterfield,derbyshire
|
|
talk about demotivated my work mate left his mountain bike at work last night because it was teaming it down went out side at dinner today it was gorgeous. went back in and lowered seat and boss said what you doing i say going for a 2hour ride along canal not if you want to keep your job he says. spoil sport 
|
Gigatickle
Reged: 15/10/2008
Posts: 5
Loc: Warwickshire
|
|
Come and do the Etape Caledonia
http://www.etapecaledonia.co.uk/
http://www.etapecaledonia.co.uk/Etape%20Caledonia%20Challenge%20Route.pdf
I'm volumetrically challenged ( IE :- fat Knacker ) and I've set my goal to get slightly less challenged in the volume department and to give it a go....I understand ..2 kids etc...come on give it a go
ps I'll be the red faced bloater at the tail end.
|
onlyme
Reged: 19/02/2008
Posts: 112
|
|
In a kind of similar position myself, stopped the regular cycling about 2000 started putting on weight about the same time too.
It really is de motivating going back out again and not been able to attack the climbs the way you used to but I always remember meeting up one ride with a really old guy, every time the road went up hill he disappeared behind me. When we met up again at the top he said ' I can climb any hill I come across I might be slow but at my own pace I can always get up'. didn't think much of it at the time but a few years and lbs later I get it, just relax and take it slow once you find your comfort zone it'll become enjoyable again.
I though this would be the year that I really get back into cycling but the weather's not helped. I never did make it up the Cat and Fidddle ( climb cose to me ) but I've kind of discovered a love hate relationship with my turbo, it can take me most of the day to build up the enthusiasm (in fact should be getting on it now but just looking for some music to listen to while riding, ha ) but once on and afterwards I really like the feeling knowing I've really done some work. look for the things you enjoy in cycling and go with it the fitness will come.
Good luck.
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
