All Heart No Legs

NeilMick

Well, l done my first reasonably long ride today at 46 miles, quite a hilly route considering where I live.

However at no point in the ride was I particularly out of breath, however on the climbs and towards the end of the ride my legs were hurting, now is this something which will improve if I keep riding? I would say I'm in good general fitness being 25 years old, 5'7" and between 136-140lbs so thats why I'm not particularly out of breath or struggling to recover after some effort. Do I just need to let my cycling muscles catch up with my general fitness?

anto164

not out of breath? Not pushing hard enough :P

As for the legs, it's just a case of making sure you're drinking enough, and just keep doing the longer distances. Your legs will come.

NeilMick

I am at the start of the ride, however my legs start to hurt so I can only push so hard! I'll keep putting in the miles and hope it pays off.

Philby

Things will get easier the more you do hills - perhaps use one as a base to measure your improvement e.g. how quickly you can go up it, how you feel when you are doing it and have completed it. Though Norfolk is probably not the best place to develop your hills legs

Splottboy

Was your weight, your age ago! So, knocking at 54yrs of age next year, I've been training since I was 15.

So, it's circuits, strength training, stretching, some easy Martial Arts type work, Mtb, Road, as JUST riding doesn't do it for me.

The additional training seems to work for me, seems to greatly assist and help my riding.

The extra training enhances the rides, makes them "easier", if ANY N.Wales ride can be easy, and utilises the muscles cycling doesn't touch.

Cross-training is the key for cycling longevity!

danowat

Hills?, Norfolk? (only kidding)

Seriously though, yes, it will get better, but make sure you are getting enough rest in your legs between rides, and your hydration and nutrition is up to scratch.

Airwave

It does'nt matter how fit&how strong you get a ride will only be easy if you ride easy.If can't help pushing it most of the time your legs will allways start to burn near the end of a ride.Training will mean you can go longer before you tire&you will deal better with the pain better.It does'nt get easier you just get quicker

Pross

I'm exactly the same, got out of breathe on my club run on the very steep hill at the start (15 - 20%) but after that the limiting factor was just that I can't push the pedals hard enough. Same thing is happening on relatively flat time trials as well. In my case I think it is just purely that my legs aren't strong enough for my 90kg body weight. I'm hoping that getting out on the bike more regularly will help and I intend to do some specific training to increase my power output in conjunction with losing some weight.