A Newbie's Progress

Brushiemma10w

5 weeks ago, having enjoyed a ride with some friends,at the age of 47 & after a 15+ year biking hiatus, I bought an MTB and did a near 12 mile circuit...almost all road, just to see what I could do it in. Near 54 minutes, this I managed to shave down to 49 minutes two weeks later, with an average speed of 15.4mph. 11 days ago, due to my preference for road riding, I went and bought a Specialized Allez Comp and today I have managed to do a slightly longer circuit in 42mins & 7 seconds, with an average speed of 16.6mph.

I am chuffed with this and know that in time i'll be able to go faster, so fellow newbies & born agains, its never too late and improvements in fitness/speed etc can be fairly rapid.

Next mile stone for me will be a 50+ miler and as I did a 36 miler at the weekend, I am confident that I can do the longer distance sooner than I originally thought.

Sorry for wittering on, but as former middle-aged couch potato, this would've been unthinkable for me just 6 weeks ago.

mr_poll

Great - keep it up, thats not a bad speed considering. Just take it easy I know a personal trainer who says the worst thing you can do in fitness is to go too hard too often too soon - people either get bored or burn out (main reason for ppl giving up gyms with in 6 weeks ie they go 4 times a week then when that isnt realistic they drop off then stop as they cant live up to the 4 times a week ideal ). But keep going that 50 miler will soon be a 100km milestone then before you know it the 100 miler will beckon.

wasi1984

Nice work.

Im doing about 7 miles a day commute at the moment, doing a 30 miler tomorrow for the first ever time, so fingers crossed I can do it.

squigs

mr_poll wrote:

Great - keep it up, thats not a bad speed considering. Just take it easy I know a personal trainer who says the worst thing you can do in fitness is to go too hard too often too soon - people either get bored or burn out (main reason for ppl giving up gyms with in 6 weeks ie they go 4 times a week then when that isnt realistic they drop off then stop as they cant live up to the 4 times a week ideal ). But keep going that 50 miler will soon be a 100km milestone then before you know it the 100 miler will beckon.

Not a bad speed considering what?

To Op,
well done keep it up. I was in your shoes 18 months ago and it feels good. Dont worry too much about speed, just enjoy it.
I average 18mph in Berks, but 14mph in cornwall. after a while you dont think about it.

Embee83

I wasn't particularly fit when I started road cycling in February. I rarely went further than 20 miles but it gets addictive and I enjoy it; finding new routes, going further etc. I'm now out 3 or 4 evenings a week doing a 16 mile circuit in under an hour and 50 milers at weekends before lunch. If you keep at it, you'll go further and further and the hills get that less painful. My only advice is ensure you're fed and watered. I ensure I have 2 full bidons and something to eat on 50+ mile rides.