MTB, showing holes in my fitness!

So I'm new to MTB, got my first bike last Monday, been on 3 rides so far. Fair to say it is showing holes in my fitness. As a allbeit novice roadie/triathlete I consider myself pretty fit, and wasn't too fazed by the thought of a couple of hours in the saddle, different bike, different terrain but should still be fine.
As it happens it's going to take a while to adjust/develop the kind of fitness required for MTB. On long flats and gradual inclines I'm fine. On explosive climbs and technical sections I blow really fast! I'm not your classic stick thin roadie by any means, and I'm fairly muscularly strong too. Spent a bit of time pushing it up steep hills so far! Will be glad when I don't have too!
It really is a different kind of fitness requirement. I've seen debates on "what gets you fitter" and honestly I think it's impossible to compare. One is a long steady output requirement, and the other is much more interval intensity based. Also recovery is an absolute requirement. I found at first on the road bike that if I stop for a while it's harder to get going. MTB is pretty much a constant cycle of high intensity followed by relative rest.
Fair to say I don't have enough to base it on just yet, and have only ridden a limited number of routes in one area, but it's a great learning curve so far!
As it happens it's going to take a while to adjust/develop the kind of fitness required for MTB. On long flats and gradual inclines I'm fine. On explosive climbs and technical sections I blow really fast! I'm not your classic stick thin roadie by any means, and I'm fairly muscularly strong too. Spent a bit of time pushing it up steep hills so far! Will be glad when I don't have too!
It really is a different kind of fitness requirement. I've seen debates on "what gets you fitter" and honestly I think it's impossible to compare. One is a long steady output requirement, and the other is much more interval intensity based. Also recovery is an absolute requirement. I found at first on the road bike that if I stop for a while it's harder to get going. MTB is pretty much a constant cycle of high intensity followed by relative rest.
Fair to say I don't have enough to base it on just yet, and have only ridden a limited number of routes in one area, but it's a great learning curve so far!

0
Posts
So keep going, let us know how you are doing in a few weeks, and go outside on a regular basis.
-A new Giant Trance 3 2015!
Cheers, will do!
Definitely won't be following a specific plan, but I will be out a lot! I'm lucky to be self employed, working right under the long mynd, so 2/3 times a week for a couple of hours during the day is easy. One of the things that's putting me off tri is the regimented training plans that are required. I plan to ride as much as I can, and love every minute! I'm sure improvements will come, but they are secondary to having a great time out on the bike in some fantastic locations! Not dodging cars on the road trying to keep in a heart rate zone!
remember to rest properly.
Main thing is just enjoy every minute.
Yeah the mynd seems a challenge! Great trails though. Not done Minton Batche yet. Gonna get the moderates down first then go for Minton and carding mill. I love the run down into little Stretton, trail 9. Done that a couple of times already.
I normally go to the top twice and chose Minton Batch plus another descent. After Minton batch the climb up through the forestry by the glider club gets you back on top easily enough.
Yeah I've been told about the way up through the forestry area. Haven't been to check it out yet. Got some ride time planned for next week so I'll check it out for sure!
http://www.lakesrider.weebly.com
Thanks for the advice. Yeah my training is generally pretty good. Have done triathlon previously, making the switch to MTB. It's strange looking up at a climb and knowing that the same length/gradient would be a breeze on a roadie, but a bit of technical thrown in and I'm stopping to rest half way up!
Loads of bike time will do it.