Biking to work?

Kimberley

I've bought myself a mountain bike and ride to work, but up hills i struggle and sometimes i have to walk up :rolleyes: I'm in gear 1 as well

Have i bought the wrong type of bike and if so which sort of bike is good for uphill :beer:

lisyloo

Without wishing to offend, if you have only just started it could be that you haven't built up your fitness level yet or that you haven't built up the required muscles yet.
Believe me it gets easier over time and you will find some more definition to your thigh muscles at the front of the leg.

My bike is a "hybrid" which means it isn't a road bike or a mountain bike, so it's ideal for cycle tracks.
I have something called "megarange" on my bike which basically means the first gear is really low, but still unless you are really fit it's still necessary to get off and push sometimes.
I don't think you should see that as a big problem (in fact you should avoid pushing your heart rate too high as it can be dangerous).

I'm not an expert but I would have thought that "mountain" bikes have low gears for "mountains" :-)

If you are planning on doing a lot of exercise I would recommmend getting a heart rate monitor.
They are only about £30 - £40 now and worthwhile to make sure you are exercising correctly.
I got my last one from
https://www.wiggle.co.uk

calleyw

I agree with Lisyloo. After a few weeks you will start to find it easier.

I use to cycle nearly everyday and I had a hill to get up and as I did the cycling everyday it got easier. Well harder and then eaiser again.

I am such a wimp I had to put on what I can only call slick tyres as I never could get 2 feet up the road with those bumpy tires.

You will get there in the end. I promise but it will just take a little more time.


All the best.


Yours


Calley

Kimberley

Ok thank you guys, i've only been riding it to work a week now, so maybe i should be more patient It's lovely on the way to work, just downhill so not much peddling, it's going home that i dread, but it's cheaper then buses and i do enjoy it. I'll defo see about getting the heart monitor, although i do have a bike computer and i burn a lot of calories and yes my legs are knackered

MORPH3US

@ Kimberley

I assume you know how thw gears work fully!

Are you in gear 1 on the left and the right gear changers?

Because usually you have 1 - 5 (or 1 - 7 etc) on the left and 1 - 3 on the right.

To be in 1st gear you need to be in 1 on both sides and to be in top gear 15th or 21st you need to be on the highest on both sides!!

I won't fully explain it incase you do know how the work, if not then let us know and someone will explain.

lisyloo

although i do have a bike computer and i burn a lot of calories

My heart rate monitor takes into account my age, weight and gender so I think it's probably pretty accurate.
Your bike computer (probably) doesn't know whether you are 6 stone or 20 stone so it's probably not very accurate.

It depends on what you want to acheive but if (for example) you want to acheive fat burning then the heart rate monitor can help you exercise in the correct range.
Also it can let you know if you are going too high.
I've used mine for a while so you get to know what to expect.

It's depends on what you want to acheive but I think it can help.

Maybe something to put on the birthday list :-)

billy_the_kid_2

There are a few ways of making it easier up hills. The others have covered some of them. You can either loose weight from the bike, carry less kit, etc. Less rolling resistance with thinner tires. Keeping the bike well serviced, lubed etc, and finally greater fitness. However I have found that with increased fitness, you just cycle harder and faster. It ends up hurting just the same.

Kimberley

MORPH3US wrote:

@ Kimberley

I assume you know how thw gears work fully!

Are you in gear 1 on the left and the right gear changers?

Because usually you have 1 - 5 (or 1 - 7 etc) on the left and 1 - 3 on the right.

To be in 1st gear you need to be in 1 on both sides and to be in top gear 15th or 21st you need to be on the highest on both sides!!

I won't fully explain it incase you do know how the work, if not then let us know and someone will explain.

My gears are strange, i only have them on my right. The middle that puts them in gear is stiff, i can't move that dial, but the other one only goes as far as the middle, i can't push it up any furthur

MORPH3US

Look at the cogs then, first gear is smallest cog on the front and (i think) smallest on the back too!

M

Kimberley

MORPH3US wrote:

Look at the cogs then, first gear is smallest cog on the front and (i think) smallest on the back too!

M

It's on the third from the top but it won't go any furthur :rolleyes:

Oh well, i'll just have to hunt round for a better bike

Nile

Hello Kimberley

I used to ride a bicycle to work, to play, to shop, to socialise............for every local outing really. I could cycle for hours on end and really enjoyed feeling fit and healthy. Then I passed my driving test............and the bicycle was relegated to the back of the garage.:o

Your stamina will gradually increase and you will soon be whizzing up those hills. Don't be embarrassed about getting off to walk, especially when it's a head wind.:mad:

Well done for saving the planet, with your environmentally friendly method of transport.:cool:
Well done for improving your health and fitness, you really will see the benefit from this regular form of exercise.:cool:
But most of all...............well done for chosing a MoneySaving travel option.:j :j

Kind Regards

Lazy Nile:o