Shall I get on my Bike?

whatatwit

Well done Frogga :T :T :T .

Give your halo a polish :A , not only are you saving money, you are getting fitter as well.....an inspiration.

valk_scot

If you're going to do this long term, invest in a comfy saddle. If you're female (apologies...can't tell from your user name!) then you need a specific woman's fit one.

Also, take a tip or two from an old cycle-commuter. Use your gears well. If your calves hurt you're pushing too low a gear. If your thighs and knees hurt, you're in too large a gear. Most inexperienced cyclists push too large a gear and have their instep rather than the ball of their foot over the pedal spindle, but this not only inefficient it's death to your knees over a long period of time.

Also remember your lights and a good, pale jacket/ even better a safety waistcoat or jacket in saturn yellow with lots of reflectite. Helmet? Your choice, but even very experienced cyclists wear these for commuting. Keeps your head warm in winter if nothing else!

frogga

Thankyou for the advice , but I don't understand the gears so I just kept it on 4:rotfl: It goes from 1 ~ 6 on one side and High ~ Low on the other. So I kept it on 4 medium Also , I have got a comfy ladies seat but I'm stll sore! In fact all parts of my back legs are aching and my front legs are aching at the sholder too, and my back aches a bit:o and actually my feet are quite sore ~ can't wait to do it again today!;)

suzywoozy_3

I have taken up cycling this year and changing my saddle to a very wide gel one was the best thing I did. It instantly made by bum more comfy and made me more inclined to keep cycling - it did cost about £30 though, I think it was well worth it.

thriftmonster

Well done Frogga! You have inspired me to take the bike to the shops today now that I have worked out a route that doesn't involve the dual carriageway roundabout!

Dh changed his saddle to a wider gel one as well this year and it helped a lot - his was about £25.

frogga

I think perhaps they wouldn't make a seat wide enough for my bottom:o

suzywoozy_3

Sorry to double post.

When I started cycling (about April this year) I struggled to even get round the block, but cycling everyday I built up my fitness really quickly and within a couple of weeks I could easily cycle 10 miles. I felt like I was dying the first few days I went out though. Now if I can I'd rather use my bike than the car, be encouraged it won't take long to feel more comfortable.

taketwo

Well done, I'm dead jealous, keep up the good work:j

Gingham_Ribbon

Well done, Frogga. I have merged the threads so we can chart the whole of your progress! I think this is quite an inspiration. (I've been looking for cheap second hand bikes in my area!)

culpepper

Good on you frogga!
The soreness wont last if you keep at it.
The best saddles are the leather ones as they mould to your 'posterior' after a while and will always be comfortable after that. Not wide just moulded LOL
You wait,you will soon be doing the whole thing and saying 5 miles is easy.
I did my 6 miles in 18 minutes once,I had a driving lesson booked ,left work later than usual and didn't want to miss it and forfeit the fee. Never managed that speed again though Mostly it was 25 minutes for that distance as it was quite a high traffic area.
You will get used to the gears.Try changing then on the flat,just one number at a time to get used to which way is harder and which easier. Then when you are used to that,change one level on the other side until you remember 'harder,easier,easiest' Then you can use them on hills and it makes the whole ride so much less strenuous. I always change mine to easy when I get off so that it isnt a terrible shock next time I get on