HELP! DYING on my road bike

[leah]

Ladies - HELP!!

I am 100% willing to concede that it is related to my fitness level, and I could sure stand to lose 10-15 lbs (I am 5'4" and 144 lbs), but I am finding that riding my lovely new road bike is exponentially harder than my hybrid. I am so confused as that thing weighs at least twice as much.

The route I normally take on my hybrid took me at least 20 minutes longer on the road bike and my thighs were on fire the whole time, even going downhill!! I felt like I was working but never felt this exhausted riding the hybrid.

I was wearing my heart rate monitor and my heart rate was also way way up there, so it's not just perceived exertion. And I was using the easiest gears the whole time - the small ring in the front and lowest in the back!!!

Do you think it has to do with being clipped in? Am I using new muscles or something? I was using platform pedals with my hybrid. But I have done a lot of indoor spin classes, so I was clipped in there. I admit I am not in the most stellar shape, but I have been riding pretty much every day for the last 5 months, averaging about 100 miles a week. I never imagined I'd be this slow and fatigued on such a light and racy bike!

I am not complaining because I love the bike and am super happy with my decision, just kind of baffled by the whole thing! Any insights you ladies have would be really appreciated. If you say it is just my fitness level, and to keep riding, I get that - I guess maybe I thought I was in better shape than I am?!