Building up my miles

[Little Lyon]

I can only ride about 10 miles at a time right now, and I really want to build it up. I have been going about 10 miles all summer. I struggle to build them up because all of the trails around here have giant hills. I have tried pushing and pulling on my clips, and standing on the pedals, and the hills still just kill me. I really want to be able to go farther (my goal is 30) but it seems no matter what I do, I am exhausted and sore after 10. Does anyone have any advice on technique, diet, tips, anything! I am just not losing weight at 10! Thanks for any help.

[alpinerabbit]

You need to eat when you get home to allow your muscles to rebuild, have a balanced meal of some protein, some carbs. Stretch. Have a bath. Be patient.

Use low gears to spin. Instead of push-pulling the pedals, aim for a round, spinning motion, i.e. push forward at the 12o'clock and and pull back (as if scraping mud off your sole) at the 6 position. and look out for easy loops that you can ride, 2-3x if it must be to build. Be patient at those hills and hope that the cooler weather will help.

Did you say trails? as in riding an MTB? How about sticking to roads for a while?

Don't go into a ride unfuelled.

[Little Lyon]

Did you say trails? as in riding an MTB? How about sticking to roads for a while?

Don't go into a ride unfuelled.

Paved trails in the area, actually. I ride my road bike. It is not very safe to ride on the roads here.

[GulfCoastAmy]

I would also suggest riding on the roads. You say it's not safe - is that because of heavy traffic? I ride super early in the morning (before work) to avoid traffic on our local roads. It works out really great. Good luck!

[indigoiis]

I'm all about the granny gears. Spin out those hills!
Don't worry about the quantity (miles.) Think about the quality. Why are you riding? What do you get from it? What are your goals (small and big?)

[KSH]

I'm all about the granny gears. Spin out those hills!
Don't worry about the quantity (miles.) Think about the quality. Why are you riding? What do you get from it? What are your goals (small and big?)

Use lower gearing and if your gearing doesn't go low enough, go to the LBS and look at getting a triple, etc. to get lower gearing.

You can make it up those hills if you can spin out those pedals vs. mashing them up a hill.

Once you get lower gearing and spinning going, you can go more than 10 miles- easy.