Starting out

[ny biker]

Yep... 25 mph on the down-hill side more than makes up for the 8 mph on the uphill... also great for the legs

8 mph! I hit 3.5 mph sometimes.

[Catrin]

8 mph! I hit 3.5 mph sometimes.

You probably have steeper/longer hills than I have yet to ride - I think the slowest I've ridden on a hill is something like 5.5-6 - which just means I have only been on a couple of actual hills, and they probably weren't very long...or very steep.

[Lesley_x]

8mph on a hill?!

I have a long way to go

Is there any particular reason why I would be gaining weight when my weight has been steady for months? I don't think I'm compensating with my diet.

[momsquared]

8mph on a hill?!

I have a long way to go

Is there any particular reason why I would be gaining weight when my weight has been steady for months? I don't think I'm compensating with my diet.

This is a good question and I would like to know as well. I have been watching my diet and also gained a little weight since I started riding - about 2 lbs, but still....

[redrhodie]

This is a good question and I would like to know as well. I have been watching my diet and also gained a little weight since I started riding - about 2 lbs, but still....

It could be temporary water weight gain as your muscles repair themselves.

[e.e.cummings]

Lots of great advice above. I just got back into cycling last March, since then lost 40 lbs total - lost 10 lbs cycling, the remaining 30 lbs after I joined a gym with a focus on weights and spinning. Over the cold months the spinning definitely made my riding stronger once I went back outside. And it gave me the confidence to finally use cycling shoes, which I was pretty wary of for a long time. It was risk-free getting on and off that spinning bike with the shows throughout the winter - by the time I took those shoes outdoors, I was fine.

Just get out there and ride. And have fun! Find out about the different routes in your area. Talk to people about cycling - maybe find a local club or association.

Some tips from my nutritionist: after a hard work out, eat within the first 20-30 minutes of finishing. Chocolate milk is a good idea after a work out. They actually got me drinking gatorade because I found I was losing my energy for a spinning class after work - it did help me. I had never tasted Gatorade before last year - I don't normally like sugary drinks. Have a balanced diet - eat whole foods, veg, fruit, meats, whole grains. You will need to fuel your cycling.

Bon vélo!

[marni]

Let's hear it for chocolate soy and or almond milk as an after ride beverage.

I can also recommend and swear by FRS (free radical scavenger) powders dissolved as a drink in water as a possible substitute for Gatorade. FRS is not nearly as sweet and arificial tasting as gatorade. You can get it in a box of tubes (each good for one water bottle) or as a liquid concentrate and or a chew which are really great and handy for riding as they are slightly tart and come individually wrapped so I can carry a couple in my pocket. I can sometimes find the boxes of powder FRS in my LBS but I prefer to order them online from the website.

marni

[HipGnosis6]

I rode my bike for the first time in... probably close to four years, just yesterday. I only made it 3 miles. Even with that, I expected to be sore all over today, and where I do have a few spots that are a little achey it's not nearly as bad as I expected.

I did realize I hate my pedals. I am getting new ones on payday. A better saddle will follow shortly.

If I was a truly "new" rider, I'd be proud of myself if I had ridden a quarter mile. You should be proud of yourself, too, just for going out there and turning those pedals. The first step is a big one!

[navybeetle]

I have been using it for about 1.5 years I was a heavy duty gardener/landscaper these past two years. very very physical, heavy hard work for a 46 year old! The second year I was drinking FRS (concentrate) in the morning and then at lunch. I found that in the second year I was not as sore after work. I order off the website because if you schedule it you can get it cheaper. I do not sell it or anything so this is heartfelt

[navybeetle]

I have been using it for about 1.5 years I was a heavy duty gardener/landscaper these past two years. very very physical, heavy hard work for a 46 year old! The second year I was drinking FRS (concentrate) in the morning and then at lunch. I found that in the second year I was not as sore after work. I order off the website because if you schedule it you can get it cheaper. I do not sell it or anything so this is heartfelt