How far is too much too soon??

[Skippyak]

To me,it really is weird that what used to be a nice leisure activity has been translated into hardcore exercise. This is how exercise is being sold out. As something unattainable by the average joe. I have been a sloth, I have had a bmi of 35 at 42 and I could still exercise for more than an hour. What really kicked my arse into gear was not being able to ski a day without flaking on powder days. I don't think that speed is at all important in the beginning, it is time being active. Cycling doesn't need to be treated like running, it is low impact and at the beginning you are not likely to hammer out any rides.

[murielalex]

Some people like to increase by paying attention to time, some attention to mileage, etc. When I first started out, I could only do about five miles before I wasn't having fun. I increased by adding 10 minutes to my ride whenever I got out there. Very quickly, I started increasing by mileage, by adding two mile more in a ride, then five, then ten, etc. because I really enjoyed the challenge. Find something that makes sense and works for you, but if it's not fun, it's going to become a chore quickly. I'm now coming back from an injury, and about three months ago, doing about 10-15 miles was all I could handle without getting irritable and moody, so that's what I did. I increased based on my mood. Two weekends ago, I did 120 miles because I was enjoying myself. Last weekend, I just didn't feel like it, so I didn't ride at all on Saturday, and rode about 30 on Sunday. I can't wait to get out and ride this weekend, and have three rides planned with friends.

I agree with the above posters. Have fun. Listen to your body (mood included). Push yourself little by little in whatever way makes sense to you, but don't turn it into a chore. Congrats on getting a bike and getting out there. Enjoy!

[Catrin]

Listen to your body and do what feels right to you. When I first started riding I wound up with a whole host of over-use injuries because I increased too much too fast, but you may be in better shape than I was when I started..that wouldn't be difficult For me it did help at first to try and focus on time in the saddle rather than actual mileage. I got too caught up in the numbers, and that took some of the fun out of it. I actually rode more that first year than in the two since then - not because I am not riding - but because I figured out that I enjoy shorter (less than 50 miles) rides more frequently. It takes time to figure that part of it out though, and part of that is due to scar tissue in my quad from those over-use injuries that first year. I also do other things, so cyling is no longer my sole form of exercise.

Have fun, don't feel like you MUST go THIS far or THAT fast, listen to your body and have fun! Make certain you stretch well after riding, those hip flexers, quads, hamstrings and calves will thank you for it!

[Fancy]

I guess I best find out the appropriate pre ride stretch for the knees. My right knee (prior injury Old one at that) is stiff and aches when it is bent. More so then prior to riding. I do stretch but I guess I will do more. Thank You for the tip.

I had a very upsetting experience while riding yesterday. I had an aggressive dog come out of its yard and biting at my legs! I had to kick it in the nose. I went down the road a bit and stopped and called the sheriffs office. They are supposedly going to talk to the owner. I found out who the owner is of the pit bull. Now the german shepherd that was with it I have to find that owner yet. But I will! Oh and the aggressive 2 dogs have been reported before. I had a runner going buy me and I warned him of the 2 dogs and he said if you cross the road they won't come after you. If that doesn't work he said to throw rocks at the dogs. Really!! I had the sheriffs office on the phone with me when I was speaking to the runner and the runner said he has reported those 2 dogs.
I won't cross the road. For me that is too dangerous on the bike because the house sits right at the end of a huge curve. I could get slammed by a car! I decided I will ride by and if I need to I will use my bike as a shield.