complete novice.. first time cycling in 10+ years

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

I recently had a minor health scare (turned out to be absolutely nothing, but freaked me out all the same) so decided that it was time I started exercising and living healthy. I started off just walking at night, but so many years without any exercise have left me in a pitiful state and I was getting shin splints which made the walk absolutely unbearable.
I got my bike back from my sister there today and am planning on going out on my first cycle tomorrow morning, just to try and guage how unfit I am. My thoughts are that as a nervous person, and a complete novice.. it will be best to cycle early morning 6.30-7am or late at night, when there are as a few cars on the road as possible. Is this a good idea or does night time cycling have issues and risks daytime cycling wouldnt that isn't obvious to a novice? (there's a little torch light on the bike, and I have a high vis vest)
My plan is to just get on the road and cycle for as long as I can without falling over, then keep doing that every morning/night (probably going to have to take a night off here and there until my body gets used to the exercise) until I'm secure enough on the bike to attempt a road busy with cars and fit enough to go on proper cycles.

any tips/tricks I should know? or is it just a case of getting off my arse and getting out there?

ednwireland

dont get depressed if you only do 10km just get out there, and theres something to be said for taking it easy for a few weeks.
i started up again a couple of years ago and could barely do the 10 round the block and i raced mountain bikes 20 years ago.

i still have a log way to go (and this winter hasnt helped)

get out and enjoy

DirkVoodoo

Nice username.

No, go out during the day when there are likely to be more cyclists around. You will get used to traffic, I find it is not volume really, a bad driver is a bad driver (a few examples of it today) and late/early they are more likely to be speeding on open roads or, God forbid, driving home after having a few drinks.

Start out with a cycle along a route you know, keep it short and keep it simple. Maybe 5-10km. Don't cycle for as long as you can, bad idea. Set a target, stick to it and build on it. You might find you are too wrecked to go cycling out again and didn't like cycling aimlessly along roads you don't know.

If you have any friends who cycle and are more experiences, it's a great way to get into it. Indeed this is how I started doing longer spins. Sticking on someone's wheel makes it easier to keep a line and not worry about traffic, then you are also taking hints and tips while on the road and you will have someone there to motivate you through the tough parts.

Lumen

Biggest problem with dark cycling right now is the massive potholes. They're much more likely to hurt you than a bit of traffic.

Watch out for puddles, beneath which lurk some of the biggest craters.

Regarding the fitness, just be patient. I was a useless overweight spud a couple of years ago, and now I'm happy enough doing 250km in a weekend. If you ride your bike regularly, every week you'll be getting fitter even if doesn't feel like it.

papac

Lots of good points above.
Important to take plenty of recovery days in first weeks of training I think.(especially from a very low base)
I reckon three days a week for first few weeks.

Plan for novices which looks sensible to me.
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2009/01/13/RidingRegularly1.pdf

kavanagh_h

Well done for getting started with a new healthy lifestyle.

Don't be put off if after cycling 6 miles you fall in the door with your legs shaking for the next half an hour (these are my recollections from a few years back). You will be astonished by how quickly you get fit cycling. You will be able to go much further in no time.

With respect to the time of day to cycle - do what you feel comfortable with and be aware of your surroundings at all times!;)

SerialComplaint

Any chance you can fit the cycling into your daily routine, i.e. cycle to work?