Tips on starting out cycling

punisher5112

Hi I have a new trek mountain bike sitting up last 3years and would like to get back on it as I really need to lose weight and would enjoy going off to clear the head.

I have no problem cycling did for years but never had a road bike but would the mountain bike still be ok to do untill I see whether I would go down the road of getting a road bike.

Any tips for best way to start off and build up strength/ stamina to pick up the pace and distance.

I am unfit badly and need a change so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

brock92

Here is a training plan for beginners
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20140926-Training-Introduction-to-the-Beginners--Plan-0

falan

Seeing as you have a mountain bike then how about getting into mountain biking. Loads of good trails around the country. Whereabouts are you?

Raam

Week 1

The priority in Week 1 is to conduct a successful threshold test to determine Functional Threshold Heart Rate (FTHR). From this you’ll be able to calculate accurate training zones and, as the plan progresses, track your progress. Find out why monitoring intensity is so important and increase your knowledge about training with heart rate.


Read more at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/article/izn20141029-Beginner-Training-Plan---Weeks-1-4-0#6H71r1oDr1qS7O4h.99

That sounds like overkill for now. Get out and do 5 or 10 km and see how you feel after that. If you are still hungry for more then gradually increase the distance.

Roger Hassenforder

Raam wrote: »

That sounds like overkill for now. Get out and do 5 or 10 km and see how you feel after that. If you are still hungry for more then gradually increase the distance.

This
And start tearing up 10 euro notes, gradually increasing denominations

punisher5112

falan wrote: »

Seeing as you have a mountain bike then how about getting into mountain biking. Loads of good trails around the country. Whereabouts are you?

Wicklow

punisher5112

Thanks for all the replies.

falan

punisher5112 wrote:

Wicklow

You could try out ballinastoe mountain bike trails if it's near you in Wicklow. I took up mountain biking last summer. I love it. Good luck whatever you do

BailMeOut

Best tip is start with short spins and work up to longer ones. If you try do too much after being off the bike for a long time and you will get very disillusioned very quickly as it will seem very difficult. So no more than a few km to get used to cycling again and do that maybe half dozen times before attempting more. Plan your trips in advanced and try do natural loops so are not retracing same route on way home.

Carpenter

The best tip I can give is go down to halfords in carrighmines walk past it go to pc world but the best headphones you can get put the bike in the car drive to a quiet area up in the hills put the earphones in turn up the sound and enjoy it. Before long you will hooked and you will be as fit as you want but you have to lay of the pizza as well if you don't enjoy it you will not Continue cycling so start off right.

johnnyryan89

Hope the OP doesn't mind me throwing my own question in just didn't want to start up a new thread asking the same question. Looking to get back into cycling, mainly for commuting because have gotten a bit lazy with the car. Started of running last year doing 5k and 10k but was looking into maybe trying out duathlon races because just running can get a bit boring, what I'm looking to find out is will any old bike do or would it be best to invest a good second hand road bike.

Thargor

I dont know if a mountain bike is even a good way of seeing if you want to get into cycling, nothing really compares to tearing along on a proper roadbike, especially in Wicklow. Mountain bikes are for off-road.

Macy0161

First thing is diet is the key to losing weight. It's a bit of a cliché, but it is true that you can't out train a bad diet. Obviously exercise helps, but it's not going to be enough on its own to lose weight.

As for cycling, just start off with short distances and build up. You can use a mountain bike on the road, although if you do look to add distance, you will want a road bike.

You also don't need to "do" mountain biking to get off road. There's trails you can do that don't need too much technical skills - like avondale, Roundwood reservoir, or really any fire road/ walking trail through a forest - loads of them around Wicklow. Really any walking trails you'll get away with, once your respectful to other users.

Carawaystick

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

what I'm looking to find out is will any old bike do or would it be best to invest a good second hand road bike.

Any old bike will do at first. As long as the Brakes work, and then the pedals ad gears work.

Figure out a few figure of 8 courses near where you live, so if you need to stop or have a mechanical, you're near home.

Then lengthen the trip after a few weeks.

Then if you like cycling, get a bike.

punisher5112

Hi thanks all for input so a little update.

Went out today and really enjoyed the cycle there were gradients up and down and flats so wasn't a full on killer.

Feel real good after it.

Now have to keep it up.

dahat

punisher5112 wrote: »

Hi thanks all for input so a little update.

Went out today and really enjoyed the cycle there were gradients up and down and flats so wasn't a full on killer.

Feel real good after it.

Now have to keep it up.

Last August i started out on my hybrid Giant Roam 2 doing 10-15km cycles and suffering but within a short time i am up to 110k regular at a very good pace of 27-29km/h.

Stick at it and you will improve quickly.

punisher5112

dahat wrote: »

Last August i started out on my hybrid Giant Roam 2 doing 10-15km cycles and suffering but within a short time i am up to 110k regular at a very good pace of 27-29km/h.

Stick at it and you will improve quickly.

Its a trek mountain bike I am on but sure who knows if I really get into it that may have to change at some point.

Its nice to see things and not fly past in the car where so much is missed.

BailMeOut

punisher5112 wrote: »

Its a trek mountain bike I am on but sure who knows if I really get into it that may have to change at some point.

Its nice to see things and not fly past in the car where so much is missed.

you are getting the bug back! Cycling is about the only thing you can do and enjoy as a adult as you did as a kid.

punisher5112

BailMeOut wrote: »

you are getting the bug back! Cycling is about the only thing you can do and enjoy as a adult as you did as a kid.

Worst thing I done was stopped as use to cycle everywhere but then got a moped. I am looking forward to keeping it up and getting some weight off in the process.

Wanderer78

punisher5112 wrote: »

Its a trek mountain bike I am on but sure who knows if I really get into it that may have to change at some point.

Its nice to see things and not fly past in the car where so much is missed.

id be changing the tyres over to slicks. mountain bike tyres are a killer on the road. best of luck with it

dahat

punisher5112 wrote: »

Its a trek mountain bike I am on but sure who knows if I really get into it that may have to change at some point.

Its nice to see things and not fly past in the car where so much is missed.

Changed my tyres to a 32 inch Continental Ultra Sport, big difference speed wise from bug clunky MB tyres.

Bigus

punisher5112 wrote: »

Worst thing I done was stopped as use to cycle everywhere but then got a moped. I am looking forward to keeping it up and getting some weight off in the process.

Don't reward your efforts with food !

Unknown Soldier

punisher5112 wrote: »

Its a trek mountain bike I am on but sure who knows if I really get into it that may have to change at some point.

Its nice to see things and not fly past in the car where so much is missed.

One of the main things I enjoyed and still do enjoy about cycling, was seeing lots of stuff I always missed while in the car.

My "Gaff envy" knows no limits!

I'd highly recommend joining something like Strava. Or an APP like that.
It can be more than just a "record" of your cycling.
It can be highly motivational too. Just "seeing" yourself get better is sort of motivational.

The first time I did 250km in a month and Strava gave me a digital badge was great

You'd find something like Strava good to have.