Bike Fitness

comanche_cor

So relapsed mountain biker here looking to get fitness back and struggling.

Been about 4/5 years since I have been on the bike but looking to get back on the horse. Hoping to get ready for the biking blitz series in the new year but I feel way off the mark for that!

Atm I am just commuting to work 13k each way but am struggling. Legs feeling hollow and struggling to spin the big gears. The commute is pretty flag and any hills and I am struggling. This is all coming as a bit of a shock, only my third week back but I thought that I'd start to see improvements!

I think there's a case of MTFU at play here - I reckon I though this would be a lot easier to get back into!

So anyone got any suggestions on how to get fitness back on the commute as this is realistically the best opportunity for me to build fitness back up?

Have never really followed a scientific approach to cycling - just got out and rode. I am wondering if intervals or similar might be a good approach? Perhaps a longer group ride at the weekend? What are the alternatives!

Cheers!

soghluaiste

I had a similar experience when I started back cycling more regularly about a year ago. A tip that I picked up from a cycling magazine was actually not to try to commute every single day initially but to take the occasional rest day to allow the body to recover/recharge. Taking the pressure off and not cycling on Fridays for a while helped me get fitter and enjoy being back on the bike more. That was my experience anyway...

easygoing39

Join youre local MTB club,the bit of craic will take youre mind off the pain and fitness and skills will return.

Cionn

I think it took me 2-3 months for my legs to get used to the commute. For many a week by Friday I was feeling it. Now I don't even notice it. Stick with it would be my recommendation.

DanDublin1982

What kind of shape is the bike in?

flatface

comanche_cor wrote: »

case of MTFU

I just bought a case load of MTFU on wiggle. Expensive but easier than the alternative sources. 3 sachets a day and I'm flying up hills.

comanche_cor

DanDublin1982 wrote: »

What kind of shape is the bike in?

Its a Giant TCR, its not in rag order, could do with some TLC but is not rough. Though I have been mean to give the chain set a bit of a clean up.

comanche_cor

flatface wrote: »

I just bought a case load of MTFU on wiggle. Expensive but easier than the alternative sources. 3 sachets a day and I'm flying up hills.

Tis great stuff altogether! ...

comanche_cor

Cheers for the advise all - few things to keep on board. Will keep and it and see where I get to!

magicbastarder

i found when i was getting fit again - and to this day - my fitness comes in fits (pun unintended) and starts. as mentioned above, if you're doing 5 days a week from a standing start, you're not giving yourself much recovery time.

D13exile

As others have said, rest is as important as exercise. Try cycling to work Monday, Wednesday and Friday until that becomes easy and then you can move to cycling Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/ Friday with Wednesday as the rest day. My commute to work is an 80km round trip and even though I'm now pretty fit, I couldn't and wouldn't do that every day as the mental burnout would be as bad as the physical one. Best of luck