Re: Building Up Stamina on a bike

"Sophie" <sophie.cussen@xxxxxxxxxxxx> of NTL wrote:
I know this might sound a bit of a strange question but could anyone advise
(me) what the best way is of building your stamina up on a bike? I ask
because I got on my bicycle for the first time in a year (having not used it
much in previous yrs) and rode about half a mile before I had to get off to
catch my breath! Okay so I am a little over weight but I want to be able to
use my bicycle as a commuting tool. I am looking at building up to three
miles, which probably isn't much to some of you but it would really make the
difference to me!

Check your bike over. Especially pump up the tyres to the maximum
recommended pressure. Having hard tyres makes an enormous difference to how
fast you can go/how hard it feels.
Make sure you get into a low gear so that you can turn the pedals quickly.
This is better for your knees than pushing hard and slowly in a higher gear,
and it is easier too.
I remember the first time I went out on my bike after about 10 years off.
After a mile I had to get off and walk home, not to catch my breath but
because the saddle was killing my bum. But my bum soon hardened up and
getting to 5 miles at a time only took a couple of weeks. And I bought a
more me shaped saddle.
--
Steph Peters
Chorlton Wanderers Cycling Group
Monthly slow and easy rides from South Manchester
http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/cycling/chwan.htm
.

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