Will I get better at cycling?

Question

I bought myself a bycicle but i haven't used one for 25 years. i tried yesterday for 15 minutes but i did not go very far, i got tired quickly, will i get better if i do it everyday?

Answer 1

yes, its like any form of exercise unless your used to it it takes time for your body to adjust

Answer 2

Yes, you will get better, but it will not be enough if you are only concentrating on how far you can go.

Get ready for your ride, forget about the clock or your mileage, and just go exploring.  Enjoy yourself! Find things you never knew were there!  Stop when you're tired, and drink when you're thirsty.  then when you're ready, head back home with a smile on your face.

When that gets boring, only THEN should you start thinking about how far or how fast, and by that time you'll be surprised at how much you've improved.

Remember, if cycling isn't fun you're either getting paid to suffer or you're doing it wrong!

Answer 3

More positive reinforcement never hurts. :-)

Yes, you will get better.  I started out as a runner where you are starting as a cyclist.  I couldn't run a city block.  I went on to run 5k and 10k events.  When I switched to bikes, 20 miles was a stretch, even after having gotten into good shape.  Last year, I did a 200-mile event in a day.

That's not to brag (well, maybe a little; I'm proud of it :-)  It's to show you what everyone else here has said.  You can do it, and you will get better.

Story #2.  My girlfriend had a bike from a big box store.  On one of our first dates, we rode about ten minutes out, stopped, rested, and rode back.  With some adjustments and some experience, she's ridden that same bike on a twenty mile ride.

(Serious side note: have some check your bike with you to see that the bike is fit to you as much as possible.  Millimeters make differences that translate into happy miles)

You have a bike.  Enjoy it!  Sometimes you push it, sometimes you just act like a big kid.  That's one of the cool things about a bike; you get to play.

Answer 4

keep at it goldfish , keep at it , day off then 30 minutes day off then 45 mins. day off the 1 hour . soon you will be cycling 20 30 ,40 miles . no  prob. half a mile is o.k. , in February after winter and people have not been exercising it is difficult for them.

Answer 5

Yes - you will build up your stamina and improve your technique too.

Answer 6

When you start don't overdo it. Little and often is the way. I would suggest 5 miles, three times a week and then build it up from there. WIthin a few weeks you should be able to do 20 miles without it causing too much pain.

For about £20.00 you can buy a computer which will give you good information enabling you to monitor your progress. It provides, speed, average speed, distance travelled, stop watch and various other functions.

If you can persuade someone to join you it can be great fun.

I am a born again cyclist. Got on a bike for the first time in 30 years about seven years ago. I did 4 miles and it nearly killed me.

Now I regularly do long distance tours (E.G. Leicestershire to Edinburgh - over 300 miles) and I love it.

Have fun.

Answer 7

Course you will. One of the good things about cycling is that you improve fairly rapidly too.

Answer 8

Most definitely. You just need to build up your stamina and strength in your legs. Definitely do a few warm-up stretches first so you don't get sore muscles the day after.

Answer 9

Yes, ride it everyday. You'll get better.

Answer 10

yes...never give up as cycling is good for your health.

Answer 11

keep riding everday and you will show tremendous improvment! :)

Answer 12

Keep after it.  Your endurance and riding skills will improve a bit with each ride.  Before you know it, you'll be doing 20 milers.

Answer 13

Just be persistent and you will get better and stronger. Just don't expect over night results, each day or so set a slightly longer or harder goal and go for it. The only thing you don't want to do is burn your self out, if the distance or time you plan on doing gets real difficult back off and don't push it. It is far better to finish a ride when you are tired but not totally worn out then it is to push it to the breaking point.

Answer 14

yes you will get better each time you use it.

All sports use different muscles and if you have not ridden a bike for 25 years then the muscles that you need to ride it will be not very strong, but they will build up the more you use it.

Good luck and have fun :)

Answer 15

All the answers are great, only thing I want to add it this.

I would not ride very far from home.

If you have a tail wind you can be fooled.

The ride back home is not as easy.

You can always ride up and down your street.

That way, if you get tired, you are close to home.

I would make sure to have a spare tube, pump,

and tools to change a tire before I went very far.

You will get better, Enjoy riding.