A couple of days ago, I dragged out my mountain bike, which had been residing in our attic for.. a while. I had a friend who’s good with bikes do all of the stuff that a bike that’s been in an attic for a few years needs:
- Air in the tires
- Bolts tightened
- Brakes checked
- Wheels realigned
I also had him work on my wife’s mountain bike, which had also been residing in the attic for quite a while.
Yesterday we went riding for about half an hour. Damn. Let me tell you, things change. I hadn’t really thought about it much, so I figured it’d be easy riding again. Nope…
The last time I rode a bike was probably 7 or 8 years ago. Since then, I’ve obviously put on a few years, and I’ve also put on a few pounds. Yesterday’s little 30 minute ride through town kicked my ass. When we got back to the house, I was out of breath, my heart was pounding, my butt was sore, and my legs felt like rubber.
Guess I’m going to have to make riding a regular habit to get back in shape for it.
It doesn’t take long to get back into it. I have been out of biking too, for … a while. I dragged my 15-year-old mountain bike out of the garage at the beginning of this summer and decided I wanted to “get back in shape”. I started out doing 10 mile rides a couple times a week. Just this past weekend I went 70 miles and this coming Saturday I’m going to do 100 miles. I’ve got over 580 miles on it this summer.
Just stick with it. Before long your ass doesn’t hurt anymore (even after a 5 hour ride) and that little 30 minute ride feels like a walk out to the mailbox.
Have fun!
Thanks for the encouragement. I adjusted my seat today (raised it quite a bit), and my legs didn’t hurt NEARLY as much after riding. It was far too low, so my legs were never fully extending.
They say once you learn to ride a bike, you never forget. But I guess once you stop riding for a while, your body forgets to stay in shape?
Make sure you don’t overexert yourself. Start out slow and gradually get back into condition to ride longer. Otherwise the aches and pain will start discouraging you. But definitely, keep exercising!
But I guess once you stop riding for a while, your body forgets to stay in shape?
Hah! Exactly.
Thanks also for the encouragement. I’ll try to be sure and slowly work up to longer / harder rides.