So I'm pretty much completely and utterly new to this. I used to mountain bike a fair bit when I was just out of university - spent about 4months in Banff and rode a lot there. I would do a 25km trail ride 2-3 times/week. That was about 10 years ago.
In the last year, I started taking some medication that has a side effect of weight gain. Before I knew it, I'd put on 30 (!) pounds. I decided to start biking to work as a means of trying to control that weight gain. It's about 6 or 7km each way, so I'm doing about 14km/day, and I have been trying to stick to 4 days a week. Usually on the weekend I do an additional 15 or 20km (mostly flat) ride.
What I'm struggling with is building up any sort of endurance. I know that the bike I ride isn't ideal for my purposes (commuting to work on road/paved bike trail) - it's a Specialized Hardrock (hardtail) with Ditch Witch 26"X2.20 tires. On the commute, there's about a 115ft change in elevation, mostly captured in one (painful) hill.But even after three weeks of pretty consistent work, I'm severely winded on the ride. I know I'm out of shape, but I'm wondering if the bike I'm using is part of the issue. Would switching to slicks make much difference, or should I just tough it out in the hopes that my endurance will build up?
Hi Shannon good to hear you getting back into it. I was in a simular situation xcept my weight gain was due to a triple hurnia surgery and quitting tabaco. It's taken me 2 months to get to where I want to be thats 2 months of hard riding alot of steep hills and long distances, I've also started jogging 3-6 miles twice a week. I changed my eating habit a bit less junk more nutrious and have bulked up on the protein. in 2 months I've gone from over weight to having a few love handles but deffinately in much better shape and look alot better as well as much more energy. Dont give up everyone is diffrent I happen t be lucky and bulk up quick. BTW I'm riding a 25 year old Mt bike no shocks and I cudnt imagine riding a road bike due to the rough roads where I live.
