I need encouragement with cycling.?

I'm in my mid forties and today I purchased a mountain bike to help get me fit. Funny thing is I can walk great distances but one lap around the block - 2 miles and I was exhausted.

Any tips for me. And will short rides frequently help to tone me and get me fitter?

What you experienced is completely normal for someone who hasn't been on a bike for a long time. You're finding out that bicycling uses different muscles. It's also a great aerobic workout.

Yes, short and frequent trips will help to build up endurance. Just like you would train for any other sport, start with 3-4 rides per week. Don't overdo. The worst thing you can do is to push too hard. Endurance will come with time. And be sure to drink plenty of water.

Fun! Make sure you have fun. Remember that feeling of gliding when you were a kid riding your bike? Try and think of riding like that. Ride with a partner. Riding is almost always more fun with another person to talk to.

The best way to get fit is to exercise for at least an hour a day. Gear down and go slower when you get a bit short of breath. Your breathing will give you a clue as to where your heart rate is. Go at a pace that gets you breathing - kick it up a bit and your will start to get breathless as you get out of the cardio building zone. Slow down a bit and regain your breath. This will happen as your heart rate drops back into your work out zone. It may take months to get really comfortable riding long distance and fast - that's okay - it took how long to ride a bike again at all?

If you keep your heart rate somewhere between 135 and 150, then you will get a good cardiopulmonary workout without killing yourself. Go ahead and push yourself for short distances, but let your body drop back into 'the zone' for fastest cardio development. Ride for at least half an hour a day - 4 or more days a week for best results.

Sounds to me like you have one or more of the following problems:

Wrong type or poorly inflated tires causing increased rolling resistance.

Not using the gear system to correctly match your ability to the terrain.

Dragging brakes or other bicycle service issue.

Bike not fitted well to you.

You should be able to do 2 miles at a leisurely pace without getting very tired. Unless of course you have real demanding terrain or a physical handicap, neither of which you brought up.

If you bought your bike from a bike shop, go over there and ask them what you are doing wrong, they should spot any bike, fit, or technique problems in ten minutes. (Advantage of buying from a bike shop)

If you bought from a big box store, contact your local bicycling club, someone is usually available for situations like yours.

Soon you will be riding further and faster, lots of smiles per mile.

If you bought a dual suspension bike take it back, they waste a lot of energy. Make sure your seat is at the correct height. Your knee should be slightly bent when the ball of you foot is on the pedal at the bottom of the stroke. Pedal at a high cadence 70 to 90 rpm's with lite pressure on the pedals. Low rpm's and pushing hard on the pedals will wear you out a lot quicker.
Keep with it and you will see an improvement.

Good for you! Biking a great way to get/stay fit. And, yes, youre using different muscles. Itll take a while to get the miles up.
Join a bike club. Its always more fun with friends on a bike ride. Plus they have new routes you may not be able to find on your own. Maybe with a new coffee or sandwich shop on the way.
Taking along a favorite snack help, too.

Riding bikes in your target heart rate zone will burn calories and help you lose weight. Your legs will get toned, but your upper body really does not get that much of a workout. You should supplement riding with upper body work (that will also help you with hill climbing on a bike). Keep riding and extending your distance, you will get stronger over time as well as add to you endurance.

You are using your muscles in a different way that you legs have to get used to. Each time you go for a ride try to add 2 minutes. Also make sure you are comfortable, get a seat cushion if you dont already have one. The first time I got a bike after many years I thought I was going to die! You'll begin to love it again though!

Well.. I cycle every day, but since im a teen i have tons of energy, but i think that your body has adjusted to walking... i think you should build your way up, one week 1/2 a mile, next 1, etc. And also don't forget to bring water with you!

~David

I'm a little older than you and it took about two weeks before I "felt" good after a ride. Within a month I was doing twenty miles with no trouble.

What type of bike did you buy? The quality of bike will make the difference between success and failure.