Soldato
I'll try keep it short, last year my dad treat the whole family to bikes, 2 daughters (4 & 8), my wife and myself, as something to do as a family, short of a few trips around a local field we haven't done much as the youngest still struggles to ride for any distance as she's a very small 4 year old.
As my car decided to die 2 days ago and after walking yesterday for the first time today I have cycled to work, its only about 4 miles each way but on arrival after about 17/18 mins of riding I was knackered, I know a big part of this is me being an unfit fat git who doesn't exercise and a bit of a headwind but how much will be related to the bike? its a Trax double suspension mountain bike (I think it was about £90 from Halfords) with Schwalbe City Jet tyres on it (I changed them on advice as soon as I got the bike) and an upgraded saddle.
I will say I enjoyed the ride and felt better for doing something but I'm not sure I would when I start or finish my shifts in winter at 02:30am.
Given the short distance and winter coming up is it worth looking into a new bike to help or would I be best sticking with this for now until I improve my fitness?
Finally I don't know if its me or the bike but I never seemed to have the right gear, it was either hard or easy nothing felt right... in this situation what gear would be best?
Edit: I should add if it makes a difference one of the cycle routes to work is an old railway track that is now a mud path, I plan to use it during the nicer weather and daytime but wont be using it in rain or at night. the route I took today that's slightly shorter is 50% road that is in bad need of repair with multiple potholes and very rough tarmac and 50% newly laid road/path with a dedicated cycle lane.
As my car decided to die 2 days ago and after walking yesterday for the first time today I have cycled to work, its only about 4 miles each way but on arrival after about 17/18 mins of riding I was knackered, I know a big part of this is me being an unfit fat git who doesn't exercise and a bit of a headwind but how much will be related to the bike? its a Trax double suspension mountain bike (I think it was about £90 from Halfords) with Schwalbe City Jet tyres on it (I changed them on advice as soon as I got the bike) and an upgraded saddle.
I will say I enjoyed the ride and felt better for doing something but I'm not sure I would when I start or finish my shifts in winter at 02:30am.
Given the short distance and winter coming up is it worth looking into a new bike to help or would I be best sticking with this for now until I improve my fitness?
Finally I don't know if its me or the bike but I never seemed to have the right gear, it was either hard or easy nothing felt right... in this situation what gear would be best?
Edit: I should add if it makes a difference one of the cycle routes to work is an old railway track that is now a mud path, I plan to use it during the nicer weather and daytime but wont be using it in rain or at night. the route I took today that's slightly shorter is 50% road that is in bad need of repair with multiple potholes and very rough tarmac and 50% newly laid road/path with a dedicated cycle lane.
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