Until the end of 2006 I had never ridden a bike with gears. I think for the most part I have figured them out.

I went for my first road ride yesterday and I did just a tick over 8km. I didn't find it that hard except the the hills, I loved the downhill .

The thing is that I think I'm incredibly slow. I think I just need to push harder. I'm just too worried about going too hard too soon and not being able to get home, I guess I need to "man up".

My first tri the cycle is 13km. I know I can ride that far, most can. I live in a hilly area so I can't practice on some nice flat area to see how I go.

Any suggestions for improvement.

Obviously I plan to train at least 15km, but yesterday Hubster had to get to work, so I didn't have time. Is 15km enough for the 13km? I guess the hills can only help my fitness and strength.

I'm riding a MTB that I bought from K-Mart, I think it's a Huffy, a mens one (I don't like the girly handlebars on the ladies ones ). I think I'm going to get some slick tyres for it, but that's probably all the budget will allow. Money for gear is my biggest handicap.

Kyls

I think for the time being you should concentrate on keeping your cadence steady throughout your ride, this way when it comes to any hills you will be able to change to a lighter gear in order to maintain the same cadence (in theory, doesnt always work ).

Over time you will get used to being in the saddle and will find the 15k will be over in no time

Cheers for that! I guess that's why those really good cyclists look the same whether they are going up hills or not. I don't know how they do it, but surely having a road bike is heaps easier than my MTB. I hope so, I need that excuse! Hehehe.

Kyls

I have done 3 mini tri to date, and the rides havebeen 8km and 10km I think. I only live around hills too, and I ride to work 2-3 times a week. Work is only 10km. So you should be ok to go. Only rode about 2 times before my first tri and did ok. The hills are unreal to get strong fast. Or at least faster than flat riding anyway. Same thing when running. Hate hills, but they are great for your improvement. I have a Mountain Bike too and spent $40 on slicks. Good luck and well done

I find changing gears just before you really need to helps. That is to say, when going up hill, change to an easier gear before you lose too much speed. It's much harder to speed back up once you've slowed down.