Bicycling Help

 So I have my first running injury.  And since I'd like for it not to get worse I've decided not to run this week.  I wanted to try biking and see if it would bother the inury.  It doesn't.

BUT (you knew it was coming) I'm dying here.  I figured since I could run 6 miles an 8 mile bike would be fine.  The catch is I have to pull my 35lb daughter in a trailer.  I actually had to walk up 2 hills because even in first gear I couldn't make it, then somewhere around mile 6 my back just **** the bed on me.  I guess the leaning over just killed it.  

So how exactly do you build up to biking?  I got that I probably did too much for my first time out but where do I start?  

My stats were 8.68 miles at a 9:04 pace (that included a few walks in there).  Cardio wise I had more to give, leg and back wise I was DONE.

Because of my bad back I use a more upright bike (see my profile pictures).  I don't know if there is an answer for carrying that much weight uphill??  I know as I dropped the weight it became easier and easier to cycle farther and farther.  You use different muscles in bicycling than in jogging.  Riding without the carrier till you've built up endurance over the miles may be the answer.  Also avoiding the hills.  I know that when I go up hills now, with my heavy bike, I will drop to a very very slow candance...Then if necessary walk the bike up the hill (swallowing my pride).  Brian

 unfortunately it's take the kid or dont' go.  She's special needs and there are very few people I trust to watch her.  As for hills, I'm limited to where I can go on base.  To ride all the way around is about 9 miles and there are 3 good hills, all of which I walked up, and then other little ones.  

A different bike is probably in order, this is my husband's, but I want to wait and see if I'l lreally bike a lot before I go spend $$ on one for me.

Its a simple "ride more, ride often" answer. Is there any way you can get free childcare hours for your daughter with EFMP free hours?

 We are still going through the process of getting the actual diagnosis so she has no EFMP.  Anyway we live on Andrews and they will NOT honor any of that stuff, they tell me to go to an Army base, which is 25 miles away. . . I try to keep the few sitters who I trust and will watch her for free, for true emergencies.  So for now, pulling her in the trailer isn't an option.  

Now later this week I can probably bike at night, or if my husband isn't leaving (now I can't remember) I can do it during my normal run time at 0500.  So I might just try that tomorrow.

 i had 3 kids, i got a bike trailor, 2 kids in trailor and my 5yr old rode his own bike, we rode all over, ya the kids get heavy, i wasnt trying to win a race,  kids loved that trailor, sometimes all 3 would be in it.    your a mom, and a mom carts her kid around, you will adjust, biking is so differnt than running, you use muscles u never thought u had,  and hay whats wrong wiht walking up a hill.. dont beat yourslef up...    and upright bike is way to go, your back will thank you.  i cant run due to rod in my leg, but i alwasy enjoyed bike riding

 I just got into cycling and switched from a heavy ass mountain mike to a light weight road bike. Huge difference climbing hills. There is a good size hill I just started training on. Took a couple tries to climb it...got half way before my legs quit the first time. Now I drop down to 1st and I make it to the top. Turtles pass me but I make it!  Got my bike off craigs list.

 I was looking at road bikes on cragislist as I think a proper bike might be helpful.  But I don't think you can pull a trailer with a road bike.  I also don't want to spend a ton of $ on something I might not really use, you know.  I have very long legs (my husband's bike fits me fine and he's 6'2" and I'm 5'5") so the general height requirements for bikes may be off to.  I'd love to get properly fitted but that isn't in the cards right now.

 the quickest fix is to have a fitting done with the bike you are riding.  Better if you can get your own bike that is sized and fitted for you.  

I went from my boyfriend's mountain bike (i almost cried) to his sister's cruiser (she's 6 inches shorter than me) to my own hybrid.  So far, the hybrid is the best thing cuz it was bought with my body and my riding goals in mind.

That said, any running fitness i have doesn't translate that well to the bike.  it's a whole different thing. Practice makes perfect.  different muscles and all.  just keep at it.  maybe do out and back instead of a loop around the base.

 I think (though I'm not sure) if I wasn't pulling my daughter it would have been ok.  So if I can switch up my ride times for when hubby is home that may solve that problem.  I do actually have a bike but it's POS and the gears won't change so I've been using my husband's (it's not like he uses it!).  Maybe I'll just take over posession of his bike for a while and tell him he can have it back when I get a new one ;)  

Do most bike shops charge a lot to get it properly fitted?  Am I going to have to fend off a huge sales pitch?