Pat, Hang in there.
I would question your choice of equipment though for trying to get back into cycling shape. I believe you're on the Haro Mary right? Now don't get me wrong, I have a 29" SS myself and love it to death, but that seems like an odd choice to me for a guy like yourself who has been out of biking for quite a few years and is trying to get back into cycling shape. To ride the 29 SS rigid bikes, it takes a reasonable amount of fitness just to get the bike moving and up the hills. You might try to borrow a geared bike for a few weeks until you get used to spinning again. I think you would feel alot less drained then you do right now. Once you get a few more rides under your belt, then switch back to the SS.
I'm sure others will disagree (like your LBS owner, God love 'em). But I would hate to see you give up out of frustration. Just my $.02.
Jeff. I agree with you now 100%. but to clear 1 lil thing up.... the only reason I bought the 29er SS bike was that it was the least expensive way to get me pedaling at all. and the coolness factor also.
but I gotta say this, I can ride this bike at allaire, and have a hard time but still make it through, anywhere with any type of hills at all, and I'm a goner.
I'm gonna look into borrowing a geared bike. because even as I have been off the bike for 7 years, I think that I could still put in a decent couple laps on a geared bike even in the mild hills. but for now this SS is torture lol.
but whether its on a borrowed geared bike, or if I have to keep on the SS, which is a lot of tiring work, yet still fun, I'm definately still going to be putting in 3-4 rides a week. I'm here to stay either way
Pat