The Cycling Thread

[fizzwheel]

So last weekend before the Tour of Wessex next weekend...

102.4 miles, in 7hrs 4 minutes. 14.5mph average speed. I am given that I only really started ramping the miles up in March quite pleased with that.

So as I am a newbie to road bikes, any advice on making it enjoyable, getting better at it?

I am reasonably fit (or is that fat?), but despite being the perfect distance from work to cycle, I never really stick with it.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

So last weekend before the Tour of Wessex next weekend...

102.4 miles, in 7hrs 4 minutes. 14.5mph average speed. I am given that I only really started ramping the miles up in March quite pleased with that.

Oooh..... I got the Dragon Ride in two weekends time. 81-mile route for me, but it has four big climbs inc two Cat A Tour of Britain ones. Very worried as have done nowehere near enough basic mileage to be confident. Done lots of hills, but the longest ride I've done this year was 40 miles last weekend. I was ill in January and that knocked the stuffing out of me, then had two chest infections since April. Not good for basic fitness

Got two weeks to get fitter, but look at the weather!!

Good luck with your ride - that's a good time/speed and I'm sure you'll be fine

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by krhall

So as I am a newbie to road bikes, any advice on making it enjoyable, getting better at it?

Yes, just get out and ride, it really is that simple.

When you say "Get better" what do you mean ? Do you want to go faster, or do you want to get fitter and loose some weight ?

I find getting started again after a lay off difficult. But once you get started and over that you'll be fine. I find the more I ride, the more I enjoy it, the more I want to ride.

One of the guys I cycle with really struggles motivationally, he needs a goal or a task to focus on. So he signs up for sportives, where you ride alot of distance in one go. Its not like a race, its just the challenge of getting round the course, that means because he had entered he has to train for it which means he gets out on his bike.

You dont need to buy a better bike, or gadgets or bits and pieces, you need to work on you. Watch your diet, eat right, you'll loose weight and that makes a huge difference to your cycling performance which means you'll enjoy it more.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Jabba

Very worried as have done nowehere near enough basic mileage to be confident.

You'll be reet, just remember to pace yourself and not go flying off at the start, drink plenty of fluid, make sure you eat / get some carbs inside you have a decent breakfast before your ride to.

Two weeks is enough to get some more milleage, in but dont go nuts in the final week or you'll feel it when you come the ride itself.

Originally Posted by krhall

So as I am a newbie to road bikes, any advice on making it enjoyable, getting better at it?

It's much more fun with a few like-minded mates than doing it on your own.

If you have an MP3 player, fill it with high-tempo music. You'll be surprised how much that helps, especially if you are on your own.

Make sure that you are comfortable on the bike and that it is adjusted to suit you. Make sure that your kit is comfortable and doesn't chafe

Drink enough whilst riding.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

You'll be reet, just remember to pace yourself and not go flying off at the start, drink plenty of fluid, make sure you eat / get some carbs inside you have a decent breakfast before your ride to.

Two weeks is enough to get some more milleage, in but dont go nuts in the final week or you'll feel it when you come the ride itself.

There's about 13 miles before the first big climb, so plenty of time to warm up. I'll be with 8 other mates all about the same age/fitness level and I think the plan is to start early and pace ourselves. 8:00am start so will be up at 5:00am having breakie.

There's two feed-stations on the route to take on fuel/fluid, the first after two of the climbs which you'd recognise from The Welsh Way Round trips - The Bwlch (the one with the "keyhole" bend) and The Rhigos (which goes down past Tower Colliery). I'll be taking two 750ml bottles of energy drink plus a number of carbohydrate energy bars. I plan to use gels from about the 50 mile mark.

Will probably be going out every night this week and doing a ride on both Sat and Sun next weekend. Will do a short hill-hunt type of ride midweek before the ride.

Thankfully, the last 15 miles of the ride is all downhill (so they tell me!).

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Jabba

I'll be taking two 750ml bottles of energy drink plus a number of carbohydrate energy bars. I plan to use gels from about the 50 mile mark.

That sounds OK, are you taking energy drink with you that you can make up with water at the feedstops ? That way if they dont have what you like or are used to, then you can just get some water and make up what you do like. Gels are a good idea, but I'd be inclined to have one before you start and then keep using them when you feel yourself flagging during the ride, you may find that by the time you get to the 50 mile mark its to late and you'll be running out of fuel...

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

That sounds OK, are you taking energy drink with you that you can make up with water at the feedstops ?

Yep. I bought some ZV1 (ZipVit) fruit punch flavour stuff in sachets which is the right amount for 750ml bottles. Nice tasting, unlike some!

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Gels are a good idea, but I'd be inclined to have one before you start and then keep using them when you feel yourself flagging during the ride, you may find that by the time you get to the 50 mile mark its to late and you'll be running out of fuel...

Hmmmm...... maybe I'll have one about 10mins before the start of each of the four big climbs.

Some of my mates did a 48-mile route last week which took in the four climbs. They all managed them okay and say that I will too. My problem is confidence. The illness in January really knocked the stuffing out of me and took until mid-May to recover from fully. Only now getting some fitness back. The upside is that there's now a stone less of fat carcass to get up the hills

I'll be okay once I'm there and moving. Basic speed is fine, but prolonged climbing is still hard and I tend to overheat. Still, with 3500 others on the ride there'll be planty of groups to latch on to

[fizzwheel]

Oh christ, you can actually drink that Zipvit stuff I tried some I couldnt stomach it.

You'll be fine, keep a positive mental attitude and you will get round, just keep tapping away at the pedals, get yourself into a rhythm and the miles will fly by. Its so much better cycling with somebody to talk to or to keep you motivated.