Introductions - Introducing........

Hi my name is Cindy I have been an avid cyclist for years and I live in New Port Richey FL. I have an 11 yo son and we cycle together. Because of health issues I need to get into better shape and I have set a goal of doing the MS 150 from Busch Gardens in Tampa to Sea World in Orlando, the ride is in April of 2006. I am looking for weight training workouts as well as more intense cycling workouts. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thank you. Sincerely, Cindy

Welcome Thiarella.

Give this link a try. All the books are E-books which can be downloaded.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/bookstore.htm

Thank you!!! :D

Hi Cindy and welcome.

As far as fitness equipment, I've recently ordered a LeMond RevMaster spin machine and a VigorFit weight machine, to respectively replace my LifeCycle and Total Gym. The reason I'm mentioning this is because you mentioned strength exercising. Haven't received the RevMaster yet, but the VigorFit arrived a couple of weeks ago and, thus far, I'm very impressed. Actually, I'm liking it much more than my Total Gym and it costs a ton less than their top-of-the-line models. Both work on using your body weight as resistance, but the problem was that I was on the top level of the Total Gym with nowhere to go if I wanted to increase my resistance. The VigorFit deals with this problem better. Again, I've only used it a couple of weeks, but, so far, have been very pleased. Here's a link (http://www.fbgyms.com/index.html) if you're interested.

Have no idea if you want to work out at home or the gym.

I hate the crowds at gyms which is why I try to have my workouts at home.

By the way, assembling is required and that type of stuff drives me nuts. Luckily, a 12 year old friend of my daughter was over and, for the most part, she put it together for me in about 45 minutes. :D It's really funny, she always does this for me. I already recruited her for the assembling of the RevMaster when it arrives. She only had one problem and her dad, an engineer, came over and took care of that in a minute or two. I guess it runs in their blood...almost certainly it doesn't run in mine. :D

Hi Cindy: I used to live in Seminole, then PLant City. The rail trail is complete now all the way between Pasco and St Pete. You can get a lot of safe easy miles on that, and take your son too. Check into local cycling club acivity as well.

Hi from a fellow newbie.

If you are looking for a book, I would recommend one of the Carmichael Training Systems books. The workouts can be adjusted for many types of riding. A general consensus is to get base miles on your bike, and then increase mileage by 10% a week. The Nutrition and Training forum can be helpful.

Good luck with training and your ride.