General Cycling Discussion - My first real, hard, ride..today.

I have been cruising around the neighborhood for about three weeks now. Sometimes on the Bianchi road bike, which I really didn't like very much. Sometimes on one of the other myriad of bikes that I went through, and sometimes on my KHS Alite 1000. The KHS was the favorite, hands down. I didn't see why I would really need the Bianchi.

I went to the trail today after work, with the intention of putting in a hard ride. I went 10 minutes out and 10 minutes back, with a one minute cool down midways. I decided to take the Bianchi for some strange reason, after all, I was going to do my best today, on a smooth biking rail to trail setup. I took off down the trail, and eased into a hard run. When the peddling got easier, I changed to a harder gear. I went full speed for 10 minutes, a lot for a new guy like me. Five minutes into it, I KNEW why I had brought the road bike. I was head down, stroking for all I was worth. I could not, would not, did not stop. I was loving every second of it. I came to a bridge that looked like a good place to turn around, I walked for about a minute, turned around and got back on. I saw the mile marker, 16.99, as I headed back.

The ride back was a huffing, gasping, through the mouth, I'll never get there, mostly uphill pump. I had to grab an easier gear. I'd never make it back to the trail head, but I could not stop pumping, my legs, up and down, and up and down. I hated this, but I loved it too much to stop. Then, there it was. Also the mile marker, I couldn't believe that it was only reading 19.33 miles. Time elapsed, 22 minutes. I felt bitter, was that all I had gone? Just over 5 miles. Well, I guess that I had to start somewhere, and this was it.

I don't know if I should do it again tomorrow, or rest a day. I would appreciate any advice on this. I feel fine, and I rode for another 40 minutes around the neighborhood with my son, after we ate supper tonight. I am going to save this on my computer, and look back in a couple of months and see how or if I have made a change in distance/ or body weight. (225 lbs). Thanks for reading, and thanks for any advice along the way. - Ted

Originally posted by The Terminator
I was head down, stroking for all I was worth. I could not, would not, did not stop. I was loving every second of it.

Suffering and speed - they are VERY addictive!!!!



I don't know if I should do it again tomorrow, or rest a day. I would appreciate any advice on this.

You may want to shoot for a recovery day tomorrow. Take a very easy spin, and see how you feel and go from there. Remember that recovery can be as important as riding both in terms of training and your general health.

On another note - I love to hear that enthusiasm for this sport!!! The more you suffer, the better it is for me. I don't know why that is, but it is is absolutely the case.

:D :beer: :D

Depends on how you're feeling tomorrow..probably a recovery ride is better overall.

You rode for a little more than an hour, right? Twenty-two minutes of it was a hard workout? Accept a virtual pat on the back. As you are getting back into riding, time on the bike is important, maybe more important than distance. Pedaling around the neighborhood with your son sounds fun, and if you can't have fun doing it, why bother?

We might have to get together and ride sometime. I also rode yesterday afternoon. This is only the 4th time I have been out since I bought my bike. Yesterday was the first day I went without my girlfriend so I could get a workout. When she goes we pretty much ride for leisure. Anyway I usually park at the 11.??? marker at Floyd Rd. and I got to the 20.?? before I turned around. Needless to say as I am new to this, I sleep very well last night. I started around 4:15 and finished a little after 6. I get off work between 1-2 everyday if you would like to ride possibly. I work a second job somedays as well so I don't have a set schedule. PM me or e-mail if your interested. Philip