Road Cycling - How often do you ride

I am still new to riding. My wife has us going M-F. Pending weather. She has been working out for three months and is in a little bit more shape than I am. Is this too much? I feel I can do it. But I don't want to kill myself either.

waiting to school to be over, then it will be my day job.

I think it's ok as long as you are taking easy days on the bike. The natural tendency is to ride to hard on easy days, and to easy on hard days. So make sure you keep it straight. Also, stay hydrated and fueled.

I usually ride 5-6 days a week..usually.

bleek: I ride 5 or 6 days. I commute to work so that helps :) My wife is a relatively new rider and we started riding twice a week in the beginning. Now we're up to 3 times a week plus a long ride on Saturday.

Let your body be your guide. If you feel up for riding go for it. If you don't let your wife know. Congrats on taking the plunge and riding with her. I know that riding together has improved things for Donna and me.

Zack

How long/hard is each ride? That would make a difference. If I suddenly do 200% of my usual daily mileage and do it hard, then I need a day off. Experts say recovery is as important as the exercise. Over training can be a trap that is easy to get into. It can cause injuries and/or make you sick of the exercise.

Here's how I figure. Cycling is my aerobic exercise. Experts recommend at LEAST 20 minutes, every other day to maintain health (not improve). Cycling experts recommend that you include recovery days. A recovery day is either a light & easy cycle ride, doing other exercise, or a non exercise day.

I figure that an average of an hour a day (including warm up and cool down) is a good start. In the beginning of the cycling season I try for an average of at least 7 hours a week. Each week I increase the time/mileage by 10%. About once every 4 or 5 weeks I do not increase, but level off to the previous weeks' goal. This gives my body time to adapt.

Weekends are my time to do longer rides. Saturday is usually 2 times my weekday mileage and Sunday is 3 to 4 times longer. If I have a big ride on Sunday I take Monday off. Most times I also miss another weekday due to weather or scheduling difficulties.

Some riders who are younger than I may say that the above is too cautious. When your 53 muscles recover more slowly.

Well,

I am back new to cycling after quitting smoking about 9 months ago.

I have been riding 6 mi/day 5 days a week unless I am experiencing knee/muscle pain, then I take a day off. Basically workdays every lunch hour I do a loop at the local park.

I think I am about in good enough shape to take it to the next level. I can now pedal all out (for me anyway) the whole 6 miles and have moved up 2 gear cogs in the rear on the flats. Soon I hope to commute to work, but that is a whole other story.

So, I guess the reason I am even interjecting here, is 3 miles was really tough and wiped me out just a couple months ago, and now 6 quickly is cake. Soon i hope to get back into 30-40-50 etc mile rides.

What I would say is if your muscles/knees etc. still hurt from the day before, rest until they feel good again. But if it doesnt cause you pain to cycle 5 days a week with 2 days off, why not? (thats basically my plan)

I will also say this: getting back in shape has felt really good, I hope you can experience the same.

take care,

Steve

I ride 7 days a week. and at least 20km each ride. I go more depending on my mood..

When you get the hang of it, you will miss it...

umm on a heavy day i.. train in the morning 20-55 miles, commute to work-- 5 miles either way, commute home. and then go for a easy lactic acid flushing spin... another like 20 miles

on a light day i commute to work.. but everyday i'm on my bike atleast once... then again i lvoe my bikes...

I'm a new rider too. (Well, born again, I guess.)

I have a short commute 3 times a week (about 3 miles total) but usually i take the bike out in the evening for a 10 mile ride on a local bike trail, to improve my riding and get back in shape. so I suppose I ride about 50 miles a week give or take a few, and have been riding for 3 weeks or so.

The first week was harsh on my body, but now I'm getting in shape. Once I can ride the 10 miles without getting tired, I'll take the trail a few miles further.

Good luck.

If your riding makes your knees hurt, I think you may be trying to push in too high a gear. Try keeping a higher rpm in a lower gear, or if you have latch-in pedals you may need some adjustment on the cleats.

I ride everyday that it doesn't rain, which fro the last month or so has been more then normal. I ride atleast 10 miles everyday after work and 30 to 50 on Sat. and Sun.. I too alternate between easy and hard, hills, flats, sprints and on those days that it rains I will do intervals on the trainer. You just don't want too injure yourself or overtrain and get burned out. This Sat. the town that I live in is having an organized ride called The Tour De Lincoln. Longest ride is only 42 miles but is pretty hilly. Its my first ride of this type. should be fun. Good luck have fun.

I ride 7 days a week 25-30 miles per day. This is over flat land (Florida) at a 17-18 mph average pace.

Originally posted by AndrewP
If your riding makes your knees hurt, I think you may be trying to push in too high a gear. Try keeping a higher rpm in a lower gear, or if you have latch-in pedals you may need some adjustment on the cleats.

Probably the cleats as the right knee is fine, but the left knee tends to ache. Also, I am not pushing too high a gear i'm pretty sure.

thanks for the tip!

Steve

i ride almost every day. i try to run once a week at least and take one rest day, so that's an average of five days a week. in season, though, my microcycles are very rigidly focused.

I haven't been riding lately. Lack of motivation. I don't know what's been up with me lately.

I have just started, but 12 miles per day feels fine to me. I did 30 miles today, I like to try for a long ride once a week. I will do an easy 12 miles tomorrow. I am very surprised that I was not totally beat at the end of the 30 mile trip today. I actually felt better on the return half of the trip. I believe that a good bike makes ALL of the difference. - Ted

I want to thank you guys and girls for all your help. Being new to cycling is really been different. I love doing it. The only thing is I have to pull my son around. His little trailer has a hell of a drag on. And 10 miles a day is no joke. My wife pulls him 5 mls and I pull the rest. But, I guess what ever it takes.

http://dsp.imageg.net/@v=0437@/graphics/product_images/p866534reg.jpg

Yesterday, and this is the absolute truth, I saw a guy pulling one of those bikes that hook up to an adults bike, no front wheels, and behind it was a little trailer like you have hooked up behind the childs bike. Fat momma was about 50 yards back, dad had veins popping out of his neck, pulling the load.

I am glad I am a strong person but pulling him up hill can make my veins pop. If your in Dallas and at White Rock it is more less me.

I am in Dallas, GEORGIA. :) 35 miles NW of Atlanta. :) I think that it is great that parents are willing to take their children with them, and not give up something fun. My 8 year old has been riding for about two months. He got me into cycling because I got us all a bike when he learned to ride on his older, smaller bike. Now I am riding almost every day, and I know that I am a skinny roadie inside like some folks are a werewolf inside. One full moon or another and I am going to emerge from my chunky body. I don't know how long it will last, but I really enjoy my daily rides. I ride even when I should really rest. - Ted

Originally posted by WorldIRC
I haven't been riding lately. Lack of motivation. I don't know what's been up with me lately. Symptom of over training?

I get to ride 2 or 3 days a week about 20 miles each day at around 17-18 mph. I would like to ride more but my family comes first, I wish there was more time in a day. The good news is that starting next week I start up the summer hrs schedule, this will allow me to ride about 10 more miles each ride before my family gets home during the workweek. Like I said its all about family.

I ride 6 days a week and have been averaging 210 to 225 miles (week). The weather is good and the partners are all fresh.

Generally I ride 3-4 days a week, 20 miles average each ride. I have been alternating riding days with walking or totally resting in order to build up my endurance. I ride anywhere from 10mph to 17mph. I stop whenever I feel like it and "smell the flowers" as they say. I recently worked up to 27 miles on my long weekend ride and am aiming for 30, then 40, then 50. Don't know if a century is in my future for this season, but I aspire.

When I miss a ride, I try not to get discouraged. My desire to ride longer distances is part of my desire to go on some events or organized or solo tours or day trips. I want to participate in group rides, but need to build up some distance endurance first, I think. Most rides around here are 25 miles minimum, at speeds above what I am used to doing.

I am in it for the fun and the adventure. Like others, family usually is the reason I don't get in a ride, and that's ok too. :)