Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Just Starting - Expectations and Goals?

So I picked myself up a bike a couple of weeks ago and have started to get into it pretty good already. I am a 6 foot 240lbs 31 year old pregnant bellied male. Have not worked out or done anything in the past decade. With my daughter just being born - 3 months old this week - I decided I needed to do something so I can keep up with her and be around while she is growing up(also quit smoking 3 months ago after 16 years).

In the first couple of weeks I have put in 150 miles. The last couple of rides I did 20 miles with an average of 15mph - this past Saturday and Sunday.

I have set a goal for this summer of 50 miles a week and a total of 1000 miles for the season here in Minnesota.

I am wondering what kind of goal I should be able to set for myself when it comes to average mph and what kind of improvements I should see? I have seen others in the Road forum talk about 25-30mph groups and know I will not get close to there, but wondering if I should be able to reasonable expect to get to 20mph riding solo? I am guessing people can get up near the 30mph because of pace lines and drafting?

Bike is a 2006 LeMond Tourmalet - only change I have made is in the purchase of a new saddle - fi 'zi:k Rondine (http://www.fizik.it/catalog.aspx?subid=rondine_wing_flex).

Thanks,
Jon

20 miles@15 mph is pretty good IMO, of course I have an extra hundred pounds of ass on me. On a road bike I guess you could try to reach 18-20 mph. 30 is damn fast, I start applying the brakes if my bike gets over 22mph (going downhill).

20 miles@15 mph is pretty good IMO, of course I have an extra hundred pounds of ass on me. On a road bike I guess you could try to reach 18-20 mph. 30 is damn fast, I start applying the brakes if my bike gets over 22mph (going downhill).
You have a hill down there big enough to go over 22?:eek:

(51) has it pretty much right, by the way. You'll find a pace that is realistic for you, don't sweat a lot of speed and stamina, it's a process of building, after all. My average flat ground pace for example, is averaging 15 mph, but I can hold that pace forever. My max distance in a single day is 167 miles, and I had some steam left. I probably could have made another 50 before I was near collapse. The key to doing this is ride, ride, ride, and learn to manage your nutrition and hydration.:D

My thoughts are "Do we really need Goals?" I hate to set myself up for failure because anytime I have set goals for my riding, something get's placed in my way. With Three Grown kids with their own homes, our old house with the HUGE yard and Grand kids coming, there is always something to do or that last minute phone call before I ride that says, "Dad, I need some help!" I may ride over, but many times it's too dark to ride back because I forgot my lights.

That being said Jon, It sounds like you are off to a good start and have realistic goals. One thing you may want to add to your training is a Bicycle Trailer for the little one. You have at least another summer to wait for that, because a child needs to be able to hold their head up with the weight of their helmet to be safe in a trailer. I pulled a trailer many miles with my Twins over the years. Very good strength training, and it helped after they got their own bikes and my wife and I got a Tandem.

Remember, Cycling is something that the whole Family can do together.

Good Luck!

Chris

Thanks for the thoughts and replies here.

As far as goals - I think they are a very good thing as long as you keep it mind it is a goal and not something you HAVE to hit. With any goal I set for myself I understand that there will be times I may not hit it, take this week for example I highly doubt I will have the time to hit 50 miles and that is fine with me.

Just keep records of your miles, along with an assessment of your boredom and fatigue. When you get to the point that you're suffering either way, you'll have historical data to make an objective change - whether it's a periodic schedule, or pushing it... but get a couple of months of that in first, and watch for the inevitable plateau. Then act.

Thanks for the thoughts and replies here.

As far as goals - I think they are a very good thing as long as you keep it mind it is a goal and not something you HAVE to hit. With any goal I set for myself I understand that there will be times I may not hit it, take this week for example I highly doubt I will have the time to hit 50 miles and that is fine with me.

Try telling that to a Military Man after 24 years of Service! LOL! Add to it that this same old man retired as a Squadron First Sergeant and it compounds things!

Honestly, seems like you have a handle on things and you'll do fine!

Chris

I think the most important thing for the first season is to just ride the bike. Try different rides and see what appeals to you. Sign up for an organized ride (30-50 miles, whatever) and see if you like that sort of thing. Some people like climbing, some people like speed/racing, some people like to ride centuries, some people like to ride across the country. Some people like it all.

Once you find something you like, you'll naturally start setting goals that'll help you do that better. At this stage, just ride and do what you enjoy most, that'll keep you on the bike which is most important.

How about a goal of continuing to find ways to enjoy riding your bike more and more. If that means faster and more miles, so be it, but it could also mean discovering new routes and good people to ride with.

If you put in the time, you will see improvement.