General Cycling Discussion - Good thing it's a ways to summer

It warmed up to a balmy 40F here today. Warm enough that I just had to get out. I dusted off my old commuter from college, and took it for a 20mile ride. I thought the last month of working on the trainer would mean I was in decent shape--maybe not. At any rate, I pedaled my old, 40lb loaded MTB with slicks over those 20 miles in an hour 46. I wasn't trying to bike hard, hence the speed; but the Polar HRM indicated otherwise: 164bpm average, 189 bpm max! I didn't think the headwinds were so bad, 'cept when they blew and I was on a hill; but either the bike really isn't cut out for road rides (very plausible), or I have a long ways to go before I start doing those 50 mile rides this summer that I want to. [On a much more suited road bike, that is.]

On the plus side, having the saddle tilted down meant I stayed warm (in a certain area), unlike the last time I took my road bike out in 50F and didn't. Of course, maybe that explains the sore back--this bike is so not suited for anything longer than the 4 miles that I used to ride in college!

Sorry to break it to you but warmer weather isn't that far away.
Heck, our averages start slowly climbing upwards in a couple weeks.

Yeah, the snow should be gone sometime in March. Meaning the temps will start staying above freezing around that time. I don't think I want to ride a road bike until the temps hit 60, as I get cold too easily.

Last year, I starting biking at the bitter end of June, after a few years off (not that I was ever serious). It wasn't until August that I started taking 20+ mile rides, then I got a couple 40+ in September--just in time for it to get too cold for me. I'm hoping to be doing 20miles out of the gate this year, which I apparently can do, even on the wrong bike. But I was pretty dismayed at my hill climbing abilities, just like I was last year.

Like I always say ... riding the trainer is easier than riding outside. You've got to work a lot harder on your trainer to come anywhere close to the effort level of riding outside.

What were/are you doing on the trainer? An hour a day? Intervals? Longer rides some days?

I was aiming for 30min/day, and 2hr on the weekend days (each). It's been a bit spotty lately, what with some colds coming through, and children who don't sleep at night... But still getting 3-4 times/week in.

I'm heading towards Mon/Wen/Fri doing 30min at a higher rate, with Tue/Thur/weekend at much less. My resting HR is 50, and max around 191. I figure, easy pace is 130-140bpm, harder pace is 160. This past Thursday I did 5 min warmup, then shifted gears. After 5 min, I was at 150bpm; 25min later, I'd hit 180, with probably a slight decrease in cadence (for a full 30min in that gear/power output). Last weekend I did pull off a 2 hour ride in an easier gear, but only at 139bpm average.

I've only been on the trainer a month now. I figure, another week and I will have to add some nights at 180 plus, to try to simulate hills. This past month was more about getting into the routine. I also need to do some more reading on intervals.

Have you considered joining a spinning class? They are usually 1 hour once or twice a week ... and they'll get you ready for the hills.

Nah, hadn't thought of it. I'm usually racing to get home at the end of the workday, get home to take over watching the kids. During the week, I don't excersise until 8:30-9pm. Last summer I was starting to get into night time biking, as it was the only way to excerise during the week.

Got onto the bike again today, as I had an hour to kill. Less climbing, but same sub-12mph average speed. Yesterday was 1684' of climbing, today was only 1193'. No idea how accurate mapmyride is, I've found that I have to import the data into a spreadsheet in order to get ascent.

I went out about 3 weeks ago for the first time in about 6 weeks. I'd been doing short sets of intervals on a stationary during that time. I figured it was enough to maintain, especially since I've been cycling since all of september ;).

I think I did 25 miles my first ride before my toes were ready to fall off. Stupid summer cycling shoes. I need covers. Anyway, I was shocked to discover my climbing was drastically better. Unfortunately, while my legs were stronger my aerobic fitness just wasn't as good. I couldn't hold out for as long.

I simply can't bear to run on a treadmill, and I have no indoor track. The stationary gets far too boring, and besides that it's irritating. So I wait impatiently, working out when I can stand it, waiting for the weather to be decent and doing short rides on the days it's live-able. Commute when I can balance the bike (ice makes this impossible, I only have a road bike).

It snowed this morning, I was pretty upset. Then by about 3PM the snow was all melted. I was elated, two hours later when I found out. But upset again when I found out freezing rain is the forecast tonight! Come spring come!

The trainer is easier. You ever try Spinervals? They'll raise a sweat.

You can also try weights and/or cross training.

Trainer kicks my butt. 30min in a 60F basement and I am drenched; the 1hr, floor pretty wet; 2hours on the easy setting and it's a puddle on a rough concrete floor. Few more months, though, and hopefully it'll make a difference. Or at least I can switch to outdoors riding.

I went riding in shorts and t-shirt today. :)

I went riding in shorts and t-shirt today. :)

I am just about to do the same thing. :)