first riding class report and pix of my new jersey

[cohophysh]

Hi,
Well, I signed up for a noobie ride class. Very informative,it was really my first time riding with anybody. Needless to say it was also the first time in traffic, I usually ride on the MUPs. There were about 8 of us including guides/instructors. I was the only male :) in a group of fit females that pretty much left me at the back of the pack...I found out I need alot of work...I guess I am a masher which I need to work on. I also found out that hills, even small ones, are killers. Anyhow, I had a lot of fun and nervousness and look forward to the next class. Now I need to go out and practice spinning and clipping/unclipping. Oh and here is a pix of my new jersey

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee203/cohophysh/newjersey.jpg

[Scummer]

If you have a cadence option on your computer, you're all set. Try to spin at 90rpm. It might feel weird in the beginning and difficult to do, but you'll get used to it pretty quick.
Once 90rpm feels natural, try to go higher. I'm cycling right now between 105-115rpm to build leg speed and 90rpm almost feels like mashing :D

[st0ut]

You are in a group of cycelist that you are the only guy and all the other cyclist are women?
you did not join a class you simply had a REALLY vivid dream.

[cohophysh]

Ya, but don't tell the wifey:)

As far as cadence goes, one of the instructors told me NOT to use the big chainring, just stay on the middle till I develop my technique. He also told me to keep the cadence at around 60

[jkemp9]

yea, a cadence of 90 is really high for someone just starting, IMO. If you are just learning to ride 60-75 should be good, much better than 30-40 anyway, it goes against the way i rode growing up but it's much more efficient and keeps your heart rate up

[Tom Stormcrowe]

It takes time, but you do develop the ability for a higher cadence. The bod just needs to adapt. ;)

[jyossarian]

Yeah, start at 60 and work your way up. Those hills will stay hills, but you'll find they don't take as long to get up as they used to.

[bigwies]

Getting used to using a higher cadence just takes some awareness and practice. Using the cadence function on my computer really helped me. I started out at a cadence of about 65 or so in January and I usually try to keep my cadence up around 80 or so now. I frequently get in the 90 range, but it is still a work in progress. I have found that a higher cadence really helps with hills and head winds.

My $0.02

[CliftonGK1]

The biggest help for me was finding the right music to get stuck in my head. Find a song that fits the cadence you're aiming for and it will help you keep pace.

[Mr. Beanz]

I like the backwards jersey. Now all the riders with lil mirrors can read it when you come up from behind!:D

[10 Wheels]

Hi,
Well, I signed up for a noobie ride class. Very informative,it was really my first time riding with anybody. Needless to say it was also the first time in traffic, I usually ride on the MUPs. There were about 8 of us including guides/instructors. I was the only male :) in a group of fit females that pretty much left me at the back of the pack...I found out I need alot of work...I guess I am a masher which I need to work on. I also found out that hills, even small ones, are killers. Anyhow, I had a lot of fun and nervousness and look forward to the next class. Now I need to go out and practice spinning and clipping/unclipping. Oh and here is a pix of my new jersey

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee203/cohophysh/newjersey.jpg

For Mr Brown Beanz:

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/newjersey.jpg

[cohophysh]

its scary what you can do with pix and photoshop...just no more pix of chipcom's head on some hotty body ;)

[ScrubJ]

Ya, but don't tell the wifey:)

As far as cadence goes, one of the instructors told me NOT to use the big chainring, just stay on the middle till I develop my technique.

Real good advice there. I ride a double and pretty much never get out of the small ring on most rides.

[Bill Kapaun]

Ya, but don't tell the wifey:)

As far as cadence goes, one of the instructors told me NOT to use the big chainring, just stay on the middle till I develop my technique. He also told me to keep the cadence at around 60

I'd say 90 is definitely too high to start out, but I think 60 is way too low!
I'd shoot for lower to mid 70's.
A lot depends on crank length too, especially if you have bad knees. I couldn't spin over 68 with 175MM cranks. One of my knees wouldn't bend enough.\When you are around 60, iy's hard not to mash. Upping my cadence and using a lower gear gave a slight speed increase and a MAJOR stamina increase.

[not2fast]

Hi,
I was the only male :) in a group of fit females that pretty much left me at the back of the pack....

In a group of eight females, you want to be in the back, the view is much nicer!!:D

[cohophysh]

In a group of eight females, you want to be in the back, the view is much nicer!!:D


Got that right, thank goodness for lycra:D