Road Cycling - Just Getting Started

Last month I purchased a Felt 85. This is my first road bike. Currently I am riding 9-15 miles per day. My average mph is 18 with a high of 19.8. I have yet to purchase a computer, but I know the distances of each ride and the time to complete.

My question, for someone new to the sport, two months, how am I doing? I may be interested in racing, etc. Any suggestions?

thanks

You are doing very well!! :) 18+mph averages are very respectable. How hilly are the rides?

What type of biking do you want to get into? Long distance?? Short and fast?? TTs? Last season was my first season, and I was averaging ~17mph on my daily rides. I did pretty much the same workout every day, and found that I wasnt improving at all. This season, I have started mixing up my rides (riding hills, flats, doing some intervals, sprints, group rides, etc..) and I have felt MUCH stronger on the bike. So you might want to come up with some variety in your training if you dont have any yet.

You are doing very well!! :) 18+mph averages are very respectable. How hilly are the rides?

What type of biking do you want to get into? Long distance?? Short and fast?? TTs? Last season was my first season, and I was averaging ~17mph on my daily rides. I did pretty much the same workout every day, and found that I wasnt improving at all. This season, I have started mixing up my rides (riding hills, flats, doing some intervals, sprints, group rides, etc..) and I have felt MUCH stronger on the bike. So you might want to come up with some variety in your training if you dont have any yet.

Thanks for the reply. I live in CT so I have hills, flats, etc. When should someone start looking into racing, after year 1 etc, and what type of event should one start, short, long distance? I have a lot to learn.

That question I cant really answer, as I am in the same boat as you.

We have a very interesting race near the LBS here, that is a team TT. It is a relay, and you must have 2 cat3 or better guys, 2 cat4 guys, and 1 unclassified guy (aka- someone who has never raced). The anchor man on the relay has to be the inexperienced one.. I have heard it is a great way to try racing out, as there is a ton of support for the newbies.. I'm thinking of trying to find a team to join for that race this year.

I found out about the local races/group rides from my LBS.. you might want to go asking there, to see if there are any good groups to get involved with to get into racing.

Sounds like a good start. Here's a way to measure yourelf. Go out for a club ride in your area, maybe 30 miles or so. If it's a larger club, there will always be a group that splits and takes off. Try your best to hang with the frontrunners for as long as possible.

Good luck.

55/Rad

19.8 is VERY good! just make sure you do not make it a goal. Distance also counts..:) and it is hard to keep such a pace for long rides without running out of steam. When I started, my first goal was to ride a century, and it took me a year to go from no shape at all to completing one (13mph av). Not bad for a 50something guy.. :)

Any suggestions on a computer. Should I purchase a wireless, what functions do I need? I really would like to spend under $50.00 if possible.

if you don't mind the look of wires on your bike, go with a wired computer.. You should get one with Speed (current, average), cadence (current, avr). Trip distance, total distance.. those are the basics.. If you plan a lot of climbing, get one with altitude (current, cumulative), you can also add Laps functions, heart rate, watts, calories, etc etc... And make sure you can see the display when you ride in th afternoon under the trees.. :)