herefishyfishy
06-15-04, 11:10 PM
What do you recommend as a better way to train? Long rides at an easy-medium pace or a short ride at an almost race pace? Also, what do consider a "long" and "short ride?
Thx.
Thx.
Road Cycling - long and easy or short and hard?
Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.View Full Version : long and easy or short and hard?
531Aussie
06-15-04, 11:32 PM
it depends how long you've been riding, but to put it VERY simply, I'd go shorter/harder.
But not everyday. No more frequently than every 2nd day
But not everyday. No more frequently than every 2nd day
natelutkjohn
06-16-04, 05:38 AM
I prefer longer, medium pace, but it all depends on what your goal is. Mine is to tour, so If I can stay in the seat all day then that is what I want. I don't know anything about the racing aspect, so I can't coment there. But as for what is a long ride, I do one 70 mile a week (my long one for me) then 30 miles the rest with 2 short ten mile neighborhood ride days
sm266
06-16-04, 07:24 AM
I do a combo. At least one long medium/slow ride and a couple of short fast rides.
herefishyfishy
06-16-04, 09:51 AM
natelutkjohn: What speed do you average on your 70 mile ride?
RonH
06-16-04, 09:55 AM
Long easy-paced rides are great for burning fat.
sm266
06-16-04, 10:17 AM
Long easy-paced rides are great for burning fat.
The primary source of fuel on the long slow rides are fat, you're right. However, it's rare that any "non atkins" person will burn body fat. Your body will burn the dietary fat first, I believe. Again, I'm no expert, but I've heard it comes down to calories. I could be wrong, but everything I've read for losing weight, lately, suggests intervals. I'll agree that long easy efforts have their place, and they're great calorie burners.
The primary source of fuel on the long slow rides are fat, you're right. However, it's rare that any "non atkins" person will burn body fat. Your body will burn the dietary fat first, I believe. Again, I'm no expert, but I've heard it comes down to calories. I could be wrong, but everything I've read for losing weight, lately, suggests intervals. I'll agree that long easy efforts have their place, and they're great calorie burners.
pacesetter
06-16-04, 11:45 AM
It depends training for what? what do you wanna do get fit? TT, RR, MTB, TRACK RACE, be able to do a centry in under 5 hours?
pletcgm
06-16-04, 11:59 AM
I prefer short, 10 mile rides with giving it everything I have got! I have gained far more speed and strength than I did going the long distances.
natelutkjohn
06-16-04, 01:05 PM
natelutkjohn: What speed do you average on your 70 mile ride?
I don't have a cyclometer, but it takes me 5 hours with two 5-10 minute breaks. so that averages to about 15 mph, (It's a big loop, so a headwind on one end is more then made up for with a nice tailwind on the other half :) )
I don't have a cyclometer, but it takes me 5 hours with two 5-10 minute breaks. so that averages to about 15 mph, (It's a big loop, so a headwind on one end is more then made up for with a nice tailwind on the other half :) )
formicalinoleum
06-16-04, 01:51 PM
The primary source of fuel on the long slow rides are fat, you're right. However, it's rare that any "non atkins" person will burn body fat. Your body will burn the dietary fat first, I believe. Again, I'm no expert, but I've heard it comes down to calories. I could be wrong, but everything I've read for losing weight, lately, suggests intervals. I'll agree that long easy efforts have their place, and they're great calorie burners.
It is body fat that your body uses, along with glycogen, for energy. So non-low-carbers will indeed burn body fat during exercise.
One thing to remember, though, is that we're talking proportion here, not absolute amount. So low intensity exercise may use a higher proportion of fat relative to glycogen, but not necessarily a higher amount. If low intensity exercise is low enough that not many calories are being used, you won't necessarily be burning more fat than a high intensity workout that is using lots of calories.
It is body fat that your body uses, along with glycogen, for energy. So non-low-carbers will indeed burn body fat during exercise.
One thing to remember, though, is that we're talking proportion here, not absolute amount. So low intensity exercise may use a higher proportion of fat relative to glycogen, but not necessarily a higher amount. If low intensity exercise is low enough that not many calories are being used, you won't necessarily be burning more fat than a high intensity workout that is using lots of calories.
sm266
06-16-04, 02:28 PM
It is body fat that your body uses, along with glycogen, for energy. So non-low-carbers will indeed burn body fat during exercise.
One thing to remember, though, is that we're talking proportion here, not absolute amount. So low intensity exercise may use a higher proportion of fat relative to glycogen, but not necessarily a higher amount. If low intensity exercise is low enough that not many calories are being used, you won't necessarily be burning more fat than a high intensity workout that is using lots of calories.
Thanks.
One thing to remember, though, is that we're talking proportion here, not absolute amount. So low intensity exercise may use a higher proportion of fat relative to glycogen, but not necessarily a higher amount. If low intensity exercise is low enough that not many calories are being used, you won't necessarily be burning more fat than a high intensity workout that is using lots of calories.
Thanks.
tbick
06-16-04, 09:20 PM
It's real simple. You need to alternate days of LSD (Long Slow Distance) to build up your base (aerobic ability) with days of doing intervals. Remember, recovery is the key to advancement of physical ability. Your improvement will be much quicker than if you make the common mistake that most recreational riders make - riding in that "no man's land" of speed that is too slow to do much good, but fast enough to tire you out.
herefishyfishy
06-16-04, 11:05 PM
Well I'm 16, 5'7 130 lbs, resting heart rate about 48-49 bpm. I want to train to win, not just enter, local races and maybe pursue cycling further if I excel in it. I'm not in it for loosing weight but rather training my body into an endurance machine. I don't want a coach right now. I want to train myself to a level good enough to place in local races first. Any suggestions?