Road Cycling - how long does it take you to warm up?

hi guys,

well, i've started commuting now, 20km a day, 10km there, 10km back. i've noticed something... my avg is very slow, around 23km/h. it could be the red lights, and me being careful, but i think mostly it's cause hte ride is 30 minutes long and all summer i've been going on rides averaging around 2 hrs. so 30 mins is like a warm-up, and i'm just coasting, i maintain 30km/h for a bit, but it doesn't last... i don't really feel like i'm getting a good work-out in, but i'm glad i'm putting in some easy mileage. so i was wondering how long do you guys until you feel warmed up? sometimes, in fact, i don't even feel warmed up until 1 hour into the ride...

sd

When I first got into cycling about 4 months ago, it would take me at least 15 miles (1 hour) to feel really good and warmed up. But then I realized that I was going too hard from the get-go. I would just get on and start pedalling at pace.

After about 2 months of this I decided to give myself a proper warmup period before really moving. Now I do some stretching, go really easy for about 5 - 10 minutes, and I feel as warmed up as I used to after an hour.

*shrug*

-Chris

It normally takes me about 12 -14 miles of flat or rolling hills to warm up. I've tried stretching and other forms of pre-exercise gyrations, but I have the best success with a spin motion. This is best done (for me) on the bike.
Can you start your commute earlier and add on to your route?

I need at least 30 minutes before I can make an all out effort and hope to recover from it. It seems any less of a warmup, and that first all out effort keeps me F'ed up the rest of the ride.

It normally takes me about 12 -14 miles of flat or rolling hills to warm up. I've tried stretching and other forms of pre-exercise gyrations, but I have the best success with a spin motion. This is best done (for me) on the bike.
Can you start your commute earlier and add on to your route?

yeah, i definitely spin to try to warm it up... maybe i'm just not properly adjusted to the summer heat yet. i don't really want to add to the commute on the way to work since i'll sweat and there's no shower there... i guess i'll just live with it, i don't wanna risk giving a hard effort on so little warmup and food (i tend to skip breakfast..hmmm..maybe _that's_ why i'm slow for the commute, come to think about it)

sd

Whew, I thought I was odd. it takes me at least 45 minutes to warm up. The other day, the day after a 60 mile ride that I bonked on, it took me almost an hour and a half to get my pedal stroke back.

I feel ready to go after the first three mile stretch of road leading me into the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley. Every time I've tried pushing hard from the start, I end up with a slower average by the end and feel more tired. It's amazing what a decent warm up does for you. I also skipped breakfast, once and only once. I can't even describe how terrible I felt with no food in my stomach. I will never make that mistake again.

It takes me around 8-10 miles, sometimes as many as 15 to get warmed up. Which really sucks for those short 20 mile rides!!!

My favorite route will warm me up on the first hill. On the backside of the hill feels sweeeeet.



Olds

Usually around 12-13 miles.

My favorite route will warm me up on the first hill. On the backside of the hill feels sweeeeet.



Olds

Warming up....a lot of variables...after 30 years of cycling, this old fart knows it takes longer than it used to but the reward of how good you feel after a ride is still the same....priceless!

I guess I'm the unusual one here. It takes me around 10 to 15 minutes to get warmed up. I normally stretch for a couple of minutes, start out riding slow for around 15 minutes, and then hit my normal pace.

After the first six miles, or 15-20 minutes is where I'm ready to go. Warming up for me is really stretching the back and hamstrings. For times when the back is tender I use a stability ball to get a good extension.

for a race, i need a good 45 min to warm up.