Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Need Advice on getting started.

Yesterday I went out and rode for the second time. I went just under 6 miles in a little under a half hour. The ride before that was maybe a full week earlier I went three and a half miles in about 14 minutes.

I need to get to the point where I can easily ride ~ 10 miles in ~ 30 minutes. Regardless of whether or not it's uphill into a 20mph wind or not if I want to commute to and from work on my bike and still be able to pick my daughter up from daycare before they close and start charging me an arm and a leg for "overtime".

I have a Cycleops trainer in the living room I'm not opposed to riding since I can't go out and ride while my wife is at work. (11 month olds shouldn't be left home alone.).....


So, as a new rider, what should I adopt as a plan to get into shape for at least 10 miles at 20mph, Followed by a goal of wanting to ride with the local bike shop on Saturday and Sunday morning rides (~ 18mph for 2 hours).

Give me some mile per day goals for the cycle ops, and some cadence or speed recommendations, or both.

Thanks everyone!

It's a lofty goal my friend! Start out by telling us your height and weight

I'm 5'10" and #225 the last time I was on a scale. 33 and a half years old.

Is there no other daycare place you can take your daughter?

It is probably a stupid question, but it seems like it'd be easier to find another place than to double your speed anytime in the near future. Plus you will probably have to deal with traffic, headwinds and flats at some time or other, so you'd need to be going way faster than 20mph for the rest of the commute. When I was commuting, it took me 10 minutes just to attach my bag, blinkies and headlight and remove/stow the u-lock.

I can't speak to the training part, but I do know of some other quick fixes to speed you up:

Get good gear and clothing, so you can move more efficiently with less discomfort (padded shorts, rain jacket) and not have to slow down because you can't see, for example (eyeglasses, headlight/taillights)

If you have knobby tires, replace them with flat-resistant slicks/road tires

Ride the fastest bike you can afford

Don't carry anything that isn't vitally important

I used to give myself an extra half-hour just in case I had a flat, so the idea of getting the whole commute done in a half-hour sort of blows my mind a little.

If it makes you feel any better.... that half hour goal, is to give myself a full hour to get to the school/daycare after I get home to grab the car. :)

...what should I adopt as a plan to get into shape for at least 10 miles at 20mph, Followed by a goal of wanting to ride with the local bike shop on Saturday and Sunday morning rides (~ 18mph for 2 hours).

Thanks everyone!

Good luck my friend! :)

Did 8 Miles today. I'm pretty sure I could have gone at least 16, if not 24, but we ran out of time. Averaged 14 miles per hour on the ride!

Once the weatherman says it's supposed to stop raining, I'm going to drop my car at work, and catch a ride home. Then commute the following morning by bike! I can't wait.

Averaging 20 mph solo is doable depending on your fitness & the actual road you're on... a slight downhill & tailwind will improve your chances. :)

Like any other physical activity, if you can ride 2 hours at say, 18 mph you can probably ramp it up pretty easily to hit 20 for just a half hour. So get some miles in your legs and you can probably do it. :)