Why is it...
06-02-06, 01:13 PM
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Why is it...
That I can ride 12-14 mph all day long with no stress but that if I ride at 15-16 mph, I'm exhausted within an hour? Is the slower pace "below my aerobic threshold" in such a way that I don't have to exert to maintain it? Is the slightly faster pace exponentially harder to maintain?
I've been "pushing" the higher pace over the past few days to see if I can acclimate to it. If so, then I can ride longer with the same (perceived) effort and in the same elapsed time!
Incidentally, I'm now riding the Mongoose "comfort saddle" with no more discomfort than any other saddle I've tried. I have to stand up on it about every 10 minutes and then resit down, but no major pains...
I've been "pushing" the higher pace over the past few days to see if I can acclimate to it. If so, then I can ride longer with the same (perceived) effort and in the same elapsed time!
Incidentally, I'm now riding the Mongoose "comfort saddle" with no more discomfort than any other saddle I've tried. I have to stand up on it about every 10 minutes and then resit down, but no major pains...
06-02-06, 01:23 PM
#2
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The power that you have to produce to overcome air resistance goes up as the cube of your speed. Assuming no hills and low rolling resistance, you must produce about twice as much power at 15 mph as at 12 mph.
Paul
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06-02-06, 02:28 PM
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One of the reasons certain people can do longer distances is that they can settle comfortably into that area that requires little effort. I find that on a long ride- I start out comfortable for an hour or so, and that first hour is probably my slowest. Subsequent hours do speed up and at some point on the ride I am really travelling. Possibly up to 2 hour ride speed.
My problem does come in if the weather or terrain means that I have to put in more effort than I should do. That is when I start to find the Tired legs, or the back ache or general sluggish feel. Then comes the time when I realise that it is survival time and just turn the legs for a few miles, get something to eat and Drink because along with the overexertion, I have not been feeding and drinking enough.
Every one has their limits and even I can can exceed them for a while- but I am going to pay for it shortly.
My problem does come in if the weather or terrain means that I have to put in more effort than I should do. That is when I start to find the Tired legs, or the back ache or general sluggish feel. Then comes the time when I realise that it is survival time and just turn the legs for a few miles, get something to eat and Drink because along with the overexertion, I have not been feeding and drinking enough.
Every one has their limits and even I can can exceed them for a while- but I am going to pay for it shortly.
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06-02-06, 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulH
...you must produce about twice as much power at 15 mph as at 12 mph.
I'll just have to get stronger!
06-02-06, 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by FarHorizon
Thanks, Paul - that's exactly the way it feels! I'll just have to get stronger!
I'll just have to get stronger!
06-02-06, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by mollusk
I hate to sound like one of the weenies over in the Road Forum, but the key to getting stronger is interval training. It works, but it sure hurts like hell.
I cannot say enough about what interval training did for me over the winter. Leg strength is key if you want to get to that next level. Squats and weight training help a bunch too.
Steve
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06-02-06, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by mollusk
I hate to sound like one of the weenies over in the Road Forum, but the key to getting stronger is interval training. It works, but it sure hurts like hell.
+1 It is hard and it does work, however, it's also why I'm sometimes content to go a bit slower a bit longer.
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06-03-06, 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Carusoswi
I hate to sound ignorant, but, what is interval training?
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06-04-06, 06:27 AM
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Originally Posted by PaulH
The power that you have to produce to overcome air resistance goes up as the cube of your speed. Assuming no hills and low rolling resistance, you must produce about twice as much power at 15 mph as at 12 mph.
Paul
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06-04-06, 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by cheeseflavor
+1
I cannot say enough about what interval training did for me over the winter. Leg strength is key if you want to get to that next level. Squats and weight training help a bunch too.
Steve
I cannot say enough about what interval training did for me over the winter. Leg strength is key if you want to get to that next level. Squats and weight training help a bunch too.
Steve
Hey: how did that overtraining issue turn out?
