Albert G.

Right now i'm in school so i'm training with the running and it's really helping out. Two weeks ago i began to train on my running, but for cycling. I only trained on thursday and on Friday, i ran 5miles in about 35min on each day. When i went out on the 40mile sunday ride, i was able to hang with the big boys without really pushing myself, and we were doing like 24,25mph!! I'm just a 14 year old kid and when i get home from school it's like 4pm, and by the time i get fueled up and hydrated, it's already like 5pm. So i just go out and run. I think it's a great way to train if you don't have enough time to be on the bike.

53-11_alltheway

Running sure beats "base miles" on flat ground for your cardiovascular system. How good it is for your knees though is a different story.

squeegy200

Im no expert.

But from my experience, I find running keeps the heart and lungs in shape however, exercises different muscles in the legs than do cycling. I get stronger in portions of the muscles that find little use while pedaling. And the same is true if I cycle, I don't find much improvement in strength and endurance while running.

If daylight becomes an issue for you and you are interested in improving your cycling technique and strength, explore the possibility of getting a stationary trainer and spinning indoors. Same cardiovascular workout but the added benefit of spinning the legs in preparation for cycling.

my58vw

Someone is in awsome shape for 14 years old... 7 minute miles, 24 - 25 MPH with a group, not bad at all... so when are we going to see you racing juniors?!

I find running really helps with part of the cycling equation, mainly with the aerobic endurance part. All the other factors like lactic acid threshold etc are different numbers. I use running as a divergence to cycling at least once per week, usually when going to the gym to work on lower an upper body. I do not enjoy running, but that is a personal thing.

With a large group it is not that hard running 25 MPH, I do that every weekend on the fast rides, but in a small paceline, that is a little harder to do. It is when you start pushing 30+ MPH when things get fast.

To answer the how do you train question... here is my week

Monday - OFF day post race, easy spinning or aerobic work non race.
Tuesday - Fast night group ride, 22+ MPH average tempo ride, hill climbing, etc., night weight training
Wednesday - Intervals
Thursday - Early year - Fast right tempo ride, in season - practice crit, weight training
Friday - Depends on how I feel, intervals if fresh, aerobic base ride if not
Saturday - OFF always
Sunday - Race or Group Ride or Intervals if no Group Ride

Intervals can be LT intervals, pyramid intervals, sprint (anaerobic) intervals, hill climbing intervals (hill repeats for muscle endurance or hill sprints), etc.

That is the basic outline, I find myself changing the schedule sometimes to focus on things or when a ride gets rained out for example. I generally do running on the gym days... trainers are also awsome for inside work, just save your pennies and buy one. Good luck, I wish I would have started at your age

Albert G.

Hey thanks for the reply. About racing juniors, i want to start racing next year cause right now i have like a 30 pound bike and i want to buy a light one, then i'll probably begin racing. I want to be a pro racer, thats my dream and i'm trying to get there by working hard, but i wanted to ask you if you knew the avereage speed in a pro race like Tour de france. I'm guessing it's in the 30-40mph range for the flats and in the 16-22mph range on the climbs. So do you know what the speeds are?

my58vw

I have seen all kind of speeds in pro pelotons, some one said that many pro road races average about 25 MPH with long stretches at less than 20 MPH, of course to average 25 MPH the peloton must get the speed somewhere... like 60KPH which is 37 MPH roughly. It really depends, most of the time I hear of pro speeds I am thinking 30 - 36 MPH but it really depends on the course.

You are young, at 14 years old you have a long way to go to doing what you want in life. I beleive if you want to do something like go pro then you can do it. Your age gives you a good advantage to getting there. Just remember you are still young and have a lot to learn about life.

I am in a very simular situation but 9 years older. I have graduated HS, and this year two degrees in college. I have a full time job. I have a career path that I am working too and my ultimate goal is to be Cat1 or greater. It is a long road and I am sure if you work hard you can get there. Point is remember that even if you strive for your goals which is great also get an education, get some skills. You seem to be motivated and that is the first step. Cycling is taking over my life right now which is ok because I have already relized a dream, getting two degrees.

Work hard and you can get to your goals, just live at the same time, good luck.

terrymorse 

The average speed in the TdF for the winner (Armstrong) was about 25 mph. According to my calculations, the average speed of a hilly stage was about 20 mph. I didn't calculate speeds for the flat stages -- who cares about flat stages?

53-11_alltheway

Nice.

Funny thing I heard--Someguy asked a pro, "Do you spin low gears or push high gears?.....He said I spin high gears." LOL


LOL.....Still 2000 watt sprints are amazing to watch.

Patriot

How do I train? Well, when I am not so sick I am hacking up my lungs, I just ride lots of base miles, including lots of trainer time in the winter when the weather is bad.

Intervals are important too, but I think aerobic base miles are one of the real keys to successful training for serious rides later in the year.

Albert G.

Thanks man.

ham_man

I am 14 just like you Albert and am just getting back to riding on the road. A winter with the trainer from hell is over and a new season is starting. I am looking to put in 1-2 good hours of road riding (more when Daylight savings kicks in) a day, then get in some long base miles on the weekend. Sometimes I cross train with running, but I have ***** knees that feel like they are going to blow out. With that said, I must comment that you are in way better shape than me. I can push 16-17 mph on solos and if I am in a group (which I rarely am) I can get that in the 21-22 mph range. Keep up the good work man...

Albert G.

I will man. So have you ever raced in an event or do you plan on racing? I haven't but i hope to do so next year when (if the Lord permits) i'll have a lighter bike, cause right now my bike weighs like 30lbs.