Plain "old school" Training

[Lovsexy4]

At 5' 9", 240 lbs? And 47 years old? No offense, but you'll have to post some pictures before I'd believe that.

Have you ever had your body fat tested? Most gyms offer body fat testing as a low-cost option...you might consider having it done.


FWIW, at your current weight and height, your Body Mass Index is 35.4, which is well into the "Obese" category.

In fact, you're currently 17 lbs above the threshold for "Obese" (203 lbs for someone who's 5' 9").

And you're a full 71 lbs above the threshold for "Overweight" (169 lbs).


As has been said before in this thread, cycling performance is very closely related to body weight, due to its impact on power-to-weight ratio.

Regardless of your training methods, your current weight is a significant handicap when it comes to cycling.

Man, you really need to start looking and thinking outside of the box. No one I know is in direct portion to the current Body Mass Index thats being used today. Trust me, I have no problem pushing this 240lbs around town, up hills and through the flats. "The Big Dogs Cycling Club" is riders over 220lbs. And we are a force to be reckon with. This is so amazing...lol "You really think big guys can't ride huh?"

[Lovsexy4]

Lovsexy4, your method seems to work good for you, but have you ever tried other methods of training (modern or new school) for any substantial time, and if you have how has it worked for you?

I was also wondering, if you have not tried it what is holding you back?

Yes I have, and still do from time to time...For example...When working on faster sprinting...
I do a lot of high intensity/high cadence sprints...ie
I incorporate a variety of sprint situations in training uphill, downhill, slow start speeds from cruising speeds. I do max effort sprints for 2-5 minutes with a 1:1.5 work/recovery time ratio. On my low speed starts or from a standstill, I jump out of the seat in a high gear (53x12 or 53x15).

When I train for century's, I train about three months out. I work on my base miles first at a low intensity, at around 60-70% of my max HR, then switch to endurance miles, increasing my intensity level to about 60-80% of max HR. My last month before my first century is sub-lactate threshold intervals. I work up to 4-5 / 10-20 minute efforts at 80-85% of max HR with a 1:1.5 work/recovery time ratio. With my weekend rides being about 75-80 miles. My nutrition doesn't really change that much from my earlier post. I do all of this on a Trek Madone SSL 6.9. I also ride my Tommaso Cista. And Yes!!! I do use tech from time to time.

[merlinman]

"Trust me, I have no problem pushing this 240lbs around town, up hills and through the flats. "The Big Dogs Cycling Club" is riders over 220lbs. And we are a force to be reckon with. This is so amazing...lol "You really think big guys can't ride huh?"

let's review that old school thing called "math". speed is a function of force and weight. At your weight you'd have to produce a force that is beyond anything seem today - even pros on steroids for you to be functionally equal to me for example. . I think it is great that big guys like you ride. Your HR training program sounds great. But you CANNOT use assertions to overcome facts and physics. That is the flaw in all your propositions - there is not logic, no supporting evidence, and no acknowledgement of math or science. sheesh.....

[Bantam]

At 5' 9", 240 lbs? And 47 years old? No offense, but you'll have to post some pictures before I'd believe that.

Have you ever had your body fat tested? Most gyms offer body fat testing as a low-cost option...you might consider having it done.


FWIW, at your current weight and height, your Body Mass Index is 35.4, which is well into the "Obese" category.

In fact, you're currently 17 lbs above the threshold for "Obese" (203 lbs for someone who's 5' 9").

And you're a full 71 lbs above the threshold for "Overweight" (169 lbs).


As has been said before in this thread, cycling performance is very closely related to body weight, due to its impact on power-to-weight ratio.

Regardless of your training methods, your current weight is a significant handicap when it comes to cycling.

This is my first step into this ring, but I really do not agree with SSP. Yes, 240 at 5'9" is big, but that does not make him unhealthy. In powerlifting, strongman, Scottish Highland games, etc his weight would be just about right. It just so happens that he is not a cyclist above all else. I myself have not started a scientific cycling routine because I am new and looking for how my body reacts to certain training.

I do know that in mid distance running my body does best with 1 long run and several hill sprint repeats, sprint intervals, and hills. For strength training my body loves a somewhat old school approach of heavy barbells and bodyweight training.

[Lovsexy4]

"Trust me, I have no problem pushing this 240lbs around town, up hills and through the flats. "The Big Dogs Cycling Club" is riders over 220lbs. And we are a force to be reckon with. This is so amazing...lol "You really think big guys can't ride huh?"

let's review that old school thing called "math". speed is a function of force and weight. At your weight you'd have to produce a force that is beyond anything seem today - even pros on steroids for you to be functionally equal to me for example. . I think it is great that big guys like you ride. Your HR training program sounds great. But you CANNOT use assertions to overcome facts and physics. That is the flaw in all your propositions - there is not logic, no supporting evidence, and no acknowledgement of math or science. sheesh.....

Whatever floats your scientific boat dude! Sounds as if you never seen big guys ride. We have guys that are retired NFL players weighing over 300lbs that ride regularly at or above 20mph, doing rides of 35 to 45 milers. Anytime you want to come to Maryland to ride with us, you are welcome too. Hell, I'll even pay for you flight dude. And you can stay at my estate. Private message me and we can set it up. Bring you video camera.

[merlinman]

I've only seen big guys ride when I stop at the top of a hill and look wayyyyy back.

[Lovsexy4]

I've only seen big guys ride when I stop at the top of a hill and look wayyyyy back.

Touche' my brother...Thats because he wasn't a "Big Dog"!
So you wanna come out?

[SSP]

At this point in the conversation, I'm going to assume that the OP is nothing more than a troll.

References to his "estate", his "Media/Consulting" firm, his "Trek Madone SSL 6.9" and "Tommaso Cista", and his practicing with "The Washington Redskins Training camp" don't jibe with his petulant and juvenile posting style.

Unless he's willing to man up and post some photos of his "estate" and him on a bike, I'm going to call BS on this whole thread.

[SSP]

This is my first step into this ring, but I really do not agree with SSP. Yes, 240 at 5'9" is big, but that does not make him unhealthy. In powerlifting, strongman, Scottish Highland games, etc his weight would be just about right. It just so happens that he is not a cyclist above all else. I myself have not started a scientific cycling routine because I am new and looking for how my body reacts to certain training.

I do know that in mid distance running my body does best with 1 long run and several hill sprint repeats, sprint intervals, and hills. For strength training my body loves a somewhat old school approach of heavy barbells and bodyweight training.

Yes...there are some people who have low body fat and high muscle mass, resulting in a high BMI. But, the vast majority of Americans with BMI>35 have excess fat, not excess musculature.

Go down to your local mall and count the big people...you'll find that the "Tubbies" outnumber the "Hulks" by at least 10 to 1.

[Lovsexy4]

At this point in the conversation, I'm going to assume that the OP is nothing more than a troll.

References to his "estate", his "Media/Consulting" firm, his "Trek Madone SSL 6.9" and "Tommaso Cista", and his practicing with "The Washington Redskins Training camp" don't jibe with his petulant and juvenile posting style.

Unless he's willing to man up and post some photos of his "estate" and him on a bike, I'm going to call BS on this whole thread.

Wow! Thats very juvenile of you to call me a troll. But hey, my skin is thick and my money is big.
Don't hate SSP...participate. I don't hve to prove who I am to you. I can send you pictures of me and your mother, and you still wouldn't believe it. By the way...Do you want to see them....Son!

[Carbonfiberboy]

Yeah, and I want some video footage of the "max effort sprints for 2-5 minutes." I am a fair sprinter and I have trouble holding a sprint for 45 seconds. waterrockets thinks I need to extend that to a minute. I'm still working on that. "Son" - heh, heh - I'm old enough to be his father.

[SSP]

Wow! Thats very juvenile of you to call me a troll. But hey, my skin is thick and my money is big.
Don't hate SSP...participate. I don't hve to prove who I am to you. I can send you pictures of me and your mother, and you still wouldn't believe it. By the way...Do you want to see them....Son!

You've claimed the following:

"I have pushed my bikes through the boundaries of Banff and Jasper National parks in western Alberta, Cananda, I have attemped the Montezumas's Revenge in CO, finishing more than half of the 234 mile, 35,000 feet of climbing over 200 miles at altitudes from 9000 to 14270 feet. Out of the three centuries that I ride per year, I ride the Mt. Mitchell Century in Spartanburg, SC every May."

It would be quite simple to prove that you're not a troll. All you have to do is post some photos of yourself and your "SSL 6.9" or your "Tommaso Cista" on one of these rides. Given that you run a "Media/Consulting" firm, that shouldn't be too hard, should it?

Look...it's pretty easy:

Here's one of me on the ride up Mt. Evans (at 14,264 feet, it's the highest paved road in America).


And here I'm on the Col du Glandon in the French Alps:



Your turn, Troll Boy.

[Lovsexy4]

You've claimed the following:

"I have pushed my bikes through the boundaries of Banff and Jasper National parks in western Alberta, Cananda, I have attemped the Montezumas's Revenge in CO, finishing more than half of the 234 mile, 35,000 feet of climbing over 200 miles at altitudes from 9000 to 14270 feet. Out of the three centuries that I ride per year, I ride the Mt. Mitchell Century in Spartanburg, SC every May."

It would be quite simple to prove that you're not a troll. All you have to do is post some photos of yourself and your "SSL 6.9" or your "Tommaso Cista" on one of these rides. Given that you run a "Media/Consulting" firm, that shouldn't be too hard, should it?

Back to you, Troll Boy.

Look...it's pretty easy:

Here's one of me on the ride up Mt. Evans (at 14,264 feet, it's the highest paved road in America).


And here's one of my on the Col du Glandon in the French Alps:

And this proves what Son? That we all have pictures to post. Just as you want to act like an ass and call me a troll and not believe me. Who's to say, this is a picture of you? I'm not sending out pictures of me or my home, just to prove you wrong. That, like your statement is High School. So when it becomes a requirement of this form to prove to all, everything that we all post as the truth. Then I will do so then.
Your pictures prove nothing...Son

[SSP]

And this proves what Son? That we all have pictures to post. Just as you want to act like an ass and call me a troll and not believe me. Who's to say, this is a picture of you? I'm not sending out pictures of me or my home, just to prove you wrong. That, like your statement is High School. So when it becomes a requirement of this form to prove to all, everything that we all post as the truth. Then I will do so then.
Your pictures prove nothing...Son

Gee...your writing style sure doesn't sound like it was written by a 47 year old "Media/Consultant", with "thick skin and big money".

FWIW, those pictures can also be found on my website, here, and here.

There's more photos of me in the various albums posted there, and since it's my own website I have no reason to fake them.

So, the ball's in your court, "son". Time to put up or shut up.

[UmneyDurak]

SSP I hate you so much right now. That looks like some great, if a bit masochistic rides.

Look...it's pretty easy:

Here's one of me on the ride up Mt. Evans (at 14,264 feet, it's the highest paved road in America).


And here I'm on the Col du Glandon in the French Alps:



Your turn, Troll Boy.

[SSP]

SSP I hate you so much right now. That looks like some great, if a bit masochistic rides.

LOL - we do so love the suffering, eh?

The photo on Mt. Evans was taken at Summit Lake (elevation 12,830). At that point, I had a raging headache, an upset stomach, and my lips and fingers were tingling due to lack of oxygen. For the last mile or two, it was all I could do to keep the pedals turning. I was so hypoxic that I got tunnel vision...at one point, there was a tight right-hand switchback with a family grouping of mountain goats standing in the switchback. I rode right by them without seeing them (riders ahead of and behind me saw them!).

I only stayed on the summit for about 10 minutes because I felt like crap. Thankfully, while there I accidentally got this really cool photo. I was just taking a picture of the mountain goat, and didn't even realize until later that there were cyclists in the frame:


The Col du Glandon was not quite so bad, though we did have to ride through some very cold rain showers to get there. Later that same day, I bonked while climbing Alpe d'Huez.

But, hey...on the bike, it's all good!

[Carbonfiberboy]

Come on...you can come better than that! NEXT!

I think all you good BF posters are missing the point here. These posts have nothing to do with bicycle training. Look at it this way, and it all makes a lot of sense. Once he got in over his head, he couldn't figure out how to extricate. Please let him/her/whatever go. It's pig wrestling.

[DScott]

It's funny you mention pigs. After reading this thread, I kept going back to that old saying about teaching pigs to sing...

[LT Intolerant]

SSP, you da man!! Very impressive!! I've ridden a few of those "bumps" myself years ago (followed the TdF) and just wish I had the photos you have! Mt. Evans looks like a beast and I'm chomping at the bit to give it a go some day soon.

My big question about the OP is how he has the time to respond to every post and still fulfill his job as the local village idiot.

gene r

[DScott]

SSP, you da man!! Very impressive!! I've ridden a few of those "bumps" myself years ago (followed the TdF) and just wish I had the photos you have! Mt. Evans looks like a beast and I'm chomping at the bit to give it a go some day soon.

My big question about the OP is how he has the time to respond to every post and still fulfill his job as the local village idiot.

gene r

He has a really, really big muscle. So obvious...

[asgelle]

let's review that old school thing called "math". speed is a function of force and weight. ... But you CANNOT use assertions to overcome facts and physics.

You might want to take your own advice. At least for a mutiple geared bicycle, force is irrelevant to speed. Review force, work, energy, and power. For extra credit, you might brush up on torque.

[supertj]

Wow, 5'9 and 240lbs, you're quite chubby there buddy

[wfrogge]

Whatever floats your scientific boat dude! Sounds as if you never seen big guys ride. We have guys that are retired NFL players weighing over 300lbs that ride regularly at or above 20mph, doing rides of 35 to 45 milers. Anytime you want to come to Maryland to ride with us, you are welcome too. Hell, I'll even pay for you flight dude. And you can stay at my estate. Private message me and we can set it up. Bring you video camera.

Ill take up that offer.....



Signed
Out of shape CAT 3 racer

[superslomo]

I'm six inches taller and I weigh about 30 pounds less and I still need to lose about twenty.

Even if it is all muscle, it's still going to be muscle in a lot of places that don't help you ride faster or help in any way at all... but you still have to carry them around.

(Anyone notice how the OP just disappeared?)

[fishyfingers]

I would have to say for me since I stopped using HRM ,Energy drinks and foods and switching to riding on feel, water and natural ride foods. My performance and more importantly enjoyment has seen tremendous gains. Also stopped my obsession with jumping on the scales every morning. I think the OP was only suggesting a (why not try it) approach.

I have no idea what watts I push, or what my maximum HR is.
I don't need a gadget to tell me when to stop pushing those pedals, or my heart is saying no more.

When you have a training plan, this session, that session you are creating stress before you even start. Suppose you didn't get the rest you wanted, a lot will still do the “hard session” if it is the plan, how beneficial is that session going to be, or will it do more harm than good.

I would say to those open to the idea, why not give it a go at least.