nine

i'm curious about other people's fixed gear training habits. i never considered cycling for exercise until i got into fixed a little over year ago. then once obsessed, i started using the bike for exercise. i bought spandex shorts (something the old me would have laughed at and still would) and a heart rate monitor, but i didn't have a training goal in mind. i just tried to do about a hundred miles a week and from time to time fantasized about taking a trip out to kissena or racing in prospect park. i still don't feel ready to give either of those a try, but how do other people train? what are the goals you have set? who here regularly races on a track somewhere? just curious.

dogpound

nothing right now, thank god

EnLaCalle

i'm still trying to figure it out. I recently bought the Cyclist's Training Bible which offers pretty extensive advise on how to design your own workout plan, but I haven't really had the time to seriously decipher it. I am interested specifically in improving my endurance and lung capacity (I'm still recovering from nearly 10 years of smoking).

While increased muscular strength would be nice to work for too (i.e. trainer + lifting, etc.), I'm seriously need to work on holding out longer on the track. Those 12 lap finals f**ing kill me.

I'd be interested to hear what anyone else has to say too.

roadfix

Training...? I just use it to go to work and ride along with the roadies.

steaktaco

in chicago, we like to condition ourselves with a lilttle bit of beer, and then more, and then more—and more often than not, we eat fried foods as well. it's called carbo-loading. we usually don't start our late night sprints 'til we've had at least a few.

this is true—ask anyone who's met us.

dolface

this https://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/m...uaddipsea.html and then this https://www.pctrailruns.com/Phleger_Estate.htm (50k).

next year i'd like to start road racing again

freddiesan

To go as fast as I can to campus without breaking a sweat.

bvancouv

I'm training to be good enough to deserve my road bike.

somnambulant

Your mom.

mattface 

I'm not a racer, and probably never will be, but I like to ride. I like to ride a lot, and I like to ride fast. the more I ride, the more I CAN ride without becoming exhausted, and the faster I ride the faster I can ride the neext time. I enjoy riding, and I'm training to enjoy it even more.

ohmyspokes

Right now it's just all about fun and getting outside for adventures. Long rides with coffee shop stops

My goal next season is to move up to a Cat 2 on the track. I don't know if I'll really have a plan, other than to actually race 2x a week. Those 16 year old girls at the track sure are zippy -- maybe I'll give out lots of cookies to slow them down.

I'd also like to do Masters Natz, but they are in CO for '06. I heard T-town in '07? That would be cool.

chimblysweep

Nice. I did a 50K - the Dogwood Half Hundred - in 2002. Sadly, someone died on the trail that day and they haven't been able to run it since. But that was without a doubt the most difficult thing I've ever done.

Me? I'm training to be the first person out of DC when the s**t hits the fan.

rithem

this is how its done right anyway...

marcelinyc

to beat everyone !

Baggsy

I can't resist...

"For Awhile"

Serendipper 

Track racing and Time Trials.

karmaboy

...the luxury of the occasional smoke and doughnut.

steaktaco

I like nature

EnLaCalle

why I just got back from a job errand and was excited to see so many replies to a good, interesting question. Too bad they're all completely useless (albeit funny ).

I know for sure that the kids that actually put in the work, wake up early and train are the ones that are whooping my ass at the track. It would be nice to know what they're actually doing out there at 6am.

Does anyone have a remotely serious answer?

Ira in Chi

I am on the same regiment. We take our training seriously.

The Tour da Chicago series is coming up, which is kind of like training. It is a nice way to keep in shape all winter.

chimblysweep

oh, you wanted training schedules?
7am - ride
830 - be done riding or you'll be late for work.
530 - ride
7- be done riding or you'll be late for drinking.

somnambulant

hehe.. alright, I knew I'd repost later with a proper reply, I guess this is it.

I mostly just use my bike for fun and commuting, but I'm hoping to start hitting the track in the new year. Unfortunately the nearest track is a several hour drive (London, ON)... BUT it's also an indoor track, which is great for sweating out the Winter blues without having to get bundled up.

But, I also have to agree with mattface. At the moment I don't race, but I like to ride hard and push myself. I actually find it difficult to ride at a medium or slow pace by myself. I'd really like to start training for more endurance to be able to do a little touring and fun rides in the country (whenever I can get out of the city, which isn't as often as I'd like).

But actually trying to structure that sort of training isn't something that my current schedule allows, unfortunately. Especially in the Winter.. It gets dark too early, damnit!

(and I'm also riding home in the snow in 10 minutes.. whee!)

teadoggg

track. racing next year. watch out mother****ers.

dolface

ok, i'll give it shot, (this is my IDEAL training schedule, i don't usually make all the workouts)

monday: hill ride (geared), 45 minute climb at lunch
tuesday: 1.25 hours of core strength in the morning (abs and legs mostly)
hour run in the evening, varies depending on where i am in my training cycle
wed: 1 hour time-trial (fixed) at lunch
thu: same as tue. morning, evening is 1.5 hours of speedwork on the track (running)
friday: rest
sat: 2 - 5 hours of running (or racing) hilly trails in the morning
fixed ride w/ the crew in the afternoon
sunday: 3 - 6 hour geared ride with people who are a lot stronger than i am

(i also rock climb mon-wed-fri mornings, but that doesn't have any effect on my running/riding, except to make me a little slower)

EnLaCalle

Damn, G. You're an active guy! Thanks for the breakdown, that's what I'm looking for.

Ps- rock climbing kicks ass. Carabiners aren't just for holding your keys (though I'm mostly guilty of this