Owen21

i know, im not asking if ill be a champion next week i just want to have a go, and it not be futile! I realise there are many other variables - just like in weightlifting.

Do i just choose what i like the look of then? ive ridden bikes in the past, downhill, cross country mountain biking, and a bit of road. However if i want to put some time into it i want to choose something im possibly suited to, and that ill also enjoy. There must be some indicators of a good cyclist in any area of the sport. Tall and thin, short and muscular, etc must suits different styles, well in fact i know it does.

jmikami

Size is part of it, but muscle type is the bigger key. I look huge compared to Kevin Mansker, but I can likely outclimb him, but would have been smoked in the sprint. And there are 200 pound riders that drop me on the climbs all the time but can't hold my wheel in a sprint. So size is only part of it, you need to figure out where you fit, which it seems like for you is closer to sprinting that not, but you have to figure that out by doing it.

I would get a cheaper road bike to start, something used, then ride around with some people in your area and get a feel for how you ride with them, you might be a climber still. Even sprinters need road miles, so the road bike will come in handy either way. After you get some more experience with your abilities head down to your local velodrome and talk to the riders there and figure out if you can find a deal on a track bike, or better yet get a rental and start playing there. You should be able to figure out pretty quick if you like to go short, long, up, or none of them.

Owen21

Ok thanks, this is a weightlifting thread so I'll post further questions elsewhere!

VanceMac

Appointment Wednesday to determine surgery or not for collarbone. In meantime, preparing to not lose ALL my gainz during the rehab. If history is a guide, I won't be too disciplined with trainer time, so hoping I can get some weight work in. Bought some supplies to do some hip belt squats:

VanceMac

If you ever break your collarbone, I recommend that you insist on surgery. The day after surgery, I was doing ^ those.

ER doc: "You have a broken clavicle. It will heal on its own. You'll be in a sling for several weeks, and eventually start some physical therapy."
Me (very consciously obsequious and deferring to his expertise): "So, I have numerous friends and teammates who have had surgery for this..."
ER doc (looks at me like I'm a crazy person): "We just don't do that for clavicles."
Me: "Okay, thank you!"

rensho3

I agree with Vance. The ER docs are generally not clued into how to treat athletes (even the old weekend variety like me). That said, when I broke my pelvis last week, the ER Doc here in Orange, CA actually asked me if I preferred to be referred to an orthopedist that aggressively treated athletes. I of course said yes. Sadly, that aggressive ortho guy said there was nothing to do but wait until it didn't hurt to get a on a bike. I am ok with that, as I plan to be back on the bike (on a trainer) as soon as I can sit on the saddle. Of course, I may need a chain hoist to get me over the top tube, as lifting my leg is a no-go at the moment, but maybe I can use a ladder which will then be removed by my beautiful assistant (wife).

I hope you and your wife mend quickly Vance.

misterwaterfall

Got back in the gym last week after a couple months of only on the bike training. I'm focusing on more track specific training after being a roadie for the last 2 years. Worked up to 225 on squats and things felt good. Also did some light SLDL's. I wanted to get a day or two of lighter lifting before I actually start putting weight on the bar. So far so good!

Velocirapture

You broke your pelvis last week?!? geez, sorry to hear that man. Good luck with the recovery. Track accident?

Whats with all these broken bones, people? O.o

rensho3

Thanks Velocirapture. It was a road accident; came out of the pedal while standing away from a stoplight. All the weight lifting and standing start practice worked against me this time as I broke the cleat and drove my foot into the ground!. The real problem is that I got 5-6 good pedal strokes in before it broke, so I was going around 18 mph (according to the last thing my Garmin recorded), and all that forward momentum was rotated 90 degrees and pile drove my right hip into the pavement. Did a nice job on my helmet and shoulder too; the helmet broke, but the shoulder did not (for a change). Interestingly, I did not slide at all, so minimal road rash; I just was body slammed down.

Owen21

What does everyones weekly gym routine look like?

Minion1

Starting strength's novice program, it's pretty good and tough enough to keep me progressing while leaving enough in the tank to ride. It's (slightly) controversial around here, especially among the more experienced lifters, but I'm new to lifting and found it a good place to start. Got it through the Kindle app on my smartphone, which helps.

EthanYQX

Starting Strength is fantastic. It's Mark Rippetoe that can be controversial.

Have fun!

Owen21

corect

its a good way to get lifting without overthinking it or spending time doing 'pointless' stuff

EthanYQX

If you're an iron nerd like me, the article page on Rip's site is pretty awesome. Couple dozen from Bill Starr about the York Barbell days.

Starting Strength: Articles

Owen21

Just out of curiosity. Does anyone know the poundages that good level track sprinters shift in the gym? Squat, deadlift, power clean etc. I know it's not totally indicative of quality on the track, I just wanna know cheers.

carleton

This will get you started:

GleepGloop

Do bigger legs help with climbing? I sometimes have trouble as a designated sprinter to keep up with some of my climber friends. They are all 16 and I'm 14, but I still want to keep up with them when goung uphill. Do stronger/bigger legs help? Because mine are a fair big bigger than theirs, and I weigh a lot more. I'd like to keep most of my sprint power, so I don't want to lose any strength. Is there a workout that can help me?

Owen21

^^ no I doubt just getting bigger legs will help. Can't you just sprint up and wait frothed at the top?



bit of training this morning (hang power cleans, pulls & deadlifts), going for a road ride soon

carleton

Consider asking in the Road forum: Road Cycling

And if this is a training question (if you race on the road), consider asking in Road Racing: "The 33"-Road Bike Racing

The first forum is more casual. The second one is more serious (they don't like non-racers mucking up things).

GleepGloop

Sorry forgot to check lol

defspace

I hope this is the right place for this question. I read a few pages in and didn't see it mentioned explicitly.

Do enduros lift?

I'm looking to shift from crit/road to enduro/crit for next season. I've always just ridden, figuring that riding a bike will make me better at riding a bike than lifting will.

What's the endurance trackie take on gym work? Thanks.

misterwaterfall

I lift, I'm an enduro(wanna be anyway), I suck at climbing hills in comparison to fast 1/2's.

I know others who lift, who can climb better than I.

Being a proficient enduro/crit rider/climber is not easy for most. They are out there, but what that usually means is that they are just way better at racing bikes than everyone else across the board. When I speak of being a good climber, I mean being able to attack a P12 field. I thought I was a decent climber all the way through the 3's, after that I learned that climbing would never be a strong suit for me. My off season plan includes a decent amount of gym work, but this in on top of a lot of base and prescribed by a coach who knows me very well and has a vision in mind so take that for what it's worth.

VanceMac

See my posts throughout this thread (and Queerpunk's).

I'm a recent convert and big fan of lifting.

Short story: since taking up lifting last year, I had my best year racing track (and, incidentally, on the fewest hours saddle time since I took up cycling).

I broke my collarbone last month, and even though I was back on the bike almost immediately, I've mentally been checked out of riding for the first time in about 3 years. And one of the reasons has been to focus even more on lifting. Squats and Deads are the meat. I do a few upper body exercises to round it out.

Dalai

Personally I would expect more don't then do lift.

I personally don't lift but have considered it more so recently, mainly due to being a mature aged athete to manage the loss of muscle mass as I age... My view is specificity trumps all other training.

queerpunk

How long is a piece of string?

Lifting builds strength and can improve your sprint. Do enduros need to build strength and improve their sprint? Well - some do, some don't.

Talking about training needs to start with a discussion about targeting your limiters. If you are an enduro and have limiters that can be overcome with lifting, then you should lift.

I spent all last year fighting for wins and always getting 2nd or 3rd because my rivals had a better sprint that I did. So I hit the weights. This year, a buddy of mine - an enduro - did a lot more resting than he usually does. He has a killer sprint right now, but his endurance is shot. So his limiter would not be addressed through lifting.