sucking air
10-19-13, 01:48 PM
#27
Really Old Senior Member
When I got my first speedometer, it became apparent I was very slightly faster but had MUCH greater endurance by using 1 gear lower than I thought I should. After a few miles, I was noticeably faster because I wasn't so physically spent.
10-19-13, 03:45 PM
#28
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,960
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10424 Post(s)
Liked 11,894 Times
in
6,093 Posts
I've trained myself to ride at a cadence of 90-100, maintaining (mostly) the same level of effort. When the road tips up, I shift to a lower gear (smaller front, bigger back) to maintain the same cadence and effort. When it tips down I shift to a higher gear, and again maintain the same cadence and effort. This means my speed varies a lot - that's life for the gravity enhanced!
When I hit a BIG hill, I gear down till I get to the lowest gear, then slow down my cadence till I get to an effort I can sustain for long enough to reach the top. That takes experience, to know what you can maintain for how long. A HRM is handy for that. As you ride more, you'll discover a rate at which your breathing goes from regular deep breathing to more like panting, which is about the threshold beyond which your muscles are burning oxygen faster than your cardiovascular system can supply it. With work, you can get to the point where you can ride for quite some time at that threshold. BUT, that's for after you've been riding a lot longer!
When I hit a BIG hill, I gear down till I get to the lowest gear, then slow down my cadence till I get to an effort I can sustain for long enough to reach the top. That takes experience, to know what you can maintain for how long. A HRM is handy for that. As you ride more, you'll discover a rate at which your breathing goes from regular deep breathing to more like panting, which is about the threshold beyond which your muscles are burning oxygen faster than your cardiovascular system can supply it. With work, you can get to the point where you can ride for quite some time at that threshold. BUT, that's for after you've been riding a lot longer!
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
10-19-13, 09:24 PM
#29
Uber Goober
First moral, don't live in Austin. Go live someplace flat and boring like Beaumont, and that'll get rid of those annoying hills.
Second moral: Keep at it a couple of years. You're increasing your heart and lung and blood system and that takes time. Keep working at it. Get lighter if you can.
Third moral: If you have trouble with hills, don't avoid them, seek them out, that's the only way to get better on them.
Second moral: Keep at it a couple of years. You're increasing your heart and lung and blood system and that takes time. Keep working at it. Get lighter if you can.
Third moral: If you have trouble with hills, don't avoid them, seek them out, that's the only way to get better on them.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
10-20-13, 10:37 AM
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Arizona
Posts: 90
Bikes: '86 Miyata 1000, '85 Raleigh Elkhorn (retired), 2000 Specializer HardRock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
A lot of good comments here...+1 on cadence/gearing, interval training, etc. I just wanted to add, keep it fun. Amazing gains can be had in the long run.
10-23-13, 08:12 AM
#31
Draft Producer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: south shore , Ma
Posts: 381
Bikes: fuji CCR 1.0 carbon,Surley Pacer,02 norco shore freeride MTB, cannondale rigid MTB, Fuji aloha 1.0, Monty trials bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
when i first started riding my goal was to make it up this one hill without bonking. back then it was a hill. now its a bump in the road while im running. things get better as long as you keep up with it and accept the lifestyle change. make sure you enjoy it. some of us enjoy torturing ourselves. there is a saying "its doesnt get easier you just get faster" couldnt be more correct for me. in the beginning i almost black out from that one hill. now i almost black out from a final sprint.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BikinPotter
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
15
06-05-12 03:22 PM
