Summer Goals
 

Right now dressed in my riding gear keys wallet and all I weigh 202 lbs I want to get that down to 180. Me losing weight is a lot cheaper than buying a lighter bike, I don't want to be like the guy on Youtube that spent $15,000 on a bike so he could go faster only to discover it didn't make him go faster.
That goal will surly help this goal which is to go from a 10 mph average to 12 mph. Please don't offer training advice I'm not in training I ride for fun I just need to get a little stronger and that will happen by riding more if it doesn't happen I don't care.
That's it that's my training routine is ride more.
I was averaging 8 mph a couple of years ago, last summer I started riding more consistently and longer rides ended up with a 10 mph average.
This summer I going to lighten up a bit and do more of what I did last summer, it should work.
In fact tell you what when I get to the 12 mph average I'll continue to ride in the winter so next summer I can start with a more aggressive goal.
Just an old fart on a bike.

There are various training strategies to get you riding faster. However the one thing they have in common, is that they all pretty much tell you to ride more.

If you are in a area of the state with hilly terrain that is constantly rolling terrain, then weight makes a difference. It'll sap you of energy you could have used to ride longer, faster or further. So if you have a heavy bike. Consider getting something lighter when you get new bike fever again.

I use to ride the rolling terrain here on a 46 pound bike. When I realized that weight mattered for climbing and acceleration, I got another used bike that was only 23 pounds. Made quite a bit of difference to in how long I could ride those hills before getting worn out. It made a difference for speed too. My average speed was all of about 1 mph faster! <GRIN> However, my riding time increased and was more enjoyable.

It's riding longer and more frequently that make you faster. Along with some occasional sprints to go as fast as you can as long as you can. But don't over do any of it.

It's Summer! Get out and ride. Each season I usually lose 9-10 lbs just from increasing my time on the bike without any particular training in mind.

I’ve lost 18lbs so far thanks to my cardiologist. 168 might be a wet dream but I’ll try. I was at 198 and then woke up.

I’m trying to lose a few lbs. Do you think s/he will see me? ;)

My goal is to recover well enough from hernia surgery to be back on the bike by late June. Then with training back to relative normal in August. I'm not looking forward to it.

Not yet.

I met my weight loss goal last summer, knocking off 25 pounds. My current goal is to prevent it from coming back. I just got back from a ride, 5 hours and 108km, averaging 21.7 kph. I did 120km the day before yesterday. I’m riding a gravel bike with 50mm tires and a suspension fork, and weighs about 10kg. It’s not a flyweight, but it has a smooth ride which is easy on my body. I have a Tarmac SL7 which weighs 7kg, and that bike flies. Unfortunately, “harsh-riding” is an understatement when describing it.

Some places yes, some places no. We had a frost the night before last… not exactly a summer phenomenon.

I'm not a professional cyclist, but I recommend putting a rigid front fork on your gravel bike and keep riding that. If it's more comfortable, you're going to ride it more. You can possibly get a higher average speed on the SL7 if you install the widest tires that will fit, probably 32mm according to Google, and depending on your weight, maybe 60psi. That might be enough to remove some of the harshness from the ride. Either that, or stay with the gravel bike. 10kg isn't really that heavy, even if you add a few water bottles, spare tube and a few tools. Comfort is more important than speed to me.

In the northern hemisphere, summer does not begin until the summer solstice, which is not until around June 21st. If you are in the southern hemisphere, that date marks the start of winter.

I've met one goal so far--to continue to be able to pedal up a very steep hill on one of my usual routes. Did it on my first ride out for the year (been very rainy and other things kept me from getting a ride in). Hoping to get more rides in this year, didn't manage as many as I'd like last yr.

Being overweight is no fun just ask my heart.

He would be more than happy to help if you can be helped.

I am beyond help, in so many respects. ;) I made a poor attempt at humor, one amongst many, and my heart (no pun) goes out to those in a constant battle with weight. I know it is extremely difficult for health and mobility.

Mines not a constant battle. I asked for it by overindulgence. I need to moderate. Having lost 20lbs makes me want to loose at least 10 more. Seems like an easy target.

Goal is to get back down below #180, possibly down to #175 for a tour of the western mountains in the fall. Plan to ride in NM, AZ, CA or UT, and possibly the two 14'ers in Colorado.

Only need to drop #10, but I want to maintain power at the same time, or even improve it.

I don’t think Mt. Blue Sky (aka Mt Evans) will be open this year, as the road is being repaved. Maybe a local will know more.

Edit: I found this notice from The Federal Highway Administration.


"Full SH 5 roadway closure including pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles at the U.S. Forest Service Welcome Station (north of SH5 and SH103 intersection) to the summit of Mount Blue Sky: September 3, 2024, through Spring of 2026. Intermittent delays could be encountered in late summer 2024 and in 2026 prior to and following full closure."

Thumbs up for the info. But if I could give it a thumbs down, I'd do that too.

I am planning to do Mt. Blue Sky again this year in July or August. I'll have to wait till next year if they do have it shut down. I guess it'll have to be Pikes Peak, which I have not done yet.

Your goals sound reasonable to me. Good luck with them.

Several years ago I lost 50 lbs., from 245 to 195. I am at 195 again after backsliding to around 215 for a couple years. My doctor just started me on Ozempic, after Farxiga gave me severe constipation (apologies for TMI). My goals for my follow-up appointment on Aug 25th are an A1C of 7, and to lose most of the inch I can still pinch, and maybe make a dent in the real stubborn part. A broad, flat dent. My goal is 175 by then. I am 6'2", down from 6'4" in my youth. I rotate between two drop-bar bikes and two upright bikes. One of each has brifters and clipless pedals, FWIW.

I know what you mean about riding for enjoyment rather than training, and for me, while keeping things enjoyable and riding regularly is better than making it a chore, I am hoping to maintain a training mentality for these warmer months.

With my groin issues keeping me off my bike for nearly 2 years, this is my goal as well.

Surviving the S Texas heat 🔥

Accomplished

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...057fe08d9.jpeg
Century ride done and dusted

Down to 183 lbs. again after backsliding to 188. It's so easy to gain five pounds.

Personal Summer goals?

I kind of want to log 20 minutes at 4 W/kg this year. That would get me within a few percentage points of what I could do in my early 40s (now 67).

I did 20 minutes at 3.6 W/kg several weeks ago, and it wasn't killer hard, so the goal doesn't seem that far out of reach. I just have to get at it.

A worthy goal. Best of luck

My best for 20 mins, a paltry 3.2 W/kg.