Stamina question.
05-13-25 | 06:38 PM
#26
Broken neck Ken
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From: Portland, OR
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It's just about ego, Pepperbelly. You're simply not driven hard enough by your mental internals. Which is fine. We don't all have to be nuts. I'm an admitted nutcase, can't help myself. I've always been driven to do more. Which has worked out for me. As I say, I trained hard for 30 years for my open heart surgery, amazing the docs with my recovery. Recovery was always a primary goal of my riding. I started running a mile every day when I was 12. Whatever. Some people do extremely hard rock climbs, no rope. Some people are ballet dancers, can't help themselves from excelling. When I was 17, I saw a very fit looking bearded guy walk out of a library. I said, "I'll be that guy." And I am. But not everyone has to do this. It's stupid, really. Dates back to when we chased down our food on foot and were lucky to come back from the experience. Not necessary now. It's a matter of perspective.
All that said, if you want to get stronger and build endurance, just ride around that frigging lake until you either cramp or can't turn the pedals anymore. And then do a post-mortem to figure out why you cramped and what muscles failed you and need to be strengthened. Or maybe you just needed to eat more on the bike. Yeah, it's self-torture, what one does. Some folks don't like it, others love it. I've rolled around in ditches, watching the little animals run up and down my legs under the skin. That's what it takes. But of course I'm way out on the far end of the spectrum. You don't have to go that far, but the further out you go, the better your results. It's just life choices..
Another thought: Sure, there are many theories about drills to increase endurance and they probably work, but basically endurance increases when you endure. That's why it's called that. Fresh terrain helps - as it is said, see hill, ride up it.
All that said, if you want to get stronger and build endurance, just ride around that frigging lake until you either cramp or can't turn the pedals anymore. And then do a post-mortem to figure out why you cramped and what muscles failed you and need to be strengthened. Or maybe you just needed to eat more on the bike. Yeah, it's self-torture, what one does. Some folks don't like it, others love it. I've rolled around in ditches, watching the little animals run up and down my legs under the skin. That's what it takes. But of course I'm way out on the far end of the spectrum. You don't have to go that far, but the further out you go, the better your results. It's just life choices..
Another thought: Sure, there are many theories about drills to increase endurance and they probably work, but basically endurance increases when you endure. That's why it's called that. Fresh terrain helps - as it is said, see hill, ride up it.
Or join in the crazy if you're so inclined.
05-13-25 | 06:40 PM
#27
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From: New Jersey
Not necessarily doubting the OP, but lakes are inherently self-leveling, so any road marked "Lake Shore Drive" or whatever is likely flatter than most. There are of course mountain lakes where even the smallest loop around can get very hilly.
05-13-25 | 07:27 PM
#28
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That’s what I would suggest too. I’m your age and have been riding regularly (this time) for about three years. My neighborhood is safe enough for riding and 7 miles seemed like a good accomplishment. Then it was regularly 10, then 15, now even a “quick neighborhood ride” turns into 2 hrs and 20 miles plus. And driving to more interesting terrain and roads or bike trails adds more enjoyment.
And as others have suggested, make sure you keep it enjoyable. For me, that pretty well equated with longer.
The suggestion of turning around t the end of the loop is also good. I find out and back is not redundant at all; going the other way presents a different views, climbs, etc.
And as others have suggested, make sure you keep it enjoyable. For me, that pretty well equated with longer.
The suggestion of turning around t the end of the loop is also good. I find out and back is not redundant at all; going the other way presents a different views, climbs, etc.
05-13-25 | 07:49 PM
#29
just another gosling
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05-13-25 | 08:49 PM
#30
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old newbie
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
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The suburb I am in has had massive development around us, plus a huge number of warehouses built very near us. We used to be on the edge of the country. No country is miles away on overcrowded streets that were not improved to carry the extra traffic.
05-13-25 | 08:57 PM
#31
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05-14-25 | 03:31 AM
#34
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05-14-25 | 06:38 AM
#35
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I don't feel wiped out after a 20 or 30 mile ride, it usually takes me about that long to get warmed up. I enjoy cycling enough that I am always in the mood to ride, and, even when I've ridden a long way, to keep going. Cycling is kind of a drug to me, besides keeping me fit, it helps maintain my sanity. I don't listen to music or other stuff when I ride, I just enjoy the scenery and the physical effort.
The old advice is that to ride farther and faster, you have to ride farther and faster. It helps to have an interesting place to ride, or to ride to, but what is important is to just get on the bike and go. Today I headed out early in the morning for a 126km ride. The first 50km wasn't physically difficult. The second 50km was tough, I was trying to get a good time for 100km, and knew that if I pushed a little, I could beat it. Which I did. When I got past 100km, I felt wiped out, so stopped and had a big lunch at McDonald's. After getting back on my bike, I got a second wind, and knocked off the last 20-something kilometers quickly.
At the moment I'm a little achey and tired, but a good sleep will take care of that, and hopefully the weather will allow another good ride tomorrow, and a longer ride on Friday.
The old advice is that to ride farther and faster, you have to ride farther and faster. It helps to have an interesting place to ride, or to ride to, but what is important is to just get on the bike and go. Today I headed out early in the morning for a 126km ride. The first 50km wasn't physically difficult. The second 50km was tough, I was trying to get a good time for 100km, and knew that if I pushed a little, I could beat it. Which I did. When I got past 100km, I felt wiped out, so stopped and had a big lunch at McDonald's. After getting back on my bike, I got a second wind, and knocked off the last 20-something kilometers quickly.
At the moment I'm a little achey and tired, but a good sleep will take care of that, and hopefully the weather will allow another good ride tomorrow, and a longer ride on Friday.
05-14-25 | 09:29 AM
#39
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05-14-25 | 10:19 AM
#40
Facts just confuse people
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If your normal week is at least 3 rides per week, then you should be able to increase the distance you ride. However as suggested, it might be a mental thing that one lap is crossing the finish line.
Might also be that you are just riding too fast for your current fitness on the bike. If you have your HR zones established correctly, then try to stay at zone 3 or lower for at least 70 percent of your ride. That might seem slow at times, but as you get fitter and able to do more distance you'll find that the speed you can stay in zone3 or less will be faster. You have to learn how much energy you can put out per hour to keep you pedaling without wearing yourself out in the distance you wish to ride. And going fast to beat your last effort on that route won't do anything to increase the distance you can ride.
However, don't exclude moments of accelerating as fast as you can or getting to the top of a hill as fast as you can. Just don't work at that effort level for the entire ride.
Might also be that you are just riding too fast for your current fitness on the bike. If you have your HR zones established correctly, then try to stay at zone 3 or lower for at least 70 percent of your ride. That might seem slow at times, but as you get fitter and able to do more distance you'll find that the speed you can stay in zone3 or less will be faster. You have to learn how much energy you can put out per hour to keep you pedaling without wearing yourself out in the distance you wish to ride. And going fast to beat your last effort on that route won't do anything to increase the distance you can ride.
However, don't exclude moments of accelerating as fast as you can or getting to the top of a hill as fast as you can. Just don't work at that effort level for the entire ride.
05-14-25 | 10:19 AM
#41
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my sis lives in colleyville so i had a look-see for what is near you...just a mile or two south east of that lake you ride around is the Trinity Trail, looks quite extensive, miles and miles.
05-14-25 | 10:25 AM
#42
Gruppetto Bob
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If anything, pushing 250 lbs on a bike is at a decided disadvantage in many respects. There is a lot of diet and nutrition advice on this forum and everywhere on the internet. Dropping 70-80lbs by eating healthy will pay long term benefits health-wise, and not just for cycling.
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05-14-25 | 10:48 AM
#43
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05-14-25 | 01:02 PM
#44
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If you're in your 60s don't worry about keeping up with the younger folks, that's a fools errand. Referring to the graph you posted in post #31, there's a up/down hill at about 1/3 of the way from the left side of the graph. Why don't you try doing some 'interval workouts' on that hill 2 or 3 days a week? Hammer it out going up, come down the other side, then turn around and 'hammer' back up and go down to where you started the first hill; kind of an 'out-and-back' loop or a 'repetition/rep'. Start with do a few with minimal rest between each 'rep' and see how you feel after you get home. Adjust the 'reps', then keep doing it over a few weeks and maybe try to increase the number of reps. Yes, it will be exhausting but it can get you into better shape. You can time the reps if you want but I usually just rely on how exhausted my breathing is. Then 1-2 months in the future try going around the lake at a comfortable pace and see if any improvement. Just a suggestion.
05-14-25 | 02:34 PM
#45
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My cardiologists says I am good. Pulmonologist says the same.
I retired from a city public works dept. at 62. I was used up and literally dragging my feet at the end after 20 years.
I played 3rd base on my softball team until after 50. 2 nights a week in league and one or two tournaments on weekends. It was nothing.
Now I feel wrung out.
I will figure it out and get back to being fit.
You aren’t being a dick and my hide is way too thick to hurt my ferlings! 😄
I retired from a city public works dept. at 62. I was used up and literally dragging my feet at the end after 20 years.
I played 3rd base on my softball team until after 50. 2 nights a week in league and one or two tournaments on weekends. It was nothing.
Now I feel wrung out.
I will figure it out and get back to being fit.
You aren’t being a dick and my hide is way too thick to hurt my ferlings! 😄
05-14-25 | 02:47 PM
#46
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From: Auburn, CA
Bikes: Kestrels, Ibis, Bianchi, Co-Motion, Fuji
I hope you are kidding, but don’t see a ->
If anything, pushing 250 lbs on a bike is at a decided disadvantage in many respects. There is a lot of diet and nutrition advice on this forum and everywhere on the internet. Dropping 70-80lbs by eating healthy will pay long term benefits health-wise, and not just for cycling.
If anything, pushing 250 lbs on a bike is at a decided disadvantage in many respects. There is a lot of diet and nutrition advice on this forum and everywhere on the internet. Dropping 70-80lbs by eating healthy will pay long term benefits health-wise, and not just for cycling.
05-14-25 | 02:48 PM
#47
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From: Auburn, CA
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I don't feel wiped out after a 20 or 30 mile ride, it usually takes me about that long to get warmed up. I enjoy cycling enough that I am always in the mood to ride, and, even when I've ridden a long way, to keep going. Cycling is kind of a drug to me, besides keeping me fit, it helps maintain my sanity. I don't listen to music or other stuff when I ride, I just enjoy the scenery and the physical effort.
The old advice is that to ride farther and faster, you have to ride farther and faster. It helps to have an interesting place to ride, or to ride to, but what is important is to just get on the bike and go. Today I headed out early in the morning for a 126km ride. The first 50km wasn't physically difficult. The second 50km was tough, I was trying to get a good time for 100km, and knew that if I pushed a little, I could beat it. Which I did. When I got past 100km, I felt wiped out, so stopped and had a big lunch at McDonald's. After getting back on my bike, I got a second wind, and knocked off the last 20-something kilometers quickly.
At the moment I'm a little achey and tired, but a good sleep will take care of that, and hopefully the weather will allow another good ride tomorrow, and a longer ride on Friday.
The old advice is that to ride farther and faster, you have to ride farther and faster. It helps to have an interesting place to ride, or to ride to, but what is important is to just get on the bike and go. Today I headed out early in the morning for a 126km ride. The first 50km wasn't physically difficult. The second 50km was tough, I was trying to get a good time for 100km, and knew that if I pushed a little, I could beat it. Which I did. When I got past 100km, I felt wiped out, so stopped and had a big lunch at McDonald's. After getting back on my bike, I got a second wind, and knocked off the last 20-something kilometers quickly.
At the moment I'm a little achey and tired, but a good sleep will take care of that, and hopefully the weather will allow another good ride tomorrow, and a longer ride on Friday.
05-14-25 | 04:31 PM
#48
climber has-been
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From: Palo Alto, CA
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05-14-25 | 04:34 PM
#49
just another gosling
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From: Everett, WA
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05-14-25 | 05:16 PM
#50
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From: New Jersey
Off topic, but please stop hating on the bollards. That bollard in the picture is actually engineered to be very cycle-friendly. It lets you pass freely while stopping bigger vehicles, but can be removed if needed. If they wanted to slow you down, they'd put speed bumps, or a whole bunch of poles, or some steps, or a fence with a 180.