Arrghhh so close but still far
11-28-08, 08:58 PM
#26
OM boy
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sounds like you;re doin fine in the speed dept.
actually, doin what you;re doin after 5 mos on a bike, at 58, is impressive.
so a lot is still to come as you continue to develop your ridin 'base'.
avg mph is all relative. for me and where I ride, a solo 25 mi ride at 18.6 avg usually means my tongue is hangin on the front wheel - but then I'm still convinced I can ride hills like in de ole daze... so hills is always a big part of the daily diet.
you don;t mention how often these group rides are - it sounds as if they are daily...
if so, sometimes takin a day 'off' (not necessarily the bike, just the hammer ride) will do more for your future ridin ability than workin it every day.
If you're ridin mostly flats, then intervals (and if you can get some hillwork in) helps gets you over those humps when hangin with a group is difficult because there's a jam. If the group ride is intended to be a chargin ride then there'll jams when the speed and efforts are at max. Intervals helps you get 'comfortable' with the idea of being at max for longer than you;d prefer. It also tunes you into the fine art of sensing when to soft pedal and get as much back into the tank as possible.
A lot to learn and know in this simple cycling game, especially when how you ride is partially dictated by others in a group.
sounds like you're doin fine, learning a lot, havin fun. Hardest part is keepin it that way.
actually, doin what you;re doin after 5 mos on a bike, at 58, is impressive.
so a lot is still to come as you continue to develop your ridin 'base'.
avg mph is all relative. for me and where I ride, a solo 25 mi ride at 18.6 avg usually means my tongue is hangin on the front wheel - but then I'm still convinced I can ride hills like in de ole daze... so hills is always a big part of the daily diet.
you don;t mention how often these group rides are - it sounds as if they are daily...
if so, sometimes takin a day 'off' (not necessarily the bike, just the hammer ride) will do more for your future ridin ability than workin it every day.
If you're ridin mostly flats, then intervals (and if you can get some hillwork in) helps gets you over those humps when hangin with a group is difficult because there's a jam. If the group ride is intended to be a chargin ride then there'll jams when the speed and efforts are at max. Intervals helps you get 'comfortable' with the idea of being at max for longer than you;d prefer. It also tunes you into the fine art of sensing when to soft pedal and get as much back into the tank as possible.
A lot to learn and know in this simple cycling game, especially when how you ride is partially dictated by others in a group.
sounds like you're doin fine, learning a lot, havin fun. Hardest part is keepin it that way.
11-28-08, 09:26 PM
#27
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HI Thanks for the tips all
HI,
Ditto on the soft pedal first couple rides I kept braking and messing everyone up cause I was speeding up and slowing down, New GUy stuff.
Now I try and stay pretty far back, and allow alittle gap and ease up when they are braking for a stop sign or turning ahead, no need to waste power, once we are way out of town they really seem to mash the pedals even if there's wind,
I seem to ride better at higher revs than gears, maybe cause I try and spin once or twice a week at the gymn
Now if I can just stay out from under the CARS
Doug
.
Ditto on the soft pedal first couple rides I kept braking and messing everyone up cause I was speeding up and slowing down, New GUy stuff.
Now I try and stay pretty far back, and allow alittle gap and ease up when they are braking for a stop sign or turning ahead, no need to waste power, once we are way out of town they really seem to mash the pedals even if there's wind,
I seem to ride better at higher revs than gears, maybe cause I try and spin once or twice a week at the gymn
Now if I can just stay out from under the CARS
Doug
.
11-28-08, 11:28 PM
#28
Sophomoric Member
This thread, recently revived, is worth a read:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/462297-reality-check-average-speed.html
You should also contact, by PM, howsteepisit -- he says interval training is the only way to increase your speed, albeit without putting any thoughtful LSD training in (the lack of the latter which probably is why you won't ever sustain higher speeds because you haven't developed any decent stamina or endurance).
You should also invest in a heart rate monitor and read the instructions, and maybe get the book by Joe Friels about cycling for people past the age of 50.
Otherwise, I suspect that next season we'll start hearing about the injuries you've sustained, and your continued inability to get above 20mph average.
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/462297-reality-check-average-speed.html
You should also contact, by PM, howsteepisit -- he says interval training is the only way to increase your speed, albeit without putting any thoughtful LSD training in (the lack of the latter which probably is why you won't ever sustain higher speeds because you haven't developed any decent stamina or endurance).
You should also invest in a heart rate monitor and read the instructions, and maybe get the book by Joe Friels about cycling for people past the age of 50.
Otherwise, I suspect that next season we'll start hearing about the injuries you've sustained, and your continued inability to get above 20mph average.
If you don't want a HR monitor, learn to understand your body. Start with the Perceived Exertion Scale and take it from there.
I also liked Friel's book for over 50 riders.
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Last edited by Roody; 11-28-08 at 11:52 PM.
11-29-08, 01:49 AM
#29
Time for a change.
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Who Are you riding with?- They must be top club riders at that pace.
For that sort of terrain you are doing "TOO" well compared to most of us. That extra clothing and cool weather will also take energy.
When you start this sport- you will initially feel bushed. Then it becomes a little easier. Fitness will come up and weight will be lost. Then it stops. Weight may be gained as fat turns to muscle and no improvement in breathing or legs. Up to about a year just a gradual improvement will be made and you may not notice it. Then at a year- you will remain static. Distance may go up- weight will have been lost and stamina will be there. But after two years it will all click. It is not overnight but weight will be constant- Stamina will be way high and body fitness is there. You may not be able to stay with the fast boys- but you will be worrying them but Stamina will be enormous. As we get older- we find that stamina comes in easier than speed. Why do you think we boast about riding our age- or 6 century rides in a year. Not many 20 year olds enjoy that type of riding.
So stop worrying and just ride-And get some rest days in just to recover fram the last ride. 3 or 4 rides a week that give you a buzz are better than riding every day and feeling knackered.
For that sort of terrain you are doing "TOO" well compared to most of us. That extra clothing and cool weather will also take energy.
When you start this sport- you will initially feel bushed. Then it becomes a little easier. Fitness will come up and weight will be lost. Then it stops. Weight may be gained as fat turns to muscle and no improvement in breathing or legs. Up to about a year just a gradual improvement will be made and you may not notice it. Then at a year- you will remain static. Distance may go up- weight will have been lost and stamina will be there. But after two years it will all click. It is not overnight but weight will be constant- Stamina will be way high and body fitness is there. You may not be able to stay with the fast boys- but you will be worrying them but Stamina will be enormous. As we get older- we find that stamina comes in easier than speed. Why do you think we boast about riding our age- or 6 century rides in a year. Not many 20 year olds enjoy that type of riding.
So stop worrying and just ride-And get some rest days in just to recover fram the last ride. 3 or 4 rides a week that give you a buzz are better than riding every day and feeling knackered.
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11-29-08, 07:24 AM
#30
don't try this at home.
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HI,
I ve only been ridding since July this year And I have come a long way, here's my story,
when I first started to ride I found that I was comfortable on a MTB bike and would average about 10-12 mph and would only go about 8 miles before I was totally toast.
The past couple of months I bought a used road bike and really have been picking up the pace.
I am currently stuck at 18.6 MPH when hit 20MPH or 21, I need to slow down within a mile or so or I sound like a steam engine.hehe and I am ridding betwen 23-34 miles a day. psps I am 58 years young.and a CD.
My legs feel like lead and I really feel winded. Now if I slow down for a couple miles to 18 MPH, I am fine and can kick up a little but not past the 19.2 for long or old mister fatigue whips me down.
I ve only been ridding since July this year And I have come a long way, here's my story,
when I first started to ride I found that I was comfortable on a MTB bike and would average about 10-12 mph and would only go about 8 miles before I was totally toast.
The past couple of months I bought a used road bike and really have been picking up the pace.
I am currently stuck at 18.6 MPH when hit 20MPH or 21, I need to slow down within a mile or so or I sound like a steam engine.hehe and I am ridding betwen 23-34 miles a day. psps I am 58 years young.and a CD.
My legs feel like lead and I really feel winded. Now if I slow down for a couple miles to 18 MPH, I am fine and can kick up a little but not past the 19.2 for long or old mister fatigue whips me down.
Of course, exact watts depends on a lot of factors, but this shows the general idea.
from bikecalculator.com
The calculator has two columns, so you can compare two different conditions - different power levels, drops vs hoods, slope of the hill, etc.
I've been up to 30 mph on the flats for maybe a mile, drafting from the back of the fast group's training ride, when they sprint for the town line sign. I couldn't come close to that by myself.
If I ride with a group that's somewhat too fast for me, it's motivation to put out a lot higher effort than I would sustain riding by myself. That, and hill climbing, will help you get faster.
Last edited by rm -rf; 11-29-08 at 07:33 AM.
