Good thing it's a ways to summer
It warmed up to a balmy 40F here today. Warm enough that I just had to get out. I dusted off my old commuter from college, and took it for a 20mile ride. I thought the last month of working on the trainer would mean I was in decent shape--maybe not. At any rate, I pedaled my old, 40lb loaded MTB with slicks over those 20 miles in an hour 46. I wasn't trying to bike hard, hence the speed; but the Polar HRM indicated otherwise: 164bpm average, 189 bpm max! I didn't think the headwinds were so bad, 'cept when they blew and I was on a hill; but either the bike really isn't cut out for road rides (very plausible), or I have a long ways to go before I start doing those 50 mile rides this summer that I want to. [On a much more suited road bike, that is.]
On the plus side, having the saddle tilted down meant I stayed warm (in a certain area), unlike the last time I took my road bike out in 50F and didn't. Of course, maybe that explains the sore back--this bike is so not suited for anything longer than the 4 miles that I used to ride in college! |
Sorry to break it to you but warmer weather isn't that far away.
Heck, our averages start slowly climbing upwards in a couple weeks. |
Yeah, the snow should be gone sometime in March. Meaning the temps will start staying above freezing around that time. I don't think I want to ride a road bike until the temps hit 60, as I get cold too easily.
Last year, I starting biking at the bitter end of June, after a few years off (not that I was ever serious). It wasn't until August that I started taking 20+ mile rides, then I got a couple 40+ in September--just in time for it to get too cold for me. I'm hoping to be doing 20miles out of the gate this year, which I apparently can do, even on the wrong bike. But I was pretty dismayed at my hill climbing abilities, just like I was last year. |
Like I always say ... riding the trainer is easier than riding outside. You've got to work a lot harder on your trainer to come anywhere close to the effort level of riding outside.
What were/are you doing on the trainer? An hour a day? Intervals? Longer rides some days? |
I was aiming for 30min/day, and 2hr on the weekend days (each). It's been a bit spotty lately, what with some colds coming through, and children who don't sleep at night... But still getting 3-4 times/week in.
I'm heading towards Mon/Wen/Fri doing 30min at a higher rate, with Tue/Thur/weekend at much less. My resting HR is 50, and max around 191. I figure, easy pace is 130-140bpm, harder pace is 160. This past Thursday I did 5 min warmup, then shifted gears. After 5 min, I was at 150bpm; 25min later, I'd hit 180, with probably a slight decrease in cadence (for a full 30min in that gear/power output). Last weekend I did pull off a 2 hour ride in an easier gear, but only at 139bpm average. I've only been on the trainer a month now. I figure, another week and I will have to add some nights at 180 plus, to try to simulate hills. This past month was more about getting into the routine. I also need to do some more reading on intervals. |
Have you considered joining a spinning class? They are usually 1 hour once or twice a week ... and they'll get you ready for the hills.
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Nah, hadn't thought of it. I'm usually racing to get home at the end of the workday, get home to take over watching the kids. During the week, I don't excersise until 8:30-9pm. Last summer I was starting to get into night time biking, as it was the only way to excerise during the week.
Got onto the bike again today, as I had an hour to kill. Less climbing, but same sub-12mph average speed. Yesterday was 1684' of climbing, today was only 1193'. No idea how accurate mapmyride is, I've found that I have to import the data into a spreadsheet in order to get ascent. |
I went out about 3 weeks ago for the first time in about 6 weeks. I'd been doing short sets of intervals on a stationary during that time. I figured it was enough to maintain, especially since I've been cycling since all of september ;).
I think I did 25 miles my first ride before my toes were ready to fall off. Stupid summer cycling shoes. I need covers. Anyway, I was shocked to discover my climbing was drastically better. Unfortunately, while my legs were stronger my aerobic fitness just wasn't as good. I couldn't hold out for as long. I simply can't bear to run on a treadmill, and I have no indoor track. The stationary gets far too boring, and besides that it's irritating. So I wait impatiently, working out when I can stand it, waiting for the weather to be decent and doing short rides on the days it's live-able. Commute when I can balance the bike (ice makes this impossible, I only have a road bike). It snowed this morning, I was pretty upset. Then by about 3PM the snow was all melted. I was elated, two hours later when I found out. But upset again when I found out freezing rain is the forecast tonight! Come spring come! |
The trainer is easier. You ever try Spinervals? They'll raise a sweat.
You can also try weights and/or cross training. |
Trainer kicks my butt. 30min in a 60F basement and I am drenched; the 1hr, floor pretty wet; 2hours on the easy setting and it's a puddle on a rough concrete floor. Few more months, though, and hopefully it'll make a difference. Or at least I can switch to outdoors riding.
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I went riding in shorts and t-shirt today. :)
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Originally Posted by StephenH
(Post 6104252)
I went riding in shorts and t-shirt today. :)
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