endless

how do you most of you train? i'm riding about every morning, usually about 6 miles right now. i dont really have a method or anything down yet, just wondering what some of your trainiing patterns were like.

also, (i havent gotten a chance to run down to the bike shop yet) are there any not-so-expensive speedometers, or am i gonna have to break down and spend $300 on one. is there one you guys would recommend?

thanks!

Chad's Colnago

Training is going to vary from person to person. Due to the climate around here this time of year I'm pretty much stuck inside with my bike on the trainer. I try to ride 4-5 days a week. I ride to different "Spinerval" videos. They are bike training videos. They help keep me focused. As for computers it depends on what you want it to do. A basic wired computer can cost as little as $25.

bdcheung

1) I do a combination. Long road rides, indoor workouts on the trainer for high intensity/intervals, and weight training. My outdoor rides are all at least 25 miles long.
2) You can get a wired cyclocomputer for really cheap. Cateye is a reputable brand. Basic functions are speed and distance. Many riders prefer to measure cadence as well. If you're unsure, I would recommend getting a computer that does cadence - better to have too much data than not enough when you're first starting out.

Adgooroo

endless - regular riding is the common element of all cycling training - although you'll want to up your mileage as you get used to the effort. Many serious recreational cyclists average around 100 miles a week; many do twice that much. In the broadest terms, training is a combination of long rides at steady, moderate speeds, hard, fast efforts (like hill climbs) of shorter duration, and a combination of the two - intervals of hard efforts separated by recovery periods. You'll find MUCH more detail as you explore this forum and other resources.

As for the 'speedometer', you'll find several options at your local bike shop that measure speed, average speed, miles per trip, overall miles, elapsed time, etc. in the $30-$45 range. Spend a little/lot more and you can add pedaling cadence, heart rate, altitude, air temperature, etc.

caloso

I get most of my training done in combination with commuting. A couple of times a week I'll leave early and take a long detour to work. Saturdays I usually go on a hard group ride if there's no race. Sundays I'll pull the kids around the park in their trailer. I hate indoor trainers.

As others have said, you can get a really basic computer for less than $30. Look on Nashbar or in the bargain bin at the LBS.

curiouskid55

Nearing the end of level 1 base training this week

Mon Recovery and pedal skills Trainer 1 hr
Tues Weights
Wed Aero base Trainer 1.5 hr
Thurs Training w/ coach at lbs Trainer1 hr Weights
Fri off
Sat long aerobic ride
Sun long aerobic ride

Al1943

I think cadence is really a good thing to have on a cyclo computer, especially for those new to road riding. Much has been written on the subject and a cadence of 85 to 105 is generally accepted as the most efficient range for long distance riding and racing. A good cadence, etc. computer like the Cateye Astrale 8 can be picked up for $40 to $50 bucks.

Al

Hambone

I'm far from "trained" but in my journey to being a better cyclist but I have found the virtual cadence on my computer of great benefit. (The computer which interfaces with the Shimano system does not measure actual cadence rather it devines it by figurin the gear ratio you are in and how fast you are going.)

In truth, I would opt for cadence over speed if I could only choose one measure. (Well, distance first, then cadence.)

Jeffrey

I spent 30 on my speedometer. And I diagree, its better to have less computer data when starting out... its just a distraction. All you need to know is distance and speed and time. Just begin by upping your milage to 15 mile rides, then try a 30 mile ride a week later. If you must know your cadence count your pedal strokes for 15 seconds and x 4.

LanceFanBoy

That may be true to a certain extent, but he is asking about training, and candence is one of the most valuable training statistics offered by a cyclocomputer.

garysol1 

What are you trying to accomplish? Better health....weight loss? Becoming a faster rider or possibly a recreational racer? Different goals use different training but the one thing that any type of training will have in common is getting as many miles in your legs as possible.
When you look for a speedometer you may also want to look for a decent heart rate monitor. I find a HRM very important for any type of training you want to do.

waterrockets 

Not always true. For any kind of intensity goals (like racing), quality over quantity.

merlinextraligh

Sounds like your pretty new to this. At this point you mostly just need to get some miles in. Rather than doing 6 miles every day, I 'd try to mix it up a little. Take 1-2 rest days a week. Take 1 day that you go long; adding about 10% to your previous long ride each week. And try throwing in some intensity 1-2 days a week. This can be as simple as picking up your pace above what you can comfortably maintain for 2-3 minutes, recover and repeat. Or sprint for every town limit sign.

Mix the length and intensity of your rides, make sure you have rest days, and have fun.

garysol1 

So for racing you don't think base miles is important. Of course intensity is important but I have to believe you have to have the miles in your legs first. Just my opinion of course

dbduke

im by no way a coach but the above quote makes the most sense to me. If you read to much into things right now you will just get confused. Keep it simple.

LadyinWhite

I'll just throw in a word of caution. Don't over do. My winter is being spent in PT and on the trainer for intervals right now due to a hamstring strain and tendonitis because I just didn't know when to say when last fall. If you are hurting, back off a bit, and it's super important to maintain a really good stretch routine after every ride. All the advice above sounds good but temper it with some common sense knowledge of where you are at right now in your fitness.

munkyv22

I ride about 200 miles a week. Throw some intervals in there from time to time.

As for the computer... you could buy any of the inexpensive Cateyes and see how you like it. If you are thinking about dropping the cash, the Garmin Edge is the coolest system I have seen. They can be had for under $300 online.

GuitarWizard

Right now, typically 5-6 days a week I'm on the bike. Shortest ride duration will be an hour (recovery/easy days), a typical weekday ride will last 1 hr 45 minutes to 2 hrs 20 minutes. Weekend rides will range from 3 to 6 hours.

Last week was a regeneration (very easy) week, but managed to start to come down with a cold on Friday. Rested from Friday until today and took that Airborne stuff up until this morning, and I'm feeling pretty good actually. Might get back on the bike tonight or tomorrow. It killed my mileage goal of 800 miles for the month, but now I'll be happy with 600.

If you're new, just work on getting miles into the legs. I spent the first year and a half back on the bike doing just that, and am now working with a bit more of a structured training schedule.

waterrockets 

Miles don't hurt, unless you're overtraining. Base miles haven't ever helped or hurt me -- I've raced with and without, and been unable to notice any performance benefits in either direction. I prefer not to waste the time

Endurance training is important, but I don't really consider that base, even though it can be purely aerobic. You just need to make sure your longest ride every week takes more time than the events you're training for. If you are just racing crits, as a Cat 3, there's really no reason to ever ride longer than 1.5 hours for your 60 minute events. Road racing 50 miles, you should probably get a 3-hour aerobic ride in every week.

There's really no benefit to having endurance to ride 4 or 5 hours when you're not racing anywhere near that long. It doesn't hurt, but it can cut your morale, and potentially disturb old joint injuries. And it's boring unless you're with a lot of teammates on a fun course.

big john

I like to do 80-100 on Saturday, 30 on Sunday, and 25-30 on Wednesday after work. Haven't used a computer in 5 years, never used a HR monitor, but always ready for a century.

bvfrompc

I'll leave the training to the gurus, but at this level, just get out and ride.

As for cyclocomputers, performance bikes (online) sells a "wireless" computer for $20-$30 that has speed, avg speed, time, and distance all on one screen, I've had two and love them. They go by a few brand names, mine is somethign like dwb4 or something like that. They now have a wired cadence model that costs $5 more that has all of the above wireless plus cadence wired.

Some have found that riding wireless can be interupted due to power lines, etc, I have never had that problem. If it becomes a concern, you can always go for another cheapo wired unit for $20.

slowandsteady

Here is a good website that is easy to understand, yet is pretty in depth for a beginner.

www.cptips.com