New Rider Training
05-23-07, 08:09 PM
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New Rider Training
Hey BF I am new to both the forum and to cycling and I was hoping to ask a few questions. Please excuse my newby riding ignorance. I am an athletic 24 year old who grew up playing sports my whole life but always ran for exercise. As you can imagine my muscle memory is setup for the motion of running rather than cycling. I am just starting to ride and I was wondering what you think a good mileage is for someone who not only wants to devlop in a strong fast rider but also someone who can tack on the miles. Any advice on how many miles and what type of riding I should be doing to develop a strong base. I would like to join a group ride in the future but understand it make take this summer to get in the proper riding shape. Thanks for the help!
05-24-07, 05:50 AM
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Welcome to the brotherhood!
New riders should just go out and ride. Don't worry about programs or training plans. Just ride. Stay in gears that allow your cadence to be in the 80's and 90's.
Listen to your body regarding how fast, how far, and how often you ride.
Bob
P.S. Learn some basic bike mechanics, like how to fix a flat tire on the road. Always carry a small pump, spare tube(s), tire levers, and small multitool in a saddle bag on your rides. Stuff a cell phone and i.d. in your jersey pocket. (Do not pack everything but the kitchen sink on your rides. As a general rule I've found that the larger the seatbag, the noobier the rider is.)
New riders should just go out and ride. Don't worry about programs or training plans. Just ride. Stay in gears that allow your cadence to be in the 80's and 90's.
Listen to your body regarding how fast, how far, and how often you ride.
Bob
P.S. Learn some basic bike mechanics, like how to fix a flat tire on the road. Always carry a small pump, spare tube(s), tire levers, and small multitool in a saddle bag on your rides. Stuff a cell phone and i.d. in your jersey pocket. (Do not pack everything but the kitchen sink on your rides. As a general rule I've found that the larger the seatbag, the noobier the rider is.)
05-24-07, 06:34 AM
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Kevlar6 - I'm in the same spot as you. I just started riding regularly about 3 weeks ago. I have not been active lately (basic couch potatoe) except for a 20 minute daily walk from where I park to where I work (10+10). I've been doing between rougly 40-60 miles per week.
Here is what I typically run:
4 weekday rides of 10 miles
1 20 mile ride on the weekend.
I ride a 2003 Fuji Roubaix.
Starting yesterday I realized that I need it to step it up since afte the 10 miles I felt like there was a lot left in me so I've upped my weekday to 13 miles and today I'm thinking about taking it to 16 miles.
16 miles will be my weekday ride from now on.
I also recommend using a site to track your progress.
I use mapmyrun.com but there are some others and have also write in a log book as a backup.
I went from avg 12.5mph on May 9th to 15.6 yesterday.
The key is to push yourself mentally.
I also recommend taking MSM (Glucosamine sulfate) for your joints. I take it daily.
Here is what I typically run:
4 weekday rides of 10 miles
1 20 mile ride on the weekend.
I ride a 2003 Fuji Roubaix.
Starting yesterday I realized that I need it to step it up since afte the 10 miles I felt like there was a lot left in me so I've upped my weekday to 13 miles and today I'm thinking about taking it to 16 miles.
16 miles will be my weekday ride from now on.
I also recommend using a site to track your progress.
I use mapmyrun.com but there are some others and have also write in a log book as a backup.
I went from avg 12.5mph on May 9th to 15.6 yesterday.
The key is to push yourself mentally.
I also recommend taking MSM (Glucosamine sulfate) for your joints. I take it daily.
Last edited by group105; 05-24-07 at 11:37 AM.
05-25-07, 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevlar6
Hey BF I am new to both the forum and to cycling and I was hoping to ask a few questions. Please excuse my newby riding ignorance. I am an athletic 24 year old who grew up playing sports my whole life but always ran for exercise. As you can imagine my muscle memory is setup for the motion of running rather than cycling. I am just starting to ride and I was wondering what you think a good mileage is for someone who not only wants to devlop in a strong fast rider but also someone who can tack on the miles. Any advice on how many miles and what type of riding I should be doing to develop a strong base. I would like to join a group ride in the future but understand it make take this summer to get in the proper riding shape. Thanks for the help!
Getting good at cycling is a multi-year effort. Until you have a lot of miles in your legs, it's hard to both ride far and ride fast. Generally, look for distance before you look for speed.
Lots of beginning riders pick a goal event (usually a century) and work towards it, and in many places, there are training rides for them. You local bike shop an probably help you on this.
And don't worry about asking questions - we all started out where you are.
__________________
Eric
2005 Trek 5.2 Madone, Red with Yellow Flames (Beauty)
199x Lemond Tourmalet, Yellow with fenders (Beast)
Read my cycling blog at https://riderx.info/blogs/riderx
Like climbing? Goto https://www.bicycleclimbs.com
Eric
2005 Trek 5.2 Madone, Red with Yellow Flames (Beauty)
199x Lemond Tourmalet, Yellow with fenders (Beast)
Read my cycling blog at https://riderx.info/blogs/riderx
Like climbing? Goto https://www.bicycleclimbs.com
05-26-07, 08:18 PM
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Kevlar6 - I agree with picking an event later this season and working up to achieving it. Riding an hour at a 16 -18 mph pace is a good place to start then work on distance ... then speed. There are lots of spreadsheets to track pace and mileage. I would look at doing 50 miles a week and work up to 80 -150 per week. So many good people are cyclist you won't lack for advice if you seek it. Ride well and ride safe. See you out there.
