Randy - Have you been out riding lately? Notice any improvement in how your feeling and performing?

It really appears like ke422azn sole purpose is to just plain argue. Who cares how many miles a day or how fast you are riding,...only one person...YOU!

If you get out every day and ride 90 miles going 20+ or 2-3 times a week for 15miles going 12mph, as long as you feel like you are working towards a goal, having fun, and getting exercise, isn't that the whole point?

If you read Chris Carmichael's book "The Lance Armstrong Performance Program: Seven Weeks to the Perfect Ride" and follow the program, you will do plenty of riding at 12mph AND plenty of resting days in between even as you progress in the program...BUT what does HE know right?

Wildbill - been out every day this week. Yesterday I averaged 15.4mph for 90 minutes (warmed up, picked up speed and just stayed there until I didn't feel comfortable). The heat was much more subdued, and I had a couple granola bars with breakfast. It was much harder than I've gone before, but no feelings of sickness like before (just a feeling of "depletion"). I added another water bottle to my bike and made sure to take a few sips every 5 minutes or so.

Thanks for the intelligent responses, folks.

Attaboy! It's all about the improvement, RandyMcD. Keep spinning and don't forget to ride an easy day every now and then.

Soundin good Randy, the granola bar trick has worked wonders for me. They definitely give a little boost. Keep at the riding and continue to work your way up, but do it safely. Too much to fast and you can hurt yourself, or worse, you could loose the cycling bug that has bitten us all.

bill, how did you find the book? i learned a lot from it, though i didn't have what it takes to pursue the course, so to speak. i like how it emphasized fast 1hr rides as opposed to long rides; building speed is a matter of speed-training, after the foundation is laid... so when i know i'm out for a short 1hr ride i bust it loose, get real tired, and know i've done what is needed for speed. i can regularly hit 100 cadence now, trying to smooth it out at 90-95, and am faster in every respect...

sd

Randy - Glad to hear you faired better this time out. Stick w/ it and set small goals and challenges for yourself that you can attain and then move past...don't worry about breaking land speed records, you'll get there in due time, all it takes is patience and practice. Like clfjmpr44 you don't want to push it too hard and get frustrated only to give up cycling...it's a fun and addictive hobby that's for sure! ;)

Shaq - I haven't followed the 7 week program myself, although I have read the book and understand the concepts that the low intensity cadence rides + higher level tempo training can greatly improve your overall performance in the end. A fellow cyclist that I ride with is doing the 7 week course and is seeing good results from it, I'm following along w/ her on group rides and she is claiming that it is definitely making a difference in her ability to ride longer rides at higher speeds...it's just a different approach than you'd generally think about.

I figured it was a "Lance" book so I had to buy it... ;)

Great work , make sure you drink more gatorade . Sounds like your muscles didnt get fuel . I think you need more carbs and gatorade . Keep up the good work . This also has happened to me . Twice today . The 1st sign of this and I stop and load up on gatorade and within 5 minutes Im fine .
:)
jar