Newbie Needs Advice
06-03-11, 07:36 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2003 Trek 1000 aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Newbie Needs Advice
I picked up my first road bike, a Trek 1000, used from Craigslist. Here's a link to it's specs, I'm pretty certain everything is still stock, the previous owner hardly rode it:
https://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/B...1000&Type=bike
I'm in pretty good shape, have been swimming and running for many years but I'm having a lot of trouble translating this to success while riding. I have been riding in Central Park, it's a 6 mile loop, no major hills to speak of but there are ups and downs.
I'm staying in the middle gear in the front, of which I have 3, per the advice of a few friends, and using my smaller gear to the best of my knowledge but I'm getting passed like there's no tomorrow. While I'm on flat ground I can hold my own, but during the gradients, the riders that pass me seem to be pedaling with ease, and I'm here cranking away, heart rate going crazy and going so slow that I see squirrels laughing at me!
My question is what can I do to increase my ability to work these gradients? I may be jumping to conclusions but I'm thinking of purchasing a new bike, with at least some carbon components. I'm competing in a triathlon in 10 weeks and the thought of 24 miles, expending the kind of energy I'm using now is frightening.
A few things about me and my setup. I've 5-8, weight 170 lbs, I use toe-clipped pedals, not yet clipless. My Trek is all aluminum. Any advice welcome, and I'll be sure to answer any questions you may have. Thank you!
https://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/B...1000&Type=bike
I'm in pretty good shape, have been swimming and running for many years but I'm having a lot of trouble translating this to success while riding. I have been riding in Central Park, it's a 6 mile loop, no major hills to speak of but there are ups and downs.
I'm staying in the middle gear in the front, of which I have 3, per the advice of a few friends, and using my smaller gear to the best of my knowledge but I'm getting passed like there's no tomorrow. While I'm on flat ground I can hold my own, but during the gradients, the riders that pass me seem to be pedaling with ease, and I'm here cranking away, heart rate going crazy and going so slow that I see squirrels laughing at me!
My question is what can I do to increase my ability to work these gradients? I may be jumping to conclusions but I'm thinking of purchasing a new bike, with at least some carbon components. I'm competing in a triathlon in 10 weeks and the thought of 24 miles, expending the kind of energy I'm using now is frightening.
A few things about me and my setup. I've 5-8, weight 170 lbs, I use toe-clipped pedals, not yet clipless. My Trek is all aluminum. Any advice welcome, and I'll be sure to answer any questions you may have. Thank you!
06-03-11, 07:44 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: GA
Posts: 1,155
Bikes: Helix, HonkyTonk, NailTrail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Find group rides, that drop you, fight week after week until you build up the legs to keep up.
Get a cadence sensor for solo riding. Ride at 90-100rpm, best efficiency, always fight for 90rpm, once you reach it, shift up and continue your fight, when you reach it, shift up and continue the fight. Don't let up =) When you hit a hill, shift down only when you can't maintain at least like 70rpm, continue fighting for 90.
Interval training.
Road pedals will help, highly advised, but not necessary. I flew past a ton of people climbing mountains and around town when I was stuck with toe-slips post-knee-op. They were surprisingly efficienct. But there's a certain connection, control of the bike that was sorely missing.
Get a cadence sensor for solo riding. Ride at 90-100rpm, best efficiency, always fight for 90rpm, once you reach it, shift up and continue your fight, when you reach it, shift up and continue the fight. Don't let up =) When you hit a hill, shift down only when you can't maintain at least like 70rpm, continue fighting for 90.
Interval training.
Road pedals will help, highly advised, but not necessary. I flew past a ton of people climbing mountains and around town when I was stuck with toe-slips post-knee-op. They were surprisingly efficienct. But there's a certain connection, control of the bike that was sorely missing.
06-03-11, 08:58 AM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 37
Bikes: 2003 Trek 1000 aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Find group rides, that drop you, fight week after week until you build up the legs to keep up.
Get a cadence sensor for solo riding. Ride at 90-100rpm, best efficiency, always fight for 90rpm, once you reach it, shift up and continue your fight, when you reach it, shift up and continue the fight. Don't let up =) When you hit a hill, shift down only when you can't maintain at least like 70rpm, continue fighting for 90.
Interval training.
Road pedals will help, highly advised, but not necessary. I flew past a ton of people climbing mountains and around town when I was stuck with toe-slips post-knee-op. They were surprisingly efficienct. But there's a certain connection, control of the bike that was sorely missing.
Get a cadence sensor for solo riding. Ride at 90-100rpm, best efficiency, always fight for 90rpm, once you reach it, shift up and continue your fight, when you reach it, shift up and continue the fight. Don't let up =) When you hit a hill, shift down only when you can't maintain at least like 70rpm, continue fighting for 90.
Interval training.
Road pedals will help, highly advised, but not necessary. I flew past a ton of people climbing mountains and around town when I was stuck with toe-slips post-knee-op. They were surprisingly efficienct. But there's a certain connection, control of the bike that was sorely missing.
