Questions
09-10-03 | 06:55 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Questions
Hi Folks,
I'm new to riding, and I have a couple of questions, so I hope someone out there can help.
About 4 1/2 months ago, I started cycling on a hybrid bike. Three weeks ago I bought a road bike (I love it). I've put a total of 640 miles riding.
I am 47 years old, and ride 4-5 times a week. I am able to complete 13 miles in under an hour. My average speed (depending on wind) is 11-13.5 miles per hour.
Here are my questions: For a 47 year old, am I doing okay? Am I getting healthy benefits from riding at my current speed? What training can I do to increase my speed?
Thanks, for your help.
Anasazi
I'm new to riding, and I have a couple of questions, so I hope someone out there can help.
About 4 1/2 months ago, I started cycling on a hybrid bike. Three weeks ago I bought a road bike (I love it). I've put a total of 640 miles riding.
I am 47 years old, and ride 4-5 times a week. I am able to complete 13 miles in under an hour. My average speed (depending on wind) is 11-13.5 miles per hour.
Here are my questions: For a 47 year old, am I doing okay? Am I getting healthy benefits from riding at my current speed? What training can I do to increase my speed?
Thanks, for your help.
Anasazi
09-10-03 | 07:15 PM
#2
Welcome, Anasazi!
You are getting healthy benefits from riding. The speed is not the issue, it's the amount of your effort. If you're breathing hard and breaking a sweat, it's doing good stuff. Even if you're just noodling, it's still good.
I think you're asking the wrong question. The issue is not you compared with other 47 YO's, it's you compared to yourself. You're making progress, sounds to me like you're doing okay. Track your time on certain rides, and monitor progress so you can see the improvements. Consistancy is important, getting out 4 o 5 times a week. Sounds like you've got that one covered. To increase your speed, ride fast. And let yourself recuperate. The best way to get results is by interval training... brief exertion and recovery cycles. I'd recommend getting a general cycling book. Greg LeMond's Complete Book of Cycling is a good one for starters. Lots of basic and advanced information presented in a way that is palatable to riders that aren't fanatic (yet
). Remember, progress takes time, you can't rush it but you can delay it.
You are getting healthy benefits from riding. The speed is not the issue, it's the amount of your effort. If you're breathing hard and breaking a sweat, it's doing good stuff. Even if you're just noodling, it's still good.
I think you're asking the wrong question. The issue is not you compared with other 47 YO's, it's you compared to yourself. You're making progress, sounds to me like you're doing okay. Track your time on certain rides, and monitor progress so you can see the improvements. Consistancy is important, getting out 4 o 5 times a week. Sounds like you've got that one covered. To increase your speed, ride fast. And let yourself recuperate. The best way to get results is by interval training... brief exertion and recovery cycles. I'd recommend getting a general cycling book. Greg LeMond's Complete Book of Cycling is a good one for starters. Lots of basic and advanced information presented in a way that is palatable to riders that aren't fanatic (yet
). Remember, progress takes time, you can't rush it but you can delay it.
09-10-03 | 09:53 PM
#3
Desert tortise
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 884
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, California
Bikes: Ibex Corrida LT 4.4 (2003), 2006 Bianchi Vigorelli (Red)
Welcome Anasazi,
I'm also 47 years and have started cycling again after about 30 years. I ride a Trek hybrid bike.
Here is how I measure my progress: There are roads I have ridden that I never knew existed. Hills that I have climbed that I never thought I would be able to climb. Muscles that ache that I never knew I had. Oh, yes my speed has increased from about 10 mph to around 13 mph.
I never set out to ride faster. I think it just comes from riding more. I started riding because my doctor said I needed more exercise. He recommended 30 minutes three times a week. I enjoy riding so much that I ride at least an hour five times a week. I don't plan on riding competively, so speed is not an issue.
It may sound simplistic but if you want to ride further, ride further. If you want to ride faster, ride faster. If you want to climb higher, climb higher. Just make sure to have fun.
I'm also 47 years and have started cycling again after about 30 years. I ride a Trek hybrid bike.
Here is how I measure my progress: There are roads I have ridden that I never knew existed. Hills that I have climbed that I never thought I would be able to climb. Muscles that ache that I never knew I had. Oh, yes my speed has increased from about 10 mph to around 13 mph.
I never set out to ride faster. I think it just comes from riding more. I started riding because my doctor said I needed more exercise. He recommended 30 minutes three times a week. I enjoy riding so much that I ride at least an hour five times a week. I don't plan on riding competively, so speed is not an issue.
It may sound simplistic but if you want to ride further, ride further. If you want to ride faster, ride faster. If you want to climb higher, climb higher. Just make sure to have fun.
__________________
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then. - Bob Seger
Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then. - Bob Seger
09-11-03 | 12:36 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 0
From: The Alta Loma area of Rancho Cucamonga. About 45 miles east of Los Angeles, California. Uphill, downhill and across hill riding; not too level!
Geeze, you sound like me, same age an' same average speed!
Sounds like you are doing good to me. Try to mix things up to keep it fresh. I climbe hills on relatively short rides during the week and on the weekends try to go out for longer road rides.
My average speed has slowly increased over time; very slowly because of the hills I must climb to get back home to my house. I am noticing better speed on relatively flat routes and am making better through speed up the hills. By through speed I mean I don't have to stop at all or as much on big hills as I used to.
These are my indicators of improvement. I want to ride a century (miles) in a day eventually, but that will have to wait till I can find a saddle that I am comfortable in when riding over 1-1/2 hours.
I also want to go as fast as my husband does when he's "not riding very hard" and doing 7 miles an hour up the hill to our house. I average 4-1/2 to 5 miles an hour up the same hill. Some day!
Keep at it and don't burn yourself out. You should be able to smile, laugh and enjoy yourself when you go out! Have fun! Don't ride serious ALL the time.
Sounds like you are doing good to me. Try to mix things up to keep it fresh. I climbe hills on relatively short rides during the week and on the weekends try to go out for longer road rides.
My average speed has slowly increased over time; very slowly because of the hills I must climb to get back home to my house. I am noticing better speed on relatively flat routes and am making better through speed up the hills. By through speed I mean I don't have to stop at all or as much on big hills as I used to.
These are my indicators of improvement. I want to ride a century (miles) in a day eventually, but that will have to wait till I can find a saddle that I am comfortable in when riding over 1-1/2 hours.
I also want to go as fast as my husband does when he's "not riding very hard" and doing 7 miles an hour up the hill to our house. I average 4-1/2 to 5 miles an hour up the same hill. Some day!
Keep at it and don't burn yourself out. You should be able to smile, laugh and enjoy yourself when you go out! Have fun! Don't ride serious ALL the time.
