The not too serious get fit thread

[somegirl]

I've been looking to get a road bike, just don't feel like dropping 1k on one yet. Been starting to ride my 20yo mt bike with smooth tires. Its great for a work out but not very efficient. Climbing hills i have to ride with one hand cause the gear selector doesn't want to work, so my other hand is holding the cable  I want to do more riding to break up the monotony of the gym, spin classes, and running.

Have you looked at used bikes?   Should we take a look at your mtn bike during the wrench day tomorrow?

Hahaha, no.  Maybe wearing full leather I would.  I'm afraid I would flop over each and every time I try to stop.

You only fall over the first few times you stop.

After you get used to them I think they are safer than using toe clips (cages/straps).

My personal preference is for SPDs (mountain bike pedals) as they are easy to get in and out of and you can use the recessed cleats on MTB shoes which allows you to walk around normally when you are off the bike.    Most people don't ride at a level where there is much added performance from getting road-specific pedals.

With the SPDs you can still pedal if you're not clipped in as well, it won't be as comfortable but it's doable (unlike some of the road-specific systems where your shoes would just slip off the pedals if not clipped).  You can even get pedals that are half platform, half SPD so you can continue to use normal shoes when you want.

You can easily adjust the tension - when you are first learning leave them really loose, and when you get used to them you can tighten them up a bit.

If you do try them, first spend some time on a trainer or leaning up against a wall and practice clipping in and out.
Then go for an slow easy ride somewhere and practice clipping in and out on both sides throughout the ride.

Also, it's best to get in the habit of being consistent on which foot you typically put down (for me it's the left, like the moto).  Most of the time people fall it's because they unclip one foot and then accidentally lean the bike the other direction.

[DanTheMan]

Have you looked at used bikes?   Should we take a look at your mtn bike during the wrench day tomorrow?

sort of, do you know how to tune the shifter thingys? 

[somegirl]

sort of, do you know how to tune the shifter thingys? 

It depends on what is wrong with them, but I might be able to.

[Monster Dave]

Alright, so while we're on the subject of cycling, does anyone have some tips for training for an 80 mile race that's in November?

Currently I'm cycling to work 2 days a week (14 miles round trip), doing a weight routine 3 days a week, and taking spinning classes 3 days a week, and on the weekends we're getting out for about 15-20 miles at least one day. Until I wore out my sneakers I was running about 4.5 miles 4 days a week too.

I'm doing everything that I can think of, are there any good tips for increasing endurance? I've noticed that while cycling that often I'll come up on and pass someone but then a few minutes later they are passing me again.

I may be expecting too much too soon as we've only started cycling about 3 weeks ago.

Thanks! 

[DanTheMan]

Are you using a heart rate monitor at all? Timing your runs over the same distance? Id take some benchmark numbers and see if your improving or not. I find the HR monitor very helpful so you know exactly where you are in your workout. If you feel your pushing hard and your HR is at 100, you have a lot more to give.

Common practice for training would be a mix of endurance, sprint, interval, power, Some how mix those all into a training plan and go from there. Write it on a calender get a good mix and follow the plan. Do you know the layout of the course? flat, hills, rolling? Train based on that.

[Monster Dave]

Are you using a heart rate monitor at all? Timing your runs over the same distance? Id take some benchmark numbers and see if your improving or not. I find the HR monitor very helpful so you know exactly where you are in your workout. If you feel your pushing hard and your HR is at 100, you have a lot more to give.

Common practice for training would be a mix of endurance, sprint, interval, power, Some how mix those all into a training plan and go from there. Write it on a calender get a good mix and follow the plan. Do you know the layout of the course? flat, hills, rolling? Train based on that.

Yeah, I'm keeping track of everything that I do and recording it in a database (as seen on the previous page), and my HR monitor is a huge help to me for tracking my progress.

The course is a good variety of flats, hills, ect, but as the the exact course I have yet to find a map for it. Once I do, I'd prefer to start riding it a bit for training purposes. I had been thinking along the same lines as what you said and feel that my current program is really well rounded with a variety of exercises, but I'm always open to suggestions and ideas. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Alright, so while we're on the subject of cycling, does anyone have some tips for training for an 80 mile race that's in November?

Yeah. Just pedal 80 miles every day until you get good at it. 

[kopfjäger]

Alright, so while we're on the subject of cycling, does anyone have some tips for training for an 80 mile race that's in November? 

http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/conditioning/a/aa052703.htm

http://www.kanbike.org/pages/training.php

[somegirl]

I'm doing everything that I can think of, are there any good tips for increasing endurance? I've noticed that while cycling that often I'll come up on and pass someone but then a few minutes later they are passing me again.

Is this on rolling hills?  That often happens to me...I will catch someone on the uphill and then they will pass me on the downhill.  Anyway, I wouldn't worry about what others are doing - they may be having a great day, they may be having a bad day.  Just focus on improving yourself.

I may be expecting too much too soon as we've only started cycling about 3 weeks ago.

Yes you are...it takes time.  I have no doubts you will get there though.

Alright, so while we're on the subject of cycling, does anyone have some tips for training for an 80 mile race that's in November?

Is it really an 80-mile race, or is it an 80-mile organized ride?

[DesmoDiva]

My first Tri this morening was awesome. 

The swim was the hardest, but I was prepared for that.   

Passed lots of peeps on the bike, and a few on the run. Transitions went smoothly. 

*edit for offical times
I finished in 1h:10m:54s; 4th in my age group (106 of 221 overall). 

Swim-14:08
T1-1:07
Bike-36:57
T2-1:07
Run-17:35

[Stella]

 

So impressive!  Congratulations!  I bet you had a blast! 

[Monster Dave]

Is this on rolling hills?  That often happens to me...I will catch someone on the uphill and then they will pass me on the downhill.  Anyway, I wouldn't worry about what others are doing - they may be having a great day, they may be having a bad day.  Just focus on improving yourself.

Yes you are...it takes time.  I have no doubts you will get there though.

Is it really an 80-mile race, or is it an 80-mile organized ride?

Yes, it mostly happens on rollings hills. I am happy that I can push through the incline but need to work on a quicker recovery for the downhill side!

It is a race in that they do keep times, and winners from various age groups get medals. So my sights are set on winning one too!!!! I racked up 20 miles on Sat and another 25 on Sunday. I'm feeling more and more addicted to cycling the more that I train!

[somegirl]

My first Tri this morening was awesome. 

Good for you DD!

It is a race in that they do keep times, and winners from various age groups get medals. So my sights are set on winning one too!!!! I racked up 20 miles on Sat and another 25 on Sunday. I'm feeling more and more addicted to cycling the more that I train!

Great!  Well, training for a race is a bit more involved than training for a ride. 

If it were an organized ride (i.e. your goal is to complete the distance) then I'd suggest just gradually building up to that distance and feeling comfortable being able to do a metric century before it.

For a race you'll want to have ridden that distance a few times beforehand, plus I'd suggest trying some shorter races beforehand too.

[Monster Dave]

Good for you DD!

Great!  Well, training for a race is a bit more involved than training for a ride. 

If it were an organized ride (i.e. your goal is to complete the distance) then I'd suggest just gradually building up to that distance and feeling comfortable being able to do a metric century before it.

For a race you'll want to have ridden that distance a few times beforehand, plus I'd suggest trying some shorter races beforehand too.

You know, to be honest, I'm not entirely clear of the level of riders that I will be up against. In that regard, it's open to anyone who want's to participate (for the $100+ entry fee).

Here's some info on it if you're curious: http://www.pbaa.com/!ETT/ETThome.html

This will be our first bicycle competition, so for the moment, I'm loosely referring to it as a race since I plan on coming in first if there's an award or not! For me anyway, it's going to be a race against myself. On the flip side, I wouldn't be too quick to call it an organized ride as there are incentives to come in at the top 3 of your class.

Participants may choose to cycle 109, 80, 67 or 35 miles depending on their fitness level and ability. At the moment I'm aiming for the 80 mile marker, but between now and November 21st, if I train as hard as I plan, I may be able to make the 109.

[Monster Dave]

Bump to keep this thread alive.