Training schedule

1981miked

Afternoon people,

I have a bit of a situation that maybe some of you trainer/experienced cyclist's can help with. Im new to road cycling but have been riding mtb's on a regular basis for years so im not a complete novice. I really want to improve my fitness and loose a bit of weight, i have recently purchased a 2007 Giant SCR 2.0 road bike which i am loving riding, i also have a 2003/4 Kona NuNu....anyway im going off the subject here.

So my situation is that i can't get out on my bike the 4 or 5 times a week id like as i work as a long distance lorry driver, im looking into the 7 hour fitness plan in this month's Health and Fitness for Cyclists but as i can't take my bike with me in the lorry(no room), im at a bit of a dead end as to how to progress with my training... I work Monday to Saturday away from home, i do go running but im not much of a runner (12 years of swimming and years of Ice and roller hockey made me a bit heavy in the legs and upper body...runners are spindly people) I find running a bit boring and hard to get into a rhythm and motivate myself. I have a pair of inline skates that i could easily pack away and use when time permits.

I intend to do a decent ride on Saturday when i get home and the same on Sunday but time is precious when im not working and trying to fit it all in, i suppose i could change jobs so im home every night....that may be a bit extreme tho! I just want to improve my cv fitness and be a bit lighter on my feet, i love cycling and that would be my number 1 choice for the goals im looking to achieve. I suppose im kind of answering my own question in a way with the running and the roller blades but im just throwing it out there to see if anybody else is in my situation or has any ideas... I did consider buying a bmx or other small framed bike to take away and keep the legs turning but it seemed an expensive way to do it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

ut_och_cykla

One long ride at weekend and summat else2-3 times during week? Sleep in cab? Choose stops near a gym or pool for a bike or swim. Start a long term plan for trimming weight slowly. Running is ok time efficient but you need to build slowly. Long walks are a good start!
Drive past relative who can keep bike for you?
Just spitting out ideas- think big - out of teh box - you'll find a solution if you want to!
Good luck!!

Infamous

folding bike?

Alex_Simmons/RST

change jobs?

Swannie

Bike won't fit in the cab?

Even if you took both wheels off? It's quite simple and easy to take them off and put on. Assuming you don't use mudguards, then the bars can easily be turned. Still, this would take up a fair bit of room. Saddle with QR can be dropped all the way in to the frame.

My second thought was a folding bike too. You can get ones with drops that get good reviews.

1981miked

Yeah i do long distance so don't know where i will get stopped, it is usually at the side of the road/industrial estate or truck stop. I thought about taking off the wheels etc but like you said swannie it would take up a fair bit of room that i don't really have....still go to get in my bed and get my cool box and that in...
Alex_Simmons...you have the best idea..you can phone my work and let them know then..
I think the running may be the best bet, i was out the other night and covered just over 3 miles, i just miss my bike when im away. Folding bike may be the solution...thanks guys, you have given me something to consider.

P.s i would like to add that im not obese, i would just like to loose maybe 1/2-3/4 of a stone. Just to trim the old waist line. Don't want to end up like the majority of the other truck drivers...

richa

Is it you lorry? Is there room to mount the bike on the back of the cab?

Alex_Simmons/RST

1981miked wrote:

Alex_Simmons...you have the best idea..you can phone my work and let them know then..

Sure, what's their number?

While it was partially facetious, I myself have changed my work to suit my life and enable me to train and pursue racing ambitions. I never regretted leaving behind the stupid hours I used to work a 8-10 years ago. Funny thing is, I ended up making the same money....

But if you really can't take a bike/trainer with you (can you rig up some kind of rack for the bike on the lorry?), then if it's just CV fitness and not bike specific fitness you want, then do what ever gets the heart pumping and you enjoy the most.

If bike specific fitness is the aim, then the order goes:
ride bike -> ride bike on trainer or an bicycle ergometer -> spin bike -> gym bike -> gym elliptical machine. Anything else that doesn't replicate the joint angles and velocities specific to cycling really won't do all that much for bike specific fitness unless you are unfit/untrained (in which case just about anything will help).

BlackHelmet

1981miked wrote:

runners are spindly people

Some are, some aren't...

Running sure sounds more convenient in your situation, especially if you're having to stop in areas that aren't too familiar. It's far more time efficient and running around the block or local park can be very good training. Having said that, if you want to improve your cycling then you do need to cycle some aswell. Running will help, IMO, but only to a certain extent. Could you shuffle your bike from bed to seat etc depending upon whether you're sleeping or driving? Wills & ways and all that stuff...

1981miked

I see what you are saying Alex and i am considering changing jobs in order to concentrate on my cycling and general fitness. The job and hours don't lend themselves to keeping fit that well. I may have to take a slight drop in money but at then end of the day i would rather be out cycling and fit than stuck in a lorry all week.

The reason i was a bit unsure about the running was that it uses different muscles to cycling and didn't think it would be that specific to my bike fitness. Im looking into spin classes this weekend as i think that would bring me on really well, plus there is somebody else there to push you, it's easy to just sit at a steady pace when your out on your own. I would say that i do have a good general level of fitness though.

I looked at rigging up a rack but as soon as my boss found out he put a stop to it (twat), did consider moving it about to suit my sleeping arrangments Blackhelmet but it really would be a tight squeeze, ill keep up the running though as every little bit helps and in the mean time ill just have to make sure i get some serious saddle time at the weekend. Did 22 miles last night and 12 this morning as im off on holiday....roll on the weekend...