Some Advice Needed

Adieu

I'm 16 years old and have been interested in cycling all my life, however due to some medical problems haven't been able to do it for a few years, but now that I have left school I want to get back into it heavily again with my ultimate goal of riding the tour de france route one year, probably not with the race though, haha.

However, I want to be good at riding up mountains but round where I live, the nearest there is to even a hill is a railway bridge. So I was wondering how can I make sure i can be good at going up mountains without turning into a sprinter :$. Weird question I think.

Also, where would be a place to get a good, but fairly cheap helmet which doesn't make me look like a nonce? My current one is so old.

Thanks,

Garry H

Some good advice here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12576663

Or go an ask a Dutchman

Rich Hcp

Go to your local shop and look at the lids.

You won't look as bad as you think you do!

My Bell Sola cost just £20

keef66

unfortunately the only way to develop climing technique / stamina / ability is to ride up hills. Do you live out in the fens? Holland?

Cajun

I hope you mean that you have completed your educational requirements, and not dropped out before doing so.
You should enter University and complete your education. Think of how many cyclists there are in the world and how many make it to Pro status..without doing a search, there are probably less than 300 riders competing....now, this is not to say that you can't be one in the future, but the odds against it are phenomenal. Go to a University with hills, mountains, etc. and kill two birds with one stone. Everyone is used to seeing the helmet; those without are classified as "Donors".

Adieu

Cajun wrote:

I hope you mean that you have completed your educational requirements, and not dropped out before doing so.
You should enter University and complete your education. Think of how many cyclists there are in the world and how many make it to Pro status..without doing a search, there are probably less than 300 riders competing....now, this is not to say that you can't be one in the future, but the odds against it are phenomenal. Go to a University with hills, mountains, etc. and kill two birds with one stone. Everyone is used to seeing the helmet; those without are classified as "Donors".

Yeah, I've completed secondary school with good grades. :O Got college in september. And I live in Midlands in England.

(Also, another quick question. Is it bad to listen to music whilst riding, especially on roads? My Mum doesn't like me doing it. :$)

meanwhile

Adieu wrote:

(Also, another quick question. Is it bad to listen to music whilst riding, especially on roads? My Mum doesn't like me doing it. :$)

It's not as bad as people make out. You'll probably just a few teeth knocked and a concussion rather than the full vegetative state/death thing.

Climber_Andy

In all seriousness, it's not THAT bad. I used to be dead against it till I tried it and, if anything, it makes me concentrate more. That said, it's not ideal for safety. You don't watch to die listening to Steps/Neil Diamond/Duffy (delete where necessary)...

babyshambles

It makes you cycle quicker when listening to toons !! however, can be a pain if headphones keep popping out!!

Listen to Shotters Nation, down in albion and up the bracket

idaviesmoore

It's great that you've got your enthusiasm back for the bike and don't worry too much about not 'living near many mountains'. Not many of us do, big hills maybe, but mountains??? I don't think so.
First thing is to really think about how much time youve got per week to train. Be realistic and don't over do it in the first 4-6 months. Think about all the differant elements that make up a good road racer such as group riding, sprinting, breaking away, differant cadences and, yes climbing. Then think how you are going to improve each elemant. Remember, you can't always improve every element at once so you need to periodise and work on each element in a structured, orderly manner. Periodising is just a posh word for splitting your training up into maneagable and clearly defined sections that has a definate point to it. Junk miles are fine during the winter, but if you've got a serious goal (and you have) then you need to train seriously and with aims.
Find out how far the nearest big hills are then work out how long it'll take you to either a) ride to them or b) get someone to drive you there. It may be that your hill work can only be done at certain times when lifts etc are available. If this is so then think about investing in a good turbo trianer. I know you'll never really get the same feel but some more modern TT have some really gruesome resistance settings and it's better than nothing.
Think about joining a club, if that's feasible. There you'll find a wealth of knowledge and experise with riding, fitnrss and routes. Getting out with a club is the best way not to become bored and demotivated. If you handle the early p@ss taking that is!!
But the key to all successful training is planning and consistant training. Spen a little time on the schedule and (with a little trial and error) you'll come up with a periodised plan that works for you. It took me 15 years and I'm stilol perfecting it!! :roll:
Oh, and don't worry about looking a numpty in your helmet...get your training right and you'll be so fast nobody will see you passing them!!!