Back on a bike.................(My first post here)

Mad Mr H

Hi,

I cant remember when I last got on a bike , Im now 36.

Last year around this time I decided that the 14 stonne I had reached was not doing me any favours, 166cm tall. Doctor said I was under tall so I looked everywhere to try and add height, but it looked like maybe loss of weight was the only option..........

Started going to a gym in Nov 07, again I had not been in a gym since my running / rugby school days. Only doing weights NOT cardio workout.

In Feb 08 I started to change my diet, I do my best to have six small meals a day and this has worked well. Im not strict with my eating habits but much better than I have ever been.

I am now just under 75Kg (From 90ish) so under 12 stone.

About 3 months ago I bought a bike . It was on sale at evans summer sale and despite is GOLD! colour I could not resist it .

I bought a Specialized Transition Expert 2007 triathlon seen here
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec014277

I paid less than that for it, infact I think it was a gift !!!!


Anyway, I have changed the 12-27 ultegra for a Dura Ace 11-23 ,Changed the training pedals for Dura Ace and Got some cleated Specialised shoes, added some lights and set it up.

I used to cycle to school, and then 20-30 miles at weekends as flat out as I could go.

Maybe I am just chasing a dream here, wishing I was 19 again .

At the gym I don't do ANY Cardio work out, No real reason I just started lifting weights and I enjoy that - I DON'T do the usual arms work out as that never been my thing, I do two days of legs, one of back one of chest.

I have now been out on the bike twice in the last 8 days, starting at short distances.

7.5miles first time took 26:50 mins, second time 24:36 mins thats about 37 and 33 for 10 miles.

First time I did go out knowing I was not pushing limits and just wanted to get back home alive !!! I noticed on the flat that I was not keeping up with the pedals all the time.

Second time I pushed myself and had better use of the gears, getting used to them on the ends of the tri bars.

I NEVER leave the saddle, and as it happens so far only been on the large front chain wheel, its fairly flat on the run I have started to use, not looking forward to the hill climbs, but I used to be good at them, one step at a time!

Happy to hear any opinions, good or bad! and any advice about excerises in the gym that would help not hinder training.

My current aim is to get fit, Improve my breathing and be able to stand when I get off the bike !!!!

MY BIGGEST REGRET is that I stopped cycling years ago.

I am waiting an operation on my wrist (Oct 3rd) and then shoulder (Oct 16th) once they are out the way I hope to be able to train more seriously. I can't run as this used to really hurt my knees although I could do 100m in 12.2 and 800 in 2 mins 7 (all those years ago), It would be nice to do a triathlon one day just so Ive done one, the choice of bike was not with that intention but I like the unusual and the bike came in at the right price.

Thanks for reading, Would like to hear your opinions.

Andy H.

Infamous

That's a fast bike ! The only concern I might have, is that you may find it difficult to go long distances at first (purely because the position is orientated towards speed, rather than comfort). It might take a bit of time to get used to the position, it maybe a good idea to have the bars high up at first, and gradually lower them as you get used to it.

Mad Mr H wrote:

I NEVER leave the saddle, and as it happens so far only been on the large front chain wheel, its fairly flat on the run I have started to use, not looking forward to the hill climbs, but I used to be good at them, one step at a time!

I found that it's good practice to stand out of the saddle whenever I exit a corner/turn. As for hills, just start with small ones, then work your way up to bigger ones.

Mad Mr H wrote:

Happy to hear any opinions, good or bad! and any advice about excerises in the gym that would help not hinder training.

The main gym excersises that will help the bike are ones that strengthen the core, nothing else really helps all that much. Training legs won't make you a better cyclist (well, not when compared to simply riding the bike), I do a lot of upper body work, but I don't do any leg work, I leave that for the bike....

The main factors to riding your bike faster, are endurance and power (not strength!), you train endurance by riding for long periods of time, and you train for power by riding shorter distances, but faster.

At this stage you just want to get as much time on the bike as you can manage, at a pace that doesn't make your legs feel like lead the next day (but not too slowly either). This will get your body used to the bike and build up your endurance. Once you can ride "long" distances, then you can think about adding speed work and intervals.

Also, if you don't have padded cycling shorts, get them !

Mad Mr H

Hi,

Yes I got padded shorts - thats a real low comfort saddle !

You mention "long" distances - what do you consider "long"

Many thanks for your time to answer.

fuzzynavel

Mad Mr H wrote:

Hi,

Yes I got padded shorts - thats a real low comfort saddle !

You mention "long" distances - what do you consider "long"

Many thanks for your time to answer.

Long rides are relative to the rider but I would say that a long ride should be considered as one which gives you a decent mental and physical challenge at a medium pace. My longest is 50 miles up until now but I aim to get that further in the future.....50 miles is therefore long for me but there are others lurking around here who thing nothing of doing that in an evening after work...(nutters)