How far should a 14 year old cycle

love2ride

HI
i'm 14 and during the holidays I do lots of long rides. last week I did 210 miles and this week I have just done 150 in 3 days. Recently I was told by some one not to over train because that could cause injury and put me out of sport for life. I am going to ease of the heavy miles and do more higher intensity shorter rides because I want to specialise in 10mile tt but how far can I safely cycle. Is it ok to do long rides but only at once or twice a week.
thanks
will

deal

didnt you already post this question ?

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12608428

love2ride

year but I never found out how far It was safe for me to actually cycle.

robthehungrymonkey

I'm no expert (at all). But if i remember not being allowed into Gyms and stuff when I was that age it was because your bones haven't fully developed yet.

I would think long distances on a bike aren't too much of an issue, unlike doing weights for example. I think it's more the force that can affect how your body develops.
It also depends on how much developing has already happened. When I was 14 i'd done pretty much all my growing (only got wider since!).

The only thing logically I think that could affect it is the ammount of time you spend hunched over your bike, and the way that forces your back/kneck to develop.

I hope that;s of some use.

cougie

Trying to think back to when I was 14 - I reckon we used to do 80 milers on a Sunday.

Summer holidays were great - but I dont think we'd ride more than about 50 miles every other day or so.

Giant Phil

love2ride wrote:

year but I never found out how far It was safe for me to actually cycle.

No one will ever be able to quote you an exact figure. There were four pages of useful responses. I don't see why reposting might uncover anything new.

I think you will be fine, cycling is a non-impact sport, just watch your knees, I suffer from mile knee pain every once in a while

Phl

cougie

I think you have to listen to your body too - rest is essential to let your body recover. So whats fine for one rider, may not be fine for another. Also - no two rides are the same.

Blonde

I know a 15 year old who does 300 and 400km audax rides and he started with 200km rides at 13 years old - about once a fortnight for 200kms. I'm sure you can cycle pretty much as far as you want if you build up slowly, but getting enough rest and recovery between rides in the key. You must not increase your mileage or hours spent cycling by more than a couple of percent each time. So, doing 50 miles then 100 is out - it's too big an increase in one go, but doing 52 miles, then 57 for example, and building up slowly like that would be fine. Do have a weekend off now and again and do consider doing some other sport or exercise as well - even if it's just swimming or walking, so that you don't develop muscle or posture imbalances in later life; such as a hunched back (the curse of cyclists everywhere) - this can be combated with good posture at all times (similar to the Pilates technique) and with specific upper back exercises.

I think you are sensible to consider some variety and a different type of event (TT). This should prevent you overloading on mileage. Listen to your body and also talk to clubmates (If you're in a cycling club) and to coaches, if you can. You've only just begun cycling so don't expect to recover as quickly as someone older who has been cycling for many years - the body will adapt to cycling over time. Over time you will become adapted and may well find you recover more quickly. Don't over train and get that all important recovery - make sure you eat well (by that I mean get all the good stuff and try not to eat too much cr@p) and are getting plenty of sleep between rides - a good excuse for a lie-in at the weekend!

You could contact someone at the RTTC or at British Cycling for advice. You could also try a few track/velodrome sessions for help with improving your speed. They have juniors and youth coached sessions, and hire bikes with a youth appropriate gear fitted, so you wouldn't have to ride with adults or with a silly big gear.

fergyorbea

I am 16 but I did a fair bit of cycling when I was 14 and still do.

I now go with a club which is great fun by the way, i used to go by myself which was dull and dangerous if something happens. I would advise a cycling buddy or club.

I used to do about 50 miles every weekend and now I'm doing 100. I'm pretty much fully grown and i haven't noticed any differnces that may have been caused by cycling.

I think the amount you are doing is ok but rest is key and also stretching pre and post rides as the riding position on a road bike is fairly extreme.

I have recently taken up swimming which is fantastic as it relieves tension in shoulders and neck and helps develop upper body.

My advice would be to keep up the cycling but don't do cycling only. Pick another cardiovascular sport, swimming would be best I think and possibly play a team sport.
I am not suggesting that you don't already do these things but these are my thoughts and advice.

Hope it helps and enjoy the cycling. I have exams soon and cycling is a nice break from reision and helps relieve stress. Don't give up if someone tells you to but perhaps lay off a bit if you are finding it too much yourself.