New to road cycling advice needed please!

bet4it
bet4it Posts: 3
edited March 2010 in The bottom bracket
I am new to road cycling I am 34 years old 6ft3" weight 14st while I am fairly fit and not over weight I am wanting to start a traning program so I can measure my improvement etc I doubt that I will become an elite rider but would like some tips on how far and how fast I should be riding to start off with and also when should I be looking to do longer rides of 20-30 miles I don't want to sicken myself by doing too much too soon at the minute I can manage about 40 mins at 17mph over flat/ slight incline type roads any help would be appreciated. :lol:

Comments

  • deptfordmarmoset
    deptfordmarmoset Posts: 3,118
    Welcome aboard, bet4it! I can't give you any training advice (old fecker, me, therefore more tortoise than hare) but there's a Road Beginners forum where I'm sure lots of people will be happy to give you advice and support.
    Looking for a cycling buddy?
  • sweetslice
    sweetslice Posts: 31
    Sounds like your doing fine to me. Just start increasing either your average speed over a set distance (eg; your daily commute) or start riding for longer periods. at the same tempo. I reckon trainig plans are over-rated. Just go by feel and ride regularly.
    Cannondale Caad 9
    Cube SL Cross Comp
    Diamondback Apex
  • bet4it
    bet4it Posts: 3
    Thanks for the replies guys I will just keep to about 17 mph average and see how long I can do after a month 2 month ect.
  • RonB
    RonB Posts: 3,984
    Welcome to the Forum bet4it. 17mph sounds pretty good for starters. One rule of thumb you might want to consider is to increase your distance by no more than 10% each time you go out until you get to that 30 mile target. I'm sure you've got it covered, but do take along a drink (maybe a snack) even for rides of 60-90 mins. After that add a few hills? All the best with your plan, Ron.
  • miggers
    miggers Posts: 269
    sweetslice wrote:
    Sounds like your doing fine to me. Just start increasing either your average speed over a set distance (eg; your daily commute) or start riding for longer periods. at the same tempo. I reckon trainig plans are over-rated. Just go by feel and ride regularly.

    I agree with sweetslice, unless you can fit your job and family around your cycling then training programmes are almost planning to fail as you will not be able to stick to the session in the day prescribed etc. Just aim to get a few regular rides in per week with a long one at the weekend..

    Pete
    Peter Bragg
    www.shuttvr.com
  • blackpanther
    blackpanther Posts: 221
    miggers wrote:
    sweetslice wrote:
    Sounds like your doing fine to me. Just start increasing either your average speed over a set distance (eg; your daily commute) or start riding for longer periods. at the same tempo. I reckon trainig plans are over-rated. Just go by feel and ride regularly.

    I agree with sweetslice, unless you can fit your job and family around your cycling then training programmes are almost planning to fail as you will not be able to stick to the session in the day prescribed etc. Just aim to get a few regular rides in per week with a long one at the weekend..

    Pete


    words of wisdom brother
  • DubaiNeil
    DubaiNeil Posts: 246
    Just to confuse the training schedule issue, I would actually try and go the other way, and establish a training routine which fits into your current normal family life - and then doesn't fluctuate much.

    If you have set activities (in this instance, training) that remain in consistent time slots each week then other "family planning" (so to speak!) takes place with this in mind. If the training schedule is "whenever I have time" then that time seems to rapidly diminish - or the other half already has plans for you in that slot!

    One of the most revealing books on cycle training I have is "The Time Crunched Cyclist" by Chris Carmicheal. One of the (many) pearls of advice is to retain the training time slots separated from family life - even when you are not actively following the programme - as otherwise "real life" will expand to take the slots, so preventing you from restarting as there will be no window available.

    As you are also fairly new (by your own admission) you will be extremely keen to go out and ride. Having a training schedule will focus this enthusiasm, provide variety to your training, help ensure that you have sufficient rest between sessions and "encourage" you to go out training when some of the enthusiasm wears off...

    There is a lot of good advice available in the Training forum, although there is some terminology to learn, and some posters to ignore :)

    Neil

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