untrained/new riders

theoretical question....
untrained riders adapt to training really really fast when they first start. big big gains in weeks.
my friend is about to start cycling. he's just waiting till payday before getting the components for his frame. he has a 2 week holliday coming up where hes going to train with me for a bit to get going.
so would it be a massive advantage if he went in at the deep end doing a 2x20 session and proper base training first?
afaik most untrained riders do lots of junk miles when they start. lots of unstructured 'fun' rides. could he (or any untrained rider) get a big advantage to getting some structure/a coach/p.meter asap and how big an advantage?
could he possibly overtake someone who's been training for longer? in power/progress terms?
untrained riders adapt to training really really fast when they first start. big big gains in weeks.
my friend is about to start cycling. he's just waiting till payday before getting the components for his frame. he has a 2 week holliday coming up where hes going to train with me for a bit to get going.
so would it be a massive advantage if he went in at the deep end doing a 2x20 session and proper base training first?
afaik most untrained riders do lots of junk miles when they start. lots of unstructured 'fun' rides. could he (or any untrained rider) get a big advantage to getting some structure/a coach/p.meter asap and how big an advantage?
could he possibly overtake someone who's been training for longer? in power/progress terms?
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The other thing to think about is his enjoyment of his first few weeks...2x20s aren't fun :P
But he well even need time just to get used to shifting, braking, riding on the drops etc, taking a waterbottle out without getting fingers in front wheel (been there done that!)
Dont frighten him off!
Just riding, and riding more (in a sustainable progressive overload load manner) will be more than enough to stimulate excellent fitness development for a new rider. All you need to do for higher level stimulation is to begin to include hillier training routes as part of the training.
The body needs to adapt to the bike and position and if the fit isn't great, then specific hard efforts are not such a great idea early on. Allow the body to adapt to the bike first.
Interval training is not for the untrained, unfamiliar. It can take some of the enjoyment out if a rider isn't really ready for it.
A runner friend of mine does exactly this. Tends to run multiple marathons and longer events in the year and turns up to the odd 100+ sportive with little or no bike training and puts in a respectable time. Ex bodybuilder too which makes it even more confusing,,;-)
He did the 190km Wales Dragon with me last year with only about 30 miles bike training but lots of running, although he did say his legs went before his lungs, plus he had a very sore rear end for a few days afterwards..;-)
From memory I think he did it in about 7.30.