Tips/help for a relative newbie

bwstokie

Hi all

Been plodding along generally improving and getting fitter for the last 9 months but have always struggled with the climbs most notably due to lack of technique which of course will come with time.

I'm a fairly big lad, 6'0 and about 16.5 stone, with fairly short legs. I generally push myself
as much as I can and ride at Cannock as much as I can but keep getting feelings of energy dips as in my legs have nothing in them at various points during my rides. I'll finish my rides and recover really quickly and have minimal aches and pains the following day.

What could course this and what should I be eating and drinking before and during rides to maximise my performance as I haven't the foggiest. The only thing I do do is take on plenty of water during the ride.

Cheers in advance

sexysi

You should find the more you ride the quicker you improve, I started commuting on a road bike 3 months ago, 10miles either way. After doing this for 3 months I now commute 200miles a week and do an MTB off road ride of 16miles. Different riding styles, but the road riding has helped my MTB riding. I am similar build, but carry more weight. But in doing the milage I have lost a stone in 3 months, just by riding.

Map some routes on RIDEWITHGPS website that way you can log routes, times and distances.

My commute ride is 20miles and all i do is take fluid. And have some nice porridge when i get to work. On the off road ride, i also just take fluid, but have some pasta before hand.

si

1mancity2

Depends on how long your riding, plenty of water all the time sips are better than one long drink,

I eat a couple of bananas before riding and drink 1/2 ltr of water (about 1hr before), really important not to start getting dehydrated as this just saps your energy.

Take some energy gels or cereal bars with you and take one an hour in or if your hammering it or unfit 1/2 hour in.
If you need a fast fix jelly babys are great!

Keep riding and you can only improve

paulmgreen

I just saw this post after posting a similar question myself!

Trev Magill

bwstokie wrote:

Hi all

Been plodding along generally improving and getting fitter for the last 9 months but have always struggled with the climbs most notably due to lack of technique which of course will come with time.

I'm a fairly big lad, 6'0 and about 16.5 stone, with fairly short legs. I generally push myself
as much as I can and ride at Cannock as much as I can but keep getting feelings of energy dips as in my legs have nothing in them at various points during my rides.

What could course this and what should I be eating and drinking before and during rides to maximise my performance as I haven't the foggiest. The only thing I do do is take on plenty of water during the ride.

Cheers in advance

What you can do is:-
A. Check your seat is at the right hight.:- Sit on the seat with the peddle fully down so your heel just touches the top of the peddle when your leg is fully extended. ( This should make your rides easier on your legs )

B. Change gear.:- Change down to a suitable gear just before you hit the hill, not on the hill as this will wreck the gearing.

C. Suspension.:- If you ride a full susser enable pro peddle if you have it, as this should help to alleviate the bounce when peddling and won't sap your energy. Also set the sag in the shock so it will only sag by 1/4 - 1/3 when you sit on the bike. Do the same with the front (forks).

D. JUST KEEP ON RIDING. The more you ride the better you get

A good bowl of porrage oats ( not ready break ) in the morning will set you up for the day as its a slow release energy food. On long rides I take an assortment of oatmeal bars and some chocolate for an instant fix.

Drink water at room temperature for a couple of hours before you go out as your body absorbs it easer so you hydrate faster.