Training programs for cycling

BlackPaw

Is there a definite training program out there that most people can follow. A program designed in a similar manner to the c25k (couch to 5 km - a running program) where not only "time" or "distance" but both combined as in "monday - 26 miles in 1h 30min" for example"

All of the programs, schedules and training plans I have found in the past 2 hours of browsing were all similar

ride 60 min easy/moderate (how much is easy or moderate?) or 10 miles hills (7% steep hills ? 2 %? hills only or hills and flat road?) or some complicated programs like "the time crunched cyclist"

I have been riding mindlessly the past couple of weeks - with random mileage a week from (100-250), some weeks included hills only (7% average) other times I would ride at really slow pace (12-15 mph on average) etc etc..

is it possible to find an answer or a program - anything specific for a beginner cyclist to follow? how do you guys started ? - and what programs did you follow?

Alex_Simmons/RST

<Blatant plug>
You could try one of these:
http://www.rstsport.com/?event=training

Plans are suitable for all levels and are adjusted to suit ride time available, fitness level, recent training, experience and training goal / event type.

</Blatant plug>

Tom Butcher

I didn't follow a programme. I went out on my bike for 2-3 hour rides, phoned a couple of local clubs, did some club runs and evening 10s, found out about local chaingangs and training rides and started doing those.

Each to their own but if you do prefer a structured plan I'd factor in some group riding just so you can see what the standard is which gives you something to aim for.

Bill Black

As a very simple guide:
--do 2 quality (harder) sessions per week;
--do one longer ride per week; and
--try to ride some every day, even if it's only a few minutes as that will continue to develop/preserve the cycling-specific neuromuscular firing patterns.

What is "harder" and "longer" is all relative and over time you will progress so don't worry about trying to equal what others are doing -- unless those others are at your same level it will only lead you astray.
Best,
Bill Black

Muffintop

Cycling Fitness - Summer Edition (the one that Cycling Weekly is affiliated with) had some comprihensive 12 week cycling plans in it. It was all quite specific (heart rate, milage, hill training etc).

Mx

Anonymous

Muffin - where can one find that?
tx

doyler78

Muffintop wrote:

Cycling Fitness - Summer Edition (the one that Cycling Weekly is affiliated with) had some comprihensive 12 week cycling plans in it. It was all quite specific (heart rate, milage, hill training etc).

Mx

The Autumn one should be out any time now so I'd wait for that.