Training advice

swalker

Hi all,

I’m new to this forum – to any cycling forums really so have a couple of quick questions for some of you more experienced riders out there.

I took up cycling at the beginning of this year to lose some weight.

Managed to get from 13 stone to 10 and half by September. Since then I have been on my honeymoon and put a bit back on. I am now back on the bike and trying to get back down to my September weight.

I really enjoy cycling and have entered a couple of sportives for early next year.

So my questions are:-

I now have a trainer for the dark nights. I am trying to do 3 x 45 mins sessions on the trainer every week. I average a cadence of 80 in 6th gear for the duration. My first sportive is in March so want to be fully prepared for it. Can I be doing anything else to help improve my fitness? Should I be doing longer workouts? Higher gears? I am working very hard when on the trainer but imagine I will be able to push harder the fitter I get.

Second question is – does anyone else get a numb feeling in their genitals when on a trainer? I assume its to do with my saddle and way I sit so will make some adjustments and hope it solves the problem. Again, any advice welcome!

Thanks again
Simon

danowat

swalker wrote:

I am trying to do 3 x 45 mins sessions on the trainer every week. I average a cadence of 80 in 6th gear for the duration. My first sportive is in March so want to be fully prepared for it. Can I be doing anything else to help improve my fitness?

Yes, train more, 2hr's 15mins a week isn't much.

poynedexter

given the anal attitude of a few experts around here, it has become very difficult to offer much advice without fear of reprisal.

however, by the sound of it, just try and do what worked earlier in the year, unless it was too rigid for you to maintain. dont go "on" a diet, maintain a "good" diet for life is my advice.

and yes i've had the numb nuts too. an adjusted seat and a phone book under the front wheel works wonders.

swalker

The front wheel!!!! Of course - ill try the phone book tonight!!

I appreciate we all have different views - this is the first winter I have been on the bike. Earlier in the year I went out about 4 times a week 20 - 30 miles each when evenings were light.

With the dark nights ill try and keep on the trainer through the winter and average 4 hours a week.

Thanks for your advice poynedexter - ill try and keep a good diet.

Herbsman

Do you go out at the weekend?

swalker

Herbsman wrote:

Do you go out at the weekend?

Yes, I try to get a ride in at the weekend. 1.5 - 2 hrs at the minute.