Building k's slowly

Tashman

Been riding a 10.5 km circuit to strengthen my knee (ACL replacement in Feb) over the last couple of months. Only infrequent due to other commitments.

Last night I rode a new longer route. 14km, very up and down but it felt good! This cycling lark is adictive. Looking forward to the weekend to stretching the distance further now my commitments are done

Jamie©

It really is! I've only just come back to cycling after a 8 year lay off and my first foray into road cycling. Mid July I picked up my first (ever) road bike and took it for a 3.5km test ride - I felt like I was going to collapse!

Been building up the Ks slowly and steadily since and done my first 40km last Sunday!

Found I'm addicted to buying kit as well....

Man Of Lard

Tashman wrote:

Been riding a 10.5 km circuit to strengthen my knee (ACL replacement in Feb) over the last couple of months. Only infrequent due to other commitments.

Last night I rode a new longer route. 14km, very up and down but it felt good! This cycling lark is adictive. Looking forward to the weekend to stretching the distance further now my commitments are done

My advice would be not to build up too rapidly - or to ride your normal route and add a 3-5km "twiddle" on it (for me that's a lap of the local country park) near home because you really don't want to bonk miles from home if you reach your limit. If that poses no problems extend the "basic" route by the "twiddle" amount next time and do the twiddle again...

imposter2.0

I think the risk of bonking while on a 14km loop is pretty low, to be honest.

fenix

Just keep the gears low and spin the pedals rather than push. Less load on the knee.

Tashman

Fenix wrote:

Just keep the gears low and spin the pedals rather than push. Less load on the knee.

This is exactly what i reverted to last night. The climbs felt hard to me, but no doubt an experienced rider wouldn't blink!

Tashman

Man Of Lard wrote:

Tashman wrote:

Been riding a 10.5 km circuit to strengthen my knee (ACL replacement in Feb) over the last couple of months. Only infrequent due to other commitments.

Last night I rode a new longer route. 14km, very up and down but it felt good! This cycling lark is adictive. Looking forward to the weekend to stretching the distance further now my commitments are done

My advice would be not to build up too rapidly - or to ride your normal route and add a 3-5km "twiddle" on it (for me that's a lap of the local country park) near home because you really don't want to bonk miles from home if you reach your limit. If that poses no problems extend the "basic" route by the "twiddle" amount next time and do the twiddle again...

Thanks, I'm lucky that where i live is in rolling countryside so i'm just working on differing loops around my village so never too far from home. Realised last night that although i was carrying a puncture kit i'd have no way to inflate it after. Guess i'll have to mess up the beautiful lines of the bike and add a small pump

Man Of Lard

Imposter wrote:

I think the risk of bonking while on a 14km loop is pretty low, to be honest.

I agree but it was more trying to avoid the temptation of "I can do 14, so next time out I'll do 40" (and then get "found out" 20km from home and need to either limp home or call the domestic rescue service and be treated to an ear-bashing )

Tashman

Man Of Lard wrote:

Imposter wrote:

I think the risk of bonking while on a 14km loop is pretty low, to be honest.

I agree but it was more trying to avoid the temptation of "I can do 14, so next time out I'll do 40" (and then get "found out" 20km from home and need to either limp home or call the domestic rescue service and be treated to an ear-bashing )

Haha, I have a feeling that my particular branch of the "DRS" would gve me a shot sharp answer related around tashboy and tashgirl being tucked up in bed leading to the limp/walk of shame

Man Of Lard

Tashman wrote:

Realised last night that although i was carrying a puncture kit i'd have no way to inflate it after. Guess i'll have to mess up the beautiful lines of the bike and add a small pump

Or get a really small one and stick it in your pocket - something like a SAPO BjRo...

Tashman

Man Of Lard wrote:

Tashman wrote:

Realised last night that although i was carrying a puncture kit i'd have no way to inflate it after. Guess i'll have to mess up the beautiful lines of the bike and add a small pump

Or get a really small one and stick it in your pocket - something like a SAPO BjRo...

Wow, that's tiny, and would fit in my saddle bag! all the pumps i've seen seem much bigger than that

Jerry185

.....and then you'll need the shorts, then a jersey to put your goodies in. Going 'clipless' is another cost + the pedals of course.

Garmin adds excitement to your rides, trying to lash your mates up 'that hill.'

Glasses too for those pesky flying critters whipping you at high speed. Then its arm warmers, snoods, gloves, under Armour. Then your bum will be numb so its a different saddle.

Better tyres, better wheels. Then another bike (look up 'N+1').

Then sportives and bike camps. In Mallorca.

Just say 'no' now and save yourself millions ;-)

Tashman

Jerry185 wrote:

.....and then you'll need the shorts, then a jersey to put your goodies in. Going 'clipless' is another cost + the pedals of course.

Garmin adds excitement to your rides, trying to lash your mates up 'that hill.'

Glasses too for those pesky flying critters whipping you at high speed. Then its arm warmers, snoods, gloves, under Armour. Then your bum will be numb so its a different saddle.

Better tyres, better wheels. Then another bike (look up 'N+1').

Then sportives and bike camps. In Mallorca.

Just say 'no' now and save yourself millions ;-)

Shorts - Check
Jersey - Not yet Football shirt will sufice for the time being
Pedals - Check (Shimano A530) Still using the flat side for now
Shoes - On the christmas list
Garmin - Mobile stowed in saddle bag for now with Strava running
Glasses - wear specs already, may have to get some more cycling styled ones tho or try out contacts again
The rest i look forward too