Just started cycling again. Though I was going to die!!
Discussion
Hey all, after a long 8 year break I've gotten myself another mtb and started cycling again so went and bought myself a full sus mongoose teocali and set off for the first time last night!
I have a bunch of friends who regulary do an evening ride around chichester, approx 11 miles with 3 very sever hills in it.
Now, I used to ride allllllll the time everywhere in my late teens/early twenties and now I'm 28.
I must confess that when I stopped it was thanks to discovering cars, motorbikes, booze (although I barely drink now if ever) and of course as many girls as poss but now though, I'm paying the price. I made it up the first hill with a brief stop then a downhill, bit of flat then another hill that was more like a wall!! I made it up the first 20% then collapsed, got back on, collapsed, kept going, walked, collapsed, got back on on a flatter section, collapsed again, puked, walked to the top and had a rest.
That was the mdium hill of the three too, I later understood why they call the last one cardiac hill. . . .
Anyways, after last night I've realised my natural fitness from my youth is gone and its going to take serious work to bring some decent fitness back.
Any reccomendations for a training plan to get myself back on form?
The guys I know are HARDCORE and I think I'm expecting too much to be able to even keep them in sight let alone keep up just yet.
Would regular road roads of ten miles working up in 5 mile mile increases be good?
Would setting myself a goal of being able to do a fast 20 mile road ride under a certain time after say a month or two be good?
I must say that despite seeing the reaper chasing me down the trails to take me away and having a head on into a tree (that was ferkin funny!!!) I had a great time and can't wait until next time!
All help and advice is greatly appreciated!!!
I have a bunch of friends who regulary do an evening ride around chichester, approx 11 miles with 3 very sever hills in it.
Now, I used to ride allllllll the time everywhere in my late teens/early twenties and now I'm 28.
I must confess that when I stopped it was thanks to discovering cars, motorbikes, booze (although I barely drink now if ever) and of course as many girls as poss but now though, I'm paying the price. I made it up the first hill with a brief stop then a downhill, bit of flat then another hill that was more like a wall!! I made it up the first 20% then collapsed, got back on, collapsed, kept going, walked, collapsed, got back on on a flatter section, collapsed again, puked, walked to the top and had a rest.
That was the mdium hill of the three too, I later understood why they call the last one cardiac hill. . . .
Anyways, after last night I've realised my natural fitness from my youth is gone and its going to take serious work to bring some decent fitness back.
Any reccomendations for a training plan to get myself back on form?
The guys I know are HARDCORE and I think I'm expecting too much to be able to even keep them in sight let alone keep up just yet.
Would regular road roads of ten miles working up in 5 mile mile increases be good?
Would setting myself a goal of being able to do a fast 20 mile road ride under a certain time after say a month or two be good?
I must say that despite seeing the reaper chasing me down the trails to take me away and having a head on into a tree (that was ferkin funny!!!) I had a great time and can't wait until next time!
All help and advice is greatly appreciated!!!
Best thing you can do it ride as much as you can!
I was riding 4 times a week until recently and for the past 3 weeks have only managed to ride 3 times a week. The difference in my fitness is really noticeable. There's a section I do regularly which was taking me about 17 minutes without even breaking a sweat. If I go at my current "normal" pace it takes about 19 minutes. To get near 17 mins I have to really kill myself
I really need to up my game, as I've entered a 24 hour event for charity next month
I was riding 4 times a week until recently and for the past 3 weeks have only managed to ride 3 times a week. The difference in my fitness is really noticeable. There's a section I do regularly which was taking me about 17 minutes without even breaking a sweat. If I go at my current "normal" pace it takes about 19 minutes. To get near 17 mins I have to really kill myself
I really need to up my game, as I've entered a 24 hour event for charity next month
Im afraid im in the same boat, except i stopped cycling for approx 12 months and when i deceded to get back into it i think i might have jumped straight into the deep-end like yourself with large climbs (which also nearly killed me lol) however after going on that rought only twice i have felt my fitness level increase significantly i managed to shaved 35 mins off my initial trail ride time by the second time i did it. i think that next time you go on your trail you will be able to do it much easier than last time.
cheers
cheers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walna_Scar
This ^ nearly did for me a few months back. God it hurt. The problem was, was that I was so knackered after getting up it that I couldn't focus on the quite fantastic descent that you're treated to after reaching the summit. Maybe puking might have helped?
I reckon with a few more months riding I'll be flying up it..........maybe.
This ^ nearly did for me a few months back. God it hurt. The problem was, was that I was so knackered after getting up it that I couldn't focus on the quite fantastic descent that you're treated to after reaching the summit. Maybe puking might have helped?
I reckon with a few more months riding I'll be flying up it..........maybe.
It will come back pretty quick, altought its a bit of an exponential curve - You'll get moderately fit quite easily, bit more effort and you'll be keeping up fine. But getting to that higher level takes much, much more effort.
The best way to get fit for cycling, is just to keep at it. Ride bikes as much as you possible can. And remember to mix it up - long easy rides where you can sit and spin for 3+ hours and cover a lot of distance, and then little blasts round the woods, max attack, hitting every berm, hammering every climg and jumping off every lip till your heart bursts out your chest.
Your choice of bike is perhaps not the ideal for someone just getting back into it, and it wont be the easiest on those long fireroad climbs for sure, but dont let that put you off. As you get better you'll appreciate the frame more, the Teocali's are really nice at ripping rocky singletrack.
Its great riding with other people, this is what I'm missing at the moment. Particularly if your competitive, make every ride a race. A fun thing to do -
Take your usual Sunday ride - and every so often aim to completely decimate your mates. Dont tell them, but prepare, dont go out on the beers the night before, wear your best gear, make sure your bike is working its best.
Dont let on at all, casual as possible. And then absolutely dust them on every climb and never let them catch their breath.
Sounds cruel, but it works really well - you all end up raising your game. The next week it may be you thats taken by surprise, when someone suggests you add another 10mile loop on. And as a matter of pride, your not going to say no, are you?
Before you know it theres a gang of you turning up to trailheads and riding like absolute Gods, covering massive distances.
Note - Im not making out to be a MTB God myself, far from it, but I do ride a lot and this is my best advice. Just stick at it, push yourself.
Once you start getting good, its an exceptionally rewarding sport. Good times, good friends, good trails :Big skid smiley:
The best way to get fit for cycling, is just to keep at it. Ride bikes as much as you possible can. And remember to mix it up - long easy rides where you can sit and spin for 3+ hours and cover a lot of distance, and then little blasts round the woods, max attack, hitting every berm, hammering every climg and jumping off every lip till your heart bursts out your chest.
Your choice of bike is perhaps not the ideal for someone just getting back into it, and it wont be the easiest on those long fireroad climbs for sure, but dont let that put you off. As you get better you'll appreciate the frame more, the Teocali's are really nice at ripping rocky singletrack.
Its great riding with other people, this is what I'm missing at the moment. Particularly if your competitive, make every ride a race. A fun thing to do -
Take your usual Sunday ride - and every so often aim to completely decimate your mates. Dont tell them, but prepare, dont go out on the beers the night before, wear your best gear, make sure your bike is working its best.
Dont let on at all, casual as possible. And then absolutely dust them on every climb and never let them catch their breath.
Sounds cruel, but it works really well - you all end up raising your game. The next week it may be you thats taken by surprise, when someone suggests you add another 10mile loop on. And as a matter of pride, your not going to say no, are you?
Before you know it theres a gang of you turning up to trailheads and riding like absolute Gods, covering massive distances.
Note - Im not making out to be a MTB God myself, far from it, but I do ride a lot and this is my best advice. Just stick at it, push yourself.
Once you start getting good, its an exceptionally rewarding sport. Good times, good friends, good trails :Big skid smiley:
Edited by snotrag on Friday 4th April 13:42
snotrag said:
It will come back pretty quick, altought its a bit of an exponential curve - You'll get moderately fit quite easily, bit more effort and you'll be keeping up fine. But getting to that higher level takes much, much more effort.
The best way to get fit for cycling, is just to keep at it. Ride bikes as much as you possible can. And remember to mix it up - long easy rides where you can sit and spin for 3+ hours and cover a lot of distance, and then little blasts round the woods, max attack, hitting every berm, hammering every climg and jumping off every lip till your heart bursts out your chest.
Your choice of bike is perhaps not the ideal for someone just getting back into it, and it wont be the easiest on those long fireroad climbs for sure, but dont let that put you off. As you get better you'll appreciate the frame more, the Teocali's are really nice at ripping rocky singletrack.
Its great riding with other people, this is what I'm missing at the moment. Particularly if your competitive, make every ride a race. A fun thing to do -
Take your usual Sunday ride - and every so often aim to completely decimate your mates. Dont tell them, but prepare, dont go out on the beers the night before, wear your best gear, make sure your bike is working its best.
Dont let on at all, casual as possible. And then absolutely dust them on every climb and never let them catch their breath.
Sounds cruel, but it works really well - you all end up raising your game. The next week it may be you thats taken by surprise, when someone suggests you add another 10mile loop on. And as a matter of pride, your not going to say no, are you?
Before you know it theres a gang of you turning up to trailheads and riding like absolute Gods, covering massive distances.
Note - Im not making out to be a MTB God myself, far from it, but I do ride a lot and this is my best advice. Just stick at it, push yourself.
Once you start getting good, its an exceptionally rewarding sport. Good times, good friends, good trails :Big skid smiley:
That is some awesome advice thankyou!!The best way to get fit for cycling, is just to keep at it. Ride bikes as much as you possible can. And remember to mix it up - long easy rides where you can sit and spin for 3+ hours and cover a lot of distance, and then little blasts round the woods, max attack, hitting every berm, hammering every climg and jumping off every lip till your heart bursts out your chest.
Your choice of bike is perhaps not the ideal for someone just getting back into it, and it wont be the easiest on those long fireroad climbs for sure, but dont let that put you off. As you get better you'll appreciate the frame more, the Teocali's are really nice at ripping rocky singletrack.
Its great riding with other people, this is what I'm missing at the moment. Particularly if your competitive, make every ride a race. A fun thing to do -
Take your usual Sunday ride - and every so often aim to completely decimate your mates. Dont tell them, but prepare, dont go out on the beers the night before, wear your best gear, make sure your bike is working its best.
Dont let on at all, casual as possible. And then absolutely dust them on every climb and never let them catch their breath.
Sounds cruel, but it works really well - you all end up raising your game. The next week it may be you thats taken by surprise, when someone suggests you add another 10mile loop on. And as a matter of pride, your not going to say no, are you?
Before you know it theres a gang of you turning up to trailheads and riding like absolute Gods, covering massive distances.
Note - Im not making out to be a MTB God myself, far from it, but I do ride a lot and this is my best advice. Just stick at it, push yourself.
Once you start getting good, its an exceptionally rewarding sport. Good times, good friends, good trails :Big skid smiley:
Edited by snotrag on Friday 4th April 13:42
So yes the general consensus is to keep pounding away (at the trails) and build up to a decent level.
Yes I know what you mean by possibly the wrong choice of bikes, it has alot of travel, heavy and can get a bit of a bob on sometimes, super comfy though :thumbs: but I was the victim of shiny bike syndrome the other day. . . . .
I don't need it and its abilities are out of sight and waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more then I'll ever need but its one of the sexiest man made machines I've ever seen (up their with mustangs, F14's and les paul gibsons in my book!).
Its a Gt Zaskar Carbon Expert and I had to have one, arrives 23rd of may! Boys and their toys. . . .
Edited by ihatesissycars on Friday 4th April 14:16
anniesdad said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walna_Scar
This ^ nearly did for me a few months back. God it hurt. The problem was, was that I was so knackered after getting up it that I couldn't focus on the quite fantastic descent that you're treated to after reaching the summit. Maybe puking might have helped?
I reckon with a few more months riding I'll be flying up it..........maybe.
Having a puke is not advised as you can rest assured, your mates will not let you live it down. This ^ nearly did for me a few months back. God it hurt. The problem was, was that I was so knackered after getting up it that I couldn't focus on the quite fantastic descent that you're treated to after reaching the summit. Maybe puking might have helped?
I reckon with a few more months riding I'll be flying up it..........maybe.
My new name is Mary to them now. . . .
I am in the same position, having hopped back on my bike on Monday after a 7 or 8 year break. At the ripe old age of 33, I have found out over the last week that I am no way near as fit as I used to be!!!!!
I now do a 6.5 mile loop that is 75% bridleways / greenlanes every lunchtime whenever I am working from home and I absolutely love it. On the first day, I thought I was going to cough a lung up but I can already feel a little improvement and after just 4 rides this week, today's time was nearly 15 minutes quicker than the original time I set on Monday. If I can get the time down by another 5 minutes, I am going to add another mile into the loop & then keep doing this throughout the summer (unfortunately, I have to limit myself to an hour for the ride & shower afterwards!)
I now do a 6.5 mile loop that is 75% bridleways / greenlanes every lunchtime whenever I am working from home and I absolutely love it. On the first day, I thought I was going to cough a lung up but I can already feel a little improvement and after just 4 rides this week, today's time was nearly 15 minutes quicker than the original time I set on Monday. If I can get the time down by another 5 minutes, I am going to add another mile into the loop & then keep doing this throughout the summer (unfortunately, I have to limit myself to an hour for the ride & shower afterwards!)
Edited by schmalex on Friday 4th April 16:00
Ditto all the above advice - I went out yesterday, with some old friends who I used to dust for a pastime years ago.
Only, I've not really been riding regularly for a while, and they destroyed me - penance for all the those rides years ago where I wasted them.
My legs were simply jelly at the end of the day - the Afan climbs really taking it out on me
Hopefully some riding to work will sort this out...
Only, I've not really been riding regularly for a while, and they destroyed me - penance for all the those rides years ago where I wasted them.
My legs were simply jelly at the end of the day - the Afan climbs really taking it out on me
Hopefully some riding to work will sort this out...
ihatesissycars said:
Whats a good source of protein these days. . . . .
Same as it was in the old days.- dons flack jacket*
Poultry, Red meat, Soya, Pulses, Bread, Eggs, Fish.
Slow carbs: Low Sugar Cereals and Meusli. Medium carbs: Potatoes and bread.
Juat eat a balanced diet with "good" fats.
No-noes: Pastry. Cakes, Diet drinks (Aspertame), Processed food, Fast food.
Science in Sport (SIS) REGO is good for post ride protien refuelling - only after epics though.
Or cheaper protien shakes powder from health stores, but don't overdo it on the shakes or you will put on weight and defeat the object.
Dont forget to eat something every hour while riding and drink enough while at it.
Remember eat before your hungry.
Other than that as said ride a bike - and sleep in a hyperbaric chamber obviously!
Or cheaper protien shakes powder from health stores, but don't overdo it on the shakes or you will put on weight and defeat the object.
Dont forget to eat something every hour while riding and drink enough while at it.
Remember eat before your hungry.
Other than that as said ride a bike - and sleep in a hyperbaric chamber obviously!
Edited by racingsnake on Wednesday 9th April 15:23
racingsnake said:
Science in Sport (SIS) REGO is good for post ride protien refuelling - only after epics though.
Or cheaper protien shakes powder from health stores, but don't overdo it on the shakes or you will put on weight and defeat the object.
Dont forget to eat something every hour while riding and drink enough while at it.
Remember eat before your hungry.
Other than that as said ride a bike - and sleep in a hyperbaric chamber obviously!
Put on weight, to most they may defeat the object but I've just hit 11 stone for the first time in my life so a bit more weight would be good!!Or cheaper protien shakes powder from health stores, but don't overdo it on the shakes or you will put on weight and defeat the object.
Dont forget to eat something every hour while riding and drink enough while at it.
Remember eat before your hungry.
Other than that as said ride a bike - and sleep in a hyperbaric chamber obviously!
Edited by racingsnake on Wednesday 9th April 15:23
Is it possible to build one self up yet get fitter at the same time? I've been led to believe you can only pursue one not the other?
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