Is 20 miles in under an hour a realistic goal for a MAMIL?

[Jon George]

[quote="mattobrien, post: 2960826, member: 17550If you fancy joining me and @Andrew_Culture for a quicker rider some day soon, just let me know.[/quote]

Good show! I'd like to get another couple of weeks under my belt before I dare accompany you young whipper-snappers on a faster ride - I'm awaiting parts for my on-board computer/heart monitor so I can check how I'm doing - but it sounds like a great idea.

 

[mattobrien]

Glad you did well today, I thought I had limped round the miles I did this morning but it wasn't too bad and average. I'm noticing a huge difference between those who have consistently put in the miles (regardless of speed) and those of us who haven't.

More miles needed!

You've got a good base level, so it never take long to do the fine tuning and get back up to full pelt, especially as it get warmer.as I said on Sunday, I am finding the longer, slower stuff helps the fast short stuff and vice versa. Basically lots of riding, differing distances and pace.

 

[Jon George]

No, more like level. I do see people with up-tilted saddles and I know from experience I'd get LBP from such a set up. I do core exercises a lot doing building work like wot I do and have very strong back muscles but would still get back pain if not careful.

You, sir, @asterix should consider yourself something of a genius. Though I originally took on your advice with a reasonably open mind - as I thought the seat on my #2 ride was horizontal already - I thought the ache was more to do with no core exercise. However, after going out on the #1 recently - which I received a basic bike-fit for from my LBS after purchase - I compared positions and found #2 seat was, indeed, slightly tilted up. Adjusted and now LBP is a minor discomfort and I'm certain a couple of weeks more core exercises will cure it. Thanks.

 

[uclown2002]

Jon
Any progress towards you goal?

By when do you hope to achieve it?

 

[Jon George]

Jon
Any progress towards you goal?

By when do you hope to achieve it?

@mattobrien has unilaterally set the bar for June (this year ) at the latest, so that's the target I'm gearing my training for. I'm alternating intervals (using the 'hills' in Suffolk to sprint up) and a flat course during the week, and longer, slower rides on Sunday. (But, hey, the sun's out, I feel I owe it myself to catch it and I'm off out on a 40 miler this afternoon, Wednesday. I'll treat it as time for subconscious planning for my writing. ) When the replacement parts arrive for my bike computer, I will report back.

 

[mattobrien]

@mattobrien has unilaterally set the bar for June (this year ) at the latest, so that's the target I'm gearing my training for. I'm alternating intervals (using the 'hills' in Suffolk to sprint up) and a flat course during the week, and longer, slower rides on Sunday. (But, hey, the sun's out, I feel I owe it myself to catch it and I'm off out on a 40 miler this afternoon, Wednesday. I'll treat it as time for subconscious planning for my writing. ) When the replacement parts arrive for my bike computer, I will report back.

I have been looking at how nice a day it is and there isn't a moment I haven't wanted to be on a bike instead of in meetings, or on a train as I am currently. 40 miles ought to help with the short quick stuff too. I am hoping I may have the inclination to go ought tonight after I am home and the little ones are sleeping. Chances are I'll feel tired, but here's hoping I get a second wind...

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I can squeeze in a couple of hours tomorrow morning if you like.

 

[maltloaf]

I've just come across this thread and I'm wondering the same.

I got back into cycling last summer at over 20stone and most of my rides were around 16-20 miles. At the start of the summer, just back on the bike, I was only getting 14mph average. Through the summer I quickly got up to 16s and then regular 17s and managed 18.x twice.

I had to have a month off in September to look after my new baby and ill partner but was back on the bike in October and concentrating on putting miles in my legs which I did 20+ miles almost every day but at dwindling averages. The averages recessed back to 15s and 16s but in the last month or so and especially the last fortnight have really taken off. I have gone from 16s to regular 17s and three of the last four rides have been over 18mph average.

I have a (what I think is realistic) aim of making 19mph my baseline over the summer with a dream of hitting a 20 one day.

This thread has some great encouragement so thank you for that.

My stats, for the record.
Age 41
18.5 stone down from 20.5 stone in October
Last summer/autumn mileage 2285
Max hr 185bmp
Usual training hr 160-165bpm

Many thanks,

Kev

 

[Jon George]

(But, hey, the sun's out, I feel I owe it myself to catch it and I'm off out on a 40 miler this afternoon, Wednesday

It was so nice and I was having so much fun, I did 46, instead.

I can squeeze in a couple of hours tomorrow morning if you like.

If I do any tomorrow, it'll be a short one - I need to recovery from today's over-indulgence!

 

[Jon George]

I have a (what I think is realistic) aim of making 19mph my baseline over the summer with a dream of hitting a 20 one day.
This thread has some great encouragement so thank you for that.

I'll encourage you and you can do the same for me. I just want to do it, at least once. (Without killing myself. )

 

[maltloaf]

I'm pretty sure we can get there and sooner rather than later. My speeds are definitely on the upturn.

 

[400bhp]

I've just come across this thread and I'm wondering the same.

I got back into cycling last summer at over 20stone and most of my rides were around 16-20 miles. At the start of the summer, just back on the bike, I was only getting 14mph average. Through the summer I quickly got up to 16s and then regular 17s and managed 18.x twice.

I had to have a month off in September to look after my new baby and ill partner but was back on the bike in October and concentrating on putting miles in my legs which I did 20+ miles almost every day but at dwindling averages. The averages recessed back to 15s and 16s but in the last month or so and especially the last fortnight have really taken off. I have gone from 16s to regular 17s and three of the last four rides have been over 18mph average.

I have a (what I think is realistic) aim of making 19mph my baseline over the summer with a dream of hitting a 20 one day.

This thread has some great encouragement so thank you for that.

My stats, for the record.
Age 41
18.5 stone down from 20.5 stone in October
Last summer/autumn mileage 2285
Max hr 185bmp
Usual training hr 160-165bpm

Many thanks,

Kev

Go for it!

It will hurt getting there, that's a given,

 

[Cuchilo]

I wonder where you ride to get those times of averages . I did this ride today with a friend http://app.strava.com/activities/117932185 and the average is 16 .
A normal one on my own here http://app.strava.com/activities/117741503 at 14.7 .
I guess maybe as i am in London , traffic and lights slow me down ? Maybe i am just slow . It doesn't bother me really as i don't get hung up on stats i just enjoy what i am doing but it does make me curious .
I guess it also doesn't help that i start my timer before i get out the front door and turn it off when i get in .

 

[maltloaf]

1 mile from my house and I'm in the countryside. It definitely makes a difference not having to stop/start

Here's one of mine ... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/454546878

 

[Herbie]

Over the last two years I have achieved my targets of radically improving my fitness and losing weight. (There's still some flab that could go - that's a work in progress.) There has also been the unexpected bonuses of rediscovering a love for cycling and a passion for being out-and-about in the Suffolk countryside which more than compensates for the effort involved. And while - ironically - I've become less interested in targets the more miles I put in, I still hanker after being able to know I can do 20 miles in under an hour. This time, last year, I was able to do it in an average of just under 18 mph - the heart monitor said it was mostly done in the red zone - but is this a reasonable, and sensible, goal for someone of my age (fifty-five),to aim for?

east peasy