uclown2002
Guru
- Location
- Harrogate
I hope this is not seen as self serving but is in response to some recent newbie posts, about training for a sportive in 6 months time and/or HR Zone training, fuelling for rides etc. I thought I'd share my experience in the hope someone can take something from it, as I think some people over think matters.
My ride yesterday was in far from ideal conditions, given a strong wind and a route with a bit of climbing:- http://app.strava.com/activities/111726947
Some context though is required:-
I'm the wrong side of 50 and have been cycling for short of 3 years. At the outset I was slim and had a good level of base fitness, due to other sports and gym work so perhaps not the starting point for most new to cycling. I also accept that others may not have the time or inclination to put in the effort that I have done, and that we would all respond differently.
Now, I've never raced or trained properly. I've merely just gone out and ridden my bike as often as I could. I've had no preconceived ideas of how hard I was going to ride. I got myself a Garmin 800 and an account with strava which certainly motivated me to ride more and increase my speed.
That ride yesterday as my 46th consecutive day without a break, covering 2079 miles All days were between 40-50 miles but it works out as a daily average of 45 miles. I've never done anything close to a recovery ride but I do take it easy generally when I commute. Yesterday was done after a 12 hour night shift and 3 hours sleep. It was also done on an empty stomach, 12 hours after my last intake of food. I do not take any food or even water with me as I found I would only need a drink on a warm day. No doubt I have conditioned myself to do this but perhaps are not going to hit the wall after 20 mile of a regular ride.
Clearly, if you want to race and be the best cyclist you can be then at some stage you may want to train properly and target specific HR zones, but if your ambition initially is to increase stamina and endurance then just get out there and ride your bike, increasing distances and duration over the long haul.
My ride yesterday was in far from ideal conditions, given a strong wind and a route with a bit of climbing:- http://app.strava.com/activities/111726947
Some context though is required:-
I'm the wrong side of 50 and have been cycling for short of 3 years. At the outset I was slim and had a good level of base fitness, due to other sports and gym work so perhaps not the starting point for most new to cycling. I also accept that others may not have the time or inclination to put in the effort that I have done, and that we would all respond differently.
Now, I've never raced or trained properly. I've merely just gone out and ridden my bike as often as I could. I've had no preconceived ideas of how hard I was going to ride. I got myself a Garmin 800 and an account with strava which certainly motivated me to ride more and increase my speed.
That ride yesterday as my 46th consecutive day without a break, covering 2079 miles All days were between 40-50 miles but it works out as a daily average of 45 miles. I've never done anything close to a recovery ride but I do take it easy generally when I commute. Yesterday was done after a 12 hour night shift and 3 hours sleep. It was also done on an empty stomach, 12 hours after my last intake of food. I do not take any food or even water with me as I found I would only need a drink on a warm day. No doubt I have conditioned myself to do this but perhaps are not going to hit the wall after 20 mile of a regular ride.
Clearly, if you want to race and be the best cyclist you can be then at some stage you may want to train properly and target specific HR zones, but if your ambition initially is to increase stamina and endurance then just get out there and ride your bike, increasing distances and duration over the long haul.
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is 54 miles taking in box hill 
