new and very intimidated

[hannes]

I used to be very athletic and cycling was one of my favorite things to do (in a very amateur way). Since then, I've gotten married, had two children and find myself 30 lbs. overweight, out of shape and needing some help and advice as to how to get back into it without killing myself off. Any advice on how to begin the journey back to fitness and being a really great cyclist in my own rite? I have a tentative goal to at least be able to participate in a 25-mile race this June. Do you think I have time to get ready? I'm not set on coming in first, but I do want to feel like I belong. Any and all comments welcome.

[spokes]

the racing aspect i can't help with, but the rest is pretty much where i started last june. i was overweight and out of shape and inspired by toronto's bike week promo program-- which is the point, i guess. i bought a bike and accessories and started biking to work and loved it. i'm still overweight -- but working on it -- and biking 2000 kilometers last year certainly improved my fitness level.
so, to address your questions...

Any advice on how to begin the journey back to fitness and being a really great cyclist in my own rite? I have a tentative goal to at least be able to participate in a 25-mile race this June. Do you think I have time to get ready?

i started off by cycling work 3 - 4 times a week, 21 kms each way. interestingly, they say biking is the fastest way to improve your fitness level. after a month or so of biking i was feeling much better about it. if i'd set my mind to it and worked for it, i'd say five months would've been sufficient training time for a 25-mile race, even starting from scratch like i did, and like you would be. i think if you decide this is something you want to accomplish, you'll be able to. in my limited experience, and being a commuter/just-for-fun cyclist, the mental aspect is always more challenging than the physical... meaning, at five in the morning your bed is way more appealing than your bike. i've never raced, but as far as i know the important thing is to ride as much as possible. make your saddle more comfortable than your couch, and enjoy the view between your handlebars!!

[annie]

Been where you are, hannes. That was almost 20 years ago for me, been riding a loooooong time I guess. Doesn't seem like it..................

I had a bike as a kid, rode to work when I got a little older, watched my younger brother race a bike, but never really got into it. UNTIL I hit my late 20's, saw the end of RAGBRAI come to my town, decided to do it the next year and never looked back. I was married, already had 2 kids, had 2 more in the following few years, but rode as much as I could. Now, with my youngest turning 16, I have a fair amount of free time. I can ride quite a bit. And I do....... Okay, now to remember what it is like starting out.

You already have a goal. That's great. It will help keep you motivated when it gets tough. Not just the riding, but finding the time to ride. Sometimes you have to be a little selfish and just take the time for yourself. Hopefully, your husband and kids can understand you need to be good to you, too.

Start out with modest distances. Get comfortable on your bike. Add mileage gradually. When you have a few hundred miles under you, try to pick up your pace on some of your rides. If you slowly increase distance and intensity, you will improve. Read the advice on pedaling. There's tons of advice all over this site as far as bike choice, what to wear. So much here that you can spend lots of time just reading. When you come across a specific question, just ask and you'll get answers. There's really too much to cover, too much to even think of in one e-mail.

One more thing------try and find some people to ride with who have similar goals. You can all help each other. It's very motivating to ride with others.

[hannes]

Thanks so much for your replies. Yes, my husband is very supportive, it's mostly my insecurities that have led me to where I am. I'm ready to put that behind me and attack life, if you know what I mean. I absolutely love riding, but I think I'm going to need a different bike. I have a feeling that any investment will be worth it.

Another question...
On the days I can't get out, would an indoor bike like a Schwinn Airdyne work to build endurance?

[pedalfaster]

I had a bad bike-crash when I was 12 years old...and didn't touch a bike again until I was 31. My brother convinced me to try a race (mtb) three months later...it was a blast and I made many of my best friends through bike-racing.

So...if we all can do it, you can too!

What type of race do you plan to enter? That will, in part determine some of your training. 25 miles for a mountain bike race would be considered fairly long and you would really need to train for endurance. For a road race, that's on the short side. If it's a crit you will really really need to hunker down and work on your pack skills and cornering if you are "rusty". If it's a time trial you'll want to practice getting in your aerobars and train by heart-rate.

If you already own the Airdyne....great! If not you may be better off getting a trainer (lots of threads on those on this board!) and usuing the bike you plan to race.

Good luck

[hannes]

Yup, I already own the Airdyne. Brand new in 2001. I'll start building basic endurance with that and I'll be looking into a new bike.

Do you suppose I could use my dad's bike for the race this spring and just change out the saddle and handlebars? I'm absolutely clueless so thanks for letting me ask all of these questions.

[hannes]

oh, yes. It's a road race I plan to enter. They have the options for 25, 50 and 100 miles. Last spring, I was planning on the 100, but after a really hard winter (lots of sickness in the house), I'm paring it down to something I think I could handle in 4 or 5 moths time. Who knows? Maybe by the time I get there, I'll feel ready for more!

[annie]

Originally posted by hannes

Do you suppose I could use my dad's bike for the race this spring and just change out the saddle and handlebars? I'm absolutely clueless so thanks for letting me ask all of these questions.

Of course, you COULD ride your dad's bike in the race if that's your best option and if the bike fits you. I think the main thing is the fit. Then you'll need saddle time on the bike so you are used it, know how it handles, know you are comfortable riding it. Will it be available for you to use whenever you ride or does he ride quite a bit, too?

Ideally a bike of your own would be best, but, hey, things aren't always ideal and if you have to make do with a bit less, you can still do it and do well and move up when it works for you.

Keep us posted on how things go.........

[hannes]

He's very tall, but so am I and my upper body to leg ratio is definitely in favor of my legs. LOOOOOONG legs. ugh. It does come in handy, though. His bike is very comfortable. In fact, it was the one I rode for a few years before I got married. And you answer your other question, no, my dad doesn't ride at all. It's just hanging in his garage. I think I'll call him tonight and see about investing in a saddle and new tires and get it all updated and spiffed. Maybe even take it to a bike shop so a professional can advise me on what this bike would need and what I would need. I take itfrom other posts that I would need a computer of some sort to track miles and speed. I love that idea.

Thanks again for your help you all.

[pedalfaster]

Originally posted by hannes
oh, yes. It's a road race I plan to enter. They have the options for 25, 50 and 100 miles.

Races vs. Rides

hannes, I'm not sure about your event, but since this is the New Rider forum I thought I'd post a bit about the differences between rides and races.

Generally when you have options on distance the event is classified as a "ride".

A road race will have catagories (in the US, on the road, a female new to the sport would race Women's Cat 4) and each catagory has it's own set distance. You pay your entry fee, the riders line up at the start (there may be other catagories starting with you, but you are not racing them) you all start at the same time and the first woman across the line wins.

A ride is also a paid event. You may or may not get a number or a "fanny flag" (something to identify you as a participant in the event). There may be a mass-start or a suggested start-time, but you will see many riders leave before and after that time. You will usually be given a map and/or cure-sheet. Rides also have plenty of food and water stops and a support vehicle (you'll encounter the term SAG=support and gear).

The goals (and rewards) of participating in a paid ride are many. They can include supporting a favorite charity, camaraderie, ogling fit guys in lycra (one of my personal favorites!) and meeting personal fitness goals. The point of a ride is usually not to "finish first", but to finish well. If you feel great and made a few friends along the way, that's a "successful" ride.

Some people *do* ride these paid rides like a race. Racers and fast recreational types will sometimes use these for training, they usually ride the longest route available and leave fairly early.

As usual, YMMV

[cathy]

OK, pedalfaster, what else can you divulge about racing. I'd like to begin racing cat 4, but I'm somehwat intimidated by the unknowns (etiquette, yellow line, pacing, USCF licenses, etc.).

Any advice?

Any suggestions for a good Arizona race for beginners?

[pedalfaster]

I have more experience racing and coaching mountain biking, but hopefully I can point you in the right direction

For good general race info check out USA Cycling

There are some good first-hand race reports

here

Many beginning road racers start off with a time-trial. A time trial is "you against the clock". By doing a time-trial first you get comfortable with the whole racing ~thing~. Getting to the venue on-time. Signing up. Warming up. Hydrating etc etc. The nice thing is that you really don't have to worry about other riders. It will also give you a gauge of your fitness and how you compare (speed-wise) to the other women in your area and catagory. The only really weird part for new time-trialers is the "hold". Practice having a friend hold you steady on the bike with you clipped in, then pedaling off when released.

Road races are what the general public thinks of when you say "bike race". You'll start in a group and the first woman across the line is the winner. As I mentioned you may start with other groups (juniors and sometimes masters) but you aren't supposed to mingle with their group or work with their riders. The race is between you and the other CAT4 women. The promoter should discuss these rules (as well as the yellow-line rule ) before the start of the race.

Crits (short for criterium) are fast races over short courses that run for time rather than distance. The are often held local parks (or office parks) or downtown areas. The women' race for example, might be 45 minutes + 3. This means you race for 45 minutes, then the announcer calls "three laps to go" and things get crazy. A bell is rung on the final lap and that's when the sprinters start to jockey for position. Make sure that your pack riding and cornering skills are in tip-top shape before attempting a crit.

For both crits and road races it's a good idea to be already comfortable with group rides. If you are not doing group rides, join a club or ask about training rides at the local bike shop. You should be comfortable touching/bumping other riders, pacelining, and drinking before you attempt a race.

All most all USCF races have on-site registration and one-day licenses.

To find races in your area, again ask at the LBS (sorry I don't have any AZ knowledge).

Good luck and have fun

[cathy]

Thanks a ton! I definitely have a goal to race this season and will post ALL my experiences here.

[IronHorse213]

Greetings and welcome hannes,

If you've not been riding at all, 25 miles may be too much, it depends on your general fitness level starting out.

But, last year, after a 15 year lag, I started weight training in the winter, (tapered off by March) didn't ride lots on the ground (indoor bike and elipitcal trainer) and by June 21st. I was able to do 30 miles on gentle Vermont hills (not a race) on a mtn bike.

I highly recommend weight training, especially for the legs - squats, leg curls, etc. - it made an amazing difference in my legs.

Keep in touch re: your progress and Good luck!

[doctorfrau]

Don't be too afraid to try though...

I bought my first bike since high school, last summer for my 40th birthday.

I bought the (used mountain) bike in late June, and a month later rode the 30-mile version of a longer mountainous ride. The 30-miler covered the foothills around the mountains rather than over them. My goal was to not need the SAG wagon or an ambulance.

I finished in 3.5 hours, and felt like I could have ridden for longer. I wasn't even as sore as I thought I would be. Only thing was that I had ulnar nerve palsy for about three days afterward, from my deathgrip on the handlebars!

I wanna do it again this year (or maybe the 50?) with my new roadbike.

So anyway -- don't be afraid to set a goal - even a small one like mine! If you want to try - then go for it!