When you first started...

[Kathie]

When you first started cycling, how many miles were you riding per day and per week?
I've had my bike a couple weeks and am riding about 5 times a week and 8-12 miles per ride. I want to set some goals. Did you set goals based on # of days you rode per week or mileage?

[nicole309]

When I first started riding it was mostly commuting and running errands during the week with maybe one 20 -30 mile ride on the weekends. I too wanted some goals to work towards, so I looked at Century Training programs. I started with this one....

http://www.diablocyclists.com/RiderT...ingProgram.doc

found it was too easy and switched to this one...

http://www.diablocyclists.com/RiderT...ingProgram.doc

When I started I had no plans to actually do a Century. I just wanted some weekly goals. Eventually I adapted the Diablocyclists and made it my own. Attached is what I now use. Due to my schedule I can't always ride the correct number of miles on the corresponding days, so I do mix it up. You will also see that I have yet to make my weekly goal!! I always feel better when I have something to work towards!! Start with something easier if it makes you feel better...

[Kathie]

Thank you so much! That is just what I was looking for...I just didn't know it! I appreciate you!

[sundial]

Hi Kathie, I like your Element in your avatar. I have a '04 green machine. I load up my 3-4 dogs, and we head out. I call it the Estrogen Express, lol.

Ok, back to your original question: I cycle 20-25 miles, maybe 3 times a week. I am gradually adding 10% each week so that I don't overdue it. It's easy for me because I become overzealous when I'm really into something. And I also ride some on the indoor trainer.

By the way, what bike rack are you using? I'm leaning towards a Thule since I have the M.O.A.B. Thule basket.

Cathy

[sundial]

Here's my Element:



And here's what I use it for:

[pyxichick]

Oh my gosh, that is so cute!!!

My boyfriend just bought an Element. I told him now we can get a dog since we have a proper dog car.

Your pictures are very inspirational!

Kate

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Kathie, I like your Element in your avatar. I have a '04 green machine. I load up my 3-4 dogs, and we head out. I call it the Estrogen Express, lol.

'04 green Element here too! We stash our bikes inside (back seats removed). DH built a little rack for them in there. Great vehicle!

/thread hijack

Emily

[RoadRaven]

About 3 years ago when I started I was doing 3-4 rides a week - mostly about 10kms and my longest ride each week would be about 20kms.

Now I ride 6 times a week...
This includes a race of about 30-35km each week (unless its a TT which is only 20-25km) plus a warm up and cool down of about 15-20kms as well.

I try and do one ride of about 50-60kms when the weather is nice, and the other rides are about 20-25kms, or an hour on the spin bike.

Not getting much outside time at the moment due to midwinter light and bad weather so am on the spin bike more than I like.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

'04 green Element here too! We stash our bikes inside (back seats removed). DH built a little rack for them in there. Great vehicle!

/thread hijack

Emily

Same here- orange Element with a little floor rack DH built- holds both out road bikes upright back there. Perfect.
We're cat people so we don't need to haul dogs around, just our bikes!

Kathie, you are riding more than I did when I started one year ago. Now I ride about 100 miles a week. I'm 53 and had never exercised or done sports before. You can do anything.

[pyxichick]

Kathie,

I started riding last year and did about 4-5 days a week, maybe 15-30 miles on weekdays, up to 40 miles on weekend days.

Come to think of it, that's about how much I still ride. Only now I actually try to find the hills. In Minneapolis, that's a challenge.

Congratulations on your new obsession. I hope you get hooked as much as I have!

Cheers,
Kate

[indysteel]

When you first started cycling, how many miles were you riding per day and per week?
I've had my bike a couple weeks and am riding about 5 times a week and 8-12 miles per ride. I want to set some goals. Did you set goals based on # of days you rode per week or mileage?

Both...I think. It's all a blur now, even though it was just last June! How sad is that? If I recall, my main goal last summer was to increase how long I could spend in the saddle at any one time. Then--as now--I seem to ride on average about 4 days per week assuming good weather. Much more than that, and I start to have dead legs and my performance goes down. And again due to time and daylight constraints, my weekday rides are usually no longer than 30 miles. That's left the weekend to work on riding longer and longer distances. I don't think I had a specific number in mind last year but this year, I wanted to do my first century in the very least (which I did in May). I also wanted to become a stronger climber (I'm still working on that) and faster (ditto).

As for setting mileage goals, build up gradually by adding no more than 5-10%each week to your total mileage and to your longest ride. I would further recommend, using your fourth week (if you think of your training in 4-week blocks) as a bit of a rest week by bringing your total mileage volume and/or intensity down a bit. Then start again. Above anything, listen to your body. I've learned from experience that when I start to feel run down or overly tired, it's time for a day or two off. Your performance will improve more steadily if you make rest part of your training plan.

In thinking about goals as a new cyclist, I would encourage you to add some non-mileage related things into the mix. Bike handling, safety, group riding, climbing, cadence, a good spin, speed, and bike maintenance, are all things to also consider as you work on becoming a good cyclist.

Most of all, have fun!

K-

[Torrilin]

I started biking in May. I could comfortably do 12 miles in a week on the bike or walk around 15-20. I can now do 30 mile weeks (tho asthma coming back to haunt me has put a damper on adding miles for the moment). My only real goals right now are to be able to do a ride longer than 8 miles, to climb my nemesis hill, and to be able to (eventually) ride to Target and back. That will mean a 16 mile ride is doable . I don't have time limits on most of these goals, because I'm more interested in being able to do them reliably than in just making the goal.

I'm also starting to add regular swimming in, which feels really good. I am still horribly out of shape. Got in the pool and went "waitaminute" when I was tired and out of breath after a very short swim. But I'm getting better on the bike, and I'll get back to where I should be in the water.

I've already met one of my very first goals. I wanted to be strong enough on the bike that I could handle grocery shopping and other regular errands on the bike. I can do that now .