pushing vs spinning

[mimitabby]

VERY useful indeed, Road Raven, thanks!

[RoadRaven]

LimeWave... til you get a cadence counter, you can just count it out yourself. You then get a "feel" for what is what, and you can guesstimate your cadence in the meantime - the trick is to lift it above what you can usually do, and just for short bursts... you're training the muscles to move more quickly, not asking them for endurance or strength.

Glad its of use, Mimi

[Lenusik]

Spinning and spinning again. In the long run you can achieve move by spinning than pushing. However, it is also very important to know the correct spinning motion so that you use your muscles efficiently. You have to become a "foot-floater". On the back side of the stroke your foot should look like you are pulling it out of mud. On the top part of your stroke, move your foot to 90 degrees as if you are pushing it down again. It is hard to do this at first especially if you have some other habits already. Practice it while you are moving slowly or uphill.

Pushing is fine sometimes especially if you are trying to chase someone, pass someone, start an attack, or simply lose weight.

[kelownagirl]

For me, spinning is much more effective, but the cadence will determine how fast I breathe. I have to try to keep my breathing under control because I have EI asthma. Anyway, I normally maintain a cadence of 86-90 when I'm riding. That is manageable and comfortable for me. When I spin faster, or try to maintain that cadence up a hill in too big a gear, my legs burn and I run out of air. I keep shifting down, trying to maintain about 85 without hurting my legs too bad. On the big hills, I end up in my easiest gear and still can't maintain a cadence of more than abut 45.

My max HR (so far) is about 185 and I hit that sometimes going up the Ugly Hill at the end of my rides... And I always have to stop and catch my breath at the top.