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

[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

[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.

[Kathie]

Sundial!! Are you my long lost sister?! LOL!! The main reason I got the Ele was to haul our dogs! If you look at the right hand corner of the window, you can see my spay/neuter sticker like yours!



We have two dogs and a foster with us right now. You and I will have to talk about GSD's some time. I've fallen in love with my friends GSD. She has an import that she and I "share"...or so I tell her she's sharing him with me! He's been partially trained as a police dog but then became her pet so training ceased. We still get the bite sleeve out on occasion and let him have his fun! I'm really hoping my next dog is a GSD.

Here are my babies!

This is Buddy...he's just started agility training.


This is princess Abbie sleeping in the ele.



This is our foster Lucky....



Back to cycling... the rack I bought is a Yakima King Joe. I like the Thule basket. That would be great for road trips with the dogs. Their stuff takes up alot of space!

[Kathie]

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

The Ele is the perfect dog car!

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

Thanks Kate...so on a weekend day you now do 40 miles in one day! WOW! I wanna get strong enough to do that!

'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

Hijack away! It's a great car!

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.

Thanks for you post. I like seeing where you started and where you are now. I'm all about setting goals and it helps to see what others are doing.

***********

Sundial...I posted back with pics but awaiting a moderator to approve it!

[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.

[indigoiis]

I started a fitness endeavor in March and worked the cycling in in May... I ride 3 x a week (alternating with jogging days and weightlifting days) and take Saturdays off. We have a farm so I am constantly moving when I am home, anyway.

I ride about 6-10 miles on "my" mornings midweek, and 18-25 miles with the Mister on the weekend.

I will probably up this routine in due time. But I do like the cross training - I feel like I am getting everything toned.

[mimitabby]

when I started I thought 5 miles was a long long tiresome ride.

[sundial]

Wow, so many E lovers here. Kathie, you'll increase your mileage in no time. It doesn't take long with muscle memory kicking in.

Emily and Lisa SH, I'd like to see your interior bike holder. Do you have to pop the front wheel off to use it--like Honda's bike rack? You can PM the pics so as not to hijack this thread further.

Well I'm off to ride. I'll check back later.