When you first started...

[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 .