Average Speeds -getting Downhearted!

[lauraelmore1033]

sorry, for those mystified by my comment: Lisa's sarcastic remark about cycling up Mt Everest reminded me of a rather explosive thread from, maybe a year ago, in which a young woman made some rather extravagant claims about having bested a whole paceline of experienced road bike riders while on her mountain bike. The forum's collective response was, at first, "you GO girl!", but soon turned to questioning and then to unmitigated rage, prompting at least one administrator to intervene.

I would agree that we don't know what liz999 is capable of or even the particulars of her tour. Just a look at the crowds lining the TDF routes during the race--most of whom got there under their own steam-- should be proof enough that it is possible for mere mortals to "get up there". Maybe not at a break neck speed, or with comfort or ease, but it is possible...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

sorry, for those mystified by my comment: Lisa's sarcastic remark about cycling up Mt Everest.....

Sarcastic?? No, I was serious! Any woman who can go from having "stick legs" and not being on a bike in 15 years and averaging 9mph to three weeks later having muscles on their calves, toned thighs, and pedaling up the Tour de France ascents with full camping gear loaded on their panniers would absolutely be able to ascend Mt. Everest! It's truly amazing and I honestly want to know the secret. ...or maybe the secret is just being young?, in which case there is little hope for women like me.

[liz_999]

Hello all, sorry just started new university course so been a bit busy to reply...

First of all, I did Alpe d'huez without panniers, left them at the campsite in Bourg d'oisans. I do have a triple, and was in the lowest gear possible, and it wasnt that bad because the hair pins are flat so give you a couple of seconds every 10m or so for your legs to have a break. The Col du Lautaret i did do with full panniers but i did as a 'tourist' with regular breaks to take pictures and let my legs have a break!!!

I am 22 (nearly 23!) so I am young, and of reasonable fitness - did no organised sports before starting cycling (in August) but i did go to the gym a few times a week although i am the first to admit i didnt exactly push myself!

Before i went on the tour i was convinced i wouldnt be able to do more than 30 mile days and even in the first few days we nearly changed the route so that it avoided as much of the alps as possible. The first few days I found incredibly hard and there were lots of tears and tantrums! but somehow my legs got used to it and as mentioned by one of you its a lot easier touring when you know you can take a break at any point. My 60 mile days were lasting all day so i wasnt exactly completing them in 3 hours but that was ok because we could take time as we cycled through places.

Oh and i seriously havent been on a bike since I was 15 although i did used to attempt to cycle for 5 - 10 minutes at the gym but didnt like it.

Will add photos when my camera charged -just tried but battery has gone!

Have taken a long break since I have got back - just went to the gym last night but did 30m slow on the bike just to get my legs spinning. Will take on board the advice about the knees! I intend to go to yoga anyway as my back is quite weak due to poor posture and if it will help with easing the pain of cycling thats a bonus!

Liz

My bf asks if he can chip in:

Sorry to invade the female only zone! I just thought I'd add a few thoughts. I got into cycling a couple of years ago after two friends suggested a tour in France. After a months preparation we then did a month long tour in France and Switzerland taking in Galibier, dhuez, courcheval and tons more in reasonable times. Granted I played quite a bit of sport in the year leading up to it such as football squash and going to the gym. My point is I was no cyclist and I managed 800 miles in three weeks. My thinking was when asking my girlfriend to join me on this tour was that with a few weeks training she would be able to do a tour with me with shorter days at much slower speeds. We had a training weeked in the hilly lake district to prepare for it. And from my own experience the initial adaptation is incredible.

People make too much out of Alpe dhuez and tour climbs. Doing 120 mile days averaging 25 mph like the tour riders do over such terrain is unthinkable of mere mortals like me and my girlfriend. But anyone with reasonable fitness can do it. Ive seen kids as young as ten riding up as well as overweight blokes on mountain bikes. Its just the speed that you do it that varies. Thats not to say it isnt an achievement to feel proud about because it hurts like hell getting up there!! Ideally more base miles would have been put in but we didnt have time. ps Lizs calves arent muscular ... and she is very slow, but determined. I don't think she would be good enough for racing at anytime in the near future.