Quote Originally Posted by Lisa S.H. View Post
But isn't wanting to ride a century a mileage goal?

Tip for beginner riders:
I am a slow rider. But one little trick I figured out a while back helped me raise my average speed in a simple way. After my first six months of riding, I thought I was working hard on all my rides. Then i realized that after every uphill I struggled up, I would coast down the other side and keep coasting a long time to rest my legs and enjoy the scenery. I would coast until I needed to start pedaling again. I changed that habit so that I would pedal whenever I could, even when going slightly downhill, where I used to coast. It wasn't a strain on my legs at all, but it kept me going faster overall.
I hadn't even realized I was doing so much coasting until I actually focused on it.
I think in context of this thread, I meant no 3000 mile years or whatever. I think if I sign up for a century, I will be motivated to ride enough to make me capable. But I'm not going to get all stressed about it.

I used to do that, too, Lisa...coast to get my heart rate back down I don't have to do that anymore (well, I may because I haven't ridden since October). I like coasting, though. It's FUN. I try not to if I want to have a speedy ride.

My philosophy of fitness is

  • Never do anything in one session that will make me not want to do it again.
  • Never get caught not having any fun.


Karen