New to boards and cycling! Suggestions for length of first long ride?

[aicabsolut]

I started out in maybe the 25-30mi range for "long" rides. I say don't worry about time or miles at first. Just get out in a safe, low traffic area and just get used to the bike. That's what I did a lot at first. Maybe just 10-20 miles on a trail, and I'd stop mostly because I'd get bored. I was just trying to practice some handling skills and getting comfortable then. It wasn't so much about fitness. Then when I felt a little more competent, I joined up with some groups, hit the road, and tried not to get dropped..

[Jiffer]

I'm in So Cal also. Rancho Cucamonga. You should try hooking up with a cycling club to get some experience and tips from other riders. You might try Orange County Wheelman. http://www.ocw.org I think they have rides that start in Irvine and some that start somewhere else. My husband said he thinks there's another club in south OC called Santiago Cycling or something like that? My sister is in a Tri class of some sort down there where they train together for triathlons. She's in Mission Viejo.

I highly recommend you ride with others as you learn to navigate roads and cars, etc. That would be awesome if you could ride with Fujichant, and I wouldn't be opposed to riding with you as well. However, with a club, you can ride regularly with people in your area and, not only glean from their experience, but also build friendships. Riding with my club motivates me. I also have a couple of friends I ride with. Any time you have others to train with and make plans with, you'll stay more motivated to stick with it. My friend and I just did our first century together. We, therefore, kept each other accountable to show up for training rides at 6:00 a.m. to prepare.

With your level of fitness, it wouldn't be any problem at all for you to ride 20 miles. However, you might want to do a five to ten mile ride for your first one to get your feet wet, get used to the gears on the bike, riding in traffic, etc.

I would avoid hills at first, not because of fitness, but, again, to get used to the bike. Take it easy at first until you feel comfortable on the bike. Get used to shifting to keep your cadence consistent as you do go up inclines. (It's hard to completely avoid them unless you are on a flat bike path, like maybe at the beach.)

It would be REALLY great if your first time out you can ride with someone. Either way, be safe and let us know how it goes. Congrats on the new bike!!!

[PscyclePath]

Training by time is a good way to start off... I would suggest that you start off riding three, maybe four times a week. One time a week do your "long" ride. Aim for an hour and a half on the long ride, and see how far you go. That will also give you a little something to measure yourself by as you get stronger and start improving... you can go farther and farther in your 90 minutes because you're getting faster, and not getting so tired, either...

I end my Road I classes with a little quote from 5x Tour winner Eddy Mercxx, which goes something like this: "Ride as long as you want to, or as short as you want to... and as fast as you want to or as slow as you want to... but go out and ride!"

Tom

[ilima]

I think 20-25 miles is reasonable for someone starting off in pretty good shape. The key, of course, is pacing. You should be thinking 'this is too easy' when you first start. Also, don't be afraid to stop for a moment or two.

[Jiffer]

Also, don't be afraid to stop for a moment or two.

Ditto the stopping! There's no reason you can't stop to take a break every now and then. And make sure you have enough water/sports drink to drink about a sports bottles worth an hour. Dh and I like Cytomax Lite.

[10yearstogether]

Thanks everyone! I contacted the OC Wheelmen and they said that I should be able to comfortably ride at least 12-15 miles at a 12mph pace before I'd be ready to ride with their team. I have a 10-14 mile route planned for Sunday, and it's an out and back so if I get tired I'll just turn around and head back.

I'm super stoked! I'll report back and share some photos of "My First Ride", can't wait!!!