Heart rate monitors, and Ride Yourself Lean

[rollinat]

Thanks for that - lots of interesting info in your post. I guess it is a bit of trial and error, I will see how I get on over the next couple of weeks and hopefully I will be able to work out if I'm not pushing myself hard enough or trying to do too much too soon. And of course I intend to enjoy the process!

[featuretile]

I just read 'Ride Yourself Lean' and am also trying to lose some weight. The one tip in the book that seems to be the most helpful to me is to ride for 20 minutes in the morning before breakfast, and I do that with intervals. She says it speed up your metabolism for the whole day. I set up my Bike Friday on a trainer, so I can do that even if I am going riding that day. It seemed to have helped to break through a plateau. It also seems to help me get up hills better. I think that is the intervals.

I also found that when you are riding and losing energy, you tend to eat more than you really need. When I added electrolytes to my water, I was able to keep going on less food. Now I am very specific and bring the food I want on the ride instead of buying something on the way. That way I can control the calories. Half a PBJ on whole wheat bread works great midway through a ride.