questions questions questions

[OakLeaf]

Lots of good advice already in this thread.

The general rule is that you need to do something three days a week to get stronger at it, whatever it is. On the other end, you need at least one recovery day a week as well - activity is what stimulates your body to rebuild itself stronger, but it's during the down time that the rebuilding actually happens. The older you are, the more recovery you will need between long and/or hard efforts.

Since you're planning an event with consecutive long rides, you'll want to do at least some of your riding on consecutive days. That will accustom you to going long when your muscles are already tired.

While you're training your muscles, you'll also be learning what works for you as far as nutrition and hydration. On a long day you need to take in water, electrolytes and food, but you may or may not feel thirsty or hungry. Learn to recognize the symptoms of dehydration and "bonking" and head them off before they happen.

I personally can't imagine riding so long without toe clips or clipless pedals (clipless are much safer IMO since you don't need your hands to get out of them) ... but lots of people do it. It's whatever works for you. Don't let peer pressure dictate your choice of equipment.

There is no "average speed." That's dependent on terrain, equipment, and most of all on the riders involved. Some groups are happy to tool along at a sub-10 mph pace. Other groups average 25. Most groups are somewhere in between, but that's a BIG range. Find out what your group plans to do and aim for that. Train with them sometimes to get used to not only their pace, but their individual riding habits.

I very much disagree with the idea of drafting at your level. Drafting is an ADVANCED skill that requires razor-sharp bike handling. It's very efficient, but it can also be extremely dangerous. If you want to learn (and if your group practices pacelining, you probably should), take a bike-handling class such as the League of American Bicyclists offers; practice handling skills on your own as much as you train for strength and endurance; and NEVER draft someone closely whose riding habits you don't know.


Good luck and enjoy.

[laura*]

I personally can't imagine riding so long without toe clips or clipless pedals (clipless are much safer IMO since you don't need your hands to get out of them) ... but lots of people do it.

Huh? Hands are required to get out of toe clips? Why?

For me, toe clips are a set once and never readjust sort of thing. I set the straps loose enough so my shoes fit nicely and yet tight enough to not have any extra space. At that the toe clips work just like slippers, clogs, Crocs, and etc.

Cinching down the straps is probably an old school (track) racing thing.

[OakLeaf]

Not track and not (exclusively) racing. Cinching the straps (and wearing cycling shoes) is the only way to keep your feet from pulling out, especially while climbing. It's why they're there...


But you know, now that you've got me thinking about it, I've finally understood the efficiency of being in your pedals rather than on them. It isn't so much "using other muscles to pull up and back" the way a lot of people say. It's more, the muscles you don't have to use to keep locating and staying on your pedals. It's like wearing flipflops, all the effort you have to keep exerting, messing up your natural stride, trying to keep them on your feet. It's the same sort of thing when you're not secure in your pedals.

You mentioned Crocs. Think about how you have to walk in them and all the wasted energy. Same thing.

[laura*]

Cinching the straps (and wearing cycling shoes) is the only way to keep your feet from pulling out, especially while climbing. It's why they're there...

I've never had a problem with my feet unintentionally pulling out of toe clips... Not even during vigorous pedaling of all sorts. I don't expend any effort to keep my feet in the clips, and yet when needed I can "slide" them right out.

[newbie]

Thanks everyone. I rode twice this week already and I'm doing a 30 miler on Monday. I'm pretty nervous about it. I think I've figured out the basics on gears. Still can't imagine riding in clipless shoes

And I'm not 100% certain I'm wanting to do the "big" ride anymore. I'm going to see how 30 goes. I've only done 14 so this is doubling what I have done so far and I"m not sure I"m ready.

But I like biking-for excerise, not for the "sport" of it. If that makes sense. I like running, but not marathons We shall see how this goes.

Thanks for all the tips

[ny biker]

Thanks everyone. I rode twice this week already and I'm doing a 30 miler on Monday. I'm pretty nervous about it. I think I've figured out the basics on gears. Still can't imagine riding in clipless shoes

And I'm not 100% certain I'm wanting to do the "big" ride anymore. I'm going to see how 30 goes. I've only done 14 so this is doubling what I have done so far and I"m not sure I"m ready.

But I like biking-for excerise, not for the "sport" of it. If that makes sense. I like running, but not marathons We shall see how this goes.

Thanks for all the tips

When I first got into cycling (back when I bought my mountain bike in 1998) I thought people who did centuries were kinda crazy. I actually rode mostly on paved trails, 10-25 miles at a time. After a couple of years a friend invited me to join him in a 65-mile ride on the C&O Canal towpath. I spent 6-8 weeks increasing my mileage and did the ride, and since then my concept of "long" vs "short" rides has changed. I did a few centuries, then decided I prefer not to go more than 60-70 miles per ride. But 25 miles still seems short to me.

In contrast, my sister just likes to get out on her bike for half an hour, and she's never been interested in long rides. And I have a friend who recently signed up for a 300 km ride -- all in one day. Different strokes...

Have fun on Monday!! If you're having hot weather, make sure you're prepared with plenty to drink (figure 1 bottle per hour) and some snacks that are easy to digest, preferably with some salt.

[sookiesue]

If hubby wants you to do this ride, then hubby can certainly look after the kids 2-3 times a week so you can train!

You have 5 months, that's great. I started riding last year and had about 3 months to prepare for a 150-mile, 2-day event. With support from my husband so that I could get out and ride short rides 2-3 evenings a week and a long ride on the weekend, it was manageable. And I fell in love with the sport!

If the ride you are doing is a supported ride and they happen to have a massage therapist around for treatments in the evenings, I strongly recommend splurging on a 15-30 minute session each of the two days. I was stiffening up pretty quickly after my second day (84 miles) of riding, and after the massage session - she was specifically trained in sports massage - I felt immediate relief. The session itself was a little brutal, but she helped work out a lot of the acid that would have otherwise left me likely unable to move much the next day! If the ride doesn't have one as part of the support team, you could look into whether or not there is one who works locally wherever your ride stops for the first and second nights.

I was terrified of clipless pedals but my bike fitter recommended that I give them a try. He put me on Speedplay Frogs, which are kind of spendy but REALLY easy to use. I got them on 3 days before the ride and was able to use them pretty comfortably. I agree with what others have said about getting comfortable on your bike before worrying about clipless. I did all of my training without them and was fine, so if the thought of them stresses you out, just do what works best for you. They can't help you increase your efficiency if they make you too nervous to ride!

Is there a 'sag wagon' that goes along with this ride? If so, you could always plan on doing 60 miles a day instead of 90 and then take the wagon. That way you can participate with your husband but it might alleviate the pressure of doing the whole (huge!) ride.

Another TE gal recommended Selene Yeager's book "Every Woman's Guide to Cycling" to me when I was getting started, and I enjoyed reading that.

Best of luck to you! I hope this challenge leads you to a love of the sport!

[malkin]

If the big ride is an organized ride with a SAG wagon, there's no shame in getting a lift for part of the route.

If they haven't got a SAG wagon, you might volunteer to drive for them!

[newbie]

It does have a SAG!

I actually rode 36 miles on monday with an average speed of 15.5...pretty proud of myself. My legs were sore for maybe an hour and after that I felt great. No soreness, no cramps, nada.

I'm hoping to get in two shorter rides (15miles) each week with a longer one of the weekend. we shall see. I still haven't officially signed up for any events.