New Plus Sized riders needs pointers

[Rakekay]

There's a century in Lake Tahoe in the spring you could train for. I know that the Leukemia Society has a whole "Team in Training" program that will help you get ready for your first century ride. Check out their Web site and find out when they have an organizational meeting in your area for this ride.

I was going to train for that one but didn't want to have to travel that far (or wait that long) to do my first century, so I've signed up for the Seagull Century on the Eastern Shore. Anyone else doing that one?

[yellow]

Hi TahoeChick!

You're in luck. The Tahoe Sierra Century is coming up shortly. You could make it your goal to do the 30-miler or maybe volunteer to see what it's all about. One of the things I love about centuries is the variety I see there. You see so many inspirational things--kids riding, hand bikes, folks with artificial limbs--it would be worth it to hang out there for the day.

For a while there was another Tahoe gal posting but I haven't seen much from her in a while. I think she was on the N shore. I live in Placerville but don't get up to north shore that much. Are you on N shore or S shore (or W shore)?

A really good ride is the Burnside Lakes Road out of Hope Valley, which would be convenient for you if you're in S shore. It's newly paved and you can go as far as you want and then turn around and go back. Remember, you already have an altitute advantage since you live at the lake!

Welcome!

-Sue

PS Oh! And you will, believe it or not, come to love those hills someday. It happens whether you like it or not. I'm a hill freak, just ask SK.

[Bike Goddess]

I think what SK says about hill training is right on the money. I have a training program I do which includes hills, but if I could I'd do more Diablo climbs. Most of my hill climbing is on club rides. The more you do hills the stronger you will get. I've done 5000 + miles this year and climbed (approx)122,000 feet. Some of this footage is guess work it's probably on the low side. I also do interval training which helps on speed. So re your riding on flats- absolutely use flats to warm up your legs and heart. When you get more comfortable with your riding you can set up little benchmarks to see how fast you can get from one point to another. Rest and then do another one. I'd do that about twice a week. It's fun and you'll have an idea of how you are progressing.

After you are warmed up (usually 20-30min into your ride) then go after some hills. Small at first. The goal- get to the top. Use the lowest gear that you need. As you get stronger you will be able to use a higher gear. Spin up hills as much as you can, easier on your legs as well as your heart.

Also if you don't have a speedometer by all means get one. That in itself will help you gauge your progress. I keep track of my miles on the Bike Journal as well as how fast I went. Then I can go back and see what progress I have made on the same route earlier in the year.

Because of my age, I have to watch how much I put my body through. It takes longer for me to recover from hard riding so I vary my rides to make sure that I don't get injured or fatigued. So far it has worked and I don't think I have reached my potential as a cyclist yet. I might have a year or two to get to my peak.

We all have handicaps to work with whether its knees, weight, age, etc. As you ride more mileage, you will find out what works the best for you. Just remember we all started at square one. Where we end up is anyone's guess! So keep up the good work and the benefits will come, that's for sure!

[Trekhawk]

(Quote TahoeChick) Lastly...anyone nearby?

Thinking cycling up your way might be a tad snowy come Winter.

If you are looking for a place not snowbound to ride and have transport come down my way and we can go for a ride together.

Let me know what you think and before the snow sets in maybe I could come to your neck of the woods for a ride.

I have a road bike - are you still riding road or have the trails taken your fancy?

[Huniebee]

My butt hurt to and i was going to just give up but i told myself maybe the more it hurts the smaller it will get!!! So i kept going and let it hurt now i am fine after a week. And my but is getting smaller. My friends would joke that i have a shelf but they now say my shelf is going away!!!

[mary9761]

Hi Tahoe,
As a VERY Plus size rider myself who has just started riding for the first time in over 20 years a couple months ago at 270+ pounds, if I can do it, YOU can do it. I lost 80 pounds a bit over a year ago and this summer I started walking but best of all, I started riding. I don't have any fancy clothes (yet, I'm in the process of sewing my own pants and soon jersey) I have now ridden 545 miles and I haven't lost new weight (YET) this summer, but I have lost INCHES!!

Good luck, put one pedal in front of the other and ride like the wind!

http://www.picturetrail.com/mary9761