training advice please????????

[misslillie]

Hey i am 18 and want to get road cycling. I was into it for a while when i was about 15 but haven't done any since. I have lost quite a bit of my fitness so would like to gain that back and lose a bit of weight. My dad wants to do a 130km (about 80miles) bike race in April 2011. i would love to do it with him (don't have to win just finish). i have a year and a couple of months. would that be enough time to train for that distance (there are a few hills in the race)

Also any training tips would be great

Thanks

[Pedal Wench]

Absolutely!!!! Start slowly, figure out where you're comfortable riding now, then slowly add mileage every week - never more than 10% of what you rode the week before. Riding a few times a week, pushing a little more every week, you'll be at 80 miles in no time!

[Wahine]

You definitely have enough time to train up to 80 miles. The tough part for you is that since you're only 18 years old you don't have much of a fitness base to draw on. So you need to build that base. A couple of focused training rides per week, one with hills where you push a bit on the hills and one longer ride. If you haven't ridden at all in the last 2 years, start at 45 min and add 5 to 10 min each week, until you get up to about 90 min then you can add 15 min per week. Those long rides should be an easy effort, you should be able to talk and laugh with your riding buddy. Then try to get out on your bike another 2 to 3 days during the week even if it's just for very short, easy rides. These aren't supposed to be training rides... just for fun. A good way to do this is to use your bike for commuting if you can. Ride your bike to work or your friends house... you get the idea.

Have fun!! Cycling is great and what a fantastic goal you have.