Re: New to cycling
 

bluey - are you on stava?

Re: New to cycling
 

This is what cycling is all about for me. I just love the freedom. Some get into the competition factor which is fine. But I dont find enjoyment in flogging myself to death. I will push it to get to the next destination, but not at the sacrifice of my body. Great job.

Re: New to cycling
 

Very good points there. Most find that if they stay in a good efficient cadence at the perceived exertion that they want, speed will come as a normal response. As leg strength improves the cadence becomes easier to maintain and gearing up becomes an option, which results in a higher speed. My last coach that helped me prepare for Ironman always structured my training around cadence, HR zone and duration rather than the old method of speed and distance.

Re: New to cycling
 

Too right!

One of my favourite rides at the moment is up Beechmont from Canungra. It starts with a climb of 5km long with a 8% average, it then levels off on top of the mountain to a undulating ride with short climbs and the most sensational views over the Gold Coast Hinterland with nice quiet roads. Just the sort of environment that reminds you why cycling is so great.

I normally aim for 350km a week, I am up to 190 now but that will probably be it for this week as I am back on shift. My next ride will be monday morning before work.

Re: New to cycling
 

Weather has gone south here in Adelaide. I'm not against riding in the wet, but it takes a different kind of motivation to leave a nice warm dry house and get on the bike.

I try to get at least 150km a week. During summer is it's probably closer to 200 but at the moment 100 would be a good week :lol

Re: New to cycling
 

I would have gone out this morning but my leave pass was revoked mid week due to my sister's hens day/night being thrown a spanner. So I've had to host it at my place while Im out with the lads. Frantically cleaning and prepping while still finding sanity on the forums. haha

Re: New to cycling
 

You find sanity on the forum? :yelrotflm

Re: New to cycling
 

Compared to what Im doing now, yes. :yelrotflm

Re: New to cycling
 

That is a nice backdrop to ride with! I wasn't concentrating on kms before, but tried to ride at least twice a week, which would be around 70kms Now I've signed up for a 100km charity ride, I'm riding more to get my legs up to the distance. I did just over 130km last week, and I'm 900 metres behind GeckoGT for this week (better go around the block!)
If you sign up on Strava, you can join the AFF club, and see how everyone else is riding.

Re: New to cycling
 

Putting the challenge out?

Re: New to cycling
 

what about the elevation? :lol

Re: New to cycling
 

They re good points .. However, I found those years ago , I have not found too many in their early years that train beyond their threshold , for long periods . That's is, when I started , sure, I had , trigger points, reference points , and I felt , having met those trigger points , I was going ok ... Wrong !
It's not until you ride with more experience riders , when you truly find where your fitness , and riding smarts are at ..
Suggest , if you want to improve , get along with a specific indoor session , run , by , cycling coach and along with your own solo riding, get along to a group ride , that covers multiple hill climbs and a group which regroups after each climb .. If you can't find such a group ... Then stay with the group for as long as you can , then peel off back home , in a recovery mode as you should have nothing left in the tank. Then front up again, and aim to do the same distance as last time , but , in a much better condition - no chewing on those bars , no rolling those hips .. Your aim, is to complete the ride with the group . Do that , and you will be on your way . Note ... Depending on the experience of the group and circuit , and your commitment to training , it, may take you 12mths , to finish with the group.
In short, when , you 're new to cycling , get along with others , to accelerate your profession to be a better cyclist .

Re: New to cycling
 

hey batmobile, do you ride? are you on strava? if so, are you part of the AFF group?

Re: New to cycling
 

I think I'd quietly get smashed :NOS

Re: New to cycling
 

just so you know, if this is aimed at geckoGT, then you might like to know he is a very accomplished cyclist and pretty much the opposite of 'new to cycling'.

if its just advice in general, and just quoting gecko for reference, then as you were.

:grphug

Re: New to cycling
 

Yes , i do ride . Is it safe to say so of AFF ? Haha.. I didn't know there was a AFF group on Strava ..
Thank you for your comments re geckoGT .. They were general comments directed to a "new cyclist" . Their was no malice in my general comments - just putting out there to new cyclist , what I ve learnt and experienced over the years. :notworthy

Re: New to cycling
 

I took it as the latter, and for us mere mortals all info/tips are valuable :notworthy

Re: New to cycling
 

join up, the more the merrier:dance
https://www.strava.com/clubs/71869

Re: New to cycling
 

Just messing with you.

It would be good to catch up for a ride some time although it would be difficult as you live the other side of Brisbane.

Re: New to cycling
 

Its a bit of fun although at times a bit addictive. Good for a bit of incentive though.

Re: New to cycling
 

I grew up down that way, and go visit my parents down Tanah Merah, so it's not that far! I'm not riding up Tamborine Mountain - when I was a kid I could see it's profile on the horizon from my bedroom window... it looked big then!

Re: New to cycling
 

Don't worry, I was thinking of more of a flat ride, perhaps something that might work in with your goal.

Do you know the course the MS ride follows?

Re: New to cycling
 

Yes, they've got it on the site, with downloadable info for Garmin etc.

http://www.brissietothebay.com.au/co...urse-map-100km

Re: New to cycling
 

It's interesting that I rode 55k today, and was getting tired legs at the 40k mark, yet was able to pull off a PB on a segment I've ridden over 60 times. This segment was 1.9km long, with a slight rise.
I was pretty pleased with this little part, anyway.

Re: New to cycling
 

I just had a look at the course, the climbs are in the Cleveland area and they are mostly short and not to hard. Sure they will be hard to people that are really stretching themselves just completing the course but looking at your stats so far I think you will be ready.

Re: New to cycling
 

It can be strange the way it works some times. I had a similar occasion before where I felt terrible going up Tamborine and really thought I had done a rubbish time. It turned out to be a PR.

Re: New to cycling
 

I'll have to wait till Thursday morning before I can try an extended ride, like you I'm on shiftwork. But that'll give my legs time to rest and repair from the last couple of days.
I'll turn up at work at 2pm on Thursday ready for a snooze, I reckon!

Re: New to cycling
 

I used to live on Leslie pde in tanah merah back in the 80s. My parents owned a property there which spanned acres including swamp land behind there. Small world.

Sorry to go OT.

Re: New to cycling
 

Geez Shav, I lived up near the top of Queens Rd till 86. Mum & Dad moved from there since.

Re: New to cycling
 

Perhaps we could do a ride on sections of the course in a few weeks. I will be on leave so my availability will be quite good. A few weeks time will probably work well in your preparation.