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Classic Newbie getting started - Help Please! - Page 2
| EdMoses | 17 May 10:20 |
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Joined: 17 May 2010 Posts: 4 Bike: | Hi All, Total newbie here. Have been using a static bike at home for some time and have now stepped up to the real thing. Im 37 years ol and approx 1.5/2 stone overweight. The excercise bike was proving valuable but no where near as hard as the real thing. I know yhis because I was doing 100 miles a week on the static, went out this am and had to stop after 2.5 miles! What I am after are some sound notes of advice regarding getting started on the real thing. If there was something you know now that you had wished you knew when you started cycling what would that be? After as much useful info to get me started as poss. Any help woul dbe appreiated. Thanks guys Ed |
soren 
| 21 May 03:51 |
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Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 90 Bike: My Profile | Hi Edmoses, I started riding my bike in January this year,gentle at first then as others have said build up slowly.On Sunday just gone 16/05/10, I took part in the Macclesfield Bikathon, I did the 52 mile course which includes some very serious hills, the fact that I am still here typeing this to you shows that it is doable and may I say very enjoyable. Best of luck....Paul. |
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dudley
| 21 May 05:12 |
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Joined: 16 Jan 2009 Posts: 498 Bike: My Profile | as regards cadence / rpm, you can get all geeky and get cadence monitors all linked wirelessly to your cycle computer or like most of us, just get into a rhythm, and get to know it. We all should be relatively good at counting seconds. We've been aware of them all our lives. Get into a rhythm where one foot goes round every second, and thats 60rpm. you only have to look at your watch at your desk at work to get a good grip on what 60rpm means. 60rpm is a great starting point for a consistent rhythm, uphill, downhill or flat. big distance guys and racers like to up that to 90rpm or so, but that takes a bit of getting used to. You need to train your muscles and likes to fire off regularly at that pace, and for a recreational rider, it isn't essential to get that last bit of uber-efficiency. Summer's (nearly) here, so happy riding! |
| My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular | |
| marinrider2011 | 23 Mar 08:39 |
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Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Posts: 1 Bike: | Hello All This is a very interesting dicussion. I felt I had to suggest a few things. Some of you might already use bike mounted GPS. I use an Edge 705 with a cycle computer alongside. I think that heart rate monitoring has a massive effect on training if used even near correctly. Results will show that over time the training is working. They also show stress and illness too. GPS naviagtion such as the Edge even give turn by turn but there is no voice. I added some gel pads below my new bar tape and that makes ridning my road bike much more comfortable. In terms of shorts etc. I would always wear cycle shorts either baggie mountain bike or bib shorts. I also would highly recommend clip on spd types shoes or at the very least cycle shoes or trainers. I was really shocked when I started to use spuds compared to flat pedals and trainers. Spuds take some getting used to but are well worth it and they don't cost anything like they used to. I'd also suggest a mirror of some sort. I have the Bike Eye mirror. It looks odd as it fits close to the head tube and you do have to look dwon into to see behiand along the top tube but it works. On my road bike I also have a imported drop bar end mirror which a just right to see what is behind. But no mirrrors are as important as a life saver over the shoulder check. I have worn head phone but only one and volume wasn't that high. A split saddle is also a comfortable option too, It is type with a hole in the middle it takes pressure of your bits. As it a suspension seat post also not as costly as they used to be. I would say that canals are a real hoot. I love them. It is very possible to really fly down some towpaths but clearly you need to look out for fishermen etc. I'd love to hear others toughts etc. Phil |
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sean8997
| 27 Mar 13:19 |
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Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 43 Bike: My Profile | Hiya Ed, I'd just like to add that although it may not look cool, a bell is a very usefull tool on your bike when riding along canal towpaths etc. You will find loads of folks walking along the towpath and may not see or hear you as you zip along, if you sound your bell a few times about 20-30 meters before you get to them this will let them know you are coming, if they move to the side and let you pass always remember to say thanks!!! Beware of loose dogs though as they can be very unpredictable as to which way they run!!! Enjoy your cycling. Sean |
| My Latest Route: Nov 2011 Bala Lake Vernwy Loop | |
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