Cycling

[svorly]

Good info in this thread by S54MCoupe and others. It sounds like you're off to a good start. I was going to suggest around 10 miles to start, but it depends on the terrain. I think just about anybody can ride 10 miles on the road on a road bike without too much of a problem. Just remember to take lots of water.

[Bears]

Originally Posted by svorly

Good info in this thread by S54MCoupe and others. It sounds like you're off to a good start. I was going to suggest around 10 miles to start, but it depends on the terrain. I think just about anybody can ride 10 miles on the road on a road bike without too much of a problem. Just remember to take lots of water.

Ya, I'm up to approx 12 miles a day so far. It's been hard to find time to cycle with my current job (landscaping & some construction work) By the time I get home, I'm pretty worn down and cycling would not be ideal. When school starts in 2 weeks, I'll have more time

As for liquids, I always carry plenty. I actually take a BCAA/water mix with me whenever I do cardio.

[svorly]

Sweet. Post some pics of your bike when you get a chance.

[S54MCoupe]

Good to hear you've gotten a bike and you're out riding. Don't worry if it's not the newest or coolest bike out there. If it can get you from spot to spot and you're comfortable, go for it!

One thing you may want to consider is finding a local bike shop, explaining your situation, and getting them to fit you properly on the bike. This should include stem length & height, handlebar angle and seatpost height/seat angle. This will really make a big difference and minimize the possibility of back/knee/hip flexor pain and all of the other common cycling injuries.

Another thing that is a good idea is logging your rides, how long, and any other minor notes of interest. It's a great way to track your riding and progress. You'll be amazed at how fast you're going to progress.

Here's an example of mine from August so far:

August 1 – August 5 = 156mi.

Monday August 6 – 59.06mi + Weight Training

Tues. August 7 – 49.06mi.

Wed. Aug 8 – Rest

Th. Aug 9 – 30.34mi. in 1:48. Montrose ride w/ Gustavo without climbs.

Fri. August 10 – Light weight training, no biking.

Sat Aug 11 – 32.64mi 2:02 Montrose Ride, bad air, lungs hurt.

Sun Aug 12 – 38.48mi in 2:45, Clear creek in big ring. Really hot day, two motorcycle wrecks up the Crest.

Monday Aug 13 – Rest

Tuesday Aug 14 – Morning ride: 39.50mi in 2:40, Night ride 27.90mi (64.40mi in 4:16 total)

Wed Aug 15: 50mi in 2:44 w/ Chepe. Montrose Long, Very hot, difficult ride.

Thurs Aug 16: Rest

Friday Aug 17: 19.53mi 1:26, Chantry climb via Colorado. Slow pace, too hot and tiring.

Saturday Aug 18 : Hill intervals at the Bowl, 29.55miles in 1:55

Sunday Aug 19: 66.36mi in 4:11

Monday Aug 20: Rest

Tuesday Aug 21: 30mi. in 1:44, Bowl Ride, chain fell off in 7th or 8th lap.

Wednesday Aug 22: 75.45mi in 4:02 Seal Beach w/ Chepe & Lyle.

Thursday Aug 23: Morning: 9 mile mountain bike ride. Night: 34mi in 2:00 road.

Friday Aug 24: 42.29mi. in 2:43

Saturday Aug 25: 15mi in 1:45, slow muscle recovery ride.

Good luck and keep everyone updated on your progress!

[Bears]

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

Good to hear you've gotten a bike and you're out riding. Don't worry if it's not the newest or coolest bike out there. If it can get you from spot to spot and you're comfortable, go for it!

One thing you may want to consider is finding a local bike shop, explaining your situation, and getting them to fit you properly on the bike. This should include stem length & height, handlebar angle and seatpost height/seat angle. This will really make a big difference and minimize the possibility of back/knee/hip flexor pain and all of the other common cycling injuries.

Another thing that is a good idea is logging your rides, how long, and any other minor notes of interest. It's a great way to track your riding and progress. You'll be amazed at how fast you're going to progress.

Here's an example of mine from August so far:



Good luck and keep everyone updated on your progress!

Wow you're a cycling beast lol

Those are some great tips, thanks. I'm going to look into finding a bike shop that can make the proper adjustments for me asap. School will start soon, I'll have more time to cycle then... I can't wait

[E36Guy]

Originally Posted by Bears

Wow you're a cycling beast lol

+173.4 That's a lot of cycling. Very cool man.

[E36Guy]

Bump for cycling.. Im interested in it now. Starting to do some minor research as I would love to pick up a bike for some enjoyable beach strand rides.

However.. there is a decent sized hill (and by decent sized I mean that I tried to run up it once.. thought I was going to die halfway up. ) between me and the beach, so I can't buy just a beach cruiser. I want something that can switch around some gears to be able to handle all the hills prior to the beach, and during my return home.

I'm 6'4.. is this going to be an issue in finding a comfortable bike?

[E36Guy]

Nevermind.. picked up a nice little hybrid bike on Tuesday. Already logged about 12 miles on it.. so far, pretty fun! Im diggin it. Not hurting my back or feeling uncomfortable or anything.

Im really enjoying this.

[Daegus]

Originally Posted by E36Guy

Nevermind.. picked up a nice little hybrid bike on Tuesday. Already logged about 12 miles on it.. so far, pretty fun! Im diggin it. Not hurting my back or feeling uncomfortable or anything.

Im really enjoying this.

Cyclocross? What kind?

I just made it through Ragbrai myself. Rode with the Air Forces' cycling team for the first couple days and was usually lead(I was quite a bit bigger than their biggest guy) then I rode with couple other pacelines the rest of the week.

Thankfully I only got dehydrated on two days and a mild case of heat exhaustion another day.

[E36Guy]

Not sure what you mean cyclocross.. it's a Diamondback Maravista (the store was calling it a "hybrid bike" because its kind of hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike..) I dig it.

[Bears]

Originally Posted by E36Guy

Not sure what you mean cyclocross.. it's a Diamondback Maravista (the store was calling it a "hybrid bike" because its kind of hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike..) I dig it.

how much?