My husband and I both recently got new road bikes. They are both Trek 1500's with the same components. We have both exercised consistently in one fashion (aerobics, running, stairmaster etc) or another for many years. We've both recently added cycling to our exercise regimes. He has been cycling for about 2 months now and I just a month. We have recently been out together on several 25 mile rides and it seems like no matter how hard I try, I cant keep up with him when we train. Its extremely frustrating and not for lack of trying.
He's 6'2 about 225 and Im 5'5 and 125. Is he faster because he's male? Stronger? Is this typical? I want to be able to keep up, is it possible?- or is it just how it is with women and men?
He does have quite a bit more muscle mass than you and genetics come into play also, but I bet the biggest difference at this point is the fact that he has 1 month more experience than you do. Just starting out, that difference is huge because in the early weeks, the body adapts quickly to cycling fitness, which is quite different than other types of exercise.
Don't give up. Just hang in there and keep riding -- but don't kill yourself trying to keep up -- before long he may be struggling to keep up with you because you have a lot less weight to move down the road.
He does have quite a bit more muscle mass than you and genetics come into play also, but I bet the biggest difference at this point is the fact that he has 1 month more experience than you do. Just starting out, that difference is huge because in the early weeks, the body adapts quickly to cycling fitness, which is quite different than other types of exercise.
Don't give up. Just hang in there and keep riding -- but don't kill yourself trying to keep up -- before long he may be struggling to keep up with you because you have a lot less weight to move down the road.
Good luck!
Thank you for the quick reply! I was thinking maybe the way im working out could be better?? Right now I am running 4 miles 2-3 times a week and cycling about 50 miles a week. Run one day, cycle the next etc. The cycling rides are between 15 miles and 25 miles and some days I run and ride. I like the running and dont want to give it up so I am wondering if I should change the cycling. If you are training to get faster is it better to focus on speed (time) or distance or both. Really, right now, I just want to be able to keep up with him without killing myself. I will definately give it more time and hope that I get stronger but in the meantime he is of course still riding like a maniac so I wonder if I will ever get to the point where I can keep up. Thanks again! I will keep trying!
My husband and I both recently got new road bikes. They are both Trek 1500's with the same components. We have both exercised consistently in one fashion (aerobics, running, stairmaster etc) or another for many years. We've both recently added cycling to our exercise regimes. He has been cycling for about 2 months now and I just a month. We have recently been out together on several 25 mile rides and it seems like no matter how hard I try, I cant keep up with him when we train. Its extremely frustrating and not for lack of trying.
He's 6'2 about 225 and Im 5'5 and 125. Is he faster because he's male? Stronger? Is this typical? I want to be able to keep up, is it possible?- or is it just how it is with women and men?
😕
Generally men have more muscle mass than women and can ride faster I can out ride my wife by around 3 mph and more when she hits the wall;however also consider the terrain you ride. He is probably a better sprinter with his height but you may be a better climber on the hills depending on your build. Try drafting off him. This should reduce your power output about 30%.
...If you are training to get faster is it better to focus on speed (time) or distance or both... Thanks again! I will keep trying!
Initially, I found distance/endurance to be the most effective. A good deal of speed will come along with that. The problem is that if you focus on speed, you burn out very early and never really develop your cardiovascular system and cadence.
In the best of both worlds, I would focus on distance with some speed drills or sprints near the end. And don't forget to warm up and warm down at the end of each ride if possible. Warmups are the most critical to performance. If you don't warmup for at least 5-10 minutes, you will find yourself burning out very quickly.
Warmups are the most critical to performance. If you don't warmup for at least 5-10 minutes, you will find yourself burning out very quickly.
Gruppo, i've heard this said about the warmup before, what's a good warmup? just an easy ride at a decent cadence for 5-10 minutes or what? I'm a new rider and have trouble riding anything over 8 miles. I know it's mostly b/c i've only been riding 2 weeks and wasn't in great shape to begin with, but if a good warmup can help me ride a bit further/longer then i'm in for it! Any ideas?
