Road Cycling · Public discussion

Spining, Spining, Spining

Started by Maggie · · Last activity · 31 posts · 2,374 views

This thread is locked and is currently read-only.

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section
Road Cycling
Published
13 January 2005
Last activity
16 January 2005
Original author
Maggie
Posts
31
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
2,374
Views / 30 days
0

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Showing posts 1–20 of 31
Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Text size
  1. With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time in
    as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
    three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last week
    my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that the spin
    class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength, but I need
    upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to ride long
    distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended up in a gym
    taking spin classes and now I am on weight training equipment working
    all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home last night I started
    to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all of this. My only goal
    was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now spending more time at the
    gym and working on muscle toning. Some of the machines look like
    torture devices. Is upper body strength really that necessary for
    riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying to convince me that I should
    get in shape and not just ride a bike. She is a crazy person (as all
    trainers in my opinion) and she takes pride in helping people
    strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did she use my goal of riding
    25 miles to convince me to use the weights or is it essential that I
    do? What does upper body strength have to do with riding a bike? Call
    me stupid, but I really don't think it is that necessary. How much work
    are my arms doing when I ride a bike. I want an answer to that. My
    trainer just tells me, its important...end of discussion. So do you
    know? I am working my buns off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity
    fun ride.
    Maggie
    http://www.geocities.com/lindaannbuset/mypage.html
    http://hometown.aol.com/lbuset/

  2. You shouldn't need a lot of upper body strength to do a 25-mile ride unless you
    are doing it off-road or up steep hills. Certainly my upper-body strength is
    cr*p and I can manage a 25-mile ride on gently undulating roads with ease. It
    may not be fast, but it's not difficult.

    Cheers, helen s

    --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam--
    to get correct one remove fame & fortune
    h*$el*$$e*nd**$o$ts**i*$*$m*m$o*n*s@$*a$o*l.c**$om$

    --Due to financial crisis the light at the end of the tunnel is switched off--

  3. Maggie wrote:
    :: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time
    :: in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
    :: three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last
    :: week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that
    :: the spin class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength,
    :: but I need upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to
    :: ride long distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended
    :: up in a gym taking spin classes and now I am on weight training
    :: equipment working all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home
    :: last night I started to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all
    :: of this. My only goal was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now
    :: spending more time at the gym and working on muscle toning. Some of
    :: the machines look like torture devices. Is upper body strength
    :: really that necessary for riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying
    :: to convince me that I should get in shape and not just ride a bike.
    :: She is a crazy person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she takes
    :: pride in helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did
    :: she use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the weights
    :: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength have to
    :: do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't think it
    :: is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when I ride a
    :: bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells me, its
    :: important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am working my buns
    :: off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun ride.

    You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper body.
    Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's upper body.
    Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs helps you generate
    power.

    Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and doing the
    rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.

  4. Maggie wrote:
    :: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time
    :: in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
    :: three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last
    :: week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that
    :: the spin class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength,
    :: but I need upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to
    :: ride long distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended
    :: up in a gym taking spin classes and now I am on weight training
    :: equipment working all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home
    :: last night I started to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all
    :: of this. My only goal was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now
    :: spending more time at the gym and working on muscle toning. Some of
    :: the machines look like torture devices. Is upper body strength
    :: really that necessary for riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying
    :: to convince me that I should get in shape and not just ride a bike.
    :: She is a crazy person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she takes
    :: pride in helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did
    :: she use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the weights
    :: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength have to
    :: do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't think it
    :: is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when I ride a
    :: bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells me, its
    :: important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am working my buns
    :: off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun ride.

    You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper body.
    Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's upper body.
    Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs helps you generate
    power.

    Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and doing the
    rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.

  5. Roger Zoul said:

    Maggie wrote:
    :: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding


    time

    Quoted message said:

    :: in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at


    least

    Quoted message said:

    :: three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last
    :: week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that
    :: the spin class would help with both cardio and leg muscle


    strength,

    Quoted message said:

    :: but I need upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape


    to

    Quoted message said:

    :: ride long distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun,


    ended

    Quoted message said:

    :: up in a gym taking spin classes and now I am on weight training
    :: equipment working all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home
    :: last night I started to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all
    :: of this. My only goal was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am


    now

    Quoted message said:

    :: spending more time at the gym and working on muscle toning. Some


    of

    Quoted message said:

    :: the machines look like torture devices. Is upper body strength
    :: really that necessary for riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer


    trying

    Quoted message said:

    :: to convince me that I should get in shape and not just ride a


    bike.

    Quoted message said:

    :: She is a crazy person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she


    takes

    Quoted message said:

    :: pride in helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better.


    Did

    Quoted message said:

    :: she use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the


    weights

    Quoted message said:

    :: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength have


    to

    Quoted message said:

    :: do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't think


    it

    Quoted message said:

    :: is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when I ride a
    :: bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells me, its
    :: important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am working my


    buns

    Quoted message said:

    :: off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun ride.

    You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper


    body.

    Quoted message said:

    Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's upper


    body.

    Quoted message said:

    Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs helps you


    generate

    Quoted message said:

    power.

    Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and doing


    the

    Quoted message said:

    rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.

    My trainer said the same thing last night....."Wait til you start
    seeing results....you will be happy." She said she is going to make me
    a "hot" woman. She said this in front of my 26 year old daughter who
    thinks I am going there so I do not get a heart attack and die. I don't
    think my daughter wants to think of her mother as "hot". I know I
    never thought of my mother in that way. But Moms in the 50's and early
    60's wore aprons and stayed home alot. If I put an apron on, my kids
    would fall over in a dead faint. I will try all this muscle toning
    madness and see where it leads. Can't hurt I guess. Well maybe it can.
    ;-) Maybe the upper body strength will help.
    Maggie

  6. Maggie said:
    Roger Zoul said:

    Maggie wrote:
    :: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding


    time

    Quoted message said:

    :: in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at


    least

    Quoted message said:

    :: three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May.


    Last

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    :: week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told


    that

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    :: the spin class would help with both cardio and leg muscle


    strength,

    Quoted message said:

    :: but I need upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape


    to

    Quoted message said:

    :: ride long distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun,


    ended

    Quoted message said:

    :: up in a gym taking spin classes and now I am on weight training
    :: equipment working all the muscles in my body. When I arrived


    home

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    :: last night I started to wonder how buying a bike could lead to


    all

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    :: of this. My only goal was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am


    now

    Quoted message said:

    :: spending more time at the gym and working on muscle toning. Some


    of

    Quoted message said:

    :: the machines look like torture devices. Is upper body strength
    :: really that necessary for riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer


    trying

    Quoted message said:

    :: to convince me that I should get in shape and not just ride a


    bike.

    Quoted message said:

    :: She is a crazy person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she


    takes

    Quoted message said:

    :: pride in helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better.


    Did

    Quoted message said:

    :: she use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the


    weights

    Quoted message said:

    :: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength


    have

    Quoted message said:

    to

    Quoted message said:

    :: do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't think


    it

    Quoted message said:

    :: is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when I ride a
    :: bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells me, its
    :: important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am working my


    buns

    Quoted message said:

    :: off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun ride.

    You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper


    body.

    Quoted message said:

    Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's upper


    body.

    Quoted message said:

    Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs helps you


    generate

    Quoted message said:

    power.

    Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and


    doing

    Quoted message said:

    the

    Quoted message said:

    rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.

    My trainer said the same thing last night....."Wait til you start
    seeing results....you will be happy." She said she is going to make


    me

    Quoted message said:

    a "hot" woman. She said this in front of my 26 year old daughter who
    thinks I am going there so I do not get a heart attack and die. I


    don't

    Quoted message said:

    think my daughter wants to think of her mother as "hot". I know I
    never thought of my mother in that way. But Moms in the 50's and


    early

    Quoted message said:

    60's wore aprons and stayed home alot. If I put an apron on, my kids
    would fall over in a dead faint. I will try all this muscle toning
    madness and see where it leads. Can't hurt I guess. Well maybe it


    can.

    Quoted message said:

    ;-) Maybe the upper body strength will help.
    Maggie

    Your bones will thank you also, Maggie. As one of those 'mature' women
    in the group I can tell you weight training has certainly helped me to
    fight osteopenia (beginning of osteoporosis). One of my main worries
    when riding the bike has been taking a bad tumble that could break a
    bone. Of course, my cycling worries my doctor more than it does me 🙂

    Thankfully I've only taken one bad spill and it resulted in nothing
    more than a scrapped elbow. Who knows, maybe the weight training
    prevented a broken bone. Someone posted an article awhile back that
    indicated cycling might help build bones too but weight training is
    still probably the most recommended form of exercise to build bones.

    Here's an article that has some of the benefits of weight training for
    cyclists.

    http://www.cptips.com/weights.htm

    Beverly

  7. Beverly said:

    Thankfully I've only taken one bad spill and it resulted in nothing
    more than a scrapped elbow.

    You had to throw it away? :-P

    Bill "slow morning" S.

  8. Maggie wrote:
    :: Roger Zoul wrote:
    ::: Maggie wrote:
    ::::: With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding
    ::::: time in as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym
    ::::: at least three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in
    ::::: May. Last week my trainer decided that I should use weights. I
    ::::: was told that the spin class would help with both cardio and leg
    ::::: muscle strength, but I need upper body strength as well to
    ::::: eventually be in shape to ride long distance. I started out with
    ::::: riding a bike for fun, ended up in a gym taking spin classes and
    ::::: now I am on weight training equipment working all the muscles in
    ::::: my body. When I arrived home last night I started to wonder how
    ::::: buying a bike could lead to all of this. My only goal was to buy
    ::::: a bike and ride for fun. I am now spending more time at the gym
    ::::: and working on muscle toning. Some of the machines look like
    ::::: torture devices. Is upper body strength really that necessary for
    ::::: riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying to convince me that I
    ::::: should get in shape and not just ride a bike. She is a crazy
    ::::: person (as all trainers in my opinion) and she takes pride in
    ::::: helping people strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did she
    ::::: use my goal of riding 25 miles to convince me to use the weights
    ::::: or is it essential that I do? What does upper body strength have
    ::::: to do with riding a bike? Call me stupid, but I really don't
    ::::: think it is that necessary. How much work are my arms doing when
    ::::: I ride a bike. I want an answer to that. My trainer just tells
    ::::: me, its important...end of discussion. So do you know? I am
    ::::: working my buns off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity fun
    ::::: ride.
    :::
    ::: You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper
    ::: body. Your neck can get tired when you ride long distances, that's
    ::: upper body. Your shoulders can get tired, too. Having strong abs
    ::: helps you generate power.
    :::
    ::: Bottom line: keep going to the gym and lifting the weights (and
    ::: doing the rest of it). Wait til you start seeing the results.
    ::
    ::
    :: My trainer said the same thing last night....."Wait til you start
    :: seeing results....you will be happy." She said she is going to make
    :: me a "hot" woman. She said this in front of my 26 year old daughter
    :: who thinks I am going there so I do not get a heart attack and die.
    :: I don't think my daughter wants to think of her mother as "hot".

    🙂

    Your hubby will love it!

    I
    :: know I never thought of my mother in that way. But Moms in the 50's
    :: and early 60's wore aprons and stayed home alot. If I put an apron
    :: on, my kids would fall over in a dead faint. I will try all this
    :: muscle toning madness and see where it leads. Can't hurt I guess.
    :: Well maybe it can. ;-) Maybe the upper body strength will help.

    Lower too.

    Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she brings
    home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look like when she's 50.
    🙂

  9. Maggie said:

    My trainer said the same thing last night....."Wait til you start
    seeing results....you will be happy." She said she is going to make me
    a "hot" woman. She said this in front of my 26 year old daughter who
    thinks I am going there so I do not get a heart attack and die. I don't
    think my daughter wants to think of her mother as "hot".

    Why is that? My 22 year old daughter thinks of her 50 y.o. mom as hot,
    so do some of her 22 y.o. guy friends. I say inspiration as your
    daughter gets older herself.

    I know I

    Quoted message said:

    never thought of my mother in that way. But Moms in the 50's and early
    60's wore aprons and stayed home alot. If I put an apron on, my kids
    would fall over in a dead faint. I will try all this muscle toning
    madness and see where it leads. Can't hurt I guess. Well maybe it can.
    ;-) Maybe the upper body strength will help.
    Maggie

    It is only going to hurt when you bulk up (very, very unlikely) and find
    that the increased body mass has slowed you down on a long climb during
    one of your CAT 3 races, probably also unlikely.

    IMO, it is all one package, and a fit overall body will improve your
    cycling for all the reasons others have mentioned. You will look better,
    feel better, increase endurance, sleep better, and increase your
    enthusiasm for biking and physical exercise in general. If your lifting
    time is taking away from quality riding time, perhaps it is an issue,
    otherwise, let us know in 8 weeks how you feel about it as your routine
    begins to takes affect.

    Good Luck.
    --
    Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
    remove "mydebt" to reply

  10. Maggie said:

    With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time in
    as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
    three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last week
    my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that the spin
    class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength, but I need
    upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to ride long
    distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended up in a gym
    taking spin classes and now I am on weight training equipment working
    all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home last night I started
    to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all of this. My only goal
    was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now spending more time at the
    gym and working on muscle toning. Some of the machines look like
    torture devices. Is upper body strength really that necessary for
    riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying to convince me that I should
    get in shape and not just ride a bike. She is a crazy person (as all
    trainers in my opinion) and she takes pride in helping people
    strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did she use my goal of riding
    25 miles to convince me to use the weights or is it essential that I
    do? What does upper body strength have to do with riding a bike? Call
    me stupid, but I really don't think it is that necessary. How much work
    are my arms doing when I ride a bike. I want an answer to that. My
    trainer just tells me, its important...end of discussion. So do you
    know? I am working my buns off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile charity
    fun ride.

    Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and fast he can
    ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg and
    http://www.e-tourmagazine.com/news/noticia/6Mario/2003-07-2311463.jpeg and
    http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img/2001-07-18/DSCN1893.jpg . And, oh, by the
    way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the Tour de
    France with a broken collarbone in 2003.

    So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.

    Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no preparation
    whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery and slogging
    and suffering. But, you could do it.

    OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way nothing else
    has, didn't it.

    You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is a part of
    that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me. Exercise without
    targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or requires far
    more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape isn't
    enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions for the
    upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty year old in
    town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.

    Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better with a
    little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when he
    crashes.

    Ron

  11. Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    🙂

    Your hubby will love it!

    I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?

    Quoted message said:

    Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she


    brings

    Quoted message said:

    home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look like when


    she's 50.

    Quoted message said:

    🙂

    She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores me.
    But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue. I'm just
    naturally charming. ;-)

  12. RonSonic said:

    On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[email hidden]>


    Quoted message said:


    Quoted message said:

    With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time


    in

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
    three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last


    week

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that the


    spin

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength, but I


    need

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to ride long
    distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended up in a


    gym

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    taking spin classes and now I am on weight training equipment


    working

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home last night I


    started

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all of this. My only goal
    was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now spending more time at


    the

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    gym and working on muscle toning. Some of the machines look like
    torture devices. Is upper body strength really that necessary for
    riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying to convince me that I


    should

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    get in shape and not just ride a bike. She is a crazy person (as all
    trainers in my opinion) and she takes pride in helping people
    strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did she use my goal of


    riding

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    25 miles to convince me to use the weights or is it essential that I
    do? What does upper body strength have to do with riding a bike?


    Call

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    me stupid, but I really don't think it is that necessary. How much


    work

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    are my arms doing when I ride a bike. I want an answer to that. My
    trainer just tells me, its important...end of discussion. So do you
    know? I am working my buns off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile


    charity

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    fun ride.

    Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and


    fast he can

    Quoted message said:

    ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg


    and

    Quoted message said:


    http://www.e-tourmagazine.com/news/noticia/6Mario/2003-07-2311463.jpeg
    and

    Quoted message said:

    http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img/2001-07-18/DSCN1893.jpg . And,


    oh, by the

    Quoted message said:

    way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the


    Tour de

    Quoted message said:

    France with a broken collarbone in 2003.

    So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.

    Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no


    preparation

    Quoted message said:

    whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery


    and slogging

    Quoted message said:

    and suffering. But, you could do it.

    OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way


    nothing else

    Quoted message said:

    has, didn't it.

    You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is


    a part of

    Quoted message said:

    that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me.


    Exercise without

    Quoted message said:

    targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or


    requires far

    Quoted message said:

    more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape


    isn't

    Quoted message said:

    enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions


    for the

    Quoted message said:

    upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty


    year old in

    Quoted message said:

    town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.

    Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better


    with a

    Quoted message said:

    little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when


    he

    Quoted message said:

    crashes.

    Ron

    When Jim Ryun held the world record for (running a) mile it was
    reported that he could only do one push-up. You wouldn't find that to
    be the case today and (almost) all folks involved in training agree
    that increased overall strength is a plus. As you say it is just a
    matter of priorities and what should be emphasized most.
    Besides it's fun to be strong :-)

  13. RonSonic said:

    On 13 Jan 2005 04:24:08 -0800, "Maggie" <[email hidden]>


    Quoted message said:


    Quoted message said:

    With the weather in NJ, it is very difficult to get any riding time


    in

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    as I've written repeatedly. I have been going to the gym at least
    three times a week in preparation for my 25 mile ride in May. Last


    week

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    my trainer decided that I should use weights. I was told that the


    spin

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    class would help with both cardio and leg muscle strength, but I


    need

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    upper body strength as well to eventually be in shape to ride long
    distance. I started out with riding a bike for fun, ended up in a


    gym

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    taking spin classes and now I am on weight training equipment


    working

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    all the muscles in my body. When I arrived home last night I


    started

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    to wonder how buying a bike could lead to all of this. My only goal
    was to buy a bike and ride for fun. I am now spending more time at


    the

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    gym and working on muscle toning. Some of the machines look like
    torture devices. Is upper body strength really that necessary for
    riding a bicycle? Or is my trainer trying to convince me that I


    should

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    get in shape and not just ride a bike. She is a crazy person (as all
    trainers in my opinion) and she takes pride in helping people
    strengthen, tone, look and feel better. Did she use my goal of


    riding

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    25 miles to convince me to use the weights or is it essential that I
    do? What does upper body strength have to do with riding a bike?


    Call

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    me stupid, but I really don't think it is that necessary. How much


    work

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    are my arms doing when I ride a bike. I want an answer to that. My
    trainer just tells me, its important...end of discussion. So do you
    know? I am working my buns off at that gym to ride in a 25 mile


    charity

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    fun ride.

    Here's a guy who has an Olympic gold medal to establish how well and


    fast he can

    Quoted message said:

    ride 25 miles http://mitglied.lycos.de/grischafan/tdf02_hamilton5.jpg


    and

    Quoted message said:


    http://www.e-tourmagazine.com/news/noticia/6Mario/2003-07-2311463.jpeg
    and

    Quoted message said:

    http://www.whileseated.org/photo/img/2001-07-18/DSCN1893.jpg . And,


    oh, by the

    Quoted message said:

    way, the second picture shows him on his way to fourth place in the


    Tour de

    Quoted message said:

    France with a broken collarbone in 2003.

    So you tell me how important upper body strength might be.

    Fact is, given reasonable health you could do a 25 mile ride with no


    preparation

    Quoted message said:

    whatever. It'd turn into a bit of a death march by the end, misery


    and slogging

    Quoted message said:

    and suffering. But, you could do it.

    OTOH, all of this got you off your butt and working out in a way


    nothing else

    Quoted message said:

    has, didn't it.

    You should (we all should) just plain get into shape, and the bike is


    a part of

    Quoted message said:

    that program, in fact it belongs at the center of it for me.


    Exercise without

    Quoted message said:

    targets, objectives, an event or a sport is either too boring or


    requires far

    Quoted message said:

    more self-absorption than I can possibly muster. Just being in shape


    isn't

    Quoted message said:

    enough motivation for me. My humble schedule of local competitions


    for the

    Quoted message said:

    upcoming year is enough. And if I don't get to be the fastest fifty


    year old in

    Quoted message said:

    town oh well, I'll be in pretty damn good shape.

    Back to the upper body strength, even Tyler Hamilton would do better


    with a

    Quoted message said:

    little upper body work out. At least he wouldn't get hurt so bad when


    he

    Quoted message said:

    crashes.

    Ron

    When Jim Ryun held the world record for (running a) mile it was
    reported that he could only do one push-up. You wouldn't find that to
    be the case today and (almost) all folks involved in training agree
    that increased overall strength is a plus. As you say it is just a
    matter of priorities and what should be emphasized most.
    Besides it's fun to be strong :-)

  14. Bill Sornson said:
    Beverly said:

    Thankfully I've only taken one bad spill and it resulted in nothing
    more than a scrapped elbow.

    You had to throw it away? :-P

    Bill "slow morning" S.

    Spell check just doesn't work for everything 🙂

    The only thing scrapped was the brake cables, the elbow was simply
    scraped.

    Beverly

  15. Maggie wrote:
    :: Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]>
    ::: 🙂
    :::
    ::: Your hubby will love it!
    ::
    ::
    :: I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?
    ::

    Gain about 50 lbs and see if you get more problems!

    ::
    ::: Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she
    ::: brings home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look
    ::: like when she's 50. 🙂
    ::
    ::
    :: She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores me.
    :: But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue.

    I hope not...he's not supposed to adore you....

    I'm just
    :: naturally charming. ;-)

    I'm sure you are.

  16. "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    news:[email hidden]:

    Quoted message said:

    You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper
    body.

    Gee I don't pull on the bars climbing hills. I sit and put my hands
    near the stem and try and relax my upper body/arms as much as I can.

  17. Roger Zoul said:

    Maggie wrote:
    I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?
    ::

    Gain about 50 lbs and see if you get more problems!


    Well then he will rag on me about my weight. But he is a very jealous
    man and if I look HOT and I look at another man, he will slit my
    throat....so what is worse?

    Quoted message said:

    ::: Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she
    ::: brings home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look
    ::: like when she's 50. 🙂
    ::
    ::
    :: She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores


    me.

    Quoted message said:

    :: But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue.

    I hope not...he's not supposed to adore you....

    Hey I demand to be adored. Its my nature.

    Quoted message said:

    I'm just naturally charming. ;-)

    I'm sure you are.

    Do I denote a bit of sarcasm here?

    Maggie

  18. Maggie wrote:
    :: Roger Zoul wrote:
    ::: Maggie wrote:
    ::: I am married to a jealous Sicilian. Like I need more problems?
    :::::
    :::
    ::: Gain about 50 lbs and see if you get more problems!
    :::
    :: Well then he will rag on me about my weight. But he is a very
    :: jealous man and if I look HOT and I look at another man, he will
    :: slit my throat....so what is worse?

    Well, that's a little sad, if you ask me. I couldn't live my life being
    jealous.

    ::
    :::::: Is your daughter married yet? If not, tell her that the guys she
    :::::: brings home will look at YOU to get a hint and what she'll look
    :::::: like when she's 50. 🙂
    :::::
    :::::
    ::::: She will be married in May of 2006. My future son in law adores
    ::::: me. But I don't think it has anything to do with a "hot" issue.
    :::
    ::: I hope not...he's not supposed to adore you....
    :::
    ::
    :: Hey I demand to be adored. Its my nature.
    ::
    ::: I'm just naturally charming. ;-)
    :::
    ::: I'm sure you are.
    ::
    :: Do I denote a bit of sarcasm here?

    None intended....

  19. Mike Latondresse wrote:
    :: "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    :: news:[email hidden]:
    ::
    ::: You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper
    ::: body.
    ::
    :: Gee I don't pull on the bars climbing hills. I sit and put my hands
    :: near the stem and try and relax my upper body/arms as much as I can.

    Do it agressively on a short hill 🙂 Or, acelerate away from a chasing
    bow-wow.

    I do what you do on a long extended (for me) climb.

  20. In article <[email hidden]>,

    Mike Latondresse mikelat@no_spam_shaw.ca said:

    "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    news:[email hidden]:

    Quoted message said:

    You need to pull against the handlebars as you climb hills. Upper
    body.

    Gee I don't pull on the bars climbing hills. I sit and put my hands
    near the stem and try and relax my upper body/arms as much as I can.

    On my MTBs, while going up steeper humps I find myself
    /pushing/ on the handlebar, to weight the front wheel.
    Sometimes I wish I had bar ends. On less steep up-slopes
    I just scootch as far back in the saddle as I can and mash
    on the pedals, while maintaining a light grasp on the grips.
    Maybe it ain't pretty, but it gets me up there.

    cheers,
    Tom

    --
    -- Nothing is safe from me.
    Above address is just a spam midden.
    I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.