Getting Started - I need help!!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by OXFORD_DON
I am a real beginner, just bought my first half-decent road bike. I looking for some tips with basic training. I need to improve my CV fitness the most, but also some leg strengh is needed. I am not looking to become an olympian, but half-decent at the sport so that in 6 months or so i could join novice races. So here are my specific points. Bearing in mind at the moment i am keen, but out of shape!!

How many days training per week?
How much road time vs fixed wheel?
Does the gear i ride in really matter?
Is it worth me getting a HR monitor? If so, which one?

finally, do serious riders really get impotent!!

Thanks in advance

Don

ps - this is my ride!!

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/uk/catalogue_popup.asp?sPageID=popup&popuptype=zoom&modelid=9820

Don -

I would suggest that you purchase Lance Armstrong's Performance Cycling. While it is not comprehensive it is a good start without getting too technical.

Personally, I would choose to ride on the road 100%, however, I don't like particularly wet or cold weather and so on these days I train indoors. If you don't mind the cold, wet or worse - having to dry and lube your bike after a web ride - then go for 100% road time. This will stop you getting bored quickly. Indoor training is often dull. Many here would agree with me!

The gearing is initally unimportant. Just make sure you keep your cadence between 75-90 rpm. That should work well for you.

In regards to HR monitors. They are a personal choice. If you are working of a budget (and who of us is not?!) then go for a Polar watch. The cycling range (S7xx) is pretty good. You could of course buy a power meter but I must warn you - the cost of this will most likely be more than that of your bike!

Finally, my nuts are still working. You would need to take a poll of the other guys here about that. I must add though that I don't know of ANY case where people become impotent from riding bikes. You are much more likely to become so by sitting about on your couch eating too much and indulging in too much of the good olde malt stuff.

Above all - enjoy your training. Make it as fun as possible.

Tom.

If you really want to get fit on the bike I strongly suggest that you should just ride as much as possible...
I know that people will laught at this advice although that is all you need.
Forget about the HRM as it is not at all needed at the moment, you really just need to spin your legs as much as you can.
I have spent one month off the bike and now I am riding again, I usually ride a minimum of about 70 km per day although this will increase as I feel my legs coming back.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by OXFORD_DON
I am a real beginner, just bought my first half-decent road bike. I looking for some tips with basic training. I need to improve my CV fitness the most, but also some leg strengh is needed. I am not looking to become an olympian, but half-decent at the sport so that in 6 months or so i could join novice races. So here are my specific points. Bearing in mind at the moment i am keen, but out of shape!!

How many days training per week?

2-3 hard days with 1 or 2 medium and a couple of easy days.

How much road time vs fixed wheel?

Your choice. I get bored easily so I ride outdoors in monsoons, or 20 deg F weather.

Does the gear i ride in really matter?

Just keep up 75-110 cadence. Most people would probably say to spin at 85-100 rpm but it is an individual thing.

Is it worth me getting a HR monitor? If so, which one?

A power meter would be much better than a HR monitor but they are expensive so you might want to wait a while on one of those.

finally, do serious riders really get impotent!!

I have occasionally had some pain down in that area from changing saddle positions etc, but never any other issues, and I don't know of any other friends who have.


Thanks in advance

Don

ps - this is my ride!!

http://www.giant-bicycle.com/uk/catalogue_popup.asp?sPageID=popup&popuptype=zoom&modelid=9820

The biggest thing to remember that I was told when I was getting serious, is that too many people go too easy on their hard days, and too hard on their easy days. When you are sore and want to recover it is better to ride than rest, just go REALLY easy and flush the toxins out. On your hard days ride longer or faster than you think you can. Cycling takes a long time to get the kind of adaptations that you want so be patient.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by J-Law
The biggest thing to remember that I was told when I was getting serious, is that too many people go too easy on their hard days, and too hard on their easy days. When you are sore and want to recover it is better to ride than rest, just go REALLY easy and flush the toxins out. On your hard days ride longer or faster than you think you can. Cycling takes a long time to get the kind of adaptations that you want so be patient.

You might have missed it in the previous post, but there are also answers to your questions within the gray box area of the previous post that didn't get separated like they should have. Only my last paragraph is outside the box like it should be.

Thanks folks. Useful tips.

Got myself some new bits of kit (always makes me keener to ride!) and have started hitting the road. Doing only 15 m/day at present. (we do miles not K's in the UK). Working myself in gently.

Don