Ride Frequency

When I can, where I can.

But then, I have no doctor telling me how much to ride, and my wife makes sure
I keep fit in the yard with the "honey-do" list. ;-)

Getting out on the bike becomes a daily thing in the late spring/summer,
usually for about 45 minutes or so, more if I can swing the pass to get
off-island.

Steve

SniffinVinyl said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

I usually ride 2 to 4 times a week, for an hour or two, though I'm not
sure my habits really mean anything to you. Most of my rides are on
fireroads, since that's whats near my house - weekend rides tend to be the
good stuff.

Quoted message said:

I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He wants
me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

Doctors tend to think of exercise in terms of stuff that people do in the
gym - jump up and down for 30 minutes, take a shower, go home. Mountain
biking just isn't like that - most of us don't have trails so small that
we can complete anything in 30 minutes, and unless they're right outside
your backdoor, you'll waste a lot of time in transit. Also, we work a lot
harder when we're out there. You might consider running or road rides on
weekdays, just to keep the pump primed (at least there's no transit time).
Dull runs & road rides will make that short loop look so much better!

--
-BB-
To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)

SniffinVinyl said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x
2hrs/week as trail conditions and time availability improve. However
my doctor advised that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter
how long I ride. He wants me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30
minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very
fit and able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So
this is a bit of a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and
ride more (Right. Like thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park
trails around town but thats going to get real boring real quick,
riding it 3-4 times per week.

I don't know why the doctor would be telling you how much to exercise. But
keep in mind that 30 minutes of bikeriding is not the same as 30 minutes of
jogging for instance. If you want to get a training ( adaption ) effect from
biking you should ride at least an hour at a time and more than twice a week
for sure.
I ride 12-15 hours, 5-6 days, a week but that's because I try to get in as
much time offroad as on the asphalt. Actually it's because I get lost as
soon as I leave the asphalt 😉

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He

wants

Quoted message said:

me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very fit

and

Quoted message said:

able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So this is a bit

of

Quoted message said:

a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and ride more (Right. Like
thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park trails
around town but thats going to get real boring real quick, riding it 3-4
times per week.

It was brilliant where I used to live, there were several routes out of
town, each of them about 10 miles, each had varying difficulty. Used to
ride that about 3-4 times a week and then do about 30miles on sunday. 🙂

Quoted message said:

Actually it's because I get lost as
soon as I leave the asphalt 😉

I know the feeling far too well.

SniffinVinyl said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Three times a week, on average. The rides are usually 60-90 minutes in
length. The amount of time usually declines as we get closer to fall, as
I tend to ride the same loops over and over and over and, well, you get
the point.

--
- Rog

http://www.wpcusrgrp.org/~rogerbuchanan/index.html

NOTE: to Reply to this, remove the phrase "NOSPAM"
from my "Reply To:" address, or it will be returned.

SniffinVinyl said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x
2hrs/week as trail conditions and time availability improve. However
my doctor advised that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter
how long I ride. He wants me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30
minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very
fit and able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So
this is a bit of a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and
ride more (Right. Like thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park
trails around town but thats going to get real boring real quick,
riding it 3-4 times per week.

2-4 times a week, 1 to 4 hours usually, and quite a bit of repetition if I
don't have a lot of time. But I also use a bike as primary transportation
around town, so that helps. I've also heard that 5x/week 30 minute
statistic. I think that's to get in shape, and you could get away with less
to maintain shape. It's also a generic guideline which may or may not fit
every individual.

As others have suggested, try to run a little when you don't have time to
ride. That really kicks my ass when I need to get back in shape after time
off. I hate it (in a love/hate kind of way) but it sure works wonders in a
short period.

Matt

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you
ride?

Three times a week or more, 1 hour to 3 hours.

Quoted message said:

He wants me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30
minutes each.

I do something every day if not riding running or lifting
weights.

--
- Joel C.

"I'm glad everybody is sorry. I'm sorry, too; it was a sorry
incident."
FCC chief Michael Powell

RE/

Quoted message said:

I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He wants
me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very fit and
able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So this is a bit of
a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and ride more (Right. Like
thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park trails
around town but thats going to get real boring real quick, riding it 3-4
times per week.

I try for seven and probably wind up with 4 on the average. Usually :45-1:15
during the week (long lunches, work later) and 2:00-3:00 on weekend days.

Similar situation - medical advice and all that.

It's gotten easier for me since I gave up on the notion of riding hard. Now I
"just ride"... and tend to wander. I started out hoping for 30 minutes, but it
always seems to turn out taking more like an hour. Definately cuts down on the
bordom/repetition aspect.
--
PeteCresswell

Get a second opinion? The doctor's plan is 150 min. per week while yours is
240 min. per week. I'm thinking the Doc. may not be listening.

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He

wants

Quoted message said:

me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very fit

and

Quoted message said:

able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So this is a bit

of

Quoted message said:

a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and ride more (Right. Like
thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park trails
around town but thats going to get real boring real quick, riding it 3-4
times per week.

SniffinVinyl said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x
2hrs/week as trail conditions and time availability improve. However
my doctor advised that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter
how long I ride. He wants me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30
minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very
fit and able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So
this is a bit of a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and
ride more (Right. Like thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park
trails around town but thats going to get real boring real quick,
riding it 3-4 times per week.

Isn't it more how "far" you ride than how much "time"
you ride? I ride 10 mi. on singletrack 2/week and
15 mi. on fire roads 2/week also. I squeeze in a
20mi. road ride somewhere there.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He wants
me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very fit and
able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So this is a bit of
a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and ride more (Right. Like
thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park trails
around town but thats going to get real boring real quick, riding it 3-4
times per week.

I currently ride 5+ times a week for 1-4hrs depending. It usually
goes
Mon - 1hr lunch ride (fast)
Tues - 1.5hr gym + 1hr spin class
Wed - 2hr casual ride + 1hr lunch ride (fast)
Thurs - 1.5hr gym + 1hr spin class
Fri - 3-4hr ride (road or mtb)
Sat - 1-2hr race or pre-ride
Sun - recovery or race

Some weeks less, some weeks more. Some weeks I go to Moab and spend
4+ hr/day on my bike. Some days I get lost in the woods and spend 6
hours bushwacking. Some days I am a lazy SOB and watch Law & Order.

It all depends on the effect you are going for. If your doc is
recommending a certain amount of exercise, there is probably a reason,
and you should probably do it.

Last year I rode the same set of trails 4x a week for 4 months. If
you mix it up and do it in different orders, it stays new longer.
There is always a new rock in the trail, or log, or hole, or hot girl.
More rocks than hot girls, though. Start timing yourself. Measure
your improvement, do multiple laps of the same section, etc.

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He wants
me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very fit and
able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So this is a bit of
a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and ride more (Right. Like
thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park trails
around town but thats going to get real boring real quick, riding it 3-4
times per week.

This spring I've been lucky if I get out more than once a week, and
the ride's usually only 40 minutes to an hour. Just too busy. So I
*have* to supplement with running, jumping rope, boxing at the club,
hitting the bags in the garage, whatever I can do to get 3 or 4 good
workouts in in a week. I also walk my dog every night. Nice sanity
preserving and bonding time with the big lab.

If all you're doing is riding, then once or twice a week probably
isn't enough to make significant gains in fitness, endurance, strength
or weight loss.

hth, fwiw, and don't discount the *huge* benefits of bike-commuting if
that is possible for you.

paladin

A long time ago now, my cycle pals and I all agreed that with off-road, its
probably more about the time than the miles. If your doing technical
singletrack and hill climbs you can get a hell of workout and not log very
many miles. Just my opinion.

My main two routes are 2 hours each, different trails so theres some
variety. One is 28km and the other is 30 km. I also have a very tough route
which is 16km (10mi) and takes about 1.5 hours

Thanks to all for great posts. I think somebody said it about right - once I
drop the pounds and reach the fitness level I am after, some of the small
frequent rides may drop off.

I detest running, the only thing worse is a stationary bike, I have to get
out on the trail, so thats my main exercise. In winter theres hockey but
thats half the problem when the boys go for wings and beer after. Long ago I
developed the good sense to avoid the wings. Still enjoying the beer tho.

You younger folks have less concern but us old farts have to start watching
our health. Don't want you to mistake us for a log on the trail.

Sniffinvinyl
----------------
Remain sane, cycle your brains out . . .

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

SniffinVinyl said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x
2hrs/week as trail conditions and time availability improve. However
my doctor advised that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter
how long I ride. He wants me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30
minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very
fit and able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So
this is a bit of a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and
ride more (Right. Like thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park
trails around town but thats going to get real boring real quick,
riding it 3-4 times per week.

Isn't it more how "far" you ride than how much "time"
you ride? I ride 10 mi. on singletrack 2/week and
15 mi. on fire roads 2/week also. I squeeze in a
20mi. road ride somewhere there.

--
- Zilla
Cary, NC
(Remove XSPAM)

Quoted message said:

If you mix it up and do it in different orders, it stays new longer.

Also, I've found that having more than one bike helps. My
bread-and-butter bike is an FS, but alternating it with a hardtail and
occasionally a SS and/or fixie ups the variety aspect significantly.
Same ride/different bike==>different ride.

78.85 mHz for a cloudy day.

Shaun aRe

"SniffinVinyl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Survey time - how many times a week and for how long do you ride?

Here is why I am asking:
I am riding 1 x 2 hrs/week, expecting to increase that to 2 x 2hrs/week as
trail conditions and time availability improve. However my doctor advised
that 2 x per week exercise is not enough no matter how long I ride. He wants
me to exercise 5 x per week, minimum of 30 minutes each.

In the past when I have ridden 2 x 2 hours per week I have felt very fit and
able to keep up with most others (except the hotshots). So this is a bit of
a surprise. Guess I'll just have to work less and ride more (Right. Like
thats going to happen.)

I was out last nite and mapped out a 40 minute loop on some park trails
around town but thats going to get real boring real quick, riding it 3-4
times per week.

You're looking at this the wrong way. A bike isn't a basketball or a
golf club. It's a VEHICLE. Sure, go to the trail and all, but you can
use it to ride to work, or shop, visit, whatever.

Leave the enclosed rolling couch at home and you'll get plenty of
'workout' time.

/scott

supabonbon said:

Leave the enclosed rolling couch at home and you'll get plenty of
'workout' time.

/scott

Yep. I actually put more miles on my bike than my car last year.

--
Perre

You have to be smarter than a robot to reply.

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

78.85 mHz for a cloudy day.

Shaun aRe

I prefer 10.35 Ghz.