I'm just getting into cycling. I'm nearly 35 years old, 6'3, 235-ish, typical computer nerd always sitting at my computer (I run a small computer repair/networking business in the rural area I live in). I graduated high school at 6'3, 150 and have steadily put on the pounds since. I'm finally got fed up. ALL my weight goes to my stomach. I do very little physical activity. My waist is 42", my stomach is 45.5" (just measured, YIKES!!), I wear a size 36 pants.
I've finally had enough. In May, 2010, I purchased a Windsor Bristol 24-speed. It sat and sat and sat and collected dust in our living room and I just started riding it last month, after having it a full year.
I live in a very rural area in a southern state. The land is very flat with very little changes in elevation. So, I started out riding 3 miles, then 6 miles and now I'm up to a 12-mile loop that I'm doing Mon-Thurs then taking Fri-Sun off. Last week, I did 50 miles in those 4 days. This week, I'll try to increase it a bit. I've REALLY caught the cycling bug and very much enjoy it. Setting personal bests for speed (24.69mph, with the wind), a mile in 2:50 (I've had FOUR sub-3:00 miles and I'm very excited about that). It's just getting easier and easier and I'm very much enjoying it.
Soooo, the reason I'm posting this is I had an idea hit me today where I've decided that on my 35th birthday (August 5th, a mere 47 days from now), I'm going to bike from one of the county to the other. It's approximately 55 miles. What do I need to do to get up to that kind of range? Sure, I don't expect to average 18-20mph for that ride and sure I'll stop every 15 miles for a 3-4 minute breather and to get more water (I expect even early morning, it'll be in the high 80's/lower 90's and 90-100% humidity) and it will be a challenge, but I've already committed to it. I'm going to have friends and local businesses pledge 'x' dollars per mile I complete and donate all the proceeds to the local Food Bank, so it's a fundraiser AND a great way to kick off my 35th birthday.
A couple of concerns I already have:
Once I hit the 10th mile, my hands start going numb a bit and getting progressively worse until I'm done. Sure, I wear cycling gloves, but should I look at getting better gloves or should I start using my aerobars (I tried using them my 1st or 2nd time out riding and that's a WHOLE other ballgame right there)? Also, my butt goes numb around that stage as well.
While my quads and calfs are getting into EXCELLENT shape, my middle and upper body is seeing no change. I'm going to start doing some situps and pushups and some medium weight training to try to slim up my waist, add some definition to my chest and work on my overall core. I have no goals of losing weight. I just want to reposition it and be in better shape overall.
I've never had a good diet. However, I've cut out all carbonated drinks (although I may have one a week), changed from Miracle Whip to Miracle Whip Light, changed from ham to turkey, started eating nutrition bars instead of candy bars and stopped eating as many fried foods. I've not dramatically altered my diet (because every person I ask will tell me something different) but I'm just making healthier choices in what I do eat. I don't watch my calories or anything of the sort, though. I do drink about a half gallon of water per day and a bottle or two of Powerade.
So, what kind of weekly schedule should I have and how should I change it as I get closer to my big ride? And how do I remedy the hands/butt numbness? Should I further adjust my diet? What kind of dieting tips should I follow? I'm currently a BIG meat eater and not so much veggies.
Thanks kindly...