If I start riding on the trainer within a few days, is that enough time to get somebody into shape for a first cycling season? I know it'll be different for everybody, but I have been in sports all my life, so I get into shape pretty quickly. My first race would be say...mid April. So that leaves about...about 3.5 months to get into shape for a cat5 race.
I finished the cross country (running) season on october 31, and since then have taken a rest. Now I need to get back into shape...
Think its enough time? (Would it be enough time for yourself?)
If I start riding on the trainer within a few days, is that enough time to get somebody into shape for a first cycling season? I know it'll be different for everybody, but I have been in sports all my life, so I get into shape pretty quickly. My first race would be say...mid April. So that leaves about...about 3.5 months to get into shape for a cat5 race.
I finished the cross country (running) season on october 31, and since then have taken a rest. Now I need to get back into shape...
Think its enough time? (Would it be enough time for yourself?)
You have an advantage in that you were recently doing aerobic exercise. It takes longer to develop aerobic shape than muscle shape. If you haven't done a lot of cycling before you will have to develop your muscles in a different way. I would suggest to try and just put in a lot of miles at first. Use a heart rate monitor and keep yourself around the 70% of max for 90% of your rides at first. I know there is urge to ride really hard but you have to hold yourself back. The way I figured out my max is I went up a steep hill and then sprinted. Just a ball park figure is about 1000 miles of base building. THis all depends when you want to start racing. If you have the urge to race right away in the spring then you can start doing quality workouts If you look at "The Cyclists Training Bible" by Joel Friel then you can get some idea of what cycling training is like. The best way is to find a local club of racers go on a ride with them and pick there brain. When can you start racing? If you have some natural apptitude and you body adapts to cycling quickly you can race this spring if you are able to put some mileage in. Other people might take until summer. To be a bike racer you have to have the pasion to be able to put in the miles. I wouldn't be discouraged by early results some bodies just don't respond until they are on the bike for a long time.
You have an advantage in that you were recently doing aerobic exercise. It takes longer to develop aerobic shape than muscle shape. If you haven't done a lot of cycling before you will have to develop your muscles in a different way. I would suggest to try and just put in a lot of miles at first. Use a heart rate monitor and keep yourself around the 70% of max for 90% of your rides at first. I know there is urge to ride really hard but you have to hold yourself back. The way I figured out my max is I went up a steep hill and then sprinted. Just a ball park figure is about 1000 miles of base building. THis all depends when you want to start racing. If you have the urge to race right away in the spring then you can start doing quality workouts If you look at "The Cyclists Training Bible" by Joel Friel then you can get some idea of what cycling training is like. The best way is to find a local club of racers go on a ride with them and pick there brain. When can you start racing? If you have some natural apptitude and you body adapts to cycling quickly you can race this spring if you are able to put some mileage in. Other people might take until summer. To be a bike racer you have to have the pasion to be able to put in the miles. I wouldn't be discouraged by early results some bodies just don't respond until they are on the bike for a long time.
I forgot something very important. Start riding with a group, preferably experienced cylists, so that you can learn handling skills and the most important skill of sucking someone else's wheel.
