Cycling Training · Public discussion

New to biking - difficult ride!!

Started by i2ambler · · Last activity · 4 posts · 1,528 views

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Cycling Training
Published
4 August 2003
Last activity
6 August 2003
Original author
i2ambler
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4
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Topics
Heart rate trainingHydrationInterval trainingNutrition

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  1. Original post
    i2ambler
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi guys,

    I am fairly new (3 months) worth of riding so far.. I have finally gotten up to about 75 miles per week on my bike. A friend of mine who competes in the ironman (and other silly [censored]) took me out for half the ironman course ride of 45 miles. I had done 45 miles before, mainly flat at an avg of about 17.5 mph and an avg HR of 150 - 160.

    Okay, so this course was very hilly and undulating. There were several short climbs of 9% (one I had to stop and catch my breath) the other was 13% for about 2000 feet and I had to definitely stop and catch my breath - TWICE. My legs felt OK, but my heart and lungs felt like they were going to explode.

    At any rate, I made it through but get this: 15.3 mph and an avg HR of 169! (I maxxed out at 199 - the highest I have seen it, and I am 32 y/o.. Ive gone to 195 before a couple of times) I felt like going and taking a nap a under a tree several times during the ride. I think my nutrition may have been off a little.. But I stayed hydrated. (drank 3 litres of water, and 20 OZ of accellerade, and 4 shots of hammer gel)

    Is this safe? Should I try this again in another week of two to see if I do better, or should I continue to build myself up in the flats? My legs were sore like they have NEVER been after that ride.

    I want to keep trying the hills, and think I will get better.. ( 3 months ago, I would ride a mile or two and have to rest in the FLATS - Now I can go 25+ miles w/o a break) However, I just want to be sure I am not doing more harm than good.

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  2. J-MAT
    Archived post
    #2

    i2ambler:

    Don't worry about it. Cycling is a hard sport if you push hard as you have found out. Cycling is all about the "suffering factor."

    It sounds like your head is in the right place. You want to push and do more. Your body has already shown signs of improvement. Keep up the good work.

    Is it safe??? Well, generally it is very safe, and one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially your heart and lungs. Ride several times week, most of them easy/moderate on the flats. A few times a week go hard, either on flats or hills. If you are too tired to do hard, just ride easy.

    Keep up with the nutrition, for 45 miles of tough hills you did good, maybe more accelerade and less water. You hit the high heart rates due to the hills. Imagine pushing yourself to those levels on the flats!!! Stick with it and let your body recover between hard workouts. You will improve rapidly.

    Good luck!!!

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  3. i2ambler
    Archived post
    #3
    Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by J-MAT
    i2ambler:

    Don't worry about it. Cycling is a hard sport if you push hard as you have found out. Cycling is all about the "suffering factor."

    It sounds like your head is in the right place. You want to push and do more. Your body has already shown signs of improvement. Keep up the good work.

    Is it safe??? Well, generally it is very safe, and one of the best things you can do for yourself, especially your heart and lungs. Ride several times week, most of them easy/moderate on the flats. A few times a week go hard, either on flats or hills. If you are too tired to do hard, just ride easy.

    Keep up with the nutrition, for 45 miles of tough hills you did good, maybe more accelerade and less water. You hit the high heart rates due to the hills. Imagine pushing yourself to those levels on the flats!!! Stick with it and let your body recover between hard workouts. You will improve rapidly.

    Good luck!!!

    Yeah, next time I do that rediculous ride I am going to bring 2 big bottles of accellerade w/ me..

    I also went and checked out my cassette and I have an 11-21.. I have heard that this is not condusive to any sort of incline.

    My legs were still sore from saturday this afternoon, but I got in 30 minutes of intervals on the hypermag. I am going to go out and do 25 miles in the early morning tomorrow, if I can.

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  4. RalleighOke
    Archived post
    #4

    Definitly continue, those hills might seem tough now, but when you keep on riding them, they do become easier (but still hard).

    Also I read somewhere on the forums. If you're lungs are burning, increase you leg speed, and if you're legs are going, breath more.

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