new to cycling

Josh

You should post the kind of bike you have and some of the gear you use. Folks who have similar gear will have specific thoughts for you.

So you have a comparison, I'm a roadie who lives in CO. I ride with a local club and rate myself as slightly above average in my age group (39 years old). I climb well, I suck at descent and I'm an average to slightly below average sprinter. I do a lot of organized rides and have done a few races, but not many. I ride a Specialized Roubaix Pro with D-10 components.

I'm sure you'll get (conflicting) replies to this post, but here are my initial thoughts:

1) Make sure your bike fits you. You don't mention if you have a bike, are buying one, etc. Get into your local bike shop and have them take a look at your fit. It's amazing how much pain you can avoid and how much you can improve with some pretty minor adjustments.

2) Get out and ride with a club. If you're just starting out you have no idea what you're strengths or weaknesses are. Find a local club or two and do a few weeks of riding with them. Equally important is talking to the folks in the club on the ride. Let them know you're just starting out and you're trying to figure out what you need to work on. Everybody I have ridden with has been willing to talk about their training programs, what they do well, etc. Plus, riding with other folks is more fun than training alone IMO.

3) Don't try to work on everything on every ride. I purchased the Chris Carmichael training DVDs a year ago and learned a lot. Specifically, CC focuses on specific aspects of cycling (e.g., climbing, sprinting, etc) each workout and touts efficiency in training, not just slogging through hundreds of miles and dozens of hours on the bike. Don't underestimate the value of the easy rest day(s). Since you swam competitively, I'm sure you know how to focus your training.

4) Learn the basics of bike repair. Keeping your bike in tune will make your riding more enjoyable and will save you out on the road if something goes south. Get to know your local bike shop for the big stuff or maintenance you don't have the tools for. They're pros and will keep you on the road. But knowing how to do some of the smaller (as well as bigger) stuff is always good.

5) Keep your bike clean. Chain, derailleurs, frame. Everything.

6) Probably most important is to enjoy the bike. I am a competitive person and enjoy making my riding partners suffer on the climbs 😄 like they make me suffer in the sprints:eek: . Having said that, I believe cycling is supposed to be fun. When I have to talk myself into going for a ride, that's when I'll start looking for something else to do.

I'll post other toughts as they come to me.

DB

SIDI,

Here is another slant on cycling for you. I ride one of those "laid back" recumbent bikes. I do rides with a local touring type club and commute. Any bike that gets you out, riding, and enjoying yourself is a good bike. Figure out what type of riding you want to do and then go from there. Fit is the single most important aspect of any bike purchase. It is much more than just standing over the bike and checking crotch clearance. Patroize a shop that will take the time and effort to fit you correctly. Good Luck!

dbianucci said:

Josh

You should post the kind of bike you have and some of the gear you use. Folks who have similar gear will have specific thoughts for you.

So you have a comparison, I'm a roadie who lives in CO. I ride with a local club and rate myself as slightly above average in my age group (39 years old). I climb well, I suck at descent and I'm an average to slightly below average sprinter. I do a lot of organized rides and have done a few races, but not many. I ride a Specialized Roubaix Pro with D-10 components.

I'm sure you'll get (conflicting) replies to this post, but here are my initial thoughts:

1) Make sure your bike fits you. You don't mention if you have a bike, are buying one, etc. Get into your local bike shop and have them take a look at your fit. It's amazing how much pain you can avoid and how much you can improve with some pretty minor adjustments.

2) Get out and ride with a club. If you're just starting out you have no idea what you're strengths or weaknesses are. Find a local club or two and do a few weeks of riding with them. Equally important is talking to the folks in the club on the ride. Let them know you're just starting out and you're trying to figure out what you need to work on. Everybody I have ridden with has been willing to talk about their training programs, what they do well, etc. Plus, riding with other folks is more fun than training alone IMO.

3) Don't try to work on everything on every ride. I purchased the Chris Carmichael training DVDs a year ago and learned a lot. Specifically, CC focuses on specific aspects of cycling (e.g., climbing, sprinting, etc) each workout and touts efficiency in training, not just slogging through hundreds of miles and dozens of hours on the bike. Don't underestimate the value of the easy rest day(s). Since you swam competitively, I'm sure you know how to focus your training.

4) Learn the basics of bike repair. Keeping your bike in tune will make your riding more enjoyable and will save you out on the road if something goes south. Get to know your local bike shop for the big stuff or maintenance you don't have the tools for. They're pros and will keep you on the road. But knowing how to do some of the smaller (as well as bigger) stuff is always good.

5) Keep your bike clean. Chain, derailleurs, frame. Everything.

6) Probably most important is to enjoy the bike. I am a competitive person and enjoy making my riding partners suffer on the climbs 😄 like they make me suffer in the sprints:eek: . Having said that, I believe cycling is supposed to be fun. When I have to talk myself into going for a ride, that's when I'll start looking for something else to do.

I'll post other toughts as they come to me.

DB

Alright thanks for all of that information that's really helpful. I just bought a Trek 1500 a couple of weeks ago and have yet to go on a ride, as my class schedule/weather has not been very forgiving since I have gotten it.

It has Shimano 105 all around, except an Ultegra rear derailleur. I switched the stock pedal to clipless road pedals, which should be an experience as I've never used them before. I was fitted for the bike when I went to pick it up so I think I'm alright there, but I'll find out better when I go out for a ride.

Is there anywhere on the site that has region specific forums, like the eastern US, or any websites that could tell me where I can find local bike clubs? I'll be in central Pennsylvania for almost the entire summer.

Again thanks for all the info,
Josh

Check the bike shops, I'm sure they can point you in a direction as far as clubs and organized rides. My shop meets every Sunday morning. The 1500 is a solid bike and should carry you quite a ways. You mentioned you are interested in tris. Invest in a aero bar a few months before your first race to give you time to get used to it.
Get out and ride!

SIDIscarpe4 said:

Alright thanks for all of that information that's really helpful. I just bought a Trek 1500 a couple of weeks ago and have yet to go on a ride, as my class schedule/weather has not been very forgiving since I have gotten it.

It has Shimano 105 all around, except an Ultegra rear derailleur. I switched the stock pedal to clipless road pedals, which should be an experience as I've never used them before. I was fitted for the bike when I went to pick it up so I think I'm alright there, but I'll find out better when I go out for a ride.

Is there anywhere on the site that has region specific forums, like the eastern US, or any websites that could tell me where I can find local bike clubs? I'll be in central Pennsylvania for almost the entire summer.

Again thanks for all the info,
Josh

SIDIscarpe4 said:

I switched the stock pedal to clipless road pedals, which should be an experience as I've never used them before.

It's well worth spending some time leaning against something solid to get used to clicking in and out of them. After a while, you won't even have to think about it.

When I was at the shop gettin' fitted for the bike they had me in a trainer and were givin' me tips about clicking in and out and it didn't seem too bad. I just know I'll be out on it for the first time and take a dig right in front of a club or something.

SIDIscarpe4 said:

When I was at the shop gettin' fitted for the bike they had me in a trainer and were givin' me tips about clicking in and out and it didn't seem too bad. I just know I'll be out on it for the first time and take a dig right in front of a club or something.

It sounds like you found the right shop. Even if you do take a dig, don't feel bad. I know several people who broke bones at the first stop sign after switching to clipless.

Your concern about taking a dig in front of a club is not your primary worry. Your primary worry is doing it in front of a one of those dark-eyed, pony-tailed cycling chicks. Thank heaven for girls on bikes!

dbianucci said:

Your concern about taking a dig in front of a club is not your primary worry. Your primary worry is doing it in front of a one of those dark-eyed, pony-tailed cycling chicks. Thank heaven for girls on bikes!

Good call on that one haha

I've never ridden seriously before and I kinda wanna take it up and do some races this summer, but I don't know how to find any around my area. And I have no idea what i'm doing, are there any books or websites or anything that you guys recommend?

again thanks for all replies and information
Josh

are there any books or websites or anything that you guys recommend?

Check out a book called "Serious Cycling" by Ed Burke... or anything else he has written.

I havea question for u. Were exactly are u in PA? I live close to the center of PA myself. I am going to buy a trek 1200 and try to find some races to get into myself.

mike7382 said:

I havea question for u. Were exactly are u in PA? I live close to the center of PA myself. I am going to buy a trek 1200 and try to find some races to get into myself.

Right now I'm in Wisconsin for school, but in May I'll be going to Selinsgrove for the remainder of the summer, it's just a small town about 50 miles north of Harrisburg.

SIDIscarpe4 said:

Good call on that one haha

I've never ridden seriously before and I kinda wanna take it up and do some races this summer, but I don't know how to find any around my area. And I have no idea what i'm doing, are there any books or websites or anything that you guys recommend?

again thanks for all replies and information
Josh

I believe there are lots of races in Wisconsin. Check out

http://www.truesport.com

Best wishes,

Soo-re