Newbie Help

Welcome back! If you're already riding 22 miles, then I think a 1-time stretch to 50miles, with rest stops, wouldn't be any problem at all. Seat time is what you'll need, so that your butt will be okay with the longer ride time.

Cadence is simply the speed at which you are moving the pedals, in rpm, as opposed to the speed at which the bike is moving. The biggest thing that affects your cadence is the gear that you choose to ride in.

Do lots and lots of stretching. And some core stability (google search for this). These will help prevent injury and stop you feeling like a cripple the next day.

Eldrack said:

Do lots and lots of stretching.

Without getting too technical for the OP, the studies referenced in other threads on stretching seem to indicate that the effects of stretching vary from a loss of strength and propensity for more frequent injury in some cases, to an analgesic effect which reduces pain after exercise at best.

I won't debate the effects here, but would encourage readers to do a forum search on stretching if they want more information before adopting a 'lots and lots of stretching' approach to reduce injury or help with cycling training.

Thanks for the help... I think that stretching is almost always a good idea, especially since my legs have been buzzing or tingling a lot, since starting out again... It's weird...

frenchyge said:

Without getting too technical for the OP, the studies referenced in other threads on stretching seem to indicate that the effects of stretching vary from a loss of strength and propensity for more frequent injury in some cases, to an analgesic effect which reduces pain after exercise at best.

I won't debate the effects here, but would encourage readers to do a forum search on stretching if they want more information before adopting a 'lots and lots of stretching' approach to reduce injury or help with cycling training.