I began cycling last November to assist me in weight reduction. I now have achieved my goal weight but would like to be more firm. When I started out I knew nothing about cycling aside from the fact that I preferred to ride standing up as I found the seat extremely uncomfortable. I also liked riding in very high gear as I loved the kick I got from riding very fast.As I became more serious about the sport I was told I need to sit when riding and keep the gears lower for the most part in order to increase stamina, also because the muscles in my butt and thighs were becoming huge. Being a woman I wanted to look like one. I ride sitting now but don't know if my stamina has really increased. I want to eventually ride in a club and perhaps be fit enough to race. I ride a Giant OCR3 road bike. anyone out there with some tips to assist me in training? I now have a pair of Specialized road shoes and clipless pedals. I injured my left knee in a skiing accident some years back and severed a ligament but wear a brace while riding.
Cycling Training · Public discussion
Trying to get in shape
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- Cycling Training
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- 22 May 2005
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- 26 May 2005
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- wackydeirdre
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The best way to increase stamina and to burn calories is to cycle at a moderate
cadence for long periods (longer, slower riding, rather than short, sprint type riding).It is suggested that a cadence of 80rpm+ for time duration of 2hours+ is the ideal.
As regards toning, I would think that this would result from getting out on the bike and cycling.
Have you tried climbing hills/mountains on the bike ? -
limerickman said:
The best way to increase stamina and to burn calories is to cycle at a moderate
cadence for long periods (longer, slower riding, rather than short, sprint type riding).It is suggested that a cadence of 80rpm+ for time duration of 2hours+ is the ideal.
As regards toning, I would think that this would result from getting out on the bike and cycling.
Have you tried climbing hills/mountains on the bike ?
I've got a road bike and don't know if I have the strength for steep hills yet, but I'll work up to it. So far I only have had time enough for short 1/2 hr rides with a follow up of a 1/2 walk. I live on Long Island where there aren't many hills and have taking laps around the neighborhood for the most part. I think it's time I hit the highway. It's too easy to just swing home when I'm in the neighborhood. 2 hours will seem like nothing once I'm out there. Thanks! -
Join a club and go on some outings with them. Preferably, a club that has recreational riders and not just racers. They'll have routes and people to ride with. You'll find it a lot more enjoyable - at least I did.
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wackydeirdre said:
also because the muscles in my butt and thighs were becoming huge. Being a woman I wanted to look like one.
Don't worry, there are few things more sexy than a woman who clearly keeps in shape! Indeed this morning one of our up-and-coming Olympic hopefuls was in the morning bunch. Riding diagonally behind her was darn hard to concentrate on the guys in front of me let me tell you! -
Yojimbo_ said:
Join a club and go on some outings with them. Preferably, a club that has recreational riders and not just racers. They'll have routes and people to ride with. You'll find it a lot more enjoyable - at least I did.
Thanks! That's something I've really been wanting to do. Can you give any information on where to find such clubs? I so rarely see anyone cycle around here. -
886014 said:
Don't worry, there are few things more sexy than a woman who clearly keeps in shape! Indeed this morning one of our up-and-coming Olympic hopefuls was in the morning bunch. Riding diagonally behind her was darn hard to concentrate on the guys in front of me let me tell you!
I'm not sure I really understand what you mean. It sounds as if you were riding behind a woman who was very much in shape and having difficulty keeping your eyes off her. How does that make her less sexy than a woman who only is lean yet not in as great shape as another who is? -
wackydeirdre said:
How does that make her less sexy than a woman who only is lean yet not in as great shape as another who is?
Err, no that's not what I said. To each their own, of course, but personally I find cycling shapes a woman's legs very nicely ... well ... maybe not track sprinters on "juice". With all due respect to all female track sprinters on gas who are reading this 😄 -
886014 said:
Err, no that's not what I said. To each their own, of course, but personally I find cycling shapes a woman's legs very nicely ... well ... maybe not track sprinters on "juice". With all due respect to all female track sprinters on gas who are reading this 😄
I'm sorry I misunderstood you at first. I'm not bothered by my legs or arms, they have developed nicely. My backside has gotten a bit flabby since I began to ride seated rather than standing but is coming along. I guess I just need to ride longer distances on a daily basis. Everything will work itself out and who knows, I may get into competitive racing yet. Thanks for your input and I'm sorry if I seemed unnecessarily grouchy. -
wackydeirdre said:
Thanks! That's something I've really been wanting to do. Can you give any information on where to find such clubs? I so rarely see anyone cycle around here.
Agree riding with a club is a great way to get into the sport.Try http://www.bicyclelongisland.org/ It has links 6 bike clubs on Long Island, plus events calendar and maps.
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