beginner cyclist

[kaiser]

Hi everybody, this is my first post on this forum.

i'm new to cycling, bought my first £500 road bike around xmas.

as it's too cold to get out i've bought myself a trainer to use indoors, i've built my fitness up to around 5 miles in 14 mins, on the easiest resistance on the trainer, however i am using the big ring on the front at intervals to increase resistance.

the problem is i'm stuck at the 5 mile mark, i cant seem to get passed it. i did 6.5 miles on evening but it was a real struggle.

any tips on how to improve my stamina/distance? i'm trying to loose weight, lost 1.5 stone so far in about 6 weeks, mainly due to a drastic diet change i think..

any tips would be greatly appreciated..

thanks everybody..

 

[raindog]

"too cold to get out" ?!!
It's never too cold to get out on the bike - just get some decent togs made for winter riding and get the miles in - forget about the turbo.

 

[fungus]

Get off the dreaded turbo & get outside. The time will fly by in comparison, you'll be able to do different routes & you'll soon be increasing your mileage just by riding regularly. When increasing mileage just stick to small increases & you'll be fine.

Where abouts are you based?

 

[Spinney]

"too cold to get out" ?!!
It's never too cold to get out on the bike - just get some decent togs made for winter riding and get the miles in - forget about the turbo.

It IS too cold if it means there is ice on the road...

But raindog speak truth - the turbo is a nice change from getting a bit damp and/or chilly, but if you have a decent windproof top, pair of gloves and a set of wind & waterproof overshoes, gettting out on the roads will help you get more miles in. Once you are moving you'll soon warm up.

 

[kaiser]

based in N.ireland fungus.. are turbo's hated by most cyclists? are they more of a last resort thing? thanks for your comments everybody.. keep them coming.

 

[HLaB]

It IS too cold if it means there is ice on the road...

Nah its not too cold, it just means you've got the wrong set of tyres

To OP get out there, its much easier (and more interesting) to build up stamina on road and good luck

 

[mcshroom]

Hi Kaiser and

Turbos are not hated, but they are nothing like as enjoyable as actually getting out and riding as you miss out on all the things you spot/hear on your ride round (oh and downhills )

If you are riding 15min 5 milers on a turbo then maybe you should try backing off a bit. I find when I set off hell-for-leather at the start I tire pretty quickly. On longer rides I like to build up speed gradually.

Well done with the weight loss btw

 

[gbb]

Hello Kaiser...welcome.
A turbo's ok for maintaining/increasing fitness, but it doesn't replicate the real world. Outside, you wont be pedalling ALL the time and consequently recovering, albeit for short intervals. Downhills, you freewheel, in traffic you'll freewheel at times...all of this adds to your recover, or lessens the intensity. On a turbo, you're working ALL the time. As said, on the road, there's so much to see and think about, the time flys.

 

[Banjo]

Welcome to the forums Kaiser .Nothing wrong with turbos but its not much like riding for real.Doing 5 miles in 14 minutes means you arent totally unfit.

Go on bike hike, map my ride or any of the route mapping sites and draw a 10 mile circuit starting and finishing at home, A circular route is much better than riding out and turning around. First dry non icy day give it a go. My bet is you will find it easy and within a few weeks you will be mapping out a 20 mile route . Good Luck ,let us know how it goes.

 

[kaiser]

great advise, i suppose the reality is i have no road experience.. so i can understand what everybody is on about.. what sort of fitness level would i need before i could think about joining my local cycling club?, i know they usually do 35- 45 mile runs on a sunday, which at the minute seems like a long way off.. also is a helmet a must ?? i've read arguments for and against however i think your personal safety should come first.. also will proper cycling shorts help me out? at the minute i just use light trackie bottoms.. sorry if these seem like stupid questions, i'd rather ask on here than look a fool in my local cycle shop.. again thanks for your comments everybody..

 

[guitarpete247]

As has already been said Welcome and also get out there. If after your 5 miles you feel like a break take one. Take that as time for a drink and a look around you. Start off again when you're ready and soon you'll be wondering why you had to stop after only 5 miles. Take it steady increasing your distance and see how you get on. There are a few route planning sites like Cycle Routes Uk that you can plan out a route and it will work out the distance for you.
Well done on the weight. I wish I could do as well as you on that count .

 

[PaulSecteur]

For my training I have been using this system...


First, get a baseline to start from. You have yours at the moment with your 5 miles on resistance 1.

Then start to push the boundries of endurance and intesity one at a time. That sounds a little scary but take it in small steps. Such as do your 5 miles at your normal pace and resistance then be determined to carry on for a little bit more, you can slow down if you have to, but dont stop untill you really feel like you have to. Depending on your fitness that "little bit more" could just be another 100 meters, or half a mile. Only you will know what you can do.

Eventually you will get to a point where 5.5 miles is the norm. Once you can do that extra half a mile do your normal 5 miles then try doing that last bit at the same pace, or even a bit faster than the bulk of your ride. Eventually, you will get to a point where you can do the 5.5 with the last bit going a bit faster than the rest.
Next up is start a normal 5.5 miler, but about 1.5 miles from the finish go at a bit quicker pace, then when you can do that up the mileage to 6.5 miles.

Carry on increasing the distance and the effort in small ammounts. Dont get discouraged if you have some days where you get to 3 miles and want to give up, just do the best you can day by day and the overall trend will show an improvement.

But getting out and doing proper riding is the best way.

When I started I could barely do 2 miles, but with getting out more, even for just short trips to the shops the speed and distance available soon come up. you will be suprised how quickly the increases will come if you can just keep chipping away at them.

I would like to add Im not a doctor and that is not medical advise, but its what worked for me. Try it at your own risk.

 

[guitarpete247]

.... also is a helmet a must ?? i've read arguments for and against however i think your personal safety should come first..

Yes a helmet is a must if it makes you feel safer. And yes there is a lot of divided arguments on here and elsewhere about helmets. It's a personal choice. Many clubs won't let you on their rides without one.

 

[gbb]

great advise, i suppose the reality is i have no road experience.. so i can understand what everybody is on about.. what sort of fitness level would i need before i could think about joining my local cycling club?, i know they usually do 35- 45 mile runs on a sunday, which at the minute seems like a long way off.. also is a helmet a must ?? i've read arguments for and against however i think your personal safety should come first.. also will proper cycling shorts help me out? at the minute i just use light trackie bottoms.. sorry if these seem like stupid questions, i'd rather ask on here than look a fool in my local cycle shop.. again thanks for your comments everybody..

Cycle specific clothing is a benefit, but you can compromise and get the best of both worlds. For general cycling i like Ron Hill Bikesters (or even Tracksters) which don't cost the earth online, excellent for commuting or general riding. There's no compromise to be made with shorts though...shorts is shorts.

I'd get myself a computer and get some rides in and see how i'm doing distance and average speed wise, then try to find a club with a ride that suited your capabilities at that time.

I remember when 10 miles seemed as much as i could do...we've all been there. All of a sudden, you'll do 15, then 20 and so on. It can come in leaps and bounds.

 

[HLaB]

great advise, i suppose the reality is i have no road experience.. so i can understand what everybody is on about.. what sort of fitness level would i need before i could think about joining my local cycling club?, i know they usually do 35- 45 mile runs on a sunday, which at the minute seems like a long way off.. also is a helmet a must ?? i've read arguments for and against however i think your personal safety should come first.. also will proper cycling shorts help me out? at the minute i just use light trackie bottoms.. sorry if these seem like stupid questions, i'd rather ask on here than look a fool in my local cycle shop.. again thanks for your comments everybody..

It much easier for motivation/ support/ dealing with wind (and drafting) when you are in a group. When you can do that distance (don't worry too much about the speed) a good club will then nurture you along.

I wouldn't say a helmet is a must on solo rides but wear one if it makes you feel better, its a personal choice. I wear one but again its my choice. For riding in a group most clubs I believe specify one so its easier just to wear one.
Proper cycling shorts will make it more comfortable and that will also boost your stamina but it depends what you are wanting to do, ie for a quick trip to the pub shorts might not be ideal
Good Luck!