Couple of tips from experienced heads if I may ask?

[Risex4]

Hi

Bit of a long story so I appologise in advance. I've decided to lose or else get rid of a previously - erm - "destructive" lifestyle by getting back into cycling which I always used to enjoy greatly. In my early 20s, I used to commute to work every day (5 miles each way) which gave me a reasonable fitness base to the point where I could (and did) jump in the saddle on a whim (or a bet) for a 100-miler. After far too many years of laziness where this base level was lost, I want to get back to it, and beyond if possible.

I've started cycling again around the turn of the year with commuting to work (5 miles again) and am now pushing out to longer rides with the weather starting to improve; I knocked out a few 15 milers around the city during Feb, building into a few 25-30 milers last week onto a 40 miler today (with a lovely selection of hill climbs in there aswell). Now my question is, in terms of developing your fitness (both in terms of sustainable avg speed and range), is there a general concensus to which approach is best? Am I better to knock out a 25-30 miler twice a week, a brief but increasingly intense 10 mile hop four/five times a week, or set just go for a biggie each week, looking to push further than last time (i.e my next planned ride I want to do in the next seven days is approx 50 miles). During my, ahem, lazier time, I had a routine of 15-20 miles around the canal path which I would do sporadically (maybe once every 5-6 months or so).

Also, two other quickies if I may. I appreciate there is another forum for detailed discussion on equipment, so a one word answer would be brilliant as a pointer;

1) At the moment Im just wearing trackies and a sports top, which are fairly loose fitting and Im guessing do create a bit of drag/extra work? Is cycling gear (shorts and shirt) going to introduce a massive benefit in performance to someone who is just starting back out? I'd rather not go out spend money on gear needlessly is the benefit would be minimal.

and 2) Im on a hybrid (Dawes Discovry 301 if that means anything to anyone) which I've had for about 12 years. Its starting to show its age a bit but has been generally well looked after and is still in good nick. Would switching across to "proper" road bike be massively beneficial staight away, or would you suggest stick with what Im on, and then maybe look into it further down the line when the fitness is better so I can get more of a return out of it rather than perhaps "wasting" it now? If that makes any sense?!

Again, appols for length. Thanks for reading, and any tips greatly recieved!

 

[arallsopp]

Bike is sound. You're enjoying it, and its clearly comfortable / capable enough if you're hitting 40 milers. Not sure I'd manage that in what you're wearing, particularly as the weather hots up.

At this stage, performance gains are more around confidence and comfort. If you feel like a prat, don't trust your handling, and find yourself aching prohibitively, you'll want to change something. I think I'd go with clothing first. £50 will sort you head to toe and keep you cool in the sun.

The big performance gain comes with tyres, pedals, and geometry, which is normally slicks, clips, and (eventually) drop bars. The main thing is to get out there and ride. Sounds like you're enjoying it, which puts you 90% there already!

Andy.

 

[Canrider]

You might want to cross-post the first bit (ride lengths/training) in the Training forum for more targeted advice.

As to the rest:
1) You'll be ok in what you're wearing, HOWEVER, if you're doing longer mileage you will obviously be more comfortable in cycling gear, particularly as the weather warms up. Most importantly cycling shorts with a padded insert will help prevent/avoid/minimise any saddle soreness you might run into. Again more info on this sort of thing scattered throughout the forums. Not so much a performance boost as a comfort boost which can translate back into better performance.

2) Again you'll be ok with what you're riding. If it's working and in good nick and you don't *need* to switch, then switching won't be 'massively beneficial', but again a better bike will be lighter and more comfortable/faster so your added comfort and speed will translate into a better performance. I personally would stick with it for the moment.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

welcome aboard the crazy world of the born again cyclist. you're in for a wacky ride.

padded shorts are more comfy, don't worry about drag from tops at this stage on the other hand if wearing nice gear makes you feel better and want to ride more, buy some.

nowt wrong with a dawes disco 301. check your tyres and brake blocks are in good nick. might be worth getting a local bike shop to give it the once over. bit like the clothes; you don't need a new bike but if a few hundred quid is going spare and a drop barred piece of skinny tyred loveliness will make you ride more, it is your cash.

 

[Dave 123]

You need...

A- Carbon

and

B- Lycra

The more expensive and blingy, the better! And don't forget £400 worth of energy gels, a tax disc and a helmet.

 

[gbb]

Hi

.....
and 2) Im on a hybrid (Dawes Discovry 301 if that means anything to anyone) which I've had for about 12 years. Its starting to show its age a bit but has been generally well looked after and is still in good nick. Would switching across to "proper" road bike be massively beneficial staight away, or would you suggest stick with what Im on, and then maybe look into it further down the line when the fitness is better so I can get more of a return out of it rather than perhaps "wasting" it now? If that makes any sense?!

Again, apols for length. Thanks for reading, and any tips greatly recieved!

IMO, yes, a roadbike would see you increase your average speed immediately.

I assume the dawes has something like 700x32s on. Average speed on my hybrid, probably 13mph, average speed on my roadbike...16 mph. Doesnt sound much different, but you have to work hard on the hybrid, 13mph on a roadbike would just be stretching the legs...effortless.

Benefit now or later ?...it doesnt make any difference what bike you're on, its the work you put in.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

You need...

A- Carbon

and

B- Lycra

The more expensive and blingy, the better! And don't forget £400 worth of energy gels, a tax disc and a helmet.

love it!

anyways, i enjoyed my hybrid immensly (my brother now has the priviledge of using it and he loves it too) but i am slightly over protective and fully in love with the roadie! this in turn has got me wearing lycra and pushing it that little bit further (34 mph on the flat is fun to try and maintain for me!!!)

each to there own though, i know a few people who have gone to drops and hated it (however a fast hybrid might be ok)

 

[Nebulous]

Mix up the riding to keep it fresh, if you want to stretch yourself, but don't do it to the point of becoming reluctant to go out at all. Nothing to stop you doing one big ride one week, and two smaller ones the next.

Clothes will make a difference to comfort and functionality - but I doubt if you will notice any performance gains. A road bike bike will be faster, but it takes some getting used to.

Whatever you do make sure you enjoy yourself, the weather will soon be getting better and we'll have a great summer ahead!

 

[PaulSB]

Im on a hybrid (Dawes Discovry 301 if that means anything to anyone) which I've had for about 12 years. Its starting to show its age a bit but has been generally well looked after and is still in good nick. Would switching across to "proper" road bike be massively beneficial staight away,

Absolutely yes the difference between a hybrid and a road bike is around 3-4 mph immediately.

Nothing wrong with your current machine. I used to regularly ride 50-100 miles and toured on a Marin San Rafael. It is still one of my favourite bikes despite having been stolen!! But the answer to your question is in my experience undoubtedly yes the difference is significant in many ways including speed.

That doesn't mean you should rush out and buy a road bike. Spend time working out your riding types and style then visit your LBS and seek advice on the most suitable bike in your price range.

 

[Risex4]

Thanks for the answers.

It sounds like I pretty much expected. I think I'll shell out for some clothing gear before too long. Maybe "performance" was the wrong choice of word; I know Im not on Olympic Track! Comfort and funcionality was more where I was going, and it sounds like there are probably advantages as the rides get longer and the weather gets warmer!

Im more than happy with the bike as it stands, and seeing as I've never ridden a true roadie, I think I'll adopt the ignorance is bliss line and stick with it for the time being at least - as much as I am tempted to go out and get one! I'd never fully swap out my 301 completely as a) I love it and we've been through a lot together and b) I do sometimes like to "explore" my surroundings away from the tarmac (not all of the Westcountry's avenues of transit are smooth rivers of gray) and I fear a roadie may not feel inclined to accompany me on such excursions! So with that in mind, I see no rush until I'm pushing hard on frequent 100s (which is my interim goal). I take the maintainence/check-up point though; there were one or two descents yesterday where I suddenly wished my breaks were in a slightly better condition!

 

[Paulus]

As another poster said, maybe change the tyres when they need it, to something a little narrower. If they are 32's maybe go down to 28's, you will notice a different ride and a slight increase in speed.

 

[Risex4]

As another poster said, maybe change the tyres when they need it, to something a little narrower. If they are 32's maybe go down to 28's, you will notice a different ride and a slight increase in speed.

:This place needs a thumbs up smilie thing:

Thanks, great tip. Average speed is something I'm starting to focus on. Im happy that endurance/range/stanima/whatever will increase naturally with time however my average speed is lagging quite badly at the moment. Or more precisely not improving, although I've put this down to increasing lengths of trip inline with fitness keeping this in check somewhat.

Which begs another question I was going to ask; what is a respectable avg speed over a reasonable distance? Im loving it at the moment; being back out there, setting and hitting personal targets on distance or whatever, although Im sure as I get "used" to being a cyclist again the curve will start to flatten. With that in mind I may well be interested in at some point joining a cycling club which I think would help me push on once more if/when I start to plateu on solo hops. I know the correct answer is "respectable depends all on the individual" but what I mean is whats the kind of standard someone would expect from a run-of-the-mill cycle club run? To take it to a hypothetical extreme, 5-10mph over 20 miles for example Im sure would render joining a CC pointless?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

good cycle clubs, imo, have groups which ride at a variety of speeds and should seek to encourage newbies and returners, who can go on to find their own level. My local one has a social group who avg 7 - 8 mph.

I aim for 20kph avg. Depending who is leading the rides sometimes I struggle to keep up with the 'Intermediate' group and sometimes I could ride off the front.

 

[PaulSB]

My cycle club, for the Sunday ride, has three groups - the A group will average 17/18mph and some serious climbing, riders are expected to keep up though the group will wait if someone is struggling badly. The B group runs at 14/15 and ALWAYS stays together either by waiting or adjusting speed. In the B you never get dropped. Last group is called The Steadies - never been with them but think the name gives it away !!

Based on my own experience I'd suggest you will do very well to average more than 14mph on your current bike. At my club you would be made welcome but I guess anything other than The Steadies would be a struggle without a road bike.

 

[dellzeqq]

As another poster said, maybe change the tyres when they need it, to something a little narrower. If they are 32's maybe go down to 28's, you will notice a different ride and a slight increase in speed.

I had a Discovery 501 - a wonderful bike that has just received a full restoration job from a fellow CCer after spending four years in the garden. It had 25mm Conti Top Touring 2000s on, inflated to 100psi and ran beautifully. Sadly it's a tyre that's no longer made, but I reckon the 25mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus would do well - I have them on the Brompton and I've had one puncture in getting on for four years.

PaulSB's a bit tougher than I am. Fifty miles on a hybrid is hard work - there's too much weight on your backside and no variation in hand position to keep your shoulders from seizing up. A road bike will give you greater range, and, as others have said, greater speed.