First few rides

[brainyricardo]

Hi

I have cycled for family rides over the last 20 years on an old racer and mountain bike.
I have recently bought a entry level racer and am trying to get fit and get some good pace out of it.
I have ridden a few rides now over the last couple of weeks and seem to be improving slowly.

Below is a link to my ride today.

My question is: Is there any way to pace myself easily?? I seem to start of steady and seem to end fast.

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/226236942/898244

Thanks

Rich

 

[themosquitoking]

Not meaning to sound flippant but do you have a speedo and a cadence monitor?

 

[brainyricardo]

no. I use gps software on my smartphone which is what the link relates to. It gives tons of info and I could get a candence sensor for it.

 

[Crackle]

I'm not sure I fully understand the question. From your ride you seem to be doing OK. Most people start slowly and ride quicker at the end, it's called warming up and generally takes a few miles. What are your aims?

 

[brainyricardo]

My aim is to ride consistently. I have only had a few rides and struggle to pace myself ( i go fast and legs feel like they are burning or too slow and have to keep changing gear!).
My times are what I expected for being out of condition. I was a very good standard road runner a few years ago and played lots of football until I was 36 so I am not dead unfit.
I would ideally like to compete in time trials but I might be a bit old for that at nearly 40!!

 

[Saluki]

Nearly 40 is not old young man!

 

[paul04]

I would say just put more time/miles in on the bike, enjoy the ride and forget about times and speed,
You will learn what is best for you, and your times/speed will improve.

 

[Risex4]

Whatever "problem" you have, I wish I had the same one to solve!

On that 24 mile ride, you kept a decent steady speed up, especially seeing as the first 7-8 miles were a steady uphill gradient. You seem to have consistent peaks and troughs, theres a climb at around 14 miles for just short of 1, your speed drops but you seem to maintain it steadily enough suggesting your power control isn't the problem. I know when I first started cycling, and even now to a degree, I'll get my data all over the place if I attack a climb to early or push-over too hard on a steady false flat. It gets a little more varied, towards the back end, but then thats too be expected through muscle fatigue and fitness if just starting out again.

I can't speak for Edmondo as I've never used it, but MMR gives audio feedback as to pace. To teach myself to pace I used to set it for 5 mile reporting, and wait to hear what my 5 mile/total ride pace was and tried to hold it over 50 miles. Other than that, unless you get more accurate data from a GPS device, cadence and heart rate monitors, I'm unsure what more you can glean.

 

[brainyricardo]

Whatever "problem" you have, I wish I had the same one to solve!

On that 24 mile ride, you kept a decent steady speed up, especially seeing as the first 7-8 miles were a steady uphill gradient. You seem to have consistent peaks and troughs, theres a climb at around 14 miles for just short of 1, your speed drops but you seem to maintain it steadily enough suggesting your power control isn't the problem. I know when I first started cycling, and even now to a degree, I'll get my data all over the place if I attack a climb to early or push-over too hard on a steady false flat. It gets a little more varied, towards the back end, but then thats too be expected through muscle fatigue and fitness if just starting out again.

I can't speak for Edmondo as I've never used it, but MMR gives audio feedback as to pace. To teach myself to pace I used to set it for 5 mile reporting, and wait to hear what my 5 mile/total ride pace was and tried to hold it over 50 miles. Other than that, unless you get more accurate data from a GPS device, cadence and heart rate monitors, I'm unsure what more you can glean.

Endomondo does all of that but I just have it tell me my average pace and distance.



I suppose maybe I want to run before I can walk!!. As suggested I will put in more miles and forget about times.

Many thanks for the replies.

Rich

 

[brainyricardo]

I would say just put more time/miles in on the bike, enjoy the ride and forget about times and speed,
You will learn what is best for you, and your times/speed will improve.

THat is exactly what I will do!! Cheers
Rich

 

[brainyricardo]

Nearly 40 is not old young man!

Thanks........ but I would like to be 20 again!

 

[Saluki]

Thanks........ but I would like to be 20 again!

Wouldn't we all love, wouldn't we all.
Youth is wasted on the young.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I wouldn't be 20 again., wouldn't want the s*** of the last 30 years, I am 49, and i am fitter than when I was in my 20's.
18mph is a good pace, just build up endurance the rest will progress with it, it just takes time.
I keep setting p.b's on strava so I know I am improving, my technique is getting better, my avg is about 16mph but I think my general climb rate is little more.
This afternoon http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/226981468
this evening http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/226981468