Fitness regime

[UNBALANCEDWIFE]

Hi

Some months ago, everyone was very helpful when I asked whether it was feasible for my 54yr old unfit husband to climb Mont Ventoux on his 55th birthday in July 2011. Now it has all changed a bit. Both my sons (29 and quite fit, 23 and not so fit) want to do it too, which is great. If anyone has seen the lovely French cartoon Belleville Rendezvous, I shall be the old lady with bottle lens spectacles and surgical boot, driving behind and blowing the whistle!! So now, I need a (or possibly several) fitness regimes with which to inspire them before they start cycling up hills. Any thoughts will be very much appreciated.

Incidentally, against all probability, I have now bought my own bike, a 1950's French one, and have twice wobbled up and down the road at the end of the garden, crying "I'm going to fall off, I'm going to fall off" but I didn't - just.

 

[accountantpete]

Hi UBW - hope hubbie has been getting fit.

I'd just recommend getting a turbo if you haven't got one - when cycling along on normal roads you find yourselves taking little rests going downhill etc which allows the muscles a breather. You won't get this on the climb and the turbo can help build up this stamina.

 

[UNBALANCEDWIFE]

Hi, You don't think I'm trying to do this mad climb do you? Even if I knew what a turbo was. Are you saying that's what the guys need? No, hubbie hasn't been getting fit that's why I need to know fitness regime so that I can keep them all up to the mark!!!!!!!

 

[accountantpete]

Hi, You don't think I'm trying to do this mad climb do you?

No - the wobbling down the road bit made that crystal clear!

A turbo is something like this

It'll make them suffer and sweat like pigs - I get the impression you might like that!

 

[Fiona N]

I have to disagree about the turbo - more toughening up is needed. Mt Ventoux is just a sufferfest IMO compared to some of the incomparable climbs of the Alps. By toughening up I mean developing the fortitude to get out on the bike in less than perfect weather. Obviously if your menfolk are not decent bikies, riding in snow and ice might be a bit beyond the pale, but riding regularly in cold, wet and dark makes riding in warmth and sunshine seem easier even if it is uphill. If you (they) don't develop the mindset, it's far too easy to give up when the going gets tough on Ventoux - as it will - especially if there's nothing much at stake, not even getting to the top as they have a support car to jump into.

 

[Polocini]

Try thesufferfest.com Training films for less than a tenner. The film Angels is the perfect training tool when linked with a turbo.

AL

 

[roundisland]

Hi

Some months ago, everyone was very helpful when I asked whether it was feasible for my 54yr old unfit husband to climb Mont Ventoux on his 55th birthday in July 2011. Now it has all changed a bit. Both my sons (29 and quite fit, 23 and not so fit) want to do it too, which is great. If anyone has seen the lovely French cartoon Belleville Rendezvous, I shall be the old lady with bottle lens spectacles and surgical boot, driving behind and blowing the whistle!! So now, I need a (or possibly several) fitness regimes with which to inspire them before they start cycling up hills. Any thoughts will be very much appreciated.

Incidentally, against all probability, I have now bought my own bike, a 1950's French one, and have twice wobbled up and down the road at the end of the garden, crying "I'm going to fall off, I'm going to fall off" but I didn't - just.

If its any help I'm 49 and was very unfit and overweight 18 months ago. I've been cycling regularly and this coming May i'm on my way to south france to tour and cycle Ventoux. I am not expecting it to be easy but with the steady hill and road work I've been putting in over the last few months which will be increased over the coming months I am expecting to complete the climb, so anything is possible! Good luck and get cycling!