i know my place

[steve52]

ok i have returned to cycling, can do 60 miles can touch 38 mph on the flat and have had an 18mph avg (on the flat in the fens mostly tail wind) so thought i would find people to ride with, HUH !! wrong i know im a fat block who isnt made to go up hills, i got my avges from the down hill and flat bits, other cyclist ride slower on these and faster up hills, then theres the fixx brigade who just ride at one speed, the only time i can be with them is as they pass me or i them ( a broken clock is right twice a day), so are there any fat blokes trying to get fit who cant get up hills, looking for someone to ride with? i will get there ps have entered the rutland circle in april( the 50) its got loads of hills lol im so cruel to myself

 

[ELL]

why dont you slow it down a bit on the flats to save energy for the hills. I find it better for me to go as fast as poss up hill so i can get it done quickly and not draw the pain out for longer.

 

[steve52]

have been trying that too, im sure im getting stronger but oh so slowly, but all tips wellcome, thanks from canal leg steve, there no towpath i cant climb

 

[Vikeonabike]

Steve,
Start a Log, you will soon see your averages coming down. Try not to make every trip out a TT, enjoy your rides and you will soon get stronger and fitter...
You've got some good rides out towards Melton from and the Dalbys from where you are. Eve a round trip through Woodhouse (The Beacon), Sileby and Barrow from you too. Loads of hills to get fit and strong on!

 

[Flipside]

i have also just got back into cycling, i prefer for some reason to drag hills out for as long as i can, i foolishly believe at some point it will increase stamina and endurance .

i am also not fussed about stats even though i have reasonable amount of fitness it does not seem to count going uphill in the snow

for me it all about getting out and enjoying riding,

 

[steve52]

just down the road from me flipside, wana go out together sometime?

 

[GrasB]

I'm probably one of those mono-speed fixie riders you don't like, first to the top last to the bottom . The thing I found with group riding you're forced into a riding style that isn't your natural style & imo this is a good thing. If the rolling average is about what you'd expect to be seeing but with the speed in different places then I think that you've found the right people to ride with.

My guess is you're pushing a little to hard on the flat so you've got nothing much in reserve for the climbing. With that in mind ease off on the flats & push hard up the inclines.

 

[Banjo]

i have also just got back into cycling, i prefer for some reason to drag hills out for as long as i can, i foolishly believe at some point it will increase stamina and endurance .

i am also not fussed about stats even though i have reasonable amount of fitness it does not seem to count going uphill in the snow

for me it all about getting out and enjoying riding,

The bottom line of your post sums up my attitude exactly Flipside.

Initially I started riding again to lose weight and improve fitness ,it certainly has helped me to achieve those goals but middle aged fat or thin blokes rarely get to the olympics or TDF so I intend making the emphasis on enjoying cycling .



My first step in that direction was putting flat pedals on my road bike.Clipping in and out was detracting from the pleasure so off they came.To be honest I dont think its made any noticeable difference to my speed and I feel much more relaxed.

I wonder if I have the only Scott Speedster with flat pedals?

 

[Flipside]

love to matey, however we would need to meet somewhere in the middle i.e Scotch Corner as i live in Hamilton outside of Glasgow

 

[Randochap]

My first step in that direction was putting flat pedals on my road bike.Clipping in and out was detracting from the pleasure so off they came.

Whatever turns your crank, but you obviously didn't give clipless enough time. Anyone who understands the benefit of clipless also doesn't think about them, so there is no "distraction;" it becomes as automatic as breathing.

As you were.

 

[Banjo]

Whatever turns your crank, but you obviously didn't give clipless enough time. Anyone who understands the benefit of clipless also doesn't think about them, so there is no "distraction;" it becomes as automatic as breathing.

As you were.

your right that I didnt really give it much of a chance,I have decided to use the flats for now at least until I get more used to the bike.Trying to get used to a very different bike to what I am used to and learning clipless was a bit much all at once,I may give it another go in a few months but for now I am enjoying the new bike without the black cloud of worrying about having yet another clipless moment,

 

[lukesdad]

Getting better at going up hills is as much mental as it is physical dont get negative about it. A lot of riders believe that if they ride bigger hills they will become better climbers. Sorry thats rubbish all they will do is hit a wall and get slower.

For someone in your position what I would suggest is to find a hill that you can ride up fairly comfortably in alow gear.Include it maybe in a circuit.As you climb try to accelerate and change up a gear and bring your cadence up to the speed you where riding at in the lower gear, you may not stay there for very long but, each time you do it you ll get further. When you can do the whole climb in the higher gear at the same cadence try the next gear or alonger hill.

 

[Arch]

Whatever turns your crank, but you obviously didn't give clipless enough time. Anyone who understands the benefit of clipless also doesn't think about them, so there is no "distraction;" it becomes as automatic as breathing.

As you were.

Or, he obviously thought about it and chose not to have them. Plenty of us manage to enjoy cycling perfectly well and cover the distance we need/want to, without clipless.

(I have them on my trike, but that's a safety thing to prevent 'foot suck' at speed)