improving someone recently back into cycling.

[nappadang]

I'm no fitness guru though I am reasonably bike fit. My friend has recently got himself a nice little road bike and we're planning to ride together, though it appears I'm a little fitter. Tbh I've not ridden with anyone and was wondering if anyone could offer us advice on how best to develop the fitness of my friend so we can get to a point where we push each other. Should I be leading and forcing the pace or should he be in front pushing himself? Etc.etc....
Any help, tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mick

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Just ride.

 

[RichardWHardwick]

Much of it depends what your friend is like. I'd take it easy on him to begin with and just enjoy riding with a mate - don't worry about times - go his pace. Do that a couple of times and talk to him to see what is best for him.
I go out cycling on my own, with a friend who is faster than me, and with friends who are slower.
If I haven't been out for a while I sometimes feel wary of going out with the fitter one, because psychologically I'm thinking 'God, this is going to be really hard, it's going to knack me.'
I don't have those thoughts on my own or with others. I've now got over those negative thoughts and realise this mate is the one that pushed me and gets me fitter. But it's taken a few rides to get there.
you don't want to put him off at the start - he needs to go out and enjoy and look forward to it, not be worried about keeping up all the time

 

[Banjo]

Depends on what your friends motivation is. If he is just out for some gentle excercise and fresh air then you forcing the pace will put him off.

For the first ride I would let him set the pace then have a discussion about what he hopes to achieve on future rides based on that.

 

[nappadang]

Just been out round Durham countryside together.In fairness, he's done really well. We did 17 a mile route which he chose. There were a couple of decent climbs that he struggled a little with but this was probably more to do with losing momentum (stopping pedaling at the wrong time) than fitness issues. Hopefully we can build upon this because having someone to talk to has added abrilliant new dimension to my cycling.

 

[tonyb5202]

Hi guys, I'm the newbie in this team, I'm enjoying getting out with Mick even though he a bit of a slave driver. Thanks for the comments and advice Mick's helped me out loads already but the more the merrier.

 

[Spapro]

Hi guys, I'm the newbie in this team, I'm enjoying getting out with Mick even though he a bit of a slave driver. Thanks for the comments and advice Mick's helped me out loads already but the more the merrier.

You need to get out and do some secret training, don't tell Mick, let him think he's still a bit faster than you. Then when ready, on a big hill, turn on the turbo boosts and leave him for dead - just having a quick glance back to see his face

Enjoy the riding, the fitness will improve if you ride.

 

[nappadang]

You need to get out and do some secret training, don't tell Mick, let him think he's still a bit faster than you. Then when ready, on a big hill, turn on the turbo boosts and leave him for dead - just having a quick glance back to see his face

Enjoy the riding, the fitness will improve if you ride.

It won't take much, trust me.

 

[cyberknight]

I would let the fitter rider take longer turns at the front at a pace thats comfy enough for tony , you will get stronger and faster just go out and have fun.