Is my bike too big for me?

[All uphill]

I thought I should read the whole thread, so I have. I would second the concern expressed by @All uphill

You mentioned toe numbness. The two most likely causes, assuming the shoes are the correct fit, are the shoe is too tightly fastened or the cleat position is wrong. Both are easily addressed while out on a ride.

The hand issues, ulnar etc. will be addressed by adjusting your position.

Snickers, beef jerky, gels? On 30 mile rides? Why? These won't be helping you. I've only known one person vomit on a ride. He had sunstroke/heat exhaustion. I don't suggest you have this but do think you're overeating and probably over exerting yourself.

You have a very high average heart rate.

My advice would be forget about zones, cadence, speed and segments. Your goal appears to be exercise, fitness and weight loss. All very laudable, excellent targets. None of these address those goals.

Get on the bike. Go for a gentle ride. Take some Allen keys with you and adjust cleat position, saddle height and position until you are comfortable. I am never uncomfortable on my bikes.

The next step is to build fitness and stamina. I'd suggest you target non-stop 30 mile rides at a pace which means you get home with plenty left in the tank, don't cram in food and feel relatively fresh at the end. Add rest days to this.

14mph over 30 miles is +/-130 minutes riding. At 12mph it's +/-150 minutes cycling. Those extra 20 minutes on the bike will do you more good than any number of segments, Z3/Z4 rides etc.

If you keep trying to push yourself like this you'll end up injured or dispirited, perhaps both and the journey may end before its really got started.

Id love to cycle with you I'm, but I'm in Somerset in England, not Texas.

 

[EckyH]

My advice would be forget about zones, cadence, speed and segments. Your goal appears to be exercise, fitness and weight loss. All very laudable, excellent targets. None of these address those goals.

Get on the bike. Go for a gentle ride. Take some Allen keys with you and adjust cleat position, saddle height and position until you are comfortable.

What he wrote. Comfort is a bringer of joy. Comparison is the thief of joy. (Until you are the best but to accomplish this there is a lot of work to do and work isn't so much joyful...)

The next step is to build fitness and stamina. I'd suggest you target non-stop 30 mile rides at a pace which means you get home with plenty left in the tank, don't cram in food and feel relatively fresh at the end. Add rest days to this.

And that.

In my experience a strict regime for eating and even more important drinking is helpful in the beginning, eg. two sips every 3km or 8-10 minutes, on longer rides ("longer" begins at 40km or something between 1.5 and 2 hours for me - ymmv) and one morsel every 7km or 18-20 minutes and a sip afterwards.

On my rides I prefer tap water with a pinch of salt and homemade oat eggs (moisted soft oat flakes, linseed, pumpkin seeds, agave syrup, chopped dried fruits like apricots, figs and dates, all mixed together, formed the eggs with two table spoons, baked in the oven at roughly 150°C for 30-35min). One of those eggs is just the right sized morsel for me - your morse size may vary.

Imho the main thing is to eat and drink only things we know that we can stomach them on a ride at the right amount.

Sometimes I think I am training for the Tour De France or something when I started cycling because how fun, exciting, and carefree cycling made me feel.

There is nothing wrong with having ambitious aims.
But that needs a base and that base is stamina. You get stamina on easy rides where you can have longer conversations with your riding partner(s). When you're riding alone try to breath through the nose only. If you don't need your bike computer for navigation, put it in a back pocket. Ride a standard course once with that "easy going approach", write down the results and conditions (how your perceived form on the day is, weather conditions, day time of the ride). Wait at least a month until you do the same course with the same easiness. Do that at least for half a year and you'll notice a trend to the better.
Consistency and patience (*) are the keys.
Edit: At least as important as consistency and patience are rest days.

E.

(*) In German we have a saying: "Lord, please give my patience. But promptly!!"

 

[Reynard]

Ah yes enjoyment! I will have to do my best to remember not to take myself too seriously. Sometimes I think I am training for the Tour De France or something when I started cycling because how fun, exciting, and carefree cycling made me feel. Thanks for the wise words!

The sum of my cycling today was a two mile tootle to go and pick my car up from the garage after it had some work done on it. It got me out for a little bit once the rain had stopped, and I checked one of my favourite foraging spots on the way. Mind you, yesterday I spent an hour walking around a local nature reserve with a friend and her dogs. It was good to walk, chat and set the world to rights.

P.S. I used to fence to a very good standard (I did compete in A-grade events at one point), and have done my share of training and pushing myself beyond my limits. Some bits of that were definitely not fun. Which is why I say what I do.

 

[philipgonzales3]

Id love to cycle with you I'm, but I'm in Somerset in England, not Texas.

Oh dang, when I clicked on the link to your location it pulled up a map of Somerset Texas. Welp guess I'm going to Englad! Already put my kit on so see you in a bit! Haha JKJK

 

[boydj]

For a beginner, a 15mph average over 30 miles is very good, but I wonder if you are pushing yourself too hard too early. The danger is not enjoying the cycling and putting yourself off.

Patience. You're on a long-term lifestyle change project. Pushing hard is ok once or twice a week, but your endurance is built by extending the time on the bike on steady runs at relatively low effort levels, and with endurance, the speed will come.

 

[Atticus]

My 30 mile ride was over 3 hours elapsed time, 2hours 2 minutes moving time.

Philip, if you don't mind me asking, purely for my own curiosity and because it's always interesting to see how other people's rides pan out, on a 3 hour ride where you are only moving for 2 hours 2 minutes how does that actually play out? Where does the hour break come in and what do you actually do in that hour when you are not moving?

I hope you get over the vomiting, that sounds grim.

 

[philipgonzales3]

Philip, if you don't mind me asking, purely for my own curiosity and because it's always interesting to see how other people's rides pan out, on a 3 hour ride where you are only moving for 2 hours 2 minutes how does that actually play out? Where does the hour break come in and what do you actually do in that hour when you are not moving?

I hope you get over the vomiting, that sounds grim.

This is mostly due to riding with a buddy and chatting and catching our breath and what not. I usually try to keep myself to one or two 5 to 10 minute stops on my rides so far. Mostly because I suck at eating gels while riding and to catch some shade because it is very hot here in south Texas. On this particular ride, we stopped for a few minutes once we hit a road block as the train was closed off on one end. We decided to head back and stopped for a good 20 minutes or so halfway through our ride to chit chat on a bench. Then we took a 30 minute break at the other end of the trail (well the end we made it to at least) as this area is a public park so we ate a gel and refilled our waters and just had a good chat. I was also really winded from trying to keep up with my buddy. Then when almost back to our car a good 10 minute break getting all the vomit out of my system lol. Those are just approximations. My buddy liked to push hard and then take a good break every once in a while vs a constant (lower) effort. Everyone is different and I think mixing it up is good. I'm pretty easy going so happy to just be out and about in general.

Speaking of which, I have only gotten one ride in this week so far! I am slacking. Maybe I can get one in this PM. We shall see!

 

[newts]

View attachment 739996

That saddle angle is making my eyes hurt. Any hand numbness is likely due to the nose of the saddle being tilted down so far resulting in tipping your upper body forwards & too much weight on your hands. If a professional bike fitter has set your saddle like this, I'd be seriously questioning his ability?

 

[philipgonzales3]

That saddle angle is making my eyes hurt. Any hand numbness is likely due to the nose of the saddle being tilted down so far resulting in tipping your upper body forwards & too much weight on your hands. If a professional bike fitter has set your saddle like this, I'd be seriously questioning his ability?

Agreed that this is likely the biggest contributing factor. I have leveled it with a level and it seems much better as far as hand numbness while riding. I'm not so certain if the fitter is at fault or not. Here is the picture after my bike fit. I'm not certain, but it seems more level to me but still a bit nose down. The reason I am not sure if it is the bike fitters fault is because this seat has been very touchy! It was doing all kinds of creaking and I actually took it back to my local Trek store for the creaking and they said all the bolts needed re-tourqing or what not. Even after this I had creaking again (and play in the seat mast) and had to torque the seat mast back to spec myself a short time later. I suspect either the Trek store inadvertently added the downward tilt or my body weight caused the nose to go down some or maybe the fitter did fit it too far downward. I'm not sure TBH. Even this picture below is from after a ride so hard to say for sure what happened.

I plan to checking that my saddle is level to my pre-ride (or maybe post-ride) checks going forward. Unfortunately my pinky and wring finger numbness in my left hand has not gone away yet. I think it is going to take forever to heal. I did switch my wrist watch to my other hand as well in hopes to relieve any pinching of the nerve on my left hand (or maybe to even add some pinching on the right hand! Mostly kidding).

Regards,

Philip

 

[SpokeyDokey]

With all due respect, and well done to having started cycling to get rid of that belly...

For a newbie cyclist you seem to be way overthinking every aspect of your bike fit etc and the ride.

Just take it easy, relax and cycle nice and steady 3 or 4 times a week for maybe 6 months or so.

This will get you into the cycling 'habit' and will steadily increase your stamina.

Once you are doing 20-30 mile rides each time you are out and when 6 months have elapsed, then start to plan more seriously.

NB: beef jerky & Snickers on quite short rides will not help shift belly fat.

Cycling per se is not a great belly shifter tbh, you will need to diet to shift it. This in turn will improve your cycling.

Good luck to you.

 

[PaulSB]

I have been thinking along similar lines to @SpokeyDokey and I suspect others. The message from several posters is clear, back off a little, take it easy and build stamina.

The exercise you're planning and undertaking is great. You've recognised a problem and taken up a great sport to help you improve. However the stops you describe negatively impact, well reduce, the health benefits you're after. You stopped four times in a 30 mile ride. With the length of your stops you effectively had four short rides. This isn't "mixing it up."

In the heat you describe a few minutes rest in the shade is probably a good thing. I don't know, these are temperatures i dream of! Hydrate properly. I would say 750ml pre-ride, 1500 during the ride and 750ml post ride. Ditch the jerky and Snickers, these are useless calories. A banana, sultanas, 20-30g, and dried apricots, 20-30g, would be more valuable.

I think you're reading too much and trying to add ideas, routines etc. into your riding far too early. Target 30 miles, 12mph avg, with +/- 15 minutes stopped time to hydrate properly, snack and have a few moments in the shade. This really will build your stamina, fitness, hopefully reduce the HR, and give a good base for the future.

My buddies and I are aged 66-70. Over 30 miles we might stop once to pee. Our social rides are 40+ without a stop, often 50 when we rest for coffee, cake and chat for 30-40 minutes leaving perhaps 15+ miles to ride home.

You seem to be taking the advice and opinions in good spirit. This is how everyone intends them. I truly applaud your effort and determination and believe you'll be successful. When I look around our streets I see tens of thousands who should follow your example. 👏👏

 

[teeonethousand]

I have been thinking along similar lines to @SpokeyDokey and I suspect others. The message from several posters is clear, back off a little, take it easy and build stamina.

The exercise you're planning and undertaking is great. You've recognised a problem and taken up a great sport to help you improve. However the stops you describe negatively impact, well reduce, the health benefits you're after. You stopped four times in a 30 mile ride. With the length of your stops you effectively had four short rides. This isn't "mixing it up."

In the heat you describe a few minutes rest in the shade is probably a good thing. I don't know, these are temperatures i dream of! Hydrate properly. I would say 750ml pre-ride, 1500 during the ride and 750ml post ride. Ditch the jerky and Snickers, these are useless calories. A banana, sultanas, 20-30g, and dried apricots, 20-30g, would be more valuable.

I think you're reading too much and trying to add ideas, routines etc. into your riding far too early. Target 30 miles, 12mph avg, with +/- 15 minutes stopped time to hydrate properly, snack and have a few moments in the shade. This really will build your stamina, fitness, hopefully reduce the HR, and give a good base for the future.

My buddies and I are aged 66-70. Over 30 miles we might stop once to pee. Our social rides are 40+ without a stop, often 50 when we rest for coffee, cake and chat for 30-40 minutes leaving perhaps 15+ miles to ride home.

You seem to be taking the advice and opinions in good spirit. This is how everyone intends them. I truly applaud your effort and determination and believe you'll be successful. When I look around our streets I see tens of thousands who should follow your example. 👏👏

I started cycling again during lockdown and , with guidance from my brother who is very experienced I pretty much did as described above. Now I can do 30 miles with relative ease and much of my ride is hilly.
My lessons learned are:
The battle with weight takes place in the kitchen
Fitness, flexibility and strength are critical as you get older and cycling is good for some of it but do other gym type stuff too( I am 69)
I am clear why I am cycling...it's for the above...it's not to go fast, beat anyone else, do PB or analyse everything to bits. ( My averages are going up and my hill climbing is easier though)
The Solo rides help me to thoroughly enjoy social rides with friends without struggling
I don't need expensive kit or bike or bits....I still want them for sure but I do not need them .
My bike and kit have improved as I've figured out what works for me...everyone's advice is great but if you experience things yourself, decide your own drivers and then act accordingly.

Good luck..your doing a great thing...enjoy it.

 

[ianrauk]

There's some fabulous advice here from the good ship CycleChat members.
@philipgonzales3 I think a lot of members here have been in the same situation as you. Picked up a nice bike and have all the enthusiasm to go faster and for longer. Which is all quite natural. It's very easy to get ahead of oneself sometimes to the detriment of enjoyment. It certainly happened to me when I got back on the bike after an extended layoff. It took a while to realise that the tortoise and the hare approach is the way to go.

As the late great Freddy Mercury sang. "JUST GET ON YOUR BIKE AND RIDE"

 

[PaulSB]

@philipgonzales3 I think I'll add one more comment and then leave it alone. I feel you should explain to your buddy "push hard and then take a good break" isn't mixing it up unless one stays on the bike. Stopping to rest shouldn't be in the plan. In fact I'd argue it achieves nothing. If you want to push hard I'll offer the approach my buddies and I take. We have a route which generally gives the results below:

Distance: 44.5 miles
Elevation: 1300 feet
Ride time +/- 3:05
Average: =/-14.5mph

This ride includes a 3.6 mile pan flat stretch, no turns. This starts at mile 17, ends at 20.6. As soon as we make the turn on to this road the hammer goes down and we crank up the pace, depending on weather conditions the pace will hit 22-25. The guys who measure power output will aim to ride at threshold. This section takes 10:30 - 12.00 minutes. Speaking is impossible! We then sit up, back off and chat again. The route also includes a 2 mile climb which starts at mile 38. On good days we hammer this as well. Usually this takes 12-14 minutes at threshold.

In my opinion the above is mixing it up. Nice easy ride with a couple of threshold efforts and plenty of on bike recovery.

 

[philipgonzales3]

With all due respect, and well done to having started cycling to get rid of that belly...

For a newbie cyclist you seem to be way overthinking every aspect of your bike fit etc and the ride.
...

I agree, I certainly am guilty of overthinking almost everything. Party due to my anxiety disorder and my obsessive personality.

I also tend to overshare as kudos is great fuel source for me!

To be fair the details are pretty important. Saddle nose too low and your hands fall off due to resting too much weight on them, saddle nose too high and say goodbye to your genitals! I'm over exaggerating of course lol .

I do mostly ride zone two during the week. Usually capped at an hour due to time constraints. I had a bit more time today so got in a 2 hour ride. I did go slightly into Zone 3 for a bit but all good. I think it was only a couple bps and I don't think the human body is that binary.