Is there a point you get too...
- Thread starter MattHB
- Start date
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TheSandwichMonster
Junior Senior
- Location
- Devon, UK
Less...
I give you a year before you start thinking about racing
Nigel-YZ1
Guru
- Location
- Somewhere else... maybe soon.
I just seemed to find a level and stayed there. But then I never aspired to anything except the ability to enjoy what I did without struggle.
OP
OP
MattHB
Proud Daddy
- Location
- Deepest darkest Dorset
There's an enormous pull towards some kind of competitive feature of the sport for me, I've just not decided where yet, probably because I'm not yet fit enough to consider anything like it, but I feel sure I'll be there at some point!
I've been focusing on my sponsored 100 for the last 6 months, so that's been a great deal of what gets me going. Weight loss was the start, but now it's different! Once I've done the 100 I'm going to need another goal.
I think it's the goal setting that's most addictive for me. I'm super competitive with myself as well, it's just nice to channel it into something as enjoyable as this for a change.
I've been focusing on my sponsored 100 for the last 6 months, so that's been a great deal of what gets me going. Weight loss was the start, but now it's different! Once I've done the 100 I'm going to need another goal.
I think it's the goal setting that's most addictive for me. I'm super competitive with myself as well, it's just nice to channel it into something as enjoyable as this for a change.
CopperCyclist
Veteran
OP
OP
MattHB
Proud Daddy
- Location
- Deepest darkest Dorset
How fast do you have to be?
That was my next question as well!
amaferanga
Veteran
- Location
- Bolton
How fast do you have to be?
It's not really about how fast you are, but most races will average >25mph unless they're particularly hilly. The difficult thing about road racing are the surges in pace. You'll have to go balls out for a minute, then things will calm down and you'll think you're going to get a minute or two to recover, but no, someone else attacks and you have to go balls out again. And repeat. That sort of fitness is so different to general cycling fitness and it's really something you can only get from racing.
Only one way to find out if you're fast enough..... (though get used to riding in a group before you race otherwise there's a good chance you'll cause a pile up).
Totally agree with what amaferanga said, but would add that there are many competitive disciplines to explore in addition to bunch racing, and I would encourage you to try at the least TT, cyclocross, XC MTB racing and bunch racing before deciding what is the most appealing to you. Cyclocross and TT in particular are really accessible and easy to try out, as you don't need race licenses (day licenses sold on the line) or special equipment to have a go.
Finally, there's no point in waiting until you are fit enough. Get started and then train up. Racing is the best training, and the best indicator of what you need to do to improve.
Finally, there's no point in waiting until you are fit enough. Get started and then train up. Racing is the best training, and the best indicator of what you need to do to improve.
MrJamie
Oaf on a Bike
I took up cycling as an alternative to running, which i took up 2 years previously as couch-to-5k when i was super unfit couldnt run 100 metres and a 5 mile bike ride would be serious effort. Nothing bad to say about running and enjoyed 5k/10k/HM races trying to get in the top 50% as a superheavyweight was a good challenge. 
Lost motivation though really with nothing to aim for, couldnt sustain or improve speed or distance without a lot of running time each week, so i started cycling more and totally neglected the running.
The same kinda things happening with cycling though, im not getting any faster than 14-15mph avg. on a hybrid (700c hardtail) that feels as aerodynamic as a parachute if i try to go faster and ive got used to 30-40mile rides being easy. I plan to try 60/80/100mile routes when the weather gets nicer, but still feels fairly pointless as i dont see me sustaining it.
I mostly cycle for weight loss and balloon if i stop the exercise, mainly because i replace it with snacking. Ill keep it up and ill enjoy it in the summer, but in relation to this thread ive kinda lost motivation for fitness since im not getting gains and havent got goals.
Lost motivation though really with nothing to aim for, couldnt sustain or improve speed or distance without a lot of running time each week, so i started cycling more and totally neglected the running.The same kinda things happening with cycling though, im not getting any faster than 14-15mph avg. on a hybrid (700c hardtail) that feels as aerodynamic as a parachute if i try to go faster and ive got used to 30-40mile rides being easy. I plan to try 60/80/100mile routes when the weather gets nicer, but still feels fairly pointless as i dont see me sustaining it.
I mostly cycle for weight loss and balloon if i stop the exercise, mainly because i replace it with snacking. Ill keep it up and ill enjoy it in the summer, but in relation to this thread ive kinda lost motivation for fitness since im not getting gains and havent got goals.
Edge705
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Thornton Lancashire
How fast do you have to be?
When I did my first come back 10tt after a long break from the bike I could just about average 18mph on some rides, I did a 29 minute something which shows that once they say go something else kicks in. I did improve down to a 23 minute 10 but I must add in defense that off road as in cyclo-cross and the MTB are my preferred races.
When I did my first come back 10tt after a long break from the bike I could just about average 18mph on some rides, I did a 29 minute something which shows that once they say go something else kicks in. I did improve down to a 23 minute 10 but I must add in defense that off road as in cyclo-cross and the MTB are my preferred races.
either really
I think you've answered your own question right there. Set some goals and watch the motivation flood back in.
GrasB
Veteran
- Location
- Nr Cambridge
This!
For me a few years ago my motivation for riding was purely not having to deal with commuting to work by car & I had motivation to ride reasonably quickly due to the distances I was covering on the bike. However I'd stagnated at around 18-24mph, depending on conditions) which I could hold for around 2 to 3 hours but I couldn't actually go much harder over short distances. I then got involved with a very competition orientated club in Italy. Cue me going from doing hard rides when I felt like it to serious properly scheduled training. The result has been massive gains in power & speed.
