mile building

[stephen.rooke]

got back into cycling a few weeks ago, found it tough and did about 4, 7 mile rides and having to stop half way through.

today i went out and did a 16mile ride without having to stop for a break, only having to stop at red traffic lights and my legs etc felt better than the other rides i have done.

im really enjoying my rides at the moment and getting out when i can, just need to build my speed/miles up, i averaged 11.8 mph on the 16 mile ride but didnt push as hard as i thought i could.

im also finding strava to be a good motivational tool for me, i push the miles a little extra than i would without it.

http://app.strava.com/rides/6523382

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Well done - take each ride as it comes and you soon be posting your 40 mile rides with no stopping.

 

[Part time cyclist]

Just go out and keep enjoying what you are doing the rest will come

 

[User16625]

What I find is that when im doing long distance (on my MTB anyway) I can go and go for quite some time. About 3/4 of the way through my ride I will suddenly lose all my energy and end up crawling the last part home. Even after riding up a mountain, along rough surfaces and through mud my legs feel fine, just no energy to power them. Does anybody else ever get this when increasing either their milages or the intensity of a ride? I think I will need more than a can of redbull if I want to try 40+ miles. Like the OP, I also want to increase my distances. What kind of distances can 'reasonably' be acheived without eating during the ride? I have managed between 30-35 on my road bike without problem but I dont wanna risk doing more than that without some sort of refreshment on route.

 

[Fubar]

What I find is that when im doing long distance (on my MTB anyway) I can go and go for quite some time. About 3/4 of the way through my ride I will suddenly lose all my energy and end up crawling the last part home. Even after riding up a mountain, along rough surfaces and through mud my legs feel fine, just no energy to power them. Does anybody else ever get this when increasing either their milages or the intensity of a ride? I think I will need more than a can of redbull if I want to try 40+ miles. Like the OP, I also want to increase my distances. What kind of distances can 'reasonably' be acheived without eating during the ride? I have managed between 30-35 on my road bike without problem but I dont wanna risk doing more than that without some sort of refreshment on route.

You have to be careful when increasing your distance to make sure you eat and drink even small amounts - probably every 45-60 minutes stop (or every 10-15 miles) and have a small bite and a quick drink. Small stops should see your overall times improve and will help avoid a "boink" nearer the end of your ride where your body just gives in. Cereal bars are handy and light to carry around and don't melt - Quaker have brought out a range of oat bars with fruit, honey, etc which I'm finding quite good at the mo - take plenty fluids. Try to eat approx an hour before you go out as well.

 

[killiekosmos]

What I find is that when im doing long distance (on my MTB anyway) I can go and go for quite some time. About 3/4 of the way through my ride I will suddenly lose all my energy and end up crawling the last part home. Even after riding up a mountain, along rough surfaces and through mud my legs feel fine, just no energy to power them. Does anybody else ever get this when increasing either their milages or the intensity of a ride? I think I will need more than a can of redbull if I want to try 40+ miles. Like the OP, I also want to increase my distances. What kind of distances can 'reasonably' be acheived without eating during the ride? I have managed between 30-35 on my road bike without problem but I dont wanna risk doing more than that without some sort of refreshment on route.

I regularly do 30 - 40 miles without eating but I take plenty of fluids. Usually two large bottles full of diluted orange juice. Gor longer rides a cerial bar of fun size Mars Bars are also consumed.

 

[Risex4]

... Does anybody else ever get this when increasing either their milages or the intensity of a ride?

I get that rather frequently. I'm pushing my milages out at the moment and will more often than not hit the point where the legs are turning but I cant put any more power through them, so its just a case of dropping the gears and spinning the last couple of miles home. I just look at it as 'finding my limit'. When I re-started cycling a few months ago, it was around the 25 mile mark, now its in the region of 70-80 on my last ride.

 

[Nebulous]

What kind of distances can 'reasonably' be acheived without eating during the ride? I have managed between 30-35 on my road bike without problem but I dont wanna risk doing more than that without some sort of refreshment on route.

The devil is in the detail, as is often the case. In this instance that word 'reasonably' alters the picture. I've done over 50 miles on one bottle of water, though whether that was reasonable or stupidity I don't know. There is a question about why you or I would want to given the importance of nutrition / hydration. Generally for 50 miles I'll have a bottle of high 5 4:1 and often a banana, all taken on the bike. In hot weather I'll add another bottle of water.

 

[mangid]

The devil is in the detail, as is often the case. In this instance that word 'reasonably' alters the picture. I've done over 50 miles on one bottle of water, though whether that was reasonable or stupidity I don't know. There is a question about why you or I would want to given the importance of nutrition / hydration. Generally for 50 miles I'll have a bottle of high 5 4:1 and often a banana, all taken on the bike. In hot weather I'll add another bottle of water.

I commute 32 miles most mornings with no breakfast or food/water on route with no issues. Cycling fifty plus miles and I'll normally take a bottle of water and a banana.

I'm sure it's a pretty personal thing

--
Dan

 

[biggs682]

just go and enjoy the riding the miles and speed will come as times goes by

 

[Edge705]

I commute 32 miles most mornings

Crikey thats dedication thats a lot of time in the sadlle before a shift and home again afetr the shift and imagine if you had a headwind going home even longer in the saddle, even worse what if it rains . Much Respecto my friend

 

[mangid]

Crikey thats dedication thats a lot of time in the sadlle before a shift and home again afetr the shift and imagine if you had a headwind going home even longer in the saddle, even worse what if it rains . Much Respecto my friend

Ahh, mornings was the key, I only live a mile and half from work ;-)

--
Dan

 

[MisterStan]

Ahh, mornings was the key, I only live a mile and half from work ;-)

--
Dan

Would I have seen you on the busway Dan? Spotted your stats on mycyclinglog and was wondering with my colleague what your route is?

 

[Nebulous]

Ahh, mornings was the key, I only live a mile and half from work ;-)

That's even more impressive I would say. I'm 2 miles from work, and have been struggling to get as many miles in as I would like. I've taken to doing a 34 mile loop in the early morning about twice a week, but I go home shower and change bikes before going to work.

 

[mangid]

Would I have seen you on the busway Dan? Spotted your stats on mycyclinglog and was wondering with my colleague what your route is?

Ahh, quite possibly MisterStan! I join it at Westwick, ~7:20, I do a loop via Shelford, Whittlesford, Harston, Kingston, Dry Drayton. My commute/hack bike is a rust coloured Langster (well, frame is all that's original now).

I pretty much see the same peeps every morning on that stretch.

The busway is a blast, keep thinking of joining at Swavesy, would get me a few more miles, maybe now the mornings are getting brighter and it's warming up a tad ;-)

--
Dan