My first long-ish ride!

[SimonRoberts0204]

Hi Guys,

Rode my first decent ride today, 34.37 miles in 2:07:34.
Averaged a speed of 16.16 mph.



quite pleased with myself, as the ride had a climb of 140 metres in one mile about half way through!

I was surprised how well my muscles held out, but I did have a twinge in the small of my back towards the end. Is this to do with bad form? Or is this normal in the early stages of riding as i build up good endurance core muscles?

I would guess its the back muscles that do the work in holding a cyclist in that position...

 

[gbb]

Hi Simon...
Anything above 15mph average on a roadbikes quite acceptable. 16 mph better....it takes a lot of effort to up it to 17 and beyond.
So, well done

 

[Shaun]

If you've not been riding regularly (3 or so times a week) then you'll likely feel it in your back to start with.

That tends to wear off quite quickly once you get into a routine.

If you've still got back ache in a few months time then maybe ask someone more experienced to have a look at your set-up to make sure you're not too upright, or too stretched out.

I'm just getting back into it myself after a change of family/work routine has knocked out my riding schedule and felt it in my back yesterday when I did 32 miles with a mate of mine.

Not sure if it's the same for everyone, but I find that I feel it in my back when I stay seated and try to push up hills in a high gear (instead of being sensible and spinning in a low one!! ).

Sounds like you've made a great start though, and I daren't tell you what my average was ... might ruin your keyboard if you've got a hot drink in your hand ...

Keep it up, and keep us updated ... it's always good to hear from when people they feel they've passed a personal milestone or want to share an achievement.

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

Thanks Shaun,

I guess i might be guilty of being reluctant to change down gears.. il have to have a play around with it next time I go out.

I'd like to be able to do the same route in less than 2 hours.. a good target I think.

 

[ianrauk]

I can only dream of this avg over this distance

Hi Guys,

Rode my first decent ride today, 34.37 miles in 2:07:34.
Averaged a speed of 16.16 mph.

 

[Randochap]

Good going.

Cycling doesn't do much for core muscles and you'd benefit from a cross-training regime that targets the core -- either at the gym or at home. An exercise ball is good for working core muscles.

Pay attention to correct fit as well. Check to see your saddle is at proper height.

 

[gbb]

Thanks Shaun,

I guess i might be guilty of being reluctant to change down gears.. il have to have a play around with it next time I go out.

I'd like to be able to do the same route in less than 2 hours.. a good target I think.

Try to get used to spinning Simon...its a lot more forgiving on the knees etc. Its seems to be counterproductive at first, but i used to do the same...pushing a big gear to get up to maintain speed.
Nowadays i rarely get onto the 50T on the front unless ive already really got some speed up..i can do 16.5 average over 40 miles and hardly ever get into the big ring. (Mind, i cant seem to find the grit to push much harder to get faster...)

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

My road bike is fairly basic (read crappy), its only 14 speed, and it shifts like a victorian signal box, so I find I don't really have that many usable gears..

Spinning definitely seems to be the general consensus. Luckily at 19 my knees are holding out well, but probably better to get into good habits.

 

[Randochap]

Again, if you want to preserve knee health into "advanced adulthood," spinning and bike fit are critical.

 

[briank]

Definitely a good idea to try to cultivate the habit of spinning. A young lad like you may not feel the bad effects of grinding up in a high gear, but it's generally considered to be not good in the long-term. The main international body for road racing limits how high a gear young'uns are allowed to use in their races. (Admittedly, they're slightly younger than you, but if you're new to thei game it makes sense to follow the same idea.)

Anyway, well done.
It's just the start...

 

[Tynan]

I never get off the 50t, all about what you're on the back surely?

 

[kool4caats]

I never get off the 50t, all about what you're on the back surely?

I'm the same, so I'm effectively only using the top 8 gears. If I have to go any lower than that I feel like I might not be going fast enough to stay upright

 

[jimboalee]

You might be surprised to hear that as you are riding a bicycle, your renal system doesn't stop working.
If you were keeping hydrated by swigging water, two hours is long enough for the bladder to fill.
The typical riding position ( 45 deg lumbar ) compresses the bladder and the urine it contains gets squeezed back up the tubes towards the kidneys. It sometimes, nay, most of the time twinges, nay, hurts a bit, nay, lot.

After two hours, I always stop for a piddle.

Competative riders measure out their hydration strategy to balance fluids in and out. Some, nay, most raceboys suffer renal twinges at the end of a race but usually it is blotted out by the adrenaline going around their systems.