New to the road, how to get fit?

[BigChick]

HI all

I am new to the forum and have just posted a short intro. I took up biking in June 2010 with a MTB and have already since upgraded my bike. To be honest, whilst i am currently riding on the roads, I am far too big for a road bike so the roadies will have to deal with a MTB in their presence

Anyhow, when i first got my bike in June, i was unable to cycle to the end of my street which is a mere 500m. I can now comfortably do 15 kms and 10 kms off road. I could probably do more if i just stuck to my spinning schedule!

My other half, who is also just starting out, has entered us into our first ever road race next month. Much to my horror, the shortest distance they have is 65km. I just do not know how i am going to cycle 65km.

Firstly, we are both really big and the reason we took up cycling was to lose weight. We have both been spinning about 1x per week since October, but from today the spinning will be 4x per week, Tues - Fri every week with a ride on the weekend.

Is there any way possible to get fit enough for 65km on the 13th Feb? Or should i aim for half this distance and call it quits at the half way water point?

Anyone been in this boat?

 

[ian turner]

Ha I love these "just taken up cycling bought myself a bike from Asda and have signed up for the trans alpine race in six months posts". It smacks of insanity or life seen through a PS3. Mind you 30 days is pushing it.
You negelected to mention this is in South Africa and you suffer from Asthma as other wise 40 miles wouldn't be too bad.
What sort of terrain is it over ?
I'm dubious about you being too big for road bikes as they are capable of taking 20 stones of obese man flesh or so I've gathered from other what bike threads.

 

[MLC]

"Is there any way possible to get fit enough for 65km on the 13th Feb? Or should i aim for half this distance and call it quits at the half way water point?"

Only you can answer that. If it is a road race (and not a sportive or charity ride or other organised ride) then if you want to stay on the pace, conservatively you should be able to complete the full 65km course in say 1.5 to 1.75 hours (20-23mph average or 32-37 kph average)

As you go spinning imagine the hardest part of your spinning class and ask yourself if you could maintain that as at today for say 50mins to 1 hour non stop.

As your longest ride to date has been 10 miles (15km) then entering a 40 mile road race as your first event would be quite a challenge.

I've done a 60 mile (96km) in about 3 hours 20 mins (about 18 mph avg) and that hurt quite a lot. I would have been left for dead in an equivalent road race.

Perhaps a better introduction would be a Charity/fun/sportive ride.

 

[Paulus]

Hi there BigGhick, I think you are being a bit ambitious here. A 40 mile "race" will be quite fast, will you be able to carry on for up to 3 hours plus? What is your avrage speed for the 15 k that you have done so far? What, by the way is the event? Give it a go by all means but be prepared to abandon part of the way round. I would concentrate on getting fitter first and getting your stamina and speed up. Enjoy your cyclng before getting serious and start racing.

 

[dodgy]

I think we all know that Bigchick isn't talking about a 'race'. She's a beginner, and often beginners regard any mass start ride as a 'race'.

Do the ride and then decide if it was too hard when you finish, then book yourself into the next event and spend the year in between upping your fitness.

By the way, spinning classes on 4 consecutive nights doesn't sound optimal to me, you need to include time for rest.

 

[the snail]

Ha I love these "just taken up cycling bought myself a bike from Asda and have signed up for the trans alpine race in six months posts". It smacks of insanity or life seen through a PS3. Mind you 30 days is pushing it.
You negelected to mention this is in South Africa and you suffer from Asthma as other wise 40 miles wouldn't be too bad.
What sort of terrain is it over ?
I'm dubious about you being too big for road bikes as they are capable of taking 20 stones of obese man flesh or so I've gathered from other what bike threads.

Come on Ian, give the lady a chance, at least she's doing the right thing. I'm sure there are plenty of members on here (myself included) who have been guilty of underestimating the challenge of distance rides

 

[gbb]

As mentioned Bigchick..is it a race or a charity ride or even just a 65km regular ride by a club or similar.
Whichever one it is, just go for it. Do your spinning classes to build up in the meantime, dont do any too close to the ride itself or you'll be overcooked. Perhaps rest for one week before the ride.
The important thing is how fast you try to ride that distance. If you really go for it (fast), you'll probably not make it...but if you pace yourself you can go much further than you think you can.
I equate it to..if your riding at 100%, you cant keep it going for long. If you ride steadier, you can go for much longer.
I cycle regularly but not generally much more than 20 miles at a time. Just done a windy 50 mile + ride but i took it relatively easy. I've climbed off the bike feeling like i just did 20 miles.
Go at your pace. Even if you're last and everyones gone home...you will have still achieved a huge milestone for yourself.

 

[Rob3rt]

Realistically, Im assuming that you are more likely refering to a sportive or charity ride, in this case I'd say a 40 mile ride is doable within your time schedule with some grit and determination, taking your time and having fun.

If it is a real 'road race', sorry to say it but based on your current experience, you will be dropped off the back of the pack pretty much immediatelly, as a result you will either pack (choose to go home and not continue to the finish line) or turn up at the finish after everyone else is long gone! Like someone up the page said, learn the ettiquette and get out of the way of the other riders or you will be scolded big time!



If you want to race bikes, in the long run, you need the right bike for the job and an MTB will not cut it amongst the racing snakes.

But if its sportive/charity rides that you want to do, just have fun!

 

[steve52]

erm my grandson rides is road bike and is 6ft 6.5 and 24 stone, are you realy too big to ride? but mtb,s are welcom the only advise u need to really heed is keep it fun !!!!! doing this will ensure you keep it up and reach your goals happy cycling what ever mode you chose

 

[totallyfixed]

Come on guys, this has to be a wind up.

 

[Banjo]

Welcome Big Chick Only you really know how fit you are but it seems a bit unrealistic to expect to ride 4 times further than ever before with only a month to prepare.you probably could get around the course but at serious risk of hurting a knee or some other injury.

Good Luck with the fitness and weight loss .

 

[MLC]

Come on guys, this has to be a wind up.

Yes it has to be....although

I have entered a 100 mile cat 2 road race a week next tuesday fortnight

In terms of training would it be best if I cut my fag intake from 20 to 10 a day and took the 3 flights of stairs instead of the lift at work every other day ?



Big chick apologies if this is not a wind up and good on you for entering your firts event. We think you have entered a sportive as opposed to a real road race. 40 miles will be achievable provided you set your mind on completing the distance as opposed to completing the 40 miles quickly. Your best bet for training is to increase time in the saddle and slowly build up the miles as much as you can normally you should only do this in 5-10% increments however between now and a week before the event try to build up to putting in a 30-35 miler (48-56k) prior to the event just keep building miles up slow and steady as opposed to short interval training such as spinning you need a base first.

do taper your training (i.e. take it easy a week before the event so that you are fresh on the day of the event)

 

[ian turner]

Take into account at one ride per weekend that's moving from 10 miles to 40 in 4 rides.
Since the intro post says South Africa which should be in the middle of summer and I'm assuming
that the spinning is taking place in an air conditioned environment that 40 miles on a heavy
mountain bike in mid to high 20s centigrade might be a tad challenging.

 

[Shaun]

Is that any way to welcome a new member to the board? Calling them a troll?

If you don't have any advice to offer, please just leave BigChick and others to get on with it.

Thanks,
Shaun

 

[Shaun]

People have to consider how they'd feel if they had registered at a forum that they thought was friendly and helpful, full of excitement and enthusiasm, and within a few posts they were accused of being a troll?

If anyone here thinks someone is trolling, just report them to me and the mods and let us deal with it.

Accusing someone of being a troll isn't helpful and if you get it wrong, it can be quite hurtful.

BigChick want's some advice on the challenge she's set herself, and so far there has been some good advice - so keep it coming.

Thanks,
Shaun