Newbie question - hills or miles????

[DelB]

It would really help if you could link up with someone of your age who pushes you a bit.

Yep, I've got one of those. Just need to get a wee bit fitter to keep up with him!

 

[Rob3rt]

Just do whatever you feel you will enjoy on the day!

Forget all this "to get good at going up hill, you need to cycle up hills" stuff.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

I'd say hills. I've been riding for three years now and can go for hours on the flat but anything with a bit of incline terrifies me and I'm literally unable to push myself up. It's embarrassing and I hate it but I don't have time this year to do anything about it.

 

[Globalti]

Just to give you a benchmark, my cycling buddy and I who are both aged 57, one very cold day in February after the winter layoff managed double your distance and almost double your climb, 26 miles and 1730 ft, in 1 hour 44, which is 15.1 mph average. My buddy is fast for his age so you ain't doing badly, especially riding solo.

 

[SquareDaff]

Don't get too obsessed with times initially. Go out and explore the area and don't get stuck in a set of a few routes. As with all exercise your body will eventually adapt to riding the same routes and your progress will stagnate. Don't be afraid to throw in a route (or type of route) you've never done before.

My daily route (to work) is a 28 miler with about 1600 ft of climbing in it. Last weekend I threw in a 40 mile ride with 4000ft of climbing. I thought there was no way I was going to make some of those climbs - but soldiered on. This week my daily commute has shown a 3-4 minute improvement. Probably because after last weekend what I thought were hills I no longer consider so.

 

[Col5632]

I'd say just get out there and ride, hill climbing and fitness will come with time

 

[Globalti]

Yes, it is amazing how hills that seemed big at the start of your cycling career gradually seem to fade and become less significant.

 

[DelB]

Yes, it is amazing how hills that seemed big at the start of your cycling career gradually seem to fade and become less significant.

Can I quote you on that??

 

[DelB]

Took in a new route today - 23.6 miles with 1323 feet of climbing in one hour and thirty three minutes. My aims today were to keep my average speed above 15mph (which I did with 15.2mph) and to not use the granny ring on my triple, which I also managed!!

 

[Phoenix Lincs]

Well done. Fab ride

You'll be joining Strava next and getting KOMs all over the shop!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Took in a new route today - 23.6 miles with 1323 feet of climbing in one hour and thirty three minutes. My aims today were to keep my average speed above 15mph (which I did with 15.2mph) and to not use the granny ring on my triple, which I also managed!!

Well done.
I however hate this term granny ring, (I know I wont change peoples views on this)
I did this little climb yesterday http://app.strava.com/activities/59045601#1100134050
Set a p.b. on it, the point is the slowest part I was doing 7.7mph with a cadence of 54 which roughly is a gear of 48" or 40x22 combo, or on my set set up either 40x21 or 23 on my middle ring, however, if is use the so called granny ring, which is 30th on mine its 30x17, I then have more flexibility to drop a gear or two and keep the cadence up, gears are about using them correctly for the given conditions, not to be viewed as granny rings, a triple which the term is usually applied to, can be set up with the same gear range as a double i.e. my 30x26 is 30.35" a compact double with a 34x28 is 31.94" but you wouldn't call that a granny ring, put a 30th rear on it and it's 29.81" less than mine.
So use gears correctly not because they perceived to be for those unfit to use higher gears.
Triples can also be set up to have closer group of ratios.
For the recorded my avg gear " yesterday was 65.6" which on my bike is a 52x21 gear.
25.31 miles 1051ft @ 16.1mph

 

[Rob3rt]

Anything below a 39t chainring, except on the steepest of inclines should be discouraged!

 

[ColinJ]

Anything below a 39t chainring, except on the steepest of inclines should be discouraged!

If you are cycling for pleasure, use the gearing that you enjoy most.

If you are racing, use the gearing that gets you the best results!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Anything below a 39t chainring, except on the steepest of inclines should be discouraged!

Your a bad 'un stirring things up.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Anything below a 39t chainring, except on the steepest of inclines should be discouraged!

Were not all race boys or girls Rob.