Should I or Should I not?

[StargazeramI]

I am 62 and have just bought myself a Hybrid Bike in order to regain some fitness and loose some weight, but I feel I need a goal. Have read about the London Night Ride on May 31st next year and would LOVE to do it, do you think its too ambitious and how would I train for that given I ahve not been on a Bike for years and years, also feel less than confident on busy roads at the moment. Any ideas - am I being daft to even think I could do this?

 

[mark st1]

Hey welcome although im not your age if you had told me a year ago (when i took up cycling) that i would have made some fantastic friends,given up smoking,and even attempted to actually get my ass off the sofa to ride a bike i probably would of laughed in your Chevy Chase . However after numerous 50 60 70 mile rides i recently broke the 100 barrier a doddle for some but i was well chuffed if your willing to make the effort then you can easily achieve what you want to do. And never under estimate the affect of cycling within a group has it spurs you on gives you the boost to get you over the pain and the last few miles etc.

My advice fwiw is find some like minded people either on here or in your local area and just ride your bike dont worry about the latest kit etc just be warm comfortable and you will soon rack up them miles

 

[mark st1]

Your probably better off getting a mod like @ianrauk to get this moved to a more visited part of the forum to get some better input maybe beginners or health fitness and training or alike ?

 

[ianrauk]

Moved to Beginners.
Hi Stargazeraml, welcome to CC.

Old Marky boy has talked some good sense above.

 

[michaelcycle]

Absolutely no reason why you can't do it barring undisclosed medical issues.

I would spend the next few months just getting confident on your bike and racking up the miles and getting in a group ride or two.

Then ten weeks before the ride you could follow a more structured plan to get you to a suitable peak to be able to do your Night Ride well. Something like this:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/pdf/beginners cycling training schedule.pdf

 

[Pat "5mph"]

You can do it!
Start building up the miles slowly, maybe less than 5 once or twice a week.
Ride a bit more when you feel like it, you'll quickly build up fitness if you keep at it with consistence.
Ride in the rain sometimes in view of the event: May could still be wet, you need to find out what clothing works for you on the bike.
Find out the route of the event, try to ride this or a similar one at least once, say around April.
As it is a night time ride, experiment with lights during the winter, you want to be able to see and be seen during the event.
Practice on fixing flats on the road - start indoors first, even if you don't actually have a flat.
Read lots of cycle chat
Good luck and happy training

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Sure you can do it stargazer.

I am two years younger than you and after riding a hybrid for a couple of years,i bought a second hand trek 1000 which was 5 years old. last year.

It was a nice bike but really it was to small for me.

This year for my big six 0 my wife and my sons gave me £600 to spend on a bike and after looking at quite a few bikes decided on the giant defy 4.

Ok it's only a entry level bike but i'm really enjoying it,the only thing letting it down is the shimano 2300 gears.

Anyway i've done quite a few 50 +rides and my goal for next year is to do a few 75 mile rides and then hopefully go for a century.

 

[StargazeramI]

Absolutely no reason why you can't do it barring undisclosed medical issues.

I would spend the next few months just getting confident on your bike and racking up the miles and getting in a group ride or two.

Then ten weeks before the ride you could follow a more structured plan to get you to a suitable peak to be able to do your Night Ride well. Something like this:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/pdf/beginners cycling training schedule.pdf

Thanks for the advice (and everyone else who has offered help) will try and get out on the bike as much as possible., as I live in Wales, sadly my home is on a very steep hill, so I either have to start by going hard Up it first, and coast back home or visa versa..... got some nice cycle paths around though that run along an old railway line, so I guess I may put the bike on the back of the car, and start building up my distance/stamina on the cycle path. I Sooooo much want to do this, not just to aid womens cancer (my friend died recently from this god awful thing) but I want to prove something to myself as well.

 

[StargazeramI]

Absolutely no reason why you can't do it barring undisclosed medical issues.

I would spend the next few months just getting confident on your bike and racking up the miles and getting in a group ride or two.

Then ten weeks before the ride you could follow a more structured plan to get you to a suitable peak to be able to do your Night Ride well. Something like this:

http://www.bhf.org.uk/pdf/beginners cycling training schedule.pdf

Got arthritis in ankles, but guess the exercise should help that anyway, apart from that, health good, just out of condition (too much good living)
.

 

[StargazeramI]

You can do it!
Start building up the miles slowly, maybe less than 5 once or twice a week.
Ride a bit more when you feel like it, you'll quickly build up fitness if you keep at it with consistence.
Ride in the rain sometimes in view of the event: May could still be wet, you need to find out what clothing works for you on the bike.
Find out the route of the event, try to ride this or a similar one at least once, say around April.
As it is a night time ride, experiment with lights during the winter, you want to be able to see and be seen during the event.
Practice on fixing flats on the road - start indoors first, even if you don't actually have a flat.
Read lots of cycle chat
Good luck and happy training

Thanks for the advice, will get out as often as I can....have bought one of those turbo trainer things, do you think they are worth the effort and would it help build up strength and stamina given we are going into dark and wet nights (raining in Wales as I type)

 

[StargazeramI]

Your probably better off getting a mod like @ianrauk to get this moved to a more visited part of the forum to get some better input maybe beginners or health fitness and training or alike ?

Thanks, will take that on board

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Thanks for the advice, will get out as often as I can....have bought one of those turbo trainer things, do you think they are worth the effort and would it help build up strength and stamina given we are going into dark and wet nights (raining in Wales as I type)

Can't comment on the turbo trainer, never used one.
Others will the knowledge will no doubt be along soon!

 

[Paul99]

Thanks for the advice (and everyone else who has offered help) will try and get out on the bike as much as possible., as I live in Wales, sadly my home is on a very steep hill, so I either have to start by going hard Up it first, and coast back home or visa versa..... got some nice cycle paths around though that run along an old railway line, so I guess I may put the bike on the back of the car, and start building up my distance/stamina on the cycle path. I Sooooo much want to do this, not just to aid womens cancer (my friend died recently from this god awful thing) but I want to prove something to myself as well.

Welcome! You can do it no problem.

Re the above, I would start off going down the hill do your bike ride and try to ride back up the hill at the end. As soon as you feel you are struggling, stop, get off and walk the rest of the hill. If you keep doing this over time you should get a bit further up the hill and eventually you'll make it all the way.

 

[morrisman]

StargazeramI, after reading you post I Googled night rides and found this http://www.stcrispinsdaynightride.com/about/, which I have entered. I'm only 60 and restarted riding 5 months ago after many years out of the saddle, have done 50 miles and 100 km so this is the next step. So good luck in your endeavours, just build up slowly and if it rains on 25th it is partly your fault that I will get wet

 

[Kies]

Turbo trainers are good. I use mine when the weather is bad or I am short of time for a proper ride.
With your level of fitness,time spent on the saddle (indoors or out) will give you great returns. Don't worry about training plans just yet,just aim to ride 3 or 4 times a week and do the best you can. Get ready to be amazed with your yourself