Show us your.......newbie progress! [4 Sep 2012 - 4 Oct 2014]

[Nigelnaturist]

@RWright
Really well done Rocky, I wish I had felt better to follow your progress like Mo
One advantage from it my avg elevation per day has gone up a little

 

[MaxInc]

@Nigelnaturist Have you considered Golden Cheetah, it looks like you love numbers and statistics and this has been recommended to me by one of my geeky friends. http://goldencheetah.org/screenshots.html

 

[Mo1959]

Well, whilst walking the dog this morning I was contemplating my cycling a bit and have arrived at a couple of conclusions.

I am starting to feel a bit fed up of doing big miles. Spending over 4 hours most mornings is a wee bit too much and I feel I am starting to neglect other things.

I really enjoyed just doing a short ride this morning and, even setting out later, still got back at a decent time for dog walking and other things.

So, plan of action:-

One of the weekend days for a long ride.
A midweek medium/long ride.
All other days a mix of shorter rides, some higher intensity and a couple of gentle recovery rides.

I think I will probably enjoy my cycling more doing this which means I am more likely to keep it up long term.

 

[BrianEvesham]

Thanks @Mo1959 I like your plan it makes me feel better as I have just come back from a short 8 mile loop the first on the T3 for a week. The avg has only slightly dropped but it has been a week since I got out on my own. I have no choice, I cannot neglect other stuff at the moment. I want to do bigger rides but don't have the time.
Trying to figure out a way to commute on Fridays as I'm not riding home at 3am the rest of the week.

 

[MaxInc]

I think you are getting into a winning combination Mo. Any sport is great as long as it it sustainable and enjoyable. Will also give us mortals a fair chance to compete

 

[SWSteve]

It would appear is our very own Rebecca Adlington. Been there, done that very well and now she's decided to focus on the other stuff she's left due to her chosen sport

 

[Nigelnaturist]

1-2hrs of intensive exercise is all thats needed you don't need high mileages, I usually feel better on a ride usually about 30 miles than any other distance it's far enough to have a work out, be it at a more intense or relaxed level.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Nigelnaturist Have you considered Golden Cheetah, it looks like you love numbers and statistics and this has been recommended to me by one of my geeky friends. http://goldencheetah.org/screenshots.html

I do have it, though I find it a little clunky as a piece of software.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

This is how ill I was when I was out two 5Km splits took me 25-30 mins., this was due to stoppages rather than speed, in a way I am glad I have done so much work in the last year, I dont think I could have got home as quick as I did really, apart from the climb to Hooton Pagnell, and the last 4 miles and one other 5Km split, my avg speeds where over 14mph, and I was taking it really easy. When I have had a look at the data I am quite surprised really

 

[Nomadski]

@RWright - Congrats on the challenge along with the other 5 CC cyclists who did it. Mammoth achievement.

@Mo1959 - Since my long 77 miler Ive been doing a few short rides and its felt good. Think your plan of mixing it up is a good one, it stays fresh and like anything in life, its all best in moderation!

 

[Pieface]

Was doing really well earlier in my opinion and on my way to doing much better than my previous record and then a puncture hit me. I've not got stuff for a puncture yet so will get that tonight and luckily enough could get a ride home so it's alright. Just wish I could have finished this route

http://app.strava.com/activities/68965841

 

[RWright]

Was doing really well earlier in my opinion and on my way to doing much better than my previous record and then a puncture hit me. I've not got stuff for a puncture yet so will get that tonight and luckily enough could get a ride home so it's alright. Just wish I could have finished this route

http://app.strava.com/activities/68965841

I got a puncture yesterday, wasn't concentrating enough and ran through glass. I was as far away from home as I could get on the route I was on. Puncture repair skills are almost mandatory if you don't carry a cell phone and have someone that will come pick you up right away.

I was having a hard time with the tire yesterday for some reason, I think I was just tired. I still got it repaired in about 20 minutes or so. I carry a couple of inner tubes and a few bottles of CO2, a pump will work as well, just a little more time and work. It would probably be worth it to try and repair the puncture you have now yourself, while at home for practice and not on the side of the road for the first time. It is always not fun but getting used to doing it makes it a lot easier.

 

[SWSteve]

Was doing really well earlier in my opinion and on my way to doing much better than my previous record and then a puncture hit me. I've not got stuff for a puncture yet so will get that tonight and luckily enough could get a ride home so it's alright. Just wish I could have finished this route

http://app.strava.com/activities/68965841

I have a 'large puncture repair kit' from halfords and a small lensyne pump. Haven't used patches yet as always have a spare tube, but the plastic tyre levers I haven't had an issue with. I've snapped other plastic ones before so they can't be worst available. I'd recommend changing the tube/taking it all out and putting it back together when at home as this will be a lot easier than learning in the wet and cold

 

[RWright]

So, plan of action:-

One of the weekend days for a long ride.
A midweek medium/long ride.
All other days a mix of shorter rides, some higher intensity and a couple of gentle recovery rides.

I think I will probably enjoy my cycling more doing this which means I am more likely to keep it up long term.

That sounds like an excellent plan. I am going to go to something like that myself. Garmin exchanged my heart rate monitor for the older style and it seems to be working well so far. I may even start looking at working out with heart rate zone plans. It doesn't sound fun like just riding, but I may still give it a shot and see how I like it.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Well, whilst walking the dog this morning I was contemplating my cycling a bit and have arrived at a couple of conclusions.

I am starting to feel a bit fed up of doing big miles. Spending over 4 hours most mornings is a wee bit too much and I feel I am starting to neglect other things.

I really enjoyed just doing a short ride this morning and, even setting out later, still got back at a decent time for dog walking and other things.

So, plan of action:-

One of the weekend days for a long ride.
A midweek medium/long ride.
All other days a mix of shorter rides, some higher intensity and a couple of gentle recovery rides.

I think I will probably enjoy my cycling more doing this which means I am more likely to keep it up long term.

That sounds like a good plan Mo and good luck with it - I'm sure it will work out.

I think all you high-milers and your big targets have done a great job and I admire the dedication and the self-motivation but it will never be for me.

Tbh I have no idea how anyone can do 2/3/400 miles a week and really get any cycling pleasure. After about 1.5 hours on a ride my head has had enough if I am to be frank. And to do that 2-3 times a week is enough for me - I have heaps of other stuff going on in my life. It is very easy to burn out on the enthusiasm front. Two examples:

When I moved up here I walked/scrambled/climbed every spare moment I could and then one day I was doing an ascent of Striding Edge just to see how fast I could do it and I thought "what the heck" (although I didn't use the word heck) - I had gone up and down real quick and had got home and Mrs SD asked if I had had a nice hike and I couldn't really remember much about it. I throttled back considerably and am still passionate years later.

My mate retired at 46 and he is golf obsessed - absolutely 100% obsessed. He played 4-5 times a week until Spring this year when he suddenly cut back to twice a week - he told me was getting burn't out and bored and wanted to keep the game fresh in his mind.

So - I think you have made a wise move.