As much as some people hate Strava for this reason I love it. There's certain little half a mile, or a mile segments that otherwise I'd just pootle along at the same speed on, but knowing there's a benchmark of my previous best times gives me a massive amount of motivation to tell the legs to shut up and go for it! It also helps limit that 'avg speed depression' post-ride, avg speeds are really never a good indication of anything in my opinion.
Training advice for a fat slow cyclist
- Thread starter Steppylud
- Start date
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As much as some people hate Strava for this reason I love it. There's certain little half a mile, or a mile segments that otherwise I'd just pootle along at the same speed on, but knowing there's a benchmark of my previous best times gives me a massive amount of motivation to tell the legs to shut up and go for it! It also helps limit that 'avg speed depression' post-ride, avg speeds are really never a good indication of anything in my opinion.
As said before, just enjoy your miles and get as many in as possible. Online programmes such as strava are great for tracking your progress and hours - worth giving it a shot.
Fubar
Legendary Member
As everyone has said riding your bike is the best training plan, though as you point out losing weight will also be a good start - have you tried a calorie counter (such as MyFitnessPal - other tools are available)? I was 17 stone when I started using it (now 12 stone), I have an app on my phone and log everything I eat but also exercise so it balances out (i.e. start with 1500 kcal available, burn 500 = 2000kcals available) and if you can keep under your calorie goal most days you will see weight loss and (hopefully) small improvements in riding speed the more you lose.
It's just a tool and relies on you being honest but I find it a good motivator and it has worked for me. All the best, Mark
michaelcycle
Senior Member
- Location
- London
1 short ride of about an hour per week where you hammer it.
1 mid length ride of about 2 hours per week where you push it
1 long ride of more than 2 hours per week where you go at a comfortable pace
Or just ride more
1 mid length ride of about 2 hours per week where you push it
1 long ride of more than 2 hours per week where you go at a comfortable pace
Or just ride more
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Ride. Also ride regularly. Can you commute on the bike. If you can get a ride in 5 or more days a week then your fitness will increase and weight drop. Doesn't gave to be mega miles either. Frequency is a key.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
I've been doing it for a number of years now and I'm still a slow cyclist. Speed isn't everything. Just keep at it, and be aware of pootling! I like pootling, and watching the world drift by, but I know I don't get any faster when I'm doing it. That's not to say it is wrong as it's part of my enjoyment of a bike, so I mix it up with doing faster bits! And I've started using Strava which shows I'm not always as slow as I thought, and gives me an incentive to push myself sometimes!
Just gone and checked my Strava average for a couple of rides and it's 11.5 (for a 6 mile ride).
Just gone and checked my Strava average for a couple of rides and it's 11.5 (for a 6 mile ride).
Ganymede
Veteran
- Location
- Rural Kent
Oh yeah, here's a thing: don't eat loads more because you think you've earned it by being on the bike! That tip about MyFitnessPal will help with this!
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
How far is it?
If it is (say) 10-15 miles, that would be well within riding distance on a regular basis once you got fit enough.
If it is too far, (say) 30 miles, could you take your bike 1/2- 2/3 of the way by train or car and ride the rest?
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
Steppylud, just ride your bike. You don't need some hateful fitness plan that tortures you. Get on the bike and wander about enjoying the ride. If you find it to be be fun, you will do it more and more, and you will be on the way. That's it really.
BTW, 10 mph average is pretty good!
BTW, 10 mph average is pretty good!
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Yes, you would have to pretty keen to tackle a 70 mile commute, even without the lack of showers!
Monsieur
Senior member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
I reckon doing a 40 mile ride is to be congratulated upon - wouldn't worry about the speed as the stamina involved in the length of ride would be more beneficial to weight loss than the actual speed would,
Anyway, what's wrong with 10mph? Sounds okay to me!
Anyway, what's wrong with 10mph? Sounds okay to me!
You have got too lose some weigh, not just to make the bike go faster but to hopefully make your life last longer. Certainly congratulations on the 40 miler, as that is a decent length of ride and one many in todays society would get tired doing in a car.
For anyone who may wonder what being 5 stone overweight is then pick up a 5 gallon container of water and see how far you can walk without putting it down.
Please for the sake of you and your family, do something about your weight.
For anyone who may wonder what being 5 stone overweight is then pick up a 5 gallon container of water and see how far you can walk without putting it down.
Please for the sake of you and your family, do something about your weight.
inkd
Senior Member
- Location
- New Forest
This is my downfall, This is why I cant shift those comfort bulges
