Cycling

[TXBelle]

I am a beginning cyclist starting to train for the MS 150 bike race from Houston to Austin that will be held in April 2006. Any cycling veterans with tips for a newbie?

Heather

 

[donac]

I did the MS 25 here in NJ this past May. You are smart to start training now. The 170 is a long distance but if you train you should be able to do it. MY friend has done this with his son three times. He says that the hardest part is getting on the bike the second day. I would check out the MS websites and see if there is anyone you could train with in your area. I was on my bike approximately 3 times a week for 10 - 15 miles but I was only doing the 25.

Good Luck

 

[QT Pooh]

First of all - congratulations! Not only have you set a goal, but you will be helping out charity too! I still consider myself a new cyclist because I've only been doing it since April 2004, but it is the best exercise.

I have a few tips for you:
1) Try to set smaller goals between now and then
2) Be consistent with your training - eventually doing a long ride (30, 40, 60, 100 miles depending on where you are in your training) at least once a month and pick out nice places to go and even working up from there.
3) Try to hook up with a cycling club or ride with a partner (mine is my husband). It's easier to stay motivated when you have someone to do it with.
4) Remember that it's not a race - you can go as slow or as fast as you want
5) Properly fuel your body - for long distances carbohydrates are your friends
6) invest in a good pair of padded shorts or a gel seat...it's a long time to be in the saddle

My husband and I started out by doing small 5 mile rides (those were killer to us at the start) every other day and venturing out to 10 miles on the weekend after we'd become acclimated (didn't realize we had those muscles in our legs!). We now do 10 miles/day every other weekday and then 20-40 miles each weekend day. Once a month we pick a place to go (with guidebooks we've purchased) and do between a 60-100 miler. I never thought it would have been possible at the begininning!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[clarabelle]

I am also trying to get more into cycling. I too ride with my husband. The longest ride I have done so far is 25 miles.
I would like to train for a century.

I just got a road bike and am trying to go clipless. I have fallen several times!
I have read that you should get a hard seat- that the gel ones schoosh up and make pressure points.
I don't have any personal experience with that though. I don't have a gel seat.

At first I felt silly in the padded shorts ect.. But now we are into it and enjoy feeling like we have a hobby. It is a good thing to discuss at parties!
I think it is a great goal and I know you can do it!

 

[lap3]

I am a beginning cyclist starting to train for the MS 150 bike race from Houston to Austin that will be held in April 2006. Any cycling veterans with tips for a newbie?

Heather

You've got some great tips from the previous posts. Here's what I suggest:
1)Have you purchased your bike yet? If not, it's best to go to your local bike shop for this. Why? Because you will be fitted for a bike that's just for you. Buying a bike online will save you money but if it doesn't fit you, you're gonna hate life. You will fatigue quicker and you may experience some pain.
2)What kind of bike to get? Well, a road bike is much easier to ride on the road as opposed to a mountain bike. The problem with riding the lattter on the road is that the gearing and resistance from the tires takes more effort to ride on the road. Whereas a road bike will allow you to zip on the road with less effort. Weigh your decision on what you plan to do AFTER the ride. Meaning, do you plan to go off-road riding or doing strictly road rides.
3)Training: I'm not sure what kind of shape you're in but start off by riding around town for low miles. If you're a real newbie, sharing the road with cars can be a harrowing experience for first-timers. If you get pretty good at it, contact your local bike shop for organized group training rides or a local bike club. They will probably have a huge group ride on a weekend that has several different distances and terrain. Distances can vary between 15-50 miles. Some of these group rides can be intimidating because there are some seasoned racers but don't let that bother you. Ride at your own pace that you feel comfortable with. BTW, if you get dropped, don't let that bother you too. They should be giving you a route slip to follow or they will have scheduled regroup stops along the route.

I have a few other suggestions that you may not be interested in. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be more than happy to help you out. Good luck with your training and the ride!

 

[TXBelle]

Thank you so much for all the advice. I bought a couple of books from Amazon for new cyclists. Who knew there was so much to learn about riding a bike? I found a great forum for women cyclists that I highly recommend:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/index.php?

I am in training for the Disney 1/2 marathon, so I have to take it easy on my cycling to avoid leg fatigue. I have been riding on the stationary bike at the gym (19 miles total this week). I cannot wait to get my new bike and hit the open road.

Heather