Anybody else cycle?

[Rex Kickass]

Thank god spring is finally around. Got on my bike for the first time this year yesterday for 20 miles along the Delaware River. It's really become one of my favorite things to do, and I'm shooting to ride 1000 + miles this year and also ride my first century.

 

Anybody else ride regularly? If so, what do you do to maintain a good average speed, strength on hills, etc.? Would love to know...

[iamshack]

Thank god spring is finally around. Got on my bike for the first time this year yesterday for 20 miles along the Delaware River. It's really become one of my favorite things to do, and I'm shooting to ride 1000 + miles this year and also ride my first century.

 

Anybody else ride regularly? If so, what do you do to maintain a good average speed, strength on hills, etc.? Would love to know...

I have an 04' Trek 5200 OCLV custom painted Lance Armstrong Team Discovery road bike. I bought it a few years ago from a guy on ebay who was kind enough to put it together with my needs in mind. I bought it when I moved to Vegas so I could enjoy the more temperate climate here. I have ridden it in spurts off and on over the past few years, but not nearly enough, especially considering I probably have $2500 in it between the bike and all the crap you have to buy along with it.

 

I live right on the Las Vegas Strip so it is a bit scary to ride directly around my place, but I have found some routes where there are less cars. I plan on eventually moving to the more suburban areas however, and those areas are newly developed and thus offer bike lanes as well as bike paths and loops.

 

I do have an onboard computer on my bike (more like a piece of crap odometer and speedometer) which I use to calculate distance as well as speed and time. I think I usually average about 18 mph and usually just go for a few 10 mile rides a week.

 

Would definitely like to get into it more now though, especially considering that I have finally gotten myself into good shape again.

 

What do you have?

[Rex Kickass]

It's a 2008 Trek 1.2 road bike. Spent about a grand on it in 2008. Going clipless finally this year, which is gonna cost about 200 or so, plus its time for new tires and maybe a new chain...

 

My average is a lot lower, 14.5 to 15 mph for a 20 mile route, but with platform pedals and a big beer belly, its not bad. I have a wireless speedometer which is honestly more trouble than its worth. The last bike computer I had counted cadence which was great, but that got stolen off my bike a few months ago, mounting and all.

 

With daylight savings happening and warmer weather finally hitting the area, I'm gonna try to commute to work once a week (35 miles round trip).

[iamshack]

It's a 2008 Trek 1.2 road bike. Spent about a grand on it in 2008. Going clipless finally this year, which is gonna cost about 200 or so, plus its time for new tires and maybe a new chain...

 

My average is a lot lower, 14.5 to 15 mph for a 20 mile route, but with platform pedals and a big beer belly, its not bad. I have a wireless speedometer which is honestly more trouble than its worth. The last bike computer I had counted cadence which was great, but that got stolen off my bike a few months ago, mounting and all.

 

With daylight savings happening and warmer weather finally hitting the area, I'm gonna try to commute to work once a week (35 miles round trip).

Still though, I don't care how fast you ride. 20 miles is 20 miles. I have been working out pretty hardcore the last few months and 10 miles still kicks my ass pretty good....or is that just my damn seat?

[Rex Kickass]

Still though, I don't care how fast you ride. 20 miles is 20 miles. I have been working out pretty hardcore the last few months and 10 miles still kicks my ass pretty good....or is that just my damn seat?

 

You probably need to get refitted on your bike. When you take it in for your spring overhaul, ask them if they can fit the seat for you. It makes a big difference.

 

If you're getting fatigued after 10 miles, you're probably pushing your gears too hard. The tip I've learned is that you should be able to feel resistance when you pedal, but not that much. I try to get a cadence of around 75 rpm and that helps me spin longer without too much stress.

[iamshack]

You probably need to get refitted on your bike. When you take it in for your spring overhaul, ask them if they can fit the seat for you. It makes a big difference.

 

If you're getting fatigued after 10 miles, you're probably pushing your gears too hard. The tip I've learned is that you should be able to feel resistance when you pedal, but not that much. I try to get a cadence of around 75 rpm and that helps me spin longer without too much stress.

 

It's not that I can't go much longer, I think I just prefer the higher-intensity, shorter rides to the opposite. But when I have more time and more knowledge of my immediate surroundings, perhaps I will venture out on some longer rides...

[Rex Kickass]

It's not that I can't go much longer, I think I just prefer the higher-intensity, shorter rides to the opposite. But when I have more time and more knowledge of my immediate surroundings, perhaps I will venture out on some longer rides...

 

I understand that, sometimes it's fun to just ride balls to the wall for a little bit, but I've always preferred the longer distance rides. I maxed out at 50 miles the last couple years, but I'm looking to do my first century this year.

 

The amount of calories a big guy like me burns over a longer ride. A 50 mile ride for someone about my weight (roughly 250 pounds) displaces nearly 3000 calories IIRC, depending on your speed.

[JorgeFabregas]

I have a 1987 Schwinn World Sport that I ride to work (7 miles each way) once a week or so when the weather is nice. It has a 27 inch frame and is pretty beastly. I go on some longer rides sometimes and plan to do some long Saturday rides with a group from church.

 

I understand that pedaling in low gears/low RPMs is bad for your knees. You can go just as fast in the higher gears, it just takes longer to accelerate. If 10 miles is wearing you out, I agree that you may need to be re-fitted.

[NorthSideSox72]

From mid-April through September, I ride to work (Bucktown to downtown) every day. Its about 6 miles, I bring work clothes in a backpack, and shower/change at my gym near work. Last summer I rode about 4 months almost every day, and making no dietary changes, I lost 20 pounds just by doing that biking. Its a great workout, you feel more energized at work, and you use your commute time to do something useful.

 

Only disadvantage is trying not to get killed by psychotic cabbies in the evening rush.

 

On the weekends hit the rural pavement in Kane County (parents live out there) to get in longer rides.

 

I've done RAGBRAI twice (2003, 2007), and plan to do it again some year.

 

For riding downtown, I have a 20 year old all-steel no-shock beat-to-s*** Gary Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo MTB with knobbies. Makes the ride harder, but I get a better workout, and you never want to park a nice bike downtown anyway.

 

My good road bike is a fully composite Trek Pilot 5.0, with TT bars and a Selle San Marco seat. Love it.

 

I also have a kick-ass MTB, but there are no trails nearby for me, so the thing has hung in a garage for a couple years unused (which makes me cringe). Its a Specialized Epic that has disc brakes and a rear shock brain system. Great bike. Wish I could use it more.

 

[iamshack]

I have a 1987 Schwinn World Sport that I ride to work (7 miles each way) once a week or so when the weather is nice. It has a 27 inch frame and is pretty beastly. I go on some longer rides sometimes and plan to do some long Saturday rides with a group from church.

 

I understand that pedaling in low gears/low RPMs is bad for your knees. You can go just as fast in the higher gears, it just takes longer to accelerate. If 10 miles is wearing you out, I agree that you may need to be re-fitted.

Maybe I should get fitted before refitted. I bought the bike from a fella on ebay, who was extraordinarily helpful, but obviously never actually measured me for the bike. I think the frame is on the small side for my height, but it seems like it works ok. Only thing I have really changed since I got it is to get a new seat (the one that came with it was a racing seat made entirely of carbon fiber).

 

I really know very little about the sport so I should probably take it into a shop to get officially fitted.

 

Anyone know what a normal shop would charge for this sort of service?

[NorthSideSox72]

I understand that, sometimes it's fun to just ride balls to the wall for a little bit, but I've always preferred the longer distance rides. I maxed out at 50 miles the last couple years, but I'm looking to do my first century this year.

 

The amount of calories a big guy like me burns over a longer ride. A 50 mile ride for someone about my weight (roughly 250 pounds) displaces nearly 3000 calories IIRC, depending on your speed.

I did some research on calorie burn riding - lots of factors in play there, including your weight, the bike and tire type, and how hard you are riding. My 12 mile round trip commute, on an MTB, at my weight (~230 nowadays), on knobbies, running basically as hard as I can and still make it at the same speed (take sme about 25 minutes each way), it looks like I burn something like 600-900 calories per day, depending on what site you look at. At a slower pace but doing 50 miles, 2000 is probably a good range.

 

RAGBRAI, I was doing 80 miles a day for 7 days straight. But that was on a nice lightweight road bike, and was keeping a more moderate pace. But still, I'd guess that was 3000-4000 calories a day added to the norm.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

Maybe I should get fitted before refitted. I bought the bike from a fella on ebay, who was extraordinarily helpful, but obviously never actually measured me for the bike. I think the frame is on the small side for my height, but it seems like it works ok. Only thing I have really changed since I got it is to get a new seat (the one that came with it was a racing seat made entirely of carbon fiber).

 

I really know very little about the sport so I should probably take it into a shop to get officially fitted.

 

Anyone know what a normal shop would charge for this sort of service?

If you buy a bike, a good shop does it for free. Otherwise, more like $30-$50, but if you ride a lot its probably worth it (especially if you do long distance). Getting everything dialed in right means being able to ride a lot longer before discomfort sets in.

 

[iamshack]

If you buy a bike, a good shop does it for free. Otherwise, more like $30-$50, but if you ride a lot its probably worth it (especially if you do long distance). Getting everything dialed in right means being able to ride a lot longer before discomfort sets in.

 

Thanks. I bought the bike elsewhere, so I'd obviously have to pay, but that seems reasonable. My guess is they are going to try and sell me all kinds of stuff.

 

I would definitely be interested in longer distance rides as I am out in the desert here with all sorts of road...the main thing is I need to get my ass/crotch accustomed to the ride.

[NorthSideSox72]

Thanks. I bought the bike elsewhere, so I'd obviously have to pay, but that seems reasonable. My guess is they are going to try and sell me all kinds of stuff.

 

I would definitely be interested in longer distance rides as I am out in the desert here with all sorts of road...the main thing is I need to get my ass/crotch accustomed to the ride.

Getting the bike fitted may indeed include some purchases. I had extenders added to my pedals, for example, but it was fairly cheap as I recall.

 

If you want to do longer rides, fitting is a must, IMO. Other things to help your nether regions - really good biking shorts with good padding... a better seat than what your bike came with (Selle San Marco rocks, but there are other good ones too)... and the right biking shoes and gloves too (indirectly will both help keep you comfortable).

 

And if you plan on riding the desert, invest in some nice riding sunglasses. Rudy Project is great, other brands are good too, but that glare and refelctive heat will be something fierce out there, so don't mess up your eyes. Desert also means rocks and dust. I can't imagine a place to ride where sunglasses are more important than the desert.

 

[iamshack]

Getting the bike fitted may indeed include some purchases. I had extenders added to my pedals, for example, but it was fairly cheap as I recall.

 

If you want to do longer rides, fitting is a must, IMO. Other things to help your nether regions - really good biking shorts with good padding... a better seat than what your bike came with (Selle San Marco rocks, but there are other good ones too)... and the right biking shoes and gloves too (indirectly will both help keep you comfortable).

 

And if you plan on riding the desert, invest in some nice riding sunglasses. Rudy Project is great, other brands are good too, but that glare and refelctive heat will be something fierce out there, so don't mess up your eyes. Desert also means rocks and dust. I can't imagine a place to ride where sunglasses are more important than the desert.

Already took care of the seat, and I love it. I think it's a Fizik Aliante? I do have shoes, but haven't been wearing them because most of my rides have been shorter distances and more urban in nature where I don't want to have to disengage from the pedals, so I have just been wearing regular tennis shoes.

 

My guess is the main culprit is just inexperience in riding, and the bike is probably set up for someone slightly shorter than I am. Hopedfully with a professional fitting, some minor adjustments can be made to make things more comfortable.

 

Oh, and I do have some fun Oakley sunglasses that have an mp3 player built in the frame so I can listen to music while I ride

[Steve9347]

I honestly thought this thread was going to be about steroids.

[iamshack]

I honestly thought this thread was going to be about steroids.

How do you know this isn't all code for just that?

[Rex Kickass]

Getting the bike fitted may indeed include some purchases. I had extenders added to my pedals, for example, but it was fairly cheap as I recall.

 

If you want to do longer rides, fitting is a must, IMO. Other things to help your nether regions - really good biking shorts with good padding... a better seat than what your bike came with (Selle San Marco rocks, but there are other good ones too)... and the right biking shoes and gloves too (indirectly will both help keep you comfortable).

 

And if you plan on riding the desert, invest in some nice riding sunglasses. Rudy Project is great, other brands are good too, but that glare and refelctive heat will be something fierce out there, so don't mess up your eyes. Desert also means rocks and dust. I can't imagine a place to ride where sunglasses are more important than the desert.

 

Believe it or not, cheapie Nashbar sunglasses are actually really really good for eye protection. Too bad they aren't sturdy.

[Rex Kickass]

I did some research on calorie burn riding - lots of factors in play there, including your weight, the bike and tire type, and how hard you are riding. My 12 mile round trip commute, on an MTB, at my weight (~230 nowadays), on knobbies, running basically as hard as I can and still make it at the same speed (take sme about 25 minutes each way), it looks like I burn something like 600-900 calories per day, depending on what site you look at. At a slower pace but doing 50 miles, 2000 is probably a good range.

 

RAGBRAI, I was doing 80 miles a day for 7 days straight. But that was on a nice lightweight road bike, and was keeping a more moderate pace. But still, I'd guess that was 3000-4000 calories a day added to the norm.

 

I figure this stuff out now using mapmyride.com. Which is by the way an awesome site to track your progress and workout schedule, etc. You can even map out your rides and share them with your friends - or get an iPhone or Blackberry app which will map and post your ride online for you via GPS.

[southsider2k5]

I'm starting a cycle of anti-biotics, does that count?

[iamshack]

I'm starting a cycle of anti-biotics, does that count?

Are they made of carbon fiber?

[Rex Kickass]

Are they made of carbon fiber?

Aluminum and Titanium actually, so its close!

[Rex Kickass]

I went clipless on Sunday and I immediately noticed a difference on my bike. It feels like I'm using a different set of muscles actually, but I feel stronger and more confident than I did previously despite riding in a nor'easter that felt like a hurricane.

[JorgeFabregas]

Did you fall over once for good measure?

[NorthSideSox72]

I went clipless on Sunday and I immediately noticed a difference on my bike. It feels like I'm using a different set of muscles actually, but I feel stronger and more confident than I did previously despite riding in a nor'easter that felt like a hurricane.

 

As long as you know you'll be in the pedals most of the time, clipless is fantastic. Makes a huge difference. I don't do it when I'm mountain biking, or in tight city traffic - when I know I'll have to come out of the pedals fast and often. But other than that, its the only way to go.

 

Did you fall over once for good measure?

Done that a few times. Always so painfully slow.