You real bikers amaze me - JP Fitness Forums

Bill2380 · 05-19-2008, 06:11 PM

I broke out the old 12 speed this week and rode twice around the development. That's a whopping five miles, took about fifteen minutes. When I clumsily dismounted in the driveway my quads felt like jelly. Granted it's a POS, yard sale bike and the roads have some kinda long inclines, but damn it, I workout. What's the deal? Are you guys genetically different or have a little special help in those water bottles? My friend, who's probably 80 lbs overweight, goes on 40 mile rides over hilly terrain most weekends. I run him into the ground every week on the basketball court. On a bike ride I'd probably have to fake a mechanical problem at the first bar or ice cream stand we passed.

Anyway, congratulations to you people who go out and ride 50 miles on a Sunday and actually enjoy it. I'd need a Harley, like my "Wild Hog" buddies, to pull that off.

Pman · 05-19-2008, 06:40 PM

No real secret, just keep riding more. You would be surprised how far and fast you can eventually go.

beach_plums · 05-20-2008, 09:51 AM

You'll also be surprised by what the right bike can do for you. I used to hate riding until I got my current bike. Now, I love it.

emartin10 · 05-20-2008, 10:45 AM

EPO. It's a lifesaver.

E

Pman · 05-20-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emartin10

EPO. It's a lifesaver.

E

Call me old fashioned, but I still stick with the blood transfusions. Those drugs can mess you up!

ODB · 05-21-2008, 10:35 AM

The best drill to help with your cycling is to steal a bike. It really is the best workout.

RobLL · 05-21-2008, 11:19 AM

training for one thing doesn't give you endurance for another. A surprise to all of us, and everytime it happens. Jumping rope was my last surprise - how do those out of shape girls do it for five minutes and more at a time? Alwyn Cosgrove wrote on this recently.

silly · 05-21-2008, 11:27 AM

Some things translate, most notably- running hills. Hill repeats on foot mimic climbing on a bike, that's why if you're training for both, you'll rarely see hill repeats for both disciplines in the plan for the same week.

Otherwise, every new activity makes me feel out of shape. Wait, cycling makes me feel out of shape, too

. dammit.

Just keep riding. We all started a block at a time. I was sure I was going to die.

Bill2380 · 05-21-2008, 07:35 PM

Added an extra 1.5 miles tonight. My ass hurts worse than my legs so I must be making progress.

FishrCutB8 · 05-22-2008, 10:28 AM

Bill

Get in on the club rides out of the high school...there are speeds and rides for everyone, and they are very welcoming. Join the Harrisburg Bike Club to get info on dates and times. You will improve VERY quickly and learn A LOT from people who have been riding for a long time.

flameburns623 · 06-09-2008, 08:38 AM

If your bike is hurting you, take it to a local bike shop and make sure it fits you well, the seat is appropriate for your size, gender, and style of riding, and that the bike is at least in good repair. If this is a no-name, X-mart bike, you may get ribbed a bit about the bike not being worth much--but till you're ready to make riding a serious part of your workout and/or lifestyle, just take it. Just be aware that cheap, department-store bikes can break down a lot more than quality bikes, and sometimes are hard to fix, because they use poor-quality, out-of-spec components. You won't care if you only ride 3-4 times per month; you'll care heaps if you ride three or four times a week and keep coming up with flats or other problems.

emartin10 · 06-09-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameburns623

If your bike is hurting you, take it to a local bike shop and make sure it fits you well, the seat is appropriate for your size, gender, and style of riding, and that the bike is at least in good repair. If this is a no-name, X-mart bike, you may get ribbed a bit about the bike not being worth much--but till you're ready to make riding a serious part of your workout and/or lifestyle, just take it. Just be aware that cheap, department-store bikes can break down a lot more than quality bikes, and sometimes are hard to fix, because they use poor-quality, out-of-spec components. You won't care if you only ride 3-4 times per month; you'll care heaps if you ride three or four times a week and keep coming up with flats or other problems.

I think the point of this thread was regarding bike conditioning, not necessarily bike fit. But good points still...

E