Training rides, training for rides, preparing for training rides, equipment for training, and training routines.
6
votes
2answers
126 views
Improving metabolic efficiency
I'm doing road cycling, on hills, over long distances.
Typically at the moment, I'll do two 30-40 mile evening rides in just under 2 hours. Generally either 50ft per mile climb or 100ft per mile ...
0
votes
2answers
63 views
Recovery from surgery, and want to race in November
I'm six months after a double ankle joint fusion surgery. Both my surgeon and my physio have suggested cycling. I have a wind trainer and have plinked my road bike on it and being working on my ...
8
votes
5answers
260 views
Training fasted: just about weight loss?
Preparing for a 100mile ride in August I was thinking of following a training plan which came in a "Sportive Guide" given away with Cycling Plus magazine this month.
Some of the days on the plan ...
28
votes
11answers
1k views
Ride with someone who is less trained
Barbie and Ken both love to ride the bike. Ken is a strong guy who likes to ride 60km as fast as possible, enjoys of getting to the edge of his strength. Barbie is more relaxed, likes to enjoy the ...
2
votes
4answers
101 views
Minor hamstring pull, can I keep going at easy pace?
I'm 53 and for the past year have been pushing it slightly. Have always been careful to not push it too hard, but yesterday I got a mild pull in my right hamstring. Just a slight soreness right ...
5
votes
3answers
247 views
3x increase in endurence in 3 months?
I am currently using a hybrid bike, 10kg of weight(quite light for the category I've head) and my longest ride has been 65km at an average of 18km/h in a mostly flat terrain.
In this ride for many ...
4
votes
6answers
260 views
How should I train for a century while still commuting by bike to work?
I'm going to start training for a May gravel century at the end of March. This is my first century. I plan to follow this training schedule here: http://www.kintera.org/htmlcontent.asp?cid=54755. My ...
0
votes
1answer
137 views
Time trial improvement from new bike
I can average 21.7mph for a 20 mile time trial (00:55:15), on my 2001 Rockhopper with 1.25" fatboy slicks, no lock out on shock. My bike weighs 25.25 lbs. I'm planning on buying a Cervelo 2012 r3, ...
2
votes
2answers
668 views
How accurate are indoor trainer power meters?
I recently got a Tacx Flow trainer, this being the first time using a power meter. For about 10 years, however, I have been doing monthly "uphill time trials," whereby I put the time into that formula ...
1
vote
3answers
106 views
Effective use of heart rate monitor
I have a Garmin Edge 500 with hear rate monitor, which I use while riding. Now I have all this hear rate data which I don't know how to apply. Can anyone point out how I should use this data for ...
2
votes
2answers
130 views
Advice for increasing endurance [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I improve my stamina?
I would like to improve my endurance while bicycling.
I'm especially interested in increasing my endurance while going up a slope (since ...
4
votes
2answers
326 views
What are the pros and cons of a Turbo Trainer over Training Rollers?
For the winter, I'm looking to get either a Turbo Trainer (like this one) or Training Rollers (like these)
What are the pros and cons of each?
I don't think I like the idea of not being able to turn ...
5
votes
4answers
577 views
Is it better to breathe through your nose or mouth when cycling?
I just watched the 'Road to Glory' documentary about Team Sky. I noticed when they were warming up on their Turbos, some of them had cotton wool up their noses.
Is this because it's better to ...
8
votes
3answers
385 views
Effective breathing for efficient cycling
It seems silly to say I don't know how to breathe, but I don't. When doing weights, I know you exhale when you do the work part of the rep. In Yoga similarly breathe out on the stretch. Rock ...
11
votes
4answers
360 views
How can somebody with Type I diabetes keep blood sugar levels acceptable during and after a multi-hour ride?
I recently upgraded my bike to a Merckx EMX1 and started doing some serious riding. I am riding 50–70km(30–45 miles once a week usually including a second cat climb and sometimes one or ...
4
votes
2answers
342 views
Should I use a road bike or track bike on my rollers or trainer?
I have a road bike with a triple, a track bike with a high gear ratio. Which should I use on my trainer for use with training videos? Should I use a geared bike, freewheel single speed or fixed ...
4
votes
3answers
342 views
Is it normal to wear out the rear tire with in a few months when using a trainer?
Early this year I attached my bicycle to a trainer, around the December time frame of 2011. The rear tire and inner tuber where shot by March of 2012. Riding about 24 Miles per week. Is this normal ...
6
votes
3answers
424 views
Simple plain English explanation of VO2 MAX
What is VO2 MAX and how is a measurement taken? By how much can VO2 MAX be increased in the average person?
3
votes
3answers
466 views
Which parameters should I track with bicycle computer so I can analyze changes in my riding?
I'm building Arduino-based bicycle computer with GPS at my free time as a hobby project.
So I have to find out which parameters of ride will be useful to track to see a progress (or any changes) in ...
14
votes
3answers
528 views
Attacked by birds
I have been having some problems being attacked by several red-winged blackbirds when I am riding. It seems to be the same birds because I am only having this problem in certain areas. I have talked ...
6
votes
3answers
390 views
How can one estimate drag for a bicycle?
I am curious how to estimate drag for a bicycle. This has two different framings:
Find the amount of power required to ride at a certain speed. That is, when one is traveling at a constant speed, ...
1
vote
1answer
144 views
What's a good setup for an experienced but rusty cyclist training for his first triathlon?
I've got my first (sprint) triathlon coming up at the end of July. I need a bike to train and race on. I'm comfortable on both road and MTB style bikes, but haven't ridden on either in several years. ...
2
votes
2answers
272 views
How to train for a long tour?
Recently my interest was piqued with a very long tour: http://tourdivide.org/
Being time constrained by an 8 hour job, how does one train for a ride that will require 160 kilometers (100 miles) per ...
14
votes
7answers
3k views
Does spin class prepare you for a long bike ride?
I need to train for an upcoming bike ride and i wanted to see if attending a spin class 1-2 times a week (45 min course) would be appropriate way to prepare for a long bike ride (50 - 75 miles)
8
votes
9answers
6k views
What should I be doing a week before a long distance bike ride?
I have a 50 mile bike ride in 1 week. I have been training for a while and I am trying to figure out, at this point, if I should be:
Training hard, doing a few long bike rides to get prepared
...
-2
votes
2answers
719 views
Is training by heart rate really a good thing? [closed]
I'm a 44 year-old male, fast-recreational cyclist -- about 6,000 miles/yr. -- who has used a heart rate monitor on and off for nearly 15 years. Quite honestly, I find it kind of aggravating, as it ...
9
votes
5answers
2k views
How do I maximize my upper body workout from riding?
I often hear people say “your bike is a whole-body gym”. I know my upper body workout will never be close to the workout my legs get, but so long as I’m a bike commuter, I figure I ought to get as ...
1
vote
1answer
206 views
Best rest length for “getting your seat”
I am just getting back on my bike after a couple years and have quickly been made to remember that it takes time to get your butt used to the saddle. I've read articles about "getting your seat" and ...
1
vote
3answers
793 views
Is my interval training routine effective for mountain bike training?
During these winter months I am currently attending the gym 3 times a week. On each of the days I start my training on an exercise bike with the following:
5 minute warm up
30 minutes, 1 minute ...
1
vote
3answers
849 views
Online turbo / spinning resources
Where can I find free online spinning or turbo classes? Ideally videos, but just audio or even an annotated playlist would do.
4
votes
3answers
5k views
Techniques to increase average cadence for endurance-riding?
According to the Wikipedia entry here:
Recreational and utility cyclists typically cycle around 60–80 rpm.
According to cadence measurement of 7 professional cyclists during 3
week races they ...
7
votes
9answers
1k views
Effective 'equipment minimal' leg strength training for cycling?'
What are the most effective 'no equipment' (bodyweight only) or 'equipment minimal' strength exercises for cyclists? There's a lot of info out there about core strength, so I'm working on that. ...
5
votes
2answers
246 views
Suggestions of a good video on intermediate Mountain Biking skills: getting up (and down) 1' obstacles
I'm looking for a good training video on intermediate mountain biking skills.
(I've been mt biking for about 12 years and I'd like to improve my skills.)
I'm looking for a video that really breaks ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a cycling desk?
I just came across an article about a cycling desk (never knew that such a thing existed). This past year, I gave up a traditional desk for a standing desk and have been pretty happy with the results, ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
Couch to Century
Due to injury I've got to take a little time off from biking. My physical therapist recommended doing a "couch to marathon" program when I'm feeling better to get me back into the swing of things. ...
-1
votes
2answers
232 views
List of accessories and training for commuting [closed]
It's been about 10 years since I last rode on a bike. My wife and I have decided that we need to get ourselves into shape, and one method we've decided on, encouraged by our daughter, is to bike back ...
8
votes
4answers
353 views
Can I do cyclocross if I've never really been very athletic?
I've never really been very athletic - I started cycling around the city a few months ago, did a 30 mile ride recently (and felt great after it - could have done more, although the pace wasn't very ...
3
votes
2answers
229 views
How do I taper for a century+ ride?
I am doing a 210km (130 mile) ride on Sunday. I assume it'd help me to taper but I'm not sure about the most effective method.
How much should I ride in the last 3-4 days before the ride? My current ...
4
votes
2answers
600 views
Understanding overunder intervals
I'm reading The Time Crunched Cyclist and trying to work out a training plan for a century later on this year. I am having a really simple problem understanding the overunder (OU) interval shorthand. ...
8
votes
3answers
300 views
Why should I not coast while training (even after intervals)?
A comment in this answer about building up stamina for a commute says not to coast, even after intervals.
Why not? How is coasting different from light pedaling with minimal load (which I'm assuming ...
6
votes
3answers
727 views
What are the most effective exercises to improve stamina and speed on my cycle to/from work?
I have just turned 40 and despite running many marathons in my younger days I'm finding it hard to get fitter again after too many years at a desk. I have a reasonable racing bike which I use for my ...
1
vote
2answers
339 views
What is this simulator like device called?
The following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I13wJyUZL_4 has a man limp to a bike (a Pinarello) leaning against a wall, climb on to it and ride the bike for a good minute to a minute and a half, ...
6
votes
2answers
331 views
How to significantly lower HR[avg] while improving performance output
On my Saturday's ascent race I was riding 181bpm HRAVG and saved some power for the last km where my HR peaked at 190 (which is my highest ever recorded HR at my 37 years or age). I felt rather normal ...
13
votes
3answers
4k views
How do bicycle power meters work?
What exactly are they measuring? How do they measure it? What are the implications of the different approaches on accuracy / speed of getting a good measure?
It would be helpful if someone could ...
4
votes
4answers
604 views
How long is the life cycle of a bicycle?
This may not be a particularly practical question, but I wonder how often do you find yourself looking for a new (or another) bike? There are, of course, two main aspects of it:
Mechanical decay. If ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
How to measure calories burned?
How can I accurately measure the calories burned while using my bicycle? My bike computer tells me how many calories I have burned. But it has no cadence meter. The only measurements it has are my ...
1
vote
2answers
109 views
warm up without bike
Next weekend I'll participate in a relay triathlon (1100 mts. swim, 7 kms. run and 13 kms. MTB). I'll be doing the bike section, which is the last. Bike needs to be at the boxes area an hour before ...
3
votes
7answers
5k views
Most Crucial Gear/ Accessories for a (Road) Cycling Beginner?
Some background information on myself before I get to the question:
I've decided to get in to cycling both as a hobby and because I need the activity. (Though I'm honestly driven more by the former - ...
5
votes
5answers
333 views
Train cycling legs for a long walking trek
Cycling is my sport. I'm training for a multi-day ride (four days). Each day will we be hard riding but not too long. The week before the event however I'm going on a four day trek with a 20kg ...
4
votes
4answers
569 views
Why recover with carbohydrates, instead of with protein?
Many enthusiasts and intercessors talk about a superfast refill of carbohydrates after exercise. Why carbohydrates? You need those during exercise, but after? You also have a lot of recovery products ...
