Training rides, training for rides, preparing for training rides, equipment for training, and training routines.
3
votes
4answers
286 views
Book Recommendation: Training
I am curious if anyone has any interesting books (preferred) or blogs on training for cycling.
Right now I ride for a couple hours twice a week, I have a short 15 min commute to work and I ride for ...
2
votes
2answers
499 views
Bike fitting experiences
I just recently went through a Specialized BG Pro-Fit (was about $200), and have to say that I'm super happy with the results and experience. The fitter was telling me about some others out there ...
10
votes
5answers
3k views
How much to eat and drink during a 50km ride?
I want to try a 50 km ride for the first time, to be completed continuously one morning.
The most I've even done before is an 18 km (70 minute) each way commute (out in the morning and back in the ...
3
votes
6answers
386 views
Age-specific information for cyclists
I was reading a discussion (Cycling: mashing versus spinning) in which someone commented ...
In the big picture, winning against
other age-groupers is pretty
unremarkable.
... which implies ...
1
vote
2answers
499 views
BMX: Training routine for a beginner?
At the ripe old age of 20, I finally moved to an area with a BMX track, so this summer I'm finally going to be able to follow my life-long dream of racing. Other than spending a lot of time riding ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I improve my stamina?
Generally I'm doing a lot of sports, (volleyball, hiking, soccer, swimming, etc.) and while hiking I have no problem to do 3000 meters or more in a day (uphill ;)) but when I go mountain-biking I have ...
3
votes
4answers
774 views
How to warm up / stretch and cool down?
I'm starting to ride again after a couple of years of not doing any sports at all. I dimly remember some stretching exercises back from school, but I don't know if I'm doing it right at all.
Instead ...
5
votes
6answers
646 views
How much rest (tendon or ligament), for a novice?
Given that 'training' is a valid topic, can you say how much rest a novice needs?
My ambition is to commute 18 km each way, every week day: in Toronto (mostly flat, some hills, mostly bike lanes and ...
12
votes
3answers
686 views
Should I eat breakfast before or after morning ride?
I am planning to do some (1-2 hours) base training rides in the morning before work. Should I eat something before the ride?
From my knowledge, there should be enough glycogen in muscles to power me. ...
15
votes
2answers
3k views
What exercise should I do in the gym to assist with hill-climbing?
I have a few events coming up this year which have a fair amount of climbing (one is over a hundred miles with about 6500ft of ascent - that's an average of just over 1% for the entire distance). ...
12
votes
4answers
4k views
What's the most efficient riding style for losing weight?
I plan on setting up my bicycle with one of those devices that holds the rear tire and gives some resistance so I can exercise through the winter. I think it's called a bicycle trainer.
When using ...
13
votes
1answer
456 views
What should I look for when buying rollers?
What should I look for when buying rollers?
What sets more expensive models apart from their cheaper alternatives?
5
votes
2answers
280 views
Recommended inexpensive heart-rate monitors?
Since I last used a heart rate monitor (about eight years ago), wrist-watch only monitors seem to have increased in popularity (based on the offerings at Amazon)
update apparently these watches come ...
0
votes
3answers
168 views
Training on a bike path
Is there a liability to using the path for pedestrians and bikers while training on a racing bike - in Florida? Can I use the path, too?
8
votes
4answers
458 views
Do I need to buy a special stand for my front wheel when using my turbo trainer?
I have seen available special "stands" (please tell me the correct terminology) to be placed under the front wheel when using a turbo trainer.
I normally just put a copy of the phone directory down ...
10
votes
2answers
2k views
What are the advantages and disadvantages of turbo trainers and rollers?
In a previous question I asked what I need to know about turbo trainers, but several answers mentioned the use of rollers. What are the pros and cons of turbo trainers and rollers?
3
votes
3answers
258 views
What do I need to know about Turbo Trainers?
I'm about to get hold of my first turbo trainer (borrowing it from my triathlon club). Before I start, what do I need to know about turbo trainers?
10
votes
3answers
423 views
What is a good way to learn how to ride a bike on rollers?
After seeing a few questions about rollers pop-up, such as this one, it has spiked my interest in these things again.
So how do you learn how to ride on rollers? How long does it take you to get the ...
16
votes
3answers
293 views
How much do you need to concentrate when using rollers?
I'm consider getting bicycle rollers for use over winter, and I expect after the initial newness has worn off it might become boring. Can I realistically watch a DVD while using rollers? Or do they ...
14
votes
4answers
1k views
Should I buy a PVC or aluminum roller?
I'm currently trying to choose between the CycleOps PVC roller and the CycleOps Aluminum roller. How big of a difference is there between them? I don't really care about riding the roller outdoors, so ...
23
votes
14answers
3k views
I wish to get fit, therefore should I have a heavy bike?
A lot of people seem take up cycling to get fit, and they'll talk about how light their bikes are.
However, as I understand it, a heavy bike uses more energy to pedal it. Should someone that wished ...
7
votes
2answers
820 views
Needed training time or speed for each category of racer
What type of training time or average speeds are needed to qualify for each category of racer? I realize that it can varry based on a hilly or flat route so lets assume a time trial of 40km that's ...
7
votes
2answers
613 views
How do you calculate aerobic and anaerobic heart rates?
What are some of the methods to determine my aerobic/anaerobic heart rate threshold.
8
votes
4answers
526 views
Will stretching make me slower?
I have heard rumors that (excessive) stretching can hurt cycling performance. Specifically, stretching one's hamstrings and/or quadriceps supposedly reduces sprinting power. Is there any factual basis ...
11
votes
5answers
526 views
What's the cheapest way to get into training with power?
I used to train with a stopwatch, and later on, heart-rate. Both required relatively inexpensive tools.
Now I'm interested in training with power (measuring the watts produced) and I'm finding that ...
21
votes
9answers
12k views
What is the best breakfast right before cycling?
Sometimes I feel I will faint when I am cycling in the morning. I usually don't have this problem after lunch.
My breakfast is rich in carbohydrates, but maybe I'm eating too much or missing some ...
5
votes
3answers
733 views
What are the 'easiest' ways to determine functional threshold power?
I recently picked up a powertap and have done a fair bit of riding around and a few races now with it on, so I've started to get familiar with some of the numbers. I would like to figure out what my ...
13
votes
6answers
883 views
Cross Training routines for longer rides
I am trying to build up to longer rides (75 - 100 miles). I usually only have time for one long ride a week. I can squeeze in one or two shorter rides of 20 miles or so. How can I build mileage under ...
12
votes
8answers
885 views
How can I pedal in circles?
I couple of years ago I switched from using a normal pedal to using a clipless pedal. It takes a little while to get used to. Now, to be able to use it optimally I need to learn how to pedal in ...
