Cycling, bikes, indoor, outdoor etc.

LivingtheLeanDream

qstneverything wrote: »

LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »

I'm one for doing my biking on a stationary bike - fair weather gal here! got myself a great wee indoor bike a year ago and it has been the best thing I love how my daily exercise can be so efficient now, 30 mins on my bike burns close to 400 cals when I do HIIT.

I have to say hats off to those who cycle on the roads/mountain bike, you guys and gals rock! but I'm happy with my indoor bike and that's what its all about isn't it, finding something we enjoy doing and keeping on doing it


Edited to add, having read through you guys posts I feel a tad embarrassed that I only bike indoors

I'm an indoor cyclist too - absolutely love spin classes (RPM is my absolute FAVE).

I would like to get more involved with outdoor cycling but where I'm from it's far too dangerous to ride on roads - motorists here have a really poor attitude towards cyclists - is that common everywhere?

Yes that's common here in Ireland - our roads are narrow and motorists don't give enough care around cyclists - my son cycles and has had several near misses with vehicles as well as being knocked off his bike twice! I worry for his safety but he loves it. Its not so bad when hes out with his cycle club, safety in numbers but as a lone cyclist it's just not particularly safe.

awinner_au

Got a flat on the first hill, didnt have a flat for six months, two weeks ago i tried to go on this ride and got a flat in the first five minutes, was a piece of glass, this time pulled out a shiny brass tack. Im going tubeless. Try again next week weather permitting.

Machka9

aokoye wrote: »

So I think my hatred of hills is because most of the hills in my immediate area are well over 6% so when I think "hill" my brain immediately jumps to 15-30% as opposed to like, 5%. This afternoon was another short hill training day. 853 feet of climbing in 6.47 miles.

I'm right there with you.

I live halfway up a 14% grade hill. I have two choices ...

1. start my ride by going up to the top of the 14% grade hill. Actually to be fair, it does flatten a bit just past my place to about 10%, so that's not so bad. And I do that about half the time. Nothing like making your HR go from about 75 to 175 in 60 seconds flat.
2. start my ride by going down the hill ... and then proceeding to climb the 10% grade hills all around to get out of the 'valley' I've found myself in.

My motivation to ride from home is low.
My route choice is also low because a lot of the side roads are up around the 16-18% grade range.

I use a calculation to determine whether or not I'll be able to handle a ride around here.

(Metres of climbing / kilometres * 1000) * 100

If the ride is a 1 or less, that's a flat ride. I can do that. And if the ride is a really long ride, I prefer it to be a 0.8 or less.

If the ride is about 1 to about 1.2, that's a bit more of an effort and I'd prefer not do a long ride within that range.

If the ride is about 1.2 to 1.7 ... those are shorter, hill-training rides.

There was a time I couldn't do anything over 1.5, but now my "shorter, hill-training rides might include something just a bit over that.

Anything over 1.7, and I'm really struggling. There will be stops and walks and it would have to be a short ride.


Three of my recent local rides from home have been:
11.28 km with 186 metres of climbing. In other words: (186/11280)*100 = 1.65.
20.17 km with 313 metres of climbing = 1.55
13.63 km with 208 metres of climbing = 1.53

I don't think I can find a flatter route than those in this immediate area.

aokoye

Yeah I have to drive to find roads that are both flat and don't have sections that are more or less death traps. The flat death traps being two very narrow bike bridges along a 4 lane not quite highway with a speed limit of 45mph. The bridges are at sections where there is no bike lane and I've been seeing more and more homeless people walking on them which scares the crap out of me as both a driver and a cyclist. If a cyclist were to one of the pedestrians at least one person would fall into traffic and die. When traffic is light most people just ride in the road because it's just such a mess. Note, by narrow I mean, these are probably the width of my rollers. I I've been on said bridges twice and even with light traffic and no pedestrians I'm afraid that I'll fall into the road.

Today one of my friends was teasing me about not taking the bus or riding my bike to school and I had to explain just how out of the question both of those options were. All of my friends who commute by bike get it because they both understand how hilly it is and how dangerous the route that I would need to take that has the least amount of climbing is. The hillier route would be ok if it didn't involve a series of very blind corners that people drive rather quickly around.

I like your method of figuring out if you can handle a ride. I might have to figure out something similar.

awinner_au

Machka9 wrote: »

(Metres of climbing / kilometres * 1000) * 100

Interesting way of doing it, btw that simplifies to: meters of climbing/(Km*10)

@aokoye Unfortunately there are very few countries in the world where the motor car has not pushed aside the bicycle. Im looking forward to driver less cars, at least they wont be pre programmed to be reckless as some drivers are.

aokoye

@awinner_au Unfortunately in the instances I'm talking about driverless cars wouldn't be much of a help because they have to be able to see the cyclist/pedestrian in front of them. The dangerous bike bridge thing is more an issue of really horrible infrastructure than anything else. If it were wide enough for two cyclists, two pedestrians, or a cyclist and a pedestrian to be two abreast then it wouldn't be nearly as dangerous.

The blind corner thing - I don't think driverless cars would be of much help. Sure they could be programed to go the prescribed speed limit of that section which is 15mph, but I almost hit a cyclist while going around that same corner and I was going 10 mph. It was dark, there were no lights other than my car's headlights, and the cyclist didn't have any lights.

awinner_au

LivingtheLeanDream wrote: »

Yes that's common here in Ireland - our roads are narrow and motorists don't give enough care around cyclists - my son cycles and has had several near misses with vehicles as well as being knocked off his bike twice! I worry for his safety but he loves it. Its not so bad when hes out with his cycle club, safety in numbers but as a lone cyclist it's just not particularly safe.

Seems to be the same everywhere except in few European countries. My son cycles and i worry when i know he is riding even though i ride myself. Definitely a lot better when Im riding with my club, if there is a club around definitely worth a joining.

awinner_au

aokoye wrote: »

The blind corner thing - I don't think driverless cars would be of much help. Sure they could be programed to go the prescribed speed limit of that section which is 15mph, but I almost hit a cyclist while going around that same corner and I was going 10 mph. It was dark, there were no lights other than my car's headlights, and the cyclist didn't have any lights.

Driver less cars have radar, the cyclist not having lights shouldn't make a difference to them.

aokoye

Ok so

awinner_au wrote: »

aokoye wrote: »

The blind corner thing - I don't think driverless cars would be of much help. Sure they could be programed to go the prescribed speed limit of that section which is 15mph, but I almost hit a cyclist while going around that same corner and I was going 10 mph. It was dark, there were no lights other than my car's headlights, and the cyclist didn't have any lights.

Driver less cars have radar, the cyclist not having lights shouldn't make a difference to them.

Two things - 1. there have been numerous people who have gotten hit by driverless cars and 2. the issue isn't only that there are no lights but that even on a sunny day you wouldn't see a cyclist until right after you've rounded the bend. I don't see how a driverless car would help in this case unless I just don't understand how that radar works (which is a possibility.

awinner_au

aokoye wrote: »

Two things - 1. there have been numerous people who have gotten hit by driverless cars and 2. the issue isn't only that there are no lights but that even on a sunny day you wouldn't see a cyclist until right after you've rounded the bend. I don't see how a driverless car would help in this case unless I just don't understand how that radar works (which is a possibility.

Wouldn't trust driverless cars just as yet, its early days still. I don't think driverless cars will eliminate all road deaths, just greatly reduce them.

wesleepuntilthesungoesdown

sijomial wrote: »

jjpptt2 wrote: »

@sijomial - what app/utility is that that overlays the grade, speed, etc over the video?

@jjpptt2
No idea I'm afraid, not my video. The soundtrack would have been gasping for air and swearing if it had been me!!

Probably Garmin VIRB editor?

aokoye

Yeah - I

awinner_au wrote: »

aokoye wrote: »

Two things - 1. there have been numerous people who have gotten hit by driverless cars and 2. the issue isn't only that there are no lights but that even on a sunny day you wouldn't see a cyclist until right after you've rounded the bend. I don't see how a driverless car would help in this case unless I just don't understand how that radar works (which is a possibility.

Wouldn't trust driverless cars just as yet, its early days still. I don't think driverless cars will eliminate all road deaths, just greatly reduce them.

Yeah - now that I have the fitness to actually bike the hills that I would need to in order to get to school I'm realizing that it's just not safe enough. My route options either involve the narrow bridges that I'm afraid of falling off of, blind corners, or roads with no shoulders and rather steep drop offs. There's a single route that would be okayish during the middle of the day (as opposed to rush hour) so I might take it to school when I have to be there in the summer but honestly it's just so much safer to drive.

blobby10

As an amateur cyclist who started longer rides in Jan 17, I am often shocked by the lack of hi-viz that cyclists wear. I always have either hi viz yellow vest or hi viz pink on when cycling but the number of riders who zip around wearing black or red or blue outfits and they really can't be seen clearly especially against hedges along country roads.

As a cyclist (or horse rider), there is nothing that you can wear which will 100% prevent you from having an accident be it v car or lorry or motorbike or horse or pedestrian. But you CAN take responsibility to take away every possible excuse for other roadusers not seeing you! And no, the flashing red light isn't going to help in bright sunlight!

aokoye

Yeah I mean I live in a city where a lot of people commute by bike (for the US). I've done so as well when I lived elsewhere within the city. Heck it's even bike month right now! It's really where with in the city I live that is the issue. I mean even my friends who use their bikes as their sole or nearly their sole method of transportation realize how unrealistic it would be to commute from my house.

awinner_au

2nd day of winter in sydney. Cold and windy. Going to be my first winter of riding, rain will keep me in bed.

Ardael

Same I use my Garmin with a HR belt to calculate and when I get different readings like when Garmin sync with MFP or Strava I validate the one with the fewer calories because I'm here to lose weight so if I want more calories I'll just have to work harder ^^

I have 3 bikes. A road racer, a track bike ( as in Velodrome ) and my husband is building me a TT one as a reward for winning my local TT League. And my club owns a wattbike which I use to do my Zwifting.

aokoye

I did a metric century today in preparation for the not metric century I'm riding on the 23rd. The longest ride since my tibial tubercle osteotomy last November. I got through it but I did a horrible job in terms of bringing enough food which is a bit out of the ordinary for me. I'm normally pretty good about that but I'm glad I caught myself before century. Next week's long ride will involve a much better eating plan (some sort of food every half an hour).

awinner_au

Id like to try Zwift, but not knowing whether id stick with it makes me reluctant to stump up for a smart trainer. Haven't found a studio nearby that lets you try Zwift.

Ardael

All you need is a trainer with Bluetooth at first. First week is free. Download the app on your phone and you can sync with the trainer from there.
You need an ant+ dongle for iOS devices though

garystrickland357

I pretty excited about my new ride. Picked it up today.

Calliope610

At 52 years of age, I got a hand-me-down Trek hybrid. I was challenged by my brothers to participate in the BP MS150 - a 150 mile, 2-day charity ride. I hadn't ridden a bike in 35 years or so. I trained for about 3-4 months and completed the ride. I found a new passion.






A couple of months later I had knee surgery and it has taken me a while (2 1/2 years ) to get back in the saddle consistently. I'm back to 2-3 rides during the work week about 10-12miles each. I hope to increase my rides to 20miles and 30-40miles on the weekend.

aokoye

awinner_au wrote: »

Id like to try Zwift, but not knowing whether id stick with it makes me reluctant to stump up for a smart trainer. Haven't found a studio nearby that lets you try Zwift.

I'm assuming you looked on Zwift's website for dealers (bike shops) that allow you to try it on a smart trainer, as opposed to a studio. If not the link to that information is here. I agree with @Ardael though - all you need is a not smart trainer and a speed sensor that either transmits bluetooth and/or ANT+ (assuming you have an ANT+ dongle). It won't be, as all around of an experience but it will definitely give you a good idea of what it's like.

Also if you're connecting through bluetooth on on iOS device you don't need an ANT+ dongle.

mjbnj0001

Calliope610 wrote: »

At 52 years of age, I got a hand-me-down Trek hybrid. I was challenged by my brothers to participate in the BP MS150 - a 150 mile, 2-day charity ride. I hadn't ridden a bike in 35 years or so. I trained for about 3-4 months and completed the ride. I found a new passion.

Good for you!

Calliope610 wrote: »

A couple of months later I had knee surgery and it has taken me a while (2 1/2 years ) to get back in the saddle consistently. I'm back to 2-3 rides during the work week about 10-12miles each. I hope to increase my rides to 20miles and 30-40miles on the weekend.

More good for you!

I'm trying a similar schedule. After being off the bike for 30+ yrs, I got inspired last summer, promptly crashed due to my own error (long story), was laid up until Christmas, then got a new bike (as also a retirement gift from the family). Pedaling back into a healthy state is my "retirement job" this year. My written New Year's resolutions included 750+ miles ridden and 25lbs lost. I'm on track to exceed the 750, and this week I'm 28lbs lighter. Every pound is a struggle, but I'm shooting for another 15 by Thanksgiving.

Best of luck to you!

BTW, I'm following on youtube a guy in the UK, an older, overweight cyclist, who is training for a Mallorca cycling trip later this year (it's got a lot of hill challenges). He's struggling with time, commitments, and more in a gradual training rampup that resonates with my own struggles. Latest vid is here ...

https://youtu.be/bX2kqSxGzbw

mjbnj0001

garystrickland357 wrote: »

I pretty excited about my new ride. Picked it up today.

Nice!

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Hi. I'm doing much less biking this year than the few previously and I'm suddenly sad about it. I mostly mountain bike but have a CX that I use on roads too. My rear shock blew late last fall, and due to a layoff I couldn't afford to get it fixed until recently. Just pick up the bike yesterday and they told me there is something wrong with my rear brakes, which I knew (they've needed to be bleed more often then they should), so it's got to go back to the shop on Sunday . I think I'm going to try to take it out Sunday morning anyway.

wutaday1

I have two bikes a hybrid and a mountain bike. And I am finally getting back out on them again. Went for a 12 mile ride yesterday for the first time in over a year. My husband is threatening to sell them if I don't use them lol. I want to bike in the mornings before my kids get up and then later in the day strength train or yoga depending on the day. I ride my hybrid on the local paved trail which is nice. I need to get my mountain bike out on the mountain bike trail nearby again too. Not sure yet how this will help with my weight issues, but I am hoping for some lost fat and gained muscle.

awinner_au

wutaday1 wrote: »

I have two bikes a hybrid and a mountain bike. And I am finally getting back out on them again. Went for a 12 mile ride yesterday for the first time in over a year. My husband is threatening to sell them if I don't use them lol. I want to bike in the mornings before my kids get up and then later in the day strength train or yoga depending on the day. I ride my hybrid on the local paved trail which is nice. I need to get my mountain bike out on the mountain bike trail nearby again too. Not sure yet how this will help with my weight issues, but I am hoping for some lost fat and gained muscle.

Ive switched from being a night owl to being a morning person just to fit my cycling in, riding will help with your weight issues and muscle retention. You really need to be eating at a surplus to gain muscle.

smsquash

Hi. I am a beginner cyclist and have a few questions I’m hoping I might be able to get some advice on?

First, some background: I’m mid-40’s, haven’t really ridden a bike since I was a kid. Had spinal surgery a few years ago because I developed cauda equine syndrome. I have nerve damage (permanent) from my waist down and because of that, I deal with balance issues and weakness in my ankles, calves and to a lesser extent, knees. I’m overweight and out of shape, especially since my surgery in 2015. I also suffered a knee injury last winter during a snowshoe hike that’s better, but not completely healed. Wanting to get more fit and just generally be able to do more (hiking, biking, cross country skiing, backpacking, etc).

I chose the bike because I thought it would be low impact and easy on my knees and lower back. Mine is a hybrid, and also step through because my range of motion for hips/legs is still not the best. Lots of residual scar tissue and stiffness in my lower back. I also had my bike set up for me at a bike shop so that my handle bars are high and I’m sitting upright, with a straight spine (at the advice of my neurosurgeon).

I live in the mountains in Vermont, and all of the roads are extremely hilly, and dirt/gravel. My house is on the side of a mountain on a dirt road.

It’s been much tougher than I expected starting out. I come out of my driveway directly into a long, tough climb. I still have to walk most of the way up the first hill (it’s a mountain, really), because it is so long and steep. At the top of the hill, there is a flat spot where I get on and start riding, but there are still hills, constant up and down hills, in every direction. Nowhere near me has much flat ground. Closest gym is at least 45 minutes away, and I hate working out indoors anyway.

I started out with a goal of just doing the same loop as I usually walk, which is 3 miles of up and down hills on dirt roads. Everyone I’ve read or talked to is starting with 5, 10, 15 mile rides to start? I’ve been working on completing this same 3-mile ride without having to stop, get off and walk up the steep hills for a month now, and realistically it’s going to be at least another month before I can do it without walking. And I’m not even counting coming out of my driveway and having to climb to the top of the mountain. I’m just assuming I’m going to have to get a lot stronger before I do that.

My questions:

Is it normal to take this long to be able to do a simple, three mile ride? I feel like I’m doing something wrong because I’ve been out there, every other day without cheating, and although I’m making very small improvements, I’m nowhere near able to cycle this three mile loop yet (it’s been 5 weeks of riding it every other day)? I just keep shifting down until there is nowhere else to go, and then I push hard until I just get so slow I come to a standstill, and then I have to get off and walk to the top of the next hill. I do upshift so that I continue to cycle and build momentum on the downhills but I’m physically unable to maintain revolutions on the steep hills.

Also - I’ve been reading a lot that hills are hard on your knees? Am I not giving my knees as much of a break as I think I am by adopting a no impact activity? I really enjoy cycling - it’s so beautiful here and I love getting out under the open sky - but I’m now a little scared of the potential impact on my knees. I really really can’t afford another injury. I did get a basic bike fitting when I bought my bike, and I also brought the recommendations from my neurosurgeon and I think he set it up based on those recommendations. I am only 5’1”, I already feel like the bike is way too tall and scary to get on, I can barely reach the ground on one tiptoe when I’m on the seat (and only on one side, my other foot doesn’t reach at all.) With my weak ankles and messed up balance, this is really scary, especially when it comes time to stop. My legs are already weak, and then they’re shaky and exhausted from trying to push so hard to get up all of the hills... I do sometimes lose my balance upon stopping and have to let my bike kind of fall out from under me so I can steady my foot on the ground. I guess my big question: is it ok for me to start out on this terrain, which is probably nowhere near “beginner” terrain, but it’s all that I’ve got?

Also, when I bike in the rain, it is much, much more difficult. The roads liquify and get squelchy, and trying to go uphill through mud is really exhausting. The downhills are slippery and scary. I’m extra scared because of the seriousness a fall could mean because of my previous surgery. I had bones removed from my spinal column and now a hard fall or jar could re-injure my spine more easily. I usually cut those days even shorter, and although I feel like I’m working a lot harder in the rain, I don’t know if there is even any benefit from only biking for a mile or two? Am I wasting my time altogether by doing such short rides? I feel ridiculous doing a two-mile ride and calling it exercise, but up a mountain in the mud, it’s exhausting for me still. I come home, my legs are shaky and weak, sometimes I feel dizzy and like I’m going to vomit, and the next day I’m stiff and sore.

I also don’t know if my short, exhausting rides are enough to help with fitness or weight loss? Map my ride says I burn an extra couple of hundred calories. I never really eat them back, mostly because I’m skeptical about whether such short rides can make any difference, and since I eat pretty healthy and don’t really have any problems staying within my calorie goal, it feels counter-intuitive to eat back any possible exercise calories. A 3-mile loop takes me right around 23 minutes, and I do that every other day. The intensity (for me at least) is high though.

Thanks for any advice, I’ve looked all over for answers in cycling forums and such and haven’t come across much on starting out as a raw beginner on tougher terrain. Vermont is all mountains, so it’s a long drive to anywhere that could be considered flat or easy cycling. At least a couple of hours drive probably.

chunkytfg

smsquash wrote: »

Hi. I am a beginner cyclist and have a few questions I’m hoping I might be able to get some advice on?

No problems. I'll answer what I can

First, some background: I’m mid-40’s, haven’t really ridden a bike since I was a kid. Had spinal surgery a few years ago because I developed cauda equine syndrome. I have nerve damage (permanent) from my waist down and because of that, I deal with balance issues and weakness in my ankles, calves and to a lesser extent, knees. I’m overweight and out of shape, especially since my surgery in 2015. I also suffered a knee injury last winter during a snowshoe hike that’s better, but not completely healed. Wanting to get more fit and just generally be able to do more (hiking, biking, cross country skiing, backpacking, etc).

I chose the bike because I thought it would be low impact and easy on my knees and lower back. Mine is a hybrid, and also step through because my range of motion for hips/legs is still not the best. Lots of residual scar tissue and stiffness in my lower back. I also had my bike set up for me at a bike shop so that my handle bars are high and I’m sitting upright, with a straight spine (at the advice of my neurosurgeon).

Thats a lot of issues to work round but if your medical doctor says its okay to cycle then trust them. If you have back issues and need to ride upright with a straight back then thats not a problem at all. everyone is different on a bike and rides whatever way is most comfortable for them.

I live in the mountains in Vermont, and all of the roads are extremely hilly, and dirt/gravel. My house is on the side of a mountain on a dirt road.

It’s been much tougher than I expected starting out. I come out of my driveway directly into a long, tough climb. I still have to walk most of the way up the first hill (it’s a mountain, really), because it is so long and steep. At the top of the hill, there is a flat spot where I get on and start riding, but there are still hills, constant up and down hills, in every direction. Nowhere near me has much flat ground. Closest gym is at least 45 minutes away, and I hate working out indoors anyway.

Not the ideal terrain to start riding on but not the end of the world. It will just make it tougher and if you need to walk up to the top to find a flat bit to start on so be it. Like you said. better to be outdoors than stuck in a gym.

I started out with a goal of just doing the same loop as I usually walk, which is 3 miles of up and down hills on dirt roads. Everyone I’ve read or talked to is starting with 5, 10, 15 mile rides to start? I’ve been working on completing this same 3-mile ride without having to stop, get off and walk up the steep hills for a month now, and realistically it’s going to be at least another month before I can do it without walking. And I’m not even counting coming out of my driveway and having to climb to the top of the mountain. I’m just assuming I’m going to have to get a lot stronger before I do that.

Is everyone you've read about or talked to riding in the mountains with various strength, balance and terrain issues? If you were in a flat area you'd also be doing 5/10/15 mile rides no doubt. Just be the best you can be and ignore what everyone else can do.

My questions:

Is it normal to take this long to be able to do a simple, three mile ride? I feel like I’m doing something wrong because I’ve been out there, every other day without cheating, and although I’m making very small improvements, I’m nowhere near able to cycle this three mile loop yet (it’s been 5 weeks of riding it every other day)? I just keep shifting down until there is nowhere else to go, and then I push hard until I just get so slow I come to a standstill, and then I have to get off and walk to the top of the next hill. I do upshift so that I continue to cycle and build momentum on the downhills but I’m physically unable to maintain revolutions on the steep hills.

Everyone is different. don't think about stopping as cheating. If you were starting running you would be doing a couch to 5k type program to get into it and that involves going out for runs with walk intervals. you're not doing anything different. When I first started riding as an overweight teenager I would ride to the train station up this massive steep hill. It took nearly 6 months of doing it everyday before I actually made it all the way to the top in one go. I would just every day try with everything I had to see how far I got then I would stop, walk to the top and get back on.

Also - I’ve been reading a lot that hills are hard on your knees? Am I not giving my knees as much of a break as I think I am by adopting a no impact activity? I really enjoy cycling - it’s so beautiful here and I love getting out under the open sky - but I’m now a little scared of the potential impact on my knees. I really really can’t afford another injury. I did get a basic bike fitting when I bought my bike, and I also brought the recommendations from my neurosurgeon and I think he set it up based on those recommendations. I am only 5’1”, I already feel like the bike is way too tall and scary to get on, I can barely reach the ground on one tiptoe when I’m on the seat (and only on one side, my other foot doesn’t reach at all.) With my weak ankles and messed up balance, this is really scary, especially when it comes time to stop. My legs are already weak, and then they’re shaky and exhausted from trying to push so hard to get up all of the hills... I do sometimes lose my balance upon stopping and have to let my bike kind of fall out from under me so I can steady my foot on the ground. I guess my big question: is it ok for me to start out on this terrain, which is probably nowhere near “beginner” terrain, but it’s all that I’ve got?

Must confess to not really hearing about cycling being hard on your knees, and personally I've never had a problem. I would imagine if your turning the pedals over really slowly 'grinding away' then its worse than spinning over in an easier gear but not ever seen it being mentioned as 'bad for your knees'

Most bikes are set up with a relationship between the 3 contact points. Feet, hands and seat. The inability to reach the floor while sitting on the saddle is pretty normal. I can just get one tip toe down while sat on my saddle. To stop you just come forward off the saddle and then put your foot down. don't try and stop while staying seated.

Like I said above. If that terrain is all you got then just keep at it. You'll get there, trust me. My GF is newish to cycling(2 years riding) and we went to the alps in france 2 weeks ago. She wasn't convinced she would manage to get up the climbs but she literally climbed mountains! It wasn't quick and she found it crazy tough but she did it!

Also, when I bike in the rain, it is much, much more difficult. The roads liquify and get squelchy, and trying to go uphill through mud is really exhausting. The downhills are slippery and scary. I’m extra scared because of the seriousness a fall could mean because of my previous surgery. I had bones removed from my spinal column and now a hard fall or jar could re-injure my spine more easily. I usually cut those days even shorter, and although I feel like I’m working a lot harder in the rain, I don’t know if there is even any benefit from only biking for a mile or two? Am I wasting my time altogether by doing such short rides? I feel ridiculous doing a two-mile ride and calling it exercise, but up a mountain in the mud, it’s exhausting for me still. I come home, my legs are shaky and weak, sometimes I feel dizzy and like I’m going to vomit, and the next day I’m stiff and sore.

I can't really comment on the safety aspect of riding in slippery conditions. That is something for you to make your own mind up on really. I personally though would maybe walk on the days it isn't so nice and ride on the nice ones. exercise is exercise no matter is you need wheels or walking boots!

If your happy to ride in the mud though just embrace the added difficulty and enjoy the extra calories burned the tougher conditions make you burn.

I also don’t know if my short, exhausting rides are enough to help with fitness or weight loss? Map my ride says I burn an extra couple of hundred calories. I never really eat them back, mostly because I’m skeptical about whether such short rides can make any difference, and since I eat pretty healthy and don’t really have any problems staying within my calorie goal, it feels counter-intuitive to eat back any possible exercise calories. A 3-mile loop takes me right around 23 minutes, and I do that every other day. The intensity (for me at least) is high though.

23 minutes riding at high intensity is still 23 minutes your not sat in front of a tv/reading a book/ doing something sedentary. Of course it helps in the big picture and even the little one. Keep at it. One of these days you'll be finishing that tough 3 miles loop and you'll think to yourself, 'I might go round again'. And you know what, you'll make it round. Then it'll be instead of 2 laps you'll plan a longer loop and that will be come your norm, and before you know it you'll be a shadow of your former self, faster, fitter, lighter, happier and able to ride out your front door and up the hill straight away without walking to the top first.

Thanks for any advice, I’ve looked all over for answers in cycling forums and such and haven’t come across much on starting out as a raw beginner on tougher terrain. Vermont is all mountains, so it’s a long drive to anywhere that could be considered flat or easy cycling. At least a couple of hours drive probably.

No problem. Happy to help. Everyone was a beginner once!

Good luck

mjbnj0001

smsquash wrote: »

Hi. I am a beginner cyclist and have a few questions I’m hoping I might be able to get some advice on?

I'm newly returned to cycling after 30+ years. This site has many folks who are really more deeply capable than I to share their experiences or point out one or another relevant points of gear and training, and tips. I, OTOH, am able to share my fresh newbie perspectives, so I hope this helps.

I'm older (60+), male, very overweight, and without muscular-skeletal problems impacting my cycling, such as you indicate, but with other issues, including cardiovascular. Comes with the territory of sitting at a computer for 40+ yrs without tending to physical conditioning.

My family bought me a Christmas/Retirement gift this past December of a nice bike. I'm newly retired, but my "new job" is to "get fit." So I'm working on it. Living in coastal NJ, my local terrain is pancake-flat relative to Vermont, and aside from some landscape undulations, my local bridges supply many of the "hills." Except, of course, for the hill about 1/4mile from my house that sits on my preferred route to the beach. More on that in a moment.

First, the above poster, @chunkytfg, is exactly right. You're on your own journey now, and cannot judge your progress against others. We're all different. In my routesheet case (handlebar bag top), I carry a couple of inspirational pictures. One says, "No matter how slowly you go, you're still lapping everyone on the couch." So, congrats to you for getting out. Let your doctor's advice be your guide as to your limits and approaches, and keep on plugging.

When I first rode in the week before New Year's, going a mile was a big deal. Literally hard. On faith, I did my usual written New Year's resolutions, and included 750+ miles riding for this year, and 25lbs lost. At 300+ miles so far, I'm on track, with the summer season just beginning. I have a planning spreadsheet that projects 900+ with gradually-increasing range in my rides through late Autumn, then tailing off. This week, I'm 28lbs down from Jan 1st, so I've hit my initial weight target, and hope for another 15+ before Thanksgiving. Weight loss isn't all from riding (outside) - there's also some winter/spring recumbent cycling in the gym, and good dietary management using MFP. More important than the numbers is that I'm feeling better than I have in some years, and family/friends are really noticing the changes. But enough on me, I'm just establishing some bona fides.

* * * * *

1. Bike.

I had flexibility troubles throwing my leg over my bike when I first got it, and relied on either the curb-step-up method or lower-the-bike-drastically method to mount and dismount. I've been doing nearly-daily bodyweight and resistance band exercises and stretches, and no longer have that concern. Step-through frame was my second choice, and it was an act of faith to pick a bike with a regular top tube.

When in Florida earlier this year, I rented a recumbent tricycle to try one out. I'm looking down the road when I might have age-related balance issues, but still have some ability to cycle. I had also thought through this option before choosing my current bike. If you already didn't have a new bike, I might suggest giving these types a look.

Lastly, e-bikes offer a solution when the spirit is willing and the flesh is lagging a bit. Especially when trying to work with a lot of hills. There are e-bike conversion kits available, but I don't have any particular knowledge of how good, compatible or effective they are.


2. Starting out on a hill.

"... I come out of my driveway directly into a long, tough climb. I still have to walk most of the way up the first hill (it’s a mountain, really), because it is so long and steep ... and I hate working out indoors anyway."

This is a tough one.

As I mentioned above, there's a hilly section on my preferred road to the beach within 1/4 mile of the house. I started a couple of months ago taking a longer, busier, but more level road, but am now able to ride the hill OK. This doesn't mean I like it; as a "clydesdale" (big rider), hills will never be my friends, and I have to gradually work up to them. I have found that being warmed up to the ride exercise makes them easier. A 1/4 mile head start isn't really enough, but the same hill (it's symmetrical along the road coming and going) at the end of a ride is almost a snap. Maybe try some warmups before you set out to get you readier to face your hill.

It takes time and practice, and we're all going to have difference paces. There are bridges and ramps and such in my area (see picture below) that challenge me. This particular ramp took several weeks of retries (I do this destination about 1x/wk) before I got all the way up riding rather than walking. It's not much compared to an actual mountain, but it is one of my local challenges. Now I "own it."

There's a guy I've been following on youtube from the UK. He's prepping for a vacation later this year in Mallorca, which means a lot of hills. He posts vids weekly on his training progress. He's a bit younger than I, a bit less heavy than I, and in better cycling shape than I. However, his experiences resonate with me. See ... leonardmlee ... at youtube.


3. Distance and Progress.

" ...I started out with a goal of just doing the same loop as I usually walk, which is 3 miles of up and down hills on dirt roads. Everyone I’ve read or talked to is starting with 5, 10, 15 mile rides to start? I’ve been working on completing this same 3-mile ride without having to stop ... I’m just assuming I’m going to have to get a lot stronger before I do that."

I'd say yes. Strength and capability come with time. 1 mile was tough when I first started. Now I'm doing in the 20+ range fairly easily. On a mountain bike outfitted with "most surfaces" smoother-tread tires, not a road bike.

You'd be right to point out that I'm mostly in the flats. Hilly terrain is much different. Much harder. Just before we got married (many yrs ago), my wife and I took a weeklong inn-to-inn tour in Maine. The tour directors told us to be prepared for 20-30 miles in hills each day. I trained for the ride when living in northern NJ with access to the "Palisades" (a granite escarpment lining the western shore of the Hudson River north of NYC). I rode up the incline to the top, which was pretty tough, thinking that was great. It was. But the tops of the Palisades are fairly uniformly level. Maine has hills. And hills. And more hills. About like Vermont, I think, LOL. You've got it harder. So, don't think less of your progress than it has been by comparing it to some abstract ideal which is irrelevant to your riding conditions.

[YOUR] questions:

a. "Is it normal to take this long to be able to do a simple, three mile ride?"

You're on your own pace for progress.

re: gearing - when I rode many yrs ago, I had a proper touring bike that had higher high gears and lower lows (including a "granny gear" - 28-tooth front cog) than my current bike. You might be able to make some replacements to your hybrid to help out in this area.

b. "Also - I’ve been reading a lot that hills are hard on your knees?"

Generally speaking, cycling should be better on your knees than running. Certainly, as someone older and heavier, I wouldn't want to be running to lose weight. That would be too jarring to my system. Do ensure your bike is fitted correctly - proper saddle height can alleviate some leg problems, etc., and keep on improvements in gear shifting techniques. From your "tiptoe" comment, it sounds like you might have to have another look at bike fit, but I'm not qualified to speak to this on any detail (note that your local bike shop might do a good range of fit checks, but there are also specialized lab-grade fitters around, and might be appropriate for special needs - but also, that any given bike has a range of adjustments and options that can be made to it before another bike altogether is indicated). I can say, BTW, I've got 5 doctors cheering me on - as well as my family - that cycling is a great way to fitness for me, with my preconditions. Supplementing swimming, and my other sport, sailing. I am loving cycling now, it was a major act of faith to take it on, and it's having very positive effects. But, I had to be prepared to walk away or make major alterations (ebike, recumbent trike, etc.) if it was not going to be so. Not everything is appropriate for everybody.

* * * * *

I don't feel competent enough to share more of my experiences or talk through your other questions. All I can say is good luck, in this, if this is your path, and in life. It sounds as if you've got motivation to do something even if cycling isn't going to be your way. I used to teach scuba diving as an adjunct to my primary career in IT. I had 100s of students over the years. In a few cases, very few, I had to say to them, "this isn't for you" due to varying circumstances. This, by the way, applies to me. I love scuba diving. But I've developed conditions as I've aged that bars me from this activity. I was pretty distraught when I found out. We took a 30th wedding anniversary trip to the BVIs last spring, chartering a sailboat. I would have loved to dive some of the sites we visited. But made do with snorkeling. And enjoyed myself and the trip.