newbi
Featfabtastic
Posts: 31
Hey, I'm new here. I love this idea but I'm not sure if I have the right understanding. Is the challenge to ride 100 miles plus within a month?
How do you track it? Would I need some techno gizmo to show my rides?
Is it okay for new members (such as myself) to join in?
Thanks!
How do you track it? Would I need some techno gizmo to show my rides?
Is it okay for new members (such as myself) to join in?
Thanks!
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Replies
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Hiya
No, don't worry - I had the same fear that you had to be riding 100mile rides all the time, but really we're just a bunch of cycling enthusiasts who love cycling.
We do have challenges (see the pinned Hot August Rides thread) and people ride to their own distances and abilities - but you don't have to sign up to them by any means. However, I'm definitely not one of the strongest, fastest or furthest, I just like that the challenges inspire me to ride more.
In the challenges we do track our rides using various systems though. A lot of people use apps on their smartphone (Endomondo, Strava, MapMyRide etc) and do it that way.
Welcome! Nice to have a new member on board
Cheers,
Fran0 -
oh great! Thanks for replying I did my first long distance ride last year (about 1500km), and fell in love with cycling. I stopped in October, then had some injuries and have put on about 30kg since not riding anymore. Have just bought a new bike and really want to get back our riding 80-100km a day again.
I'm going to start small, tomorrow- 20km here I come!0 -
Haha well it sounds like you'll slot right in with the mad keen nutjobs on here with those distances - mentioning no names (but I'm sure they'll reply) ;-) We're a friendly bunch!0
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I joined hoping that it'd motivate me to actually go out and do a proper century ride.
So far, I've failed dismally - I've got the point where if I don't do a "metric" century 100km or 62.1miles on a Sunday morning, then i;m grumpy for the rest of the week - but so far, weather conditions and my boredom threshold (I get sick of talking to myself after 5 hours or so) has conspired to prevent doing a "proper" century.
We do have lots of other challenges - usually there's a monthly challenge which is just a nice simple "Set your own goals and try to beat 'em" one. Then there are a few slightly more complex challenges - most of them devised by some twisted mind and themed around professional cycle racing. Strangely enough, there's one of these challenges starting at the end of this month (24th August to be specific) - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/964334-mfp-grand-tour-cycling-challenge-discussion-signup-thread
The themed challenges are quite enjoyable, partly as there's a bit of effort put into making it an "event" - you'll notice soon if you look in these threads that people's picture turns into a race-number for example. We even ran a series of one-day race themed events that had spot prize points available for taking photo's of specific items, or for proof of eating (say) a belgian waffle if the race was in belgium, or eating pizza if the race was in italy.... :laugh:
The Irony of giving bonus points for ingesting highly calorific food and drink on a challenge from a fitness and health website isn't lost on the organisers - though, my opinion was "I'f I've ridden for 6 hours in the rain and sleet, in sub zero temperatures, and the Garmin say's I've burned 2,850 kcals, I'm eating what the hell I want!"0 -
Haha well it sounds like you'll slot right in with the mad keen nutjobs on here with those distances - mentioning no names (but I'm sure they'll reply) ;-) We're a friendly bunch!
Who you calling a Nutjob...
I'll have you know, i'm a
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Hello there!
I've recently joined here also. At first I had the same concerns as you about having to ride 100 milers, as right now that would probably finish me off! :laugh:
All I can say is get on your bike and ride! Don't worry about what mileage other people are doing or how fast they go. Just enjoy being in the saddle burning those calories. If you want to see what cycling can do check out TheBigYin's post regarding his weight loss. It's awesome!
Best wishes
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...If you want to see what cycling can do check out TheBigYin's post regarding his weight loss. It's awesome!
You mean this one ?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/990363-why-i-love-cycling-or-what-75kg-loss-looks-like0 -
Who you calling a Nutjob...
I'll have you know, i'm a
Haha, you and me both !!!0 -
...If you want to see what cycling can do check out TheBigYin's post regarding his weight loss. It's awesome!
You mean this one ?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/990363-why-i-love-cycling-or-what-75kg-loss-looks-like
Yeah. That's bloody inspirational!0 -
Being new to this group myself, I will have to say I've been on the unsure side of it too. Seeing some of these rides folks do in Strava is amazing.and inspiring. I ride small rides but I figure it's my goal and it's me competiting against myself. So, I'll keep plugging away at it.0
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Oh this is a great group! Thanks everyone for taking the time to help to feel at home here! I went for my first ride this morning (my last long distance ride was an easy 80km, which I did in September last year). I thought I'd be able to start with a gentle 20km. HAHAHA! Who was I kidding?! I nearly collapsed after 5km! I'm half dismayed at the severe loss of fitness in under 12 months (injuries plus 30kg weight gain), and the other half of me is wrapped to have joined this motivating group. I'm going to build up again to 100km rides, but jeepers I really have to re-look at my training program!
:laugh:
:bigsmile: 0 -
yeah this guy is amazing isn't he! what an inspiration!0
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I joined hoping that it'd motivate me to actually go out and do a proper century ride.
So far, I've failed dismally - I've got the point where if I don't do a "metric" century 100km or 62.1miles on a Sunday morning, then i;m grumpy for the rest of the week - but so far, weather conditions and my boredom threshold (I get sick of talking to myself after 5 hours or so) has conspired to prevent doing a "proper" century.
We do have lots of other challenges - usually there's a monthly challenge which is just a nice simple "Set your own goals and try to beat 'em" one. Then there are a few slightly more complex challenges - most of them devised by some twisted mind and themed around professional cycle racing. Strangely enough, there's one of these challenges starting at the end of this month (24th August to be specific) - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/964334-mfp-grand-tour-cycling-challenge-discussion-signup-thread
The themed challenges are quite enjoyable, partly as there's a bit of effort put into making it an "event" - you'll notice soon if you look in these threads that people's picture turns into a race-number for example. We even ran a series of one-day race themed events that had spot prize points available for taking photo's of specific items, or for proof of eating (say) a belgian waffle if the race was in belgium, or eating pizza if the race was in italy.... :laugh:
The Irony of giving bonus points for ingesting highly calorific food and drink on a challenge from a fitness and health website isn't lost on the organisers - though, my opinion was "I'f I've ridden for 6 hours in the rain and sleet, in sub zero temperatures, and the Garmin say's I've burned 2,850 kcals, I'm eating what the hell I want!"
I'd really love to join in- although the hard hitting reality I found today is that I am super unfit, so I think I'm best at this stage to set up my own goals- riding three times a week for 45 minutes. I hope to join in as I get fitter!
Thanks 0 -
the whole thing about the Vuelta challenge (and all the "team event" type ones TBH) is that the smallest mileage by one of the riders could be the difference between completing the target for that day or not... so it doesn't matter if you're riding 3 times a day or once a week - every little helps, and all distances are valuable and valued. Plus - we've a team with 1 person in there at the moment, and it's going to get awful lonely for them without someone to share the load occasionally.
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Oh this is a great group! Thanks everyone for taking the time to help to feel at home here! I went for my first ride this morning (my last long distance ride was an easy 80km, which I did in September last year). I thought I'd be able to start with a gentle 20km. HAHAHA! Who was I kidding?! I nearly collapsed after 5km! I'm half dismayed at the severe loss of fitness in under 12 months (injuries plus 30kg weight gain), and the other half of me is wrapped to have joined this motivating group. I'm going to build up again to 100km rides, but jeepers I really have to re-look at my training program!
:laugh: :bigsmile:
You'll get fit before you know it. Just think, this is the most unfit you will be, so it's all better from hereonin! You really should join in the Vuelta challenge. I missed the Giro challenge because of injury from a car bump - was off the bike for 10 weeks - reappeared in the last 10 days of the Tour de France challenge, but as TBY says, the guys in here really make you feel that every little bit is valued. One day I only did a small amount, think it might have been my first ride back, but it made the difference to getting the total distance that day - and it felt great. Everyone is really supportive of each others' achievements!0 -
You'll get fit before you know it. Just think, this is the most unfit you will be, so it's all better from hereonin! You really should join in the Vuelta challenge. I missed the Giro challenge because of injury from a car bump - was off the bike for 10 weeks - reappeared in the last 10 days of the Tour de France challenge, but as TBY says, the guys in here really make you feel that every little bit is valued. One day I only did a small amount, think it might have been my first ride back, but it made the difference to getting the total distance that day - and it felt great. Everyone is really supportive of each others' achievements!
Hey thanks for your encouragement everyone! How do I join the Vuelta Challenge? I can't find it- or is it Team 2, rider 207, under the August challenge? I'm in!0 -
Have joined the Vuelta Challenge!
Thanks everyone 0 -
Have joined the Vuelta Challenge!
Thanks everyone
Welcome Aboard #323 0 -
Hey thanks for your encouragement everyone! How do I join the Vuelta Challenge? I can't find it- or is it Team 2, rider 207, under the August challenge? I'm in!
You could still join in the "Hot August Rides" challenge too, as rider 207 - keep me and TBY company!!0 -
quite right, may as well do both - you can get into the logging habit with the "Hot August Rides", seeing as the Vuelta doesn't start until the 24th :laugh:0
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quite right, may as well do both - you can get into the logging habit with the "Hot August Rides", seeing as the Vuelta doesn't start until the 24th :laugh:
Done :laugh:
I had my first asthma attack ever during my ride on Saturday- have just seen my doctor and have medication now, will be having proper tests done asap. It does mean though I need to go a little slow and gently until it's all sorted.
Really pumped to give it a good go!0 -
quite right, may as well do both - you can get into the logging habit with the "Hot August Rides", seeing as the Vuelta doesn't start until the 24th :laugh:
Done :laugh:
I had my first asthma attack ever during my ride on Saturday- have just seen my doctor and have medication now, will be having proper tests done asap. It does mean though I need to go a little slow and gently until it's all sorted.
Really pumped to give it a good go!
Yep - slow and steady is the way - I used to suffer from Asthma myself - took 3-4 swaps of meds to find something that worked for me - but then I've always been an awkward so-and-so. Happily, as the weight's come off, the asthma's subsided to the extent that I get a Salbutamol Inhaler at the start of the summer but frankly I think I've used it maybe 3 times - twice when I'd been on the MTB and had to cross a field of Oil-Seed Rape in full flower, and once when I got it, to see that it worked!0 -
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Yep - slow and steady is the way - I used to suffer from Asthma myself - took 3-4 swaps of meds to find something that worked for me - but then I've always been an awkward so-and-so. Happily, as the weight's come off, the asthma's subsided to the extent that I get a Salbutamol Inhaler at the start of the summer but frankly I think I've used it maybe 3 times - twice when I'd been on the MTB and had to cross a field of Oil-Seed Rape in full flower, and once when I got it, to see that it worked!
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Great! Thanks for sharing that with me. I've been reading about asthma in the last couple of days- Olympic athletes have it so that's awesome news! To be honest, on Saturday I was totally gutted I could only ride 4.5km before my lungs cracked it and I felt awful. This time last year I was cycling 80-100km a day for charity, for a couple of months- hence why I felt sad and gutted on the weekend. I'm really relieved though part of it is from asthma. The other part is the 30kg weight gain since I stopped the cycling event (injury). So, thanks for helping me to get excited again, and for making me feel really welcome. I really appreciate it!0 -
Yep - asthma sufferer here too, only exercise-induced asthma. It's ok in the summer, I just take a puff on the salbutamol inhaler about 10-15 mins before I go out and I'm ok. In the winter when the air is bitterly cold it gets to my chest very quickly and closes up my airways, so I need to keep an eye on it at those times and watch myself climbing that I don't get past the point of no return.0
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I'd lay bets that 1/3 of the pro peleton have at some point had a TUE (theraputic use exemption) certificate for something like Salbutamol/Salmeterol inhalers... though not all of 'em abusied it quite as much as DiLuca :laugh:0
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In the winter when the air is bitterly cold it gets to my chest very quickly and closes up my airways, so I need to keep an eye on it at those times and watch myself climbing that I don't get past the point of no return.
Those are the days to just do Z1/2 rides - and make sure you breath through your nose - if you need to breath through your mouth for the uphills, slow down :laugh: Eventually, you'll find that all the Z1-2 stuff pays off - i.e. you're still in Z1-2, but you're going at the speed you used to in Z2-3.0
