Returning to cycling - point me to resources?

cdoesthehula

Hello everyone.

I have taken a break of 10 years but really want to get back into distance cycling. I have a goal - next year's Dunwich Dynamo on July 4th. For those that don't know, this is a 200km (124mile) ride that starts in London at 9:00 in the evening, and finishes at 7:00-9:00 the next morning with a dip in the sea.

I used to take rides of this length most weekends. So I know I can do it again. Although I am unfit now, I think it's achievable in 9 months if I train properly.

What I did in the past, though, was all on my own. Cycling resources were all a bit crappy on the Internet back then. And I didn't really like my local club. So I just rode. A lot.

But that's changed, right? Are there any resources online you could point me at?

Any other advice? Other than "don't", obviously.

Thanks.

msf74

Don't.

Just kidding...

See here: https://wattbike.com/uk/guide/training_plans

and maybe join here:

http://www.cyclechat.net/

For some banter.

In reality if you are not planning to race then an overly structured plan isn't necessary. Do the usual: one short, hard ride per week of about 60 minutes, a longer effort of about 90 - 120 minutes and one long ride at the weekend where you gradually increase the time or distance (depending on your preference) over the weeks until you can get to 80% of the event distance a few weeks out.

trogalicious

I'd recommend:
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycletouring

and more specifically, for long distance rides:
http://www.reddit.com/r/randonneuring

Cyclingbonnie

I'm doing it the way you used to. Heading out this weekend to ride in the Mid Atlantic 12/24 Hour race. It is an official RAAM qualifying race. Most of the 24 hour racers have a goal of 400 miles, my goal is 200. Although I occasionally ride with friends, most of the time I ride alone. Why? Because most of my friends are concerned with riding fast and getting done with 30 - 50 miles as quick as possible. I myself feel that riding at a moderate pace will allow me to complete my goal. If my body never rides for more than a couple of hours it will never be able to ride for 24 hours. So even though we have a huge cycling community here … I ride alone.

Have fun, cycling is the best, but you already know that

SingingSingleTracker

Hello everyone.

I have taken a break of 10 years but really want to get back into distance cycling. I have a goal - next year's Dunwich Dynamo on July 4th. For those that don't know, this is a 200km (124mile) ride that starts in London at 9:00 in the evening, and finishes at 7:00-9:00 the next morning with a dip in the sea.

I used to take rides of this length most weekends. So I know I can do it again. Although I am unfit now, I think it's achievable in 9 months if I train properly.

What I did in the past, though, was all on my own. Cycling resources were all a bit crappy on the Internet back then. And I didn't really like my local club. So I just rode. A lot.

But that's changed, right? Are there any resources online you could point me at?

Any other advice? Other than "don't", obviously.

Thanks.

9 months to train? That's a piece of cake as you could really be ready to go in 24 weeks. 12 weeks of base training, followed by 12 weeks of build, peak, and race/ride. If you want all of the nuts and bolts to be figured out for you with your focus only on doing the daily training rides, purchase a structured training plan. Or sign up for a service that allows you to use their software to develop your own plan for the event. Either way - it's all available at a place like TrainingPeaks.com.

sijomial

Sustrans for routes to try:
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

If you are into HR zone training:
http://www.bikeradar.com/fitness/article/heart-rate-monitor-training-for-cyclists-28838/

County Council websites are worth a look for maps and routes (e.g. I've got the Surrey Cycleway network near me and it takes you off the beaten track to explore new routes and areas).

Strava or Runkeeper free phone apps for tracking your training rides.

I've only just discovered Audax events:
http://www.aukweb.net/

SezxyStef

Hello everyone.

I have taken a break of 10 years but really want to get back into distance cycling. I have a goal - next year's Dunwich Dynamo on July 4th. For those that don't know, this is a 200km (124mile) ride that starts in London at 9:00 in the evening, and finishes at 7:00-9:00 the next morning with a dip in the sea.

I used to take rides of this length most weekends. So I know I can do it again. Although I am unfit now, I think it's achievable in 9 months if I train properly.

What I did in the past, though, was all on my own. Cycling resources were all a bit crappy on the Internet back then. And I didn't really like my local club. So I just rode. A lot.

But that's changed, right? Are there any resources online you could point me at?

Any other advice? Other than "don't", obviously.

Thanks.

I track my rides on my smart phone using the App MapmyRide which syncs with MFP.

dazwan

I use Runkeeper to keep track of my exercise, Strava is fun though as well. If you use lots of apps, then https://tapiriik.com/ is handy for syncing all that data up, that way you only upload once, but can view it in all your apps (only link to one of them from MFP though, otherwise you wind up with multiple entries (1 from from each app) in the exercise section of this site. I learnt this the hard way after Runkeeper synced with endomondo, I now have 100's exercise sessions duplicated in my MFP account!

As for websites, I regularly read BikeRadar and road.cc.

dpwellman

bikeforums.net

cdoesthehula

Thanks everyone. There's a wealth of resources here.

I have had a look at some of the structured plans, and they are not that different than what I did myself. Technology is fine, but ultimately what you need to do is get the miles in.

So I've made up my own plan. Basically, it's five rides a week, with a long ride on Saturdays The distance will go up each week, and I will ride on rollers when it gets icy. I will share the plan with other people if they're interested.

I think if I'm on track in the spring I will build myself a new road bike too. I used to be a bike mechanic, and I love making things. So that's another nice little goal.

So watch this space! :-)