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Post by captslog on Jun 17, 2014 20:33:20 GMT
Mostly it's a few (3 or 4) times a week and generally it will be a about 13 miles. I'm usually just stuck for time, otherwise it would be more and/or longer. My lack of miles is a bit shameful to me.
because I don't have the time to ride, I concentrate on getting faster. My speed has crept up over the year and I've done that usual route at an average of 18.5mph as a solo effort and last week taking alternate half miles in front with my son, we got it to 20mph.
We also did the Dougie Mac sportive, which was 46 miles at 15 mph Other than that the next largest solo was 31 miles at 17.5mph
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2014 21:06:12 GMT
BUT - everyone is different, everyone rides for a different reason and likes different things. personally I'm more of a touring style rider. It is about getting out in the countryside, not how fast I go. I live in a very hilly part of the country, and luckily I have found I love climbing. so I would say - dont compare yourself to others - ride for YOU! If you ride regularly your fitness will improve, as will your enjoyment and love of your bike. It is what suits you and what gives you pleasure that matters. It is a hobby not a competition. IMHO......best post on the thread.
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 17, 2014 21:25:16 GMT
Kind of with you on that, a bit of healthy competition is fine in the right circumstances, although the competitive bit is mainly with yourself I find. Simply following Marianne Vos and LTD on Strava is enough to keep my efforts firmly in perspective. A little competitive motivation can help sometimes, keeps it interesting ... some days I ride to be competitive in broader Strava segments, other times with my own times; generally my 'serious' challenges are when out chasing my mate but we only have fun races really; other times we just push each other on for health and fitness purposes.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2014 21:34:19 GMT
I live in a hilly part of the UK and I hate climbing! Well, not really, but I do usually spend the build up to a hill really anxious and fighting psychological battles in my mind. Once I start to do it, I get into a rhythm and then get a supreme sense of satisfaction once I'm over it. I like to think that's what Pantani meant when he said, "I love the mountains, but the moment of exertion fills me with deep hatred. So I try to shorten the suffering."
Plus the best part about around here is the mix of views. I can cycle one hill and get a cityscape of the conurbation of West Yorkshire or another and have the moors/dales (both beautiful in their own ways).
I've only recently re-started up again after 6 months off due to the birth of my bairn and I'm currently riding around 5 days a week to work. It's sometimes around 2.5 miles there & 2.5 back, others I do 2.5 miles there & an extended 8-10 miles back with a couple of hills. I'm aiming to do the extended route on both my way in and home within the next few weeks.
I also keep trying to intersperse my commutes with my club's 50 mile social ride on a Sunday, but I haven't managed to since a trip to Bolton Abbey a few weekends ago - father's day and short breaks around the country have put paid to that. I'd have gotten out on the short breaks, but the bairn's stuff dominates the car when we trave (luckily my birthday is coming up and I'm hoping to get a bike rack carrier)l!
The 50 miler I did to Bolton Abbey & back was nigh on off the bat as I'd only ridden a couple of times before this season and whilst there was some soreness a day or so after, I coped alright (albeit in the grupetto for the climbs). If I can do that off the bounce then anyone can! My advice would be to try pushing yourself and you'll probably end up surprised by how much you can do.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2014 22:50:46 GMT
Cycling is about happiness and enjoying the time spent on your bike whatever your ability. As Eric has stated, each individual is different. You will come to know what you like and dislike about cycling and tailor your activities accordingly. That may be the type of bike, load, routes, company, distance, speed, terrain, nutrition, competitiveness etc. It will all come with experience and the learning curve is all part of the enjoyment of our sport and pastime. This forum is popular because newcomers at the bottom of that learning curve can pick up so much information and encouragement, some of which from members who have only recently been in a similar situation and are keen to pass on their own experiences. Personally I like many aspects of cycling and am self driven in what I get up to. I sometimes love bombing about on my road bike. I sometimes love loading up the tourer and heading off into our green and pleasant land or abroad somewhere. I've done a fair bit of mountain biking in the past. Whatever I do in cycling I am happy as Larry being out in the fresh air, keeping fit and healthy at the same time. I like having the flexibility to adapt my cycling to suit my state of mind or physical condition. That might last for days, months or years but that flexibility gives me an enduring enjoyment in cycling. As in life in general, enthusiasm and self-motivation goes a long way. Keep smiling and enjoy the ride whatever you get up to.
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Post by Spoakes on Jun 18, 2014 5:14:03 GMT
Cycling is about happiness and enjoying the time spent on your bike whatever your ability. As Eric has stated, each individual is different. You will come to know what you like and dislike about cycling and tailor your activities accordingly. That may be the type of bike, load, routes, company, distance, speed, terrain, nutrition, competitiveness etc. It will all come with experience and the learning curve is all part of the enjoyment of our sport and pastime. This forum is popular because newcomers at the bottom of that learning curve can pick up so much information and encouragement, some of which from members who have only recently been in a similar situation and are keen to pass on their own experiences. Personally I like many aspects of cycling and am self driven in what I get up to. I sometimes love bombing about on my road bike. I sometimes love loading up the tourer and heading off into our green and pleasant land or abroad somewhere. I've done a fair bit of mountain biking in the past. Whatever I do in cycling I am happy as Larry being out in the fresh air, keeping fit and healthy at the same time. I like having the flexibility to adapt my cycling to suit my state of mind or physical condition. That might last for days, months or years but that flexibility gives me an enduring enjoyment in cycling. As in life in general, enthusiasm and self-motivation goes a long way. Keep smiling and enjoy the ride whatever you get up to. If this site were a book this would be the foreword. +1 Btwin Rock rider 6.0 red Btwin triban 3 red
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Post by erictherat on Jun 18, 2014 6:43:26 GMT
Well @germ you really started a very interesting discussion. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's cycling stories. Hope to see some more.
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Post by joneve on Jun 18, 2014 8:26:41 GMT
Depends on the weather. Don't tend to go out if it's raining or if I know rain is imminent . Yea, you can probably class me as a fair weather cyclist. If I was out on a warm day and got caught in a down pour, it certainly wouldn't be end of days, but I cycle for enjoyment, and having to faff about with wet clothes and what not when I got back is stuff I try and avoid (much to Rad's dismay ) That said, I'm riding more frequently of late (partly due to the better weather and partly due to the fact I have a triathlon in two weeks) and am starting to really enjoy pushing myself and being out on the bike. Looking forward to increasing my weekend mileage and hills over the next month or so in preparation for my first Sportive in the Mendips in August. As has been said, ride for you, not anyone else. I could never (and wouldn't want to) compete with Rocket's daily cycle as I have other commitments (fitness and otherwise) which wouldn't allow this luxury; but I'm happy getting out twice a week (or 3 times last week which I was excited about ). Part of me is looking forward to moving house some time in the not-to-distant future so that I live more than a mile away from work, so I can commute on my bike on dry days (we don't have shower facilities at work).
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2014 8:28:46 GMT
My aim at the moment is for something a day, I never use to bother going out unless I was putting 'serious miles' in but when I was getting use to a road bike coming from a mountain bike my trips use to be four miles tops, and the most enjoyable rides I'd ever done.
So I started a good habit of just going out each day which is usually about eleven miles and perhaps when I've got more confidence riding during the day in and around traffic that will increase as that is the only thing holding me back.
The body quickly adapts to doing twenty-thirty miles very easily in my experience.
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Post by lenodd on Jun 18, 2014 8:39:31 GMT
I started low doing 10 mile stinits then gradually built it up so that 50miles doesnt seem too far now. In fact at the end of LDN - BTN I thought to myself I shouldve rode another 40 miles so I could get the train rather than hang around for a coach!
Do it for enjoyment, dont treat it as a grind, get out in the country, dont go mad with gear lust and in a year's time marvel at how far you've come.
Have fun!
Len
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Post by Phil on Jun 18, 2014 10:09:54 GMT
I try to get out twice a week, which when football stops for the summer will move unto three times. I'm trying to increase my distance, since I like being out, so at the weekends I'm trying to go for a longer ride and then on a week day just do an hour but try to push the speed up. It's working though and I enjoy it.
A couple of mates are also cyclists but both very different so if I go for a ride with one of those then that factors in to my aims. One of them who is fitter than I am, tends to ride at full blast constantly, so he pushes me to try and get my speed up when I'm on my own. My other mate has only just started, so I play that role for him, it should improve us all, although all 3 of us have yet to go for a ride.
My biggest problem is that I hate not knowing where I am or where I' going. I've always had a fear of getting lost so I'm trying to tackle this along while adding miles to the bike. It's making me want a Garmin so I don't have to keep stopping to get my phone out and check where I am on my route.
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Post by joneve on Jun 18, 2014 11:36:13 GMT
I try to get out twice a week, which when football stops for the summer will move unto three times. I'm trying to increase my distance, since I like being out, so at the weekends I'm trying to go for a longer ride and then on a week day just do an hour but try to push the speed up. It's working though and I enjoy it. A couple of mates are also cyclists but both very different so if I go for a ride with one of those then that factors in to my aims. One of them who is fitter than I am, tends to ride at full blast constantly, so he pushes me to try and get my speed up when I'm on my own. My other mate has only just started, so I play that role for him, it should improve us all, although all 3 of us have yet to go for a ride. My biggest problem is that I hate not knowing where I am or where I' going. I've always had a fear of getting lost so I'm trying to tackle this along while adding miles to the bike. It's making me want a Garmin so I don't have to keep stopping to get my phone out and check where I am on my route.I'm lucky enough that this isn't a problem for me. My geography is generally pretty good, so if it's a new route, I'll check it out on Google/bikehike/whatever before I go, and that's usually enough to get me heading the right way and I've come to know most of the roads around the area, so if I get off route, I can find my way back without too much of a detour. I do the same thing if I'm driving somewhere new. Quick look at the route before I get on the road, then I find my way there, generally with no hassle. I like the getting lost part. All roads lead to home, and very worst case, you can just turn the bike around and head back the way you came. But I can imagine if it's something that you don't like or gets you anxious, could make things less enjoyable!
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 18, 2014 11:55:10 GMT
I reckon you should all go out with the intention of getting lost, pick a nice day, take spares, money, credit card, well charged phone etc. - how bad can it be !?
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Post by Phil on Jun 18, 2014 12:22:06 GMT
I'm lucky enough that this isn't a problem for me. My geography is generally pretty good, so if it's a new route, I'll check it out on Google/bikehike/whatever before I go, and that's usually enough to get me heading the right way and I've come to know most of the roads around the area, so if I get off route, I can find my way back without too much of a detour. I do the same thing if I'm driving somewhere new. Quick look at the route before I get on the road, then I find my way there, generally with no hassle. I like the getting lost part. All roads lead to home, and very worst case, you can just turn the bike around and head back the way you came. But I can imagine if it's something that you don't like or gets you anxious, could make things less enjoyable! I always check where I'm going on Google etc before heading out (either car or bike), when I got my first sat nav for the car it was wonderful to have that weight off my mind. Once I've been somewhere once I'm fine, I can do it again without needing directions, it's just that initial outing on the bike that I struggle with (and used to struggle with in the car as well). Not really sure why it's an issue for me.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2014 13:21:33 GMT
I reckon you should all go out with the intention of getting lost, pick a nice day, take spares, money, credit card, well charged phone etc. - how bad can it be !? Need to do this more. Couple of times I've cycled off in directions I wouldn't usually take, then try to find my way back once I well and truly don't recognise where I am. The best ride I've ever had took this form.
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