Straining rides

fireball said:
Sorry guys - I've got to pull out of the ride - didn't think I'd know this early ... !

SWMBO has booked us on antenatal courses and one of them is the day of the ride .... so whilst you're busting your arses up yet another hill I'll be practising breathing techniques or learning how to breast feed .... ;)
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Feeble excuse man, where are your priorities? You've done your bit, now leave the rest to the professionals :D
 
rafiki_ said:
Feeble excuse man, where are your priorities? You've done your bit, now leave the rest to the professionals :D
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My priorities are having a bed to sleep in at the end of the day ... I'd like that to be contained in the house where I currently live ... because it's got enough room for all my bikes ... :D
 
Ok, so just come back from a rather wet 25 miles, pull into the lane and see my neighbour walking back from the shop.

David is a lovely old guy who has done a fair amount of cycling in his time, 10 years ago he did Caen to Geneva in 3 days (600 miles) at the age of 60. He still races 100 miles at the age of 70.

After a short chat he said when I had got rid of my rough we could train together, as long as I was averaging around 18 mph I should be good.....

So having just come back from 25 miles at 15 mph I'm feeling somewhat disheartened! Maybe when I get some decent weather my speeds will increase. Riding in the wet is no fun.
 
Don't be too disheartened Zippy... a couple of things to bare in mind.... firstly, riding in pairs or a group is good for extra speed, as you get time being able to draft and save energy.... even a pair together is worth an extra 1 or more mph at the very least... secondly, you'll be very surprised at how quickly you start building your pace. When I started cycling seriously in 2012, I was adding about 1 mph per month for the first 4 or 5 months, just through basic fitness improvements... a bit slower than that afterwards, but now, I'll happily do a long ride at 18mph, and that seemed like an utter pipedream just 3 years ago.

Plus.. there is always a little bit of bravado involved in claims over pacing.... when you go out with a cycling club, only the very very fast guys will want to average 18mph or more over any sensible distance, and they're training hard... most groups, even the long term, experienced, fit ones, will probably be happy at an average somewhat below that most of the time unless they're only doing a few short miles.
 
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I agree with Mr P of H, my distance rides have varied between 15 and 16.5 mph, depending how much training I had done. On the 6th June, 15 mph will be a good and sensible speed. There may be the odd 1 or 2 who can sustain 18 mph, but they will be significantly younger and fitter than me!
As a by the way, went for my first run for a couple of months this morning, too wet for my bike, and it was not good. I have a musculatory issue down my left leg, physio is helping, but I'm not there yet. Shame, as I like to run for CV.
 
rafiki_ said:
On the 6th June, 15 mph will be a good and sensible speed.
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I guess I need to hang up my saddle bag now...

There is no way I am going to average in double figures on the day and no point kidding myself I will be able to. My BPM is way too high to consider going at that rate, I am hoping to raise money for the BHF not become a customer! :)
 
P4Paul said:
I guess I need to hang up my saddle bag now...

There is no way I am going to average in double figures on the day and no point kidding myself I will be able to. My BPM is way too high to consider going at that rate, I am hoping to raise money for the BHF not become a customer! :)
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You'll be fine on the day. We are expecting 3 groups to go off. The hares, mid speed (15) and tortoises. You have the option of being a tortoise. It is not a race, but a fun day to raise money. I am still suffering a bit with AF, better than I was but not 100%, so my rate can go over 200 bpm. It won't kill me, but can slow me down.
 
Yep... this isn't a race!!!!

I personally, have no intention of shooting off at a fast pace... a nice steady ride with a good natter and a laugh sounds a lot more fun to me!

Besides, my training has been a little underwhelming this year so far.... 20 miles today in the rain, was only the second time this year i've gone into double figures... planning a longer ride on Sunday though, and a 57 mile sportive in a fortnight... but even so, steady suits me just fine!
 
I managed 29 this morning, very hard miles! Legs were shot at about 25, so plenty of work to be done. Back was playing up again today, so it was a tough ride. Chain popped off the crank gear a couple of times too, which was a bit annoying.
 
Working hard at undoing all the good work but hired a bike yesterday to cycle a couple of miles to the beach (bar). The cycle back to the hotel was a bit wobbly :)
 
oGaryo said:
Working hard at undoing all the good work but hired a bike yesterday to cycle a couple of miles to the beach (bar). The cycle back to the hotel was a bit wobbly :)
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You need more hydration before attempting to cycle back - another 2 pints should see you about right ;)
 
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