Beginner Cycling Program Group (Page 4)

After injuring my knee over 6 mos ago now and realizing that unless I stopped running it would never have a chance of healing, I started doing a lot more cycling. I cycle a lot at the gym as well as street cycling. I would like to build up my cycling and hopefully enter races, just like 5K's I participated in the last couple of years. I enjoy pushing myself to new levels. I am 56 - lost about 80 lbs 2 1/2 years ago and have been pretty fit the last couple of years now. I try to keep challenging myself for fun and to help me keep the weight off. I'm just trying to understand how this beginning program works.....

Ei - If not now, when?

Welcome! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story with us. If you go here you can read the Beginner Cycling Program and give it a try. It's designed to help people build up their cycling endurance if they are new to cycling, and to do so in a safe and steady manner. Many of us tend to push ourselves too hard when we start something new, and following a plan like this one will prevent you from getting in your own way and perhaps injuring yourself or burning out from doing too much too soon.
I am here to answer any questions you have about the plan as you get started, including terminology, adjusting the plan to suit your schedule, and any other things you might need clarification on.

Hi everyone!

  I'm starting the beginner's cycle program tomarrow morning with a lot of trepidation. lol. I biked a lot when I was a teenager and throughout my life but now I find myself 43 years old and 70 (!!!!!)lbs overweight. I was looking through the internet and happened to find a site for a Try-atholon. Its a mini-triathlon and all the money raised goes to charity. I thought hmmm....I would like to do that. This years is in September, so that's definatly out, but I'm going to begin training for next year now.

  I've ran a few 5k's (a few years ago) and could probably save myself if I were drowning (maybe!) so I've got a long way to go. Was really happy to find this forum with other people also starting the cycle training and interested in doing tri's.

  Looking forward to making some friends that are suffering as much as me!

Welcome! Please continue to let us know how the plan is working for you!

Hey all, I just wanted to drop in and say howdy.  I've been around this site for a while, but am coming back around to doing tri related work.  I've been having a lot of success with the Couch to 5K running program, but every time I get to week 5 or 6, I sustain an injury that basically requires me to start over.  This time it was a calf problem.  Fortunately, it doesn't bother me on the bike.  It looks like the bike is the right step for me at the moment.

Anyway, I'm going to use this program to get back in shape and get back out on the bike.  Diet is the other hurdle...although, I know how to conquer that (knowing and doing are two completely different things, however).

Anyway, I have a few questions for you all:

1. Any recommendations on inexpensive bike computers?  I'd like to use one, but don't have much money to spend.
2. I don't know how you guys remember the workout breakdowns when you're out on the road.  I was planning on just riding at a challenging pace for the duration specified when out on the road and sticking to the program more stringently when on the exercise bike at the gym.  Anyone see major flaws with that plan?
3. I was looking at some of the early workouts and they call for cadences in the 50's and 60's (i.e. Week 1, Wednesday).  Are those supposed to be easy or is the idea to use a high gear so that's all you can spin?  A comfortable pace for me (on the exercise bike, I don't know about real world) is in the 70's.  I guess I'm not certain on recovery days, etc.

Well, that's probably enough for now.  Thanks for the thread and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions

I had good results with it last summer.  Got to the point where I did 20+ miles in one ride. The problem I found was that I just didn't have the time towards the end of the program to do the longer rides - especially during the week.

I'd strongly recommend it though, especially if you have a flexible schedule that allows you to set aside large chunks of time for training. I'll be using it to some extent or another again this summer.

Hello everybody, 

I am new to the website and like sports. I am considering starting this program to keep fit and improve myself. I try biking whenever possible in the morning and I use a mountain bike on the road for the purpose. I figured doing this kind of program in group is better than alone. 

I live in Melbourne, FL, and I am 25. I exercise most of the time and dance a lot. I also love challenges, and a triathlon seems like a good one, if you ask me . When it comes to tri, I am a beginner, as in level 0. I hope to improve my level with help I hope to get from here. 

Cheers!  

Hello everybody, 

I am new to the website and like sports. I am considering starting this program to keep fit and improve myself. I try biking whenever possible in the morning and I use a mountain bike on the road for the purpose. I figured doing this kind of program in group is better than alone. 

I live in Melbourne, FL, and I am 25. I exercise most of the time and dance a lot. I also love challenges, and a triathlon seems like a good one, if you ask me . When it comes to tri, I am a beginner, as in level 0. I hope to improve my level with help I hope to get from here. 

Cheers!  

All seems very quiet in here - The plan I'm following is very good btw but can't see the point of this group if no one uses it?

Shame...

Hello all, 

I am 41 and in horrible shape. I was at 286 lbs and have stumbled my way down to 272. I am going to start (hopefully) the beginner cycling program a week from Monday. I have a stress test next week, and on doctors orders not allowed to do anything overly strenuous until after the test. 

I was in athletic shape into my early 20's, when lack of time and good nutrition started taking it's toll. I did mountain bike until a couple of years ago when an on the trail injury took me out for awhile.

My short term goal is to run/walk a 5k this fall/winter (mostly walk) with longer term goals of completing the biking section of a triathalon at the end of next summer, followed by competing in a full triathlon in the fall of 2013 or at the beginning of the season of 2014.

I have to thank my cousin who is in dire need of a cyclist for her triathlon relay team for motivating me to get moving again, and my daughter who wants a fit father who will swim and cycle with her.

Slade

I just joined (with a bronze membership) to do this plan, specifically. I am a 30 year old female and just began cycling for weight loss a little over a year ago. I started on a stationary bike in home and did that consistently for about 7 months.  In April of 2012 I moved to Austin and decided it was time to get a bike and do the real thing. I fell in love with cycling and have been riding several times a week since.  My main bike is a cross bike, but I have also recently acquired a road bike. My furthest distance really isn't far (at a mere 34 miles), so I'm hoping to become more serious about it and lose more weight doing it.

I found this training program after doing a Google search and am planning on starting it Monday.  It's pretty detailed, so I hope I can follow it exactly. Are there any tips or pointers for completing this successfully?

Thanks!

Sorry to hear about your ankle. Did you break it cycling?

I would love someone to go at this with.  I'm looking at computers.  So far, the fanciest thing I've used is my phone's GPS to take me on bike routes. I'm going to look into something cheap for now, just to get me started measuring RPMs.  I know I'm slow.  Now I'll find out just HOW slow.

I still plan on starting on Monday, the 21st.  Does that work for you?

Wow! That's awful!  Did your foot slip? That sounds pretty painful.

So, I went to REI today and found a bike computer that measures cadence. I'm going to hook it up tonight. Unfortunately, the cheapest they had with a backlight was $125. So... I got the one for $50. 

I'm going to head to the gym and do the stantionary tonight so that I can actually measure the RPMs and such.