From the shadows - back in action advice / targets
Discussion
Morning all.
Lots of cycling when I was a teenager then nothing until now (35). I've treated myself to my first new bike a Trek Madone 3.5 and I'm ready for action.
I'm reasonably fit (regular squash, footy and 10k run each week) although carrying that extra stone that most people have.
I've downloaded Strava and want to set myself some targets and would welcome suggestions / benchmarks to get me ready for a local sportive or race (if I can reach that level).
All suggestions welcome....
Lots of cycling when I was a teenager then nothing until now (35). I've treated myself to my first new bike a Trek Madone 3.5 and I'm ready for action.
I'm reasonably fit (regular squash, footy and 10k run each week) although carrying that extra stone that most people have.
I've downloaded Strava and want to set myself some targets and would welcome suggestions / benchmarks to get me ready for a local sportive or race (if I can reach that level).
All suggestions welcome....
Welcome back to the world of two wheels 
Best advice is get out there and ride, then ride some more, then a little bit more after that!
I'm sure it will soon come back to you, from seeing several friends having taken up biking recently I'd say there needs to an element of commitment, being effortless on the bike takes quite a bit of effort to achieve that.
Best advice is get out there and ride, then ride some more, then a little bit more after that!
I'm sure it will soon come back to you, from seeing several friends having taken up biking recently I'd say there needs to an element of commitment, being effortless on the bike takes quite a bit of effort to achieve that.
Nice bike.
Just get out and ride, and track it all on Strava. Don't obsess about it too much (it means nothing after all), but you will see how quickly you improve and that will give you all the encouragement you need. Put your name down for a couple of events when you feel like it.
Off the bike, stay away from the pies and Guinness and look up some cycling specific stretches. You will probably get plenty of aches and pains for the first few weeks or months, but they will fade as your body adapts, and you are much more likely to stay injury-free if you look after yourself.
After that, spend £5k on a 'best' bike and wonder why it doesn't make you any faster.
ETA: with your background level of fitness you should be fine for most sportives within a matter of weeks, just put yourself in for one towards the end of August and see how you get on. Sounds like you'll be fine as long as you get out on the bike a few times a week between now and then. I had a very similar age and running profile to you when I started, after 12 weeks on the bike I was in pretty good shape. The only issues I had were all about getting the bike set up properly for me, and about my body adapting to regular training on the bike. That can all be managed by dealing with niggles and not ignoring them. You'll be fine.
Give 4th cat racing a go when you are ready, but leave it until you are properly fit and have some decent bunch riding experience. I'd suggest some sportives this summer, then work your backside off in all the grim weather over the winter so that you are sharp for some early season racing in the spring. You need to be properly committed to your training if you want to do that though. Go along and have a look at some races in the meantime so you can see what they're like. The British Cycling website has all the event listings.
Good luck.
Just get out and ride, and track it all on Strava. Don't obsess about it too much (it means nothing after all), but you will see how quickly you improve and that will give you all the encouragement you need. Put your name down for a couple of events when you feel like it.
Off the bike, stay away from the pies and Guinness and look up some cycling specific stretches. You will probably get plenty of aches and pains for the first few weeks or months, but they will fade as your body adapts, and you are much more likely to stay injury-free if you look after yourself.
After that, spend £5k on a 'best' bike and wonder why it doesn't make you any faster.
ETA: with your background level of fitness you should be fine for most sportives within a matter of weeks, just put yourself in for one towards the end of August and see how you get on. Sounds like you'll be fine as long as you get out on the bike a few times a week between now and then. I had a very similar age and running profile to you when I started, after 12 weeks on the bike I was in pretty good shape. The only issues I had were all about getting the bike set up properly for me, and about my body adapting to regular training on the bike. That can all be managed by dealing with niggles and not ignoring them. You'll be fine.
Give 4th cat racing a go when you are ready, but leave it until you are properly fit and have some decent bunch riding experience. I'd suggest some sportives this summer, then work your backside off in all the grim weather over the winter so that you are sharp for some early season racing in the spring. You need to be properly committed to your training if you want to do that though. Go along and have a look at some races in the meantime so you can see what they're like. The British Cycling website has all the event listings.
Good luck.
Edited by Birdthom on Tuesday 9th July 09:25
Edited by Birdthom on Tuesday 9th July 09:35
Edited by Birdthom on Tuesday 9th July 09:37
Cheers guys. Will try and stay off the pies!
Will join the PH Strava club and have some fun there.
Yes, I was hoping to try my hand at a sportive this year just to see what I'm in for.
A slightly off beat question: how often should you add lube / oil to the bike chain;before every ride, only when I starts squeaking? I used to add quite a bit to my MTB but the sprockets get pretty skanky, I think road stuff sticks to it. Then cleaning it with gunk removes everything and a bit more - vicious cycle.
Matt
Will join the PH Strava club and have some fun there.
Yes, I was hoping to try my hand at a sportive this year just to see what I'm in for.
A slightly off beat question: how often should you add lube / oil to the bike chain;before every ride, only when I starts squeaking? I used to add quite a bit to my MTB but the sprockets get pretty skanky, I think road stuff sticks to it. Then cleaning it with gunk removes everything and a bit more - vicious cycle.
Matt
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