What next for a newbie?

[MOBB]

3 years ago I was 3 stone heavier, took up parkrun and then this year took up road cycling

Really enjoy cycling so I bought a Cube attain pro disc, better gear and tried a few sportives.

I enjoyed the sportives but felt they were really a route into realising I could cycle fairly long dis tances on my own!

I am still a couple of stone overweight, getting there but at 46 I’ll never be really quick - been cycling properly for around 3 or 4 months now and have gone from about 13/14mph average on a mildly hilly route to current record of 17.4mph

I’m driven by challenges and bettering pb’s. - I don’t think I want to go mental with huge rides, so are there any slightly more serious events I could get into without embarrassing myself?

Time trials look interesting but would I be out of my depth? I’m not a a member of any clubs but sometimes ride with a local bunch of lads, but mainly solo or with the wife.

Any pointers would be great

[neil-1323bolts]

I've been in a really similar position to you , about 2.5 years in for me now still loving it ! I lost loads of weight and feel better for it , are you on strava ? If your competitive you will like that . My advice is just keep doing what you are doing and enjoy it you will get quicker as you get fitter your average speed will slowly creep up , try a few tough climbs if you fancy a challenge, and beware , one bike is never enough , cycling can be an expensive hobby .

[numtumfutunch]

The Etape du Tour used to be a serious challenge but now they have realised theres a massive wad of cash to be milked from fat Yanks the time cut offs are a lot more relaxed, it is still completely fantastic though and who wouldnt want to ride a TdF stage whilst being shouted on by a gazillion Frenchies?

La Marmotte is arguably tougher and if you have a point to prove enter it and aim for a silver in your age category, or a gold if you really mean it

Or join a local club, put on their jersey and get into time trialling or racing.
Whatever your standard there will be an event for you within 30 mins drive

Good luck

And cheers

[Dave2t]

Club weekday 10s are a great race against yourself, and very welcoming.

Ours include a few "come try me" days throughout the season, so you don't even need to be a club member to have a go. I'd imagine most places do similar.

[Master Bean]

Join a club, £15 or so for a year and then you can take part in a time trial. My local 10 mile has times ranging from 21 minutes to 34 minutes. It's bloody hard work though whatever time you do!

[Paul Drawmer]

30 years ago I went back to time trialling after a 20 year gap. I was 41 and in two years my TT10 time came down from 31 min to 22.58. That's on steel with friction shifters.

Then there was another gap. I'm now 71 and for the last couple of years I've been flogging myself around a hilly 15 circuit near me. I bought a used Endurace CF earlier this year. As others have said, Strava is great for measuring performance; I'm about 17th out of 25 but I examine each ride to seek out my PBs, and I look at each segments to see how I perform with other riders of the same age. (still need to do more work)

I'm old and heavy but I'm thinking of going along to Weston on the Green where the BMCC run evening tens on the perimeter track.

Time Trials are not for everyone, but you're only racing yourself and it's a great way to measure performance. It can get addictive! It will only do you good.

[Matt_N]

MOBB said:

I’m driven by challenges and bettering pb’s. - I don’t think I want to go mental with huge rides, so are there any slightly more serious events I could get into without embarrassing myself?

Don't be put off doing any event for fear of embarrassing yourself, there will always be someone quicker and indeed slower than you, for most it's about the participation and enjoyment.

Club TT's are a good starting point and as others have said you'll find a big spread of performance at them. Our club used to run one and we'd have riders in full rig wanting to better their times each week through to an old chap who'd turn up in his VW camper, get the stove on, wheel out his old steel Argos with 10 speed (as in 2x5) and enjoy himself whilst being 15 mins or so off the pace.

Have a google or trawl FB for local clubs and see what TT's they run, recce the course and give it a go or just tag along for a few club rides on a weekend, most allow new riders to sample 3 rides to see if it's for them.

If you want something less competitive but still organised perhaps look into audaxes or randonnees.

[bakerstreet]

I would join a cycling club. I'm a member of an online one made up of people who use to work in the porn industry Would like to join a more local one as I'm getting bored of cycling on my own.

Strava also helped me, but cycling without others is still lonely and boring at times.

Most clubs do trial rides so you can decide if its right for you. Just exercise some caution on choosing the speed of the group your ride with.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Master Bean said:

Join a club, £15 or so for a year and then you can take part in a time trial. My local 10 mile has times ranging from 21 minutes to 34 minutes. It's bloody hard work though whatever time you do!

This man speaks sense

[Master Bean]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Master Bean said:

Join a club, £15 or so for a year and then you can take part in a time trial. My local 10 mile has times ranging from 21 minutes to 34 minutes. It's bloody hard work though whatever time you do!

This man speaks sense

A rarity

[JJM]

Have you considered a Duathlon?

I have been taking part in the London Duathlon for the past few years and it's a nice challenge, 10k run, 44k ride, then a 5k run all in Richmond Park on closed roads in September.

[millen]

+1 for joining a club. You may need to try 2 or 3 to see which style suits you best but, particularly in summer, many clubs have rides on weekday evenings and have informal rides on the weekend day that isn't their normal club ride day.

"If you want to ride faster, ride with faster riders" is a good motto.