Help for a beginner cyclist

[Deleted]

So, let me preface this by saying that my H rides his bike regularly and just completed a Century Ride at a leisurely 18mph pace, so I pretty much DON'T want to ride with him LOL

I use to run, but hurt my back. I've put on a lot of weight. 143lbs to be exact. I've lost 50 but need to start adding back in exercise to keep things moving. I can't really run at my current weight, so thought I might try cycling. I HATE riding the bike indoors, so while the weather is still nice, I'd like to get outside. Any training tips? Suggestions as to where to start? I comfortably rode 7 miles last weekend, but that was with absolutely no climbing, that won't be the case when I'm riding around my area. Besides a good pair of shorts (which I have) any other pointers? My goal is to be able to do the MS City to Shore Ride 2020. The minimum distance is 25 miles, but I'd love to get to the point of doing the Century Ride as well, but don't know if that is realistic in a year. Thanks!

[sadlebred]

What kind of bike do you have? Do you have a helmet?

For now, just ride. Add 10-15% more milage per week. You need a base before you start to "train." Unfortunately there isn't anything like Couch to 5K for cyclists. A century ride in a year is very realistic. If you can ride indoors during the winter it's preferred to do so several days/week rather than cross training. This can be a spin class at the gym, at home on the trainer, or a "Peloton" style bike.

I did find some beginner plans:
www.cancerresearchuk.org/sites/default/files/cycling-training-plan-beginner.pdf
www.welovecycling.com/wide/2019/06/04/beginner-50k-training-plan-week-1/

Look into cycling clubs in your area and see if they have any beginner rides or beginner clinics. Finding a group to ride with is a good way to ride farther and faster than you would on your own.

[Deleted]

Thanks sadlebred. I have a Trek Hybrid and also a Trek Mountain Bike. If I end up liking riding, I'll eventually get a road bike, but I think I'm okay with what I have for now. I do have a helmet and always wear it when I ride.

I belong to the gym so I have spin classes available to me and my husband has a Trainer, so I do have options there once the weather gets cold.

My H had asked me who I plan on riding with and I said "um, not you! You're too fast" LOL But I'm wondering if he has a point. I'm hella slow, but I worry about being out by myself and godforbid something happen, so I'm wondering if maybe I can find a beginner ride, thank you for the suggestion, I'll look in to that.

[sadlebred]

@sameoldstory If you want to PM me your city & state, I may have some club suggestions--especially if you are in the Southeast.

Another good resource would be local bike shops, their Facebook pages, and they websites. I find beginner rides for my clubmates sometimes when the LBS posts them on Facebook. I'd love to help, so LMK if you have any questions! I hope some of the other cyclists chime in.

[wawa]

I'd you happen to be in Philly (since you're looking at city to shore) I can hook you up with my mamas group. She rides with a great bunch of geezers who are super beginner friendly but also can literally ride for days so it's still a challenge to keep up.

I can also ask her about other groups.

[oswin]

It is really nice to have people to ride with, it makes putting in the miles less boring. Also it does help if you get a flat and aren't well practiced fixing them.

[Deleted]

sadlebred, wawa, I am in the Western Philly Burbs, so I'll take any suggestions for groups that you might have. I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet (after an embarrassingly slow 5 mile ride last night) but hopefully I'll be able to get my endurance up and be ready sooner rather than later. Thank you both for your offers!

oswin, I agree that it will probably be better to ride with others.....eventually, I'm just soooooooo slow right now I hear you about the flat tire thing. I actually have ZERO experience fixing stuff like that, I've never had to as my H is a former bike mechanic and does all of the work himself on our bikes. I guess I should probably at the very least have him teach me that.

[sadlebred]

@sameoldstory It sounds like you are in good hands w/your H! Changing a flat is one thing I recommend for everyone to learn. Having said that, AAA here in Georgia will come pick you up for a bike mechanical if you are a member. (Nope, not kidding!)

[wawa]

Oct 1, 2019 6:19:47 GMT -5 @sameoldstory said:

sadlebred, wawa, I am in the Western Philly Burbs, so I'll take any suggestions for groups that you might have. I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet (after an embarrassingly slow 5 mile ride last night) but hopefully I'll be able to get my endurance up and be ready sooner rather than later. Thank you both for your offers!

oswin, I agree that it will probably be better to ride with others.....eventually, I'm just soooooooo slow right now I hear you about the flat tire thing. I actually have ZERO experience fixing stuff like that, I've never had to as my H is a former bike mechanic and does all of the work himself on our bikes. I guess I should probably at the very least have him teach me that.

msmerymac any thoughts? I'll ask my mama, but she's in France right now (on a bike!) so there will be a lag.

[msmerymac]

wawa um, that sounds amazing for your mama. I'm thinking about a trip to Italy with a bike component (like the one I did in Beligum), and was at first thinking next year, but now I'm planning around my 40th birthday, which is 2022.

@sameoldstory, there are a few bicycle organizations in the area that do rides, for free or cheap (if you don't have a membership). One is the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia who does circuit trail rides that often include stops: bicyclecoalition.org/get-involved/classes-rides/#sthash.4NWEQEeA.dpbs

Another is Suburban Cyclists Unlimited: scu.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=694201&module_id=253585#Oct

You want to look for a "no-drop ride" which means they'll have several ride leaders who are assigned to different groups. Some people on the ride may be doing an 18-20 mph pace, but some might be at 11 mph, and a leader will drop back to make sure the slower riders know where they are going and catch up to the group periodically at pre-defined stops. Some rides are also labeled A, B, C or D - you'll want a C/D ride, which averages slower.

Here's a list of some of the bike trails, but the bicycle coalition also has a nice list of all the circuit trails.
www.phillymag.com/be-well-philly/bike-trails-philadelphia/
Not all of them are paved - some, like the Perkiomen and the Delaware Canal Towpath are crushed stone/gravel, but either your hybrid or mountain bike should be fine. I just make sure to use my upright commuter on those, since it has thicker tires than my road bike.

There's also a facebook group, Women Bike PHL, that is really helpful. A lot of people in there are bike commuters in Philly, but they also sponsor rides (not as much as they used to, though) that are exclusively for women and non-binary members, so it's fun, and a bit more relaxed than rides with lots of dudes in spandex, IMO. You can also get used bikes or gear for a good price from people there. When you're ready for a road bike, you'll probably know it because you'll "outgrow" your current set up based on wanting to do longer or faster rides, so you'll want the positioning of a road bike and the lighter frame.

I assume you did the Schuylkill River Trail? The Chester County trail is also in that area - you can pick it up from the Home Depot in KOP and it pretty much goes out to Downingtown. It's not as flat as the SRT, but it's not too difficult either. The 202 trail from Montgomeryville to Doylestown is 10 miles each way and a little hillier still.

I'm planning on potentially doing the Chester County Trail October 19th with my H if you want to meet up! I assure you, my average pace is 12-14 mph and I'm certainly willing to go slower. I also started biking due to a back injury and it's now my favorite form of exercise.