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Breathing on the bike

JesseM's picture
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started by JesseM on July 24, 2008

While I am running and or swimming it is rather easy to get a repeatable breath cadence. But on the bike due to different gears and elevation changes/effort it is difficult for me to maintain O2 uptake.

Any suggestions??

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beads1985's picture
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beads1985 posted 18 weeks ago.

I tend to have an easier time breathing on the bike, but I think you may not always have an easy time maintaining a cadence.
Do you gear down to maintain a pedaling cadence or do you try to push a harder gear?
That will affect your breathing if you are working much harder.

Nothing to it, but to do it

tri-ac's picture
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tri-ac posted 18 weeks ago.

[not to be obnoxious]
slow down

typically, running takes the most effort as both swimming and biking don't ask the body to support its full weight in one major muscle group; so if you're really huffing, you're probably going way too hard...or you live in a very hilly area... or you're at a new elevation

this should improve with time spent training

Adam
Tri-ac

danpatgal's picture
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danpatgal posted 18 weeks ago.

I'm not sure what you're riding, but I've heard that it is more difficult to breathe in the aero position than in the wider grip typical of road bike handlebars. I, however, had not noticed much of a difference between the two. I have noticed that I can maintain higher speeds and lower heart rates with a faster and more rounded pedaling cadence. So, try an easier gear with faster cadence or a wider grip on your handlebars (adjust your aero bars - if possible). Good luck.

JesseM's picture
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JesseM posted 18 weeks ago.

I ride a tri-specific bike and am on the aero bars 90% of the time while training. I guess I should just slow down and maintain cadence to find a breathing rythm. I normally do 8-10 minute intervals at vo2 max at the MOST. maybe I should just step the intervals back from an effort standpoint. Its just that 18 mph for a 20 mile ride doesnt feel like I am working hard enough I guess. I will try and do more quality work at slower sppeds and build up until I can COMFORTABLY push harder.

thanks for the advice all

Jesse

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KitKat's picture
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KitKat posted 18 weeks ago.

JesseM wrote:
I ride a tri-specific bike and am on the aero bars 90% of the time while training. I guess I should just slow down and maintain cadence to find a breathing rythm. I normally do 8-10 minute intervals at vo2 max at the MOST. maybe I should just step the intervals back from an effort standpoint. Its just that 18 mph for a 20 mile ride doesnt feel like I am working hard enough I guess. I will try and do more quality work at slower sppeds and build up until I can COMFORTABLY push harder.

thanks for the advice all
Jesse

Did I read this right? 8 x 10 min intervals at Vo2 Max? What's your Vo2 and HR at max capacity? You maintain 8 of these for 10 mins each and your questioning why you're having a hard time breathing? The numbers don't make sense. 18 mph for a 20 mile ride, 8 x 10 min intervals, what's your recovery? Maybe my math is really bad, but I'm lost.

JesseM's picture
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JesseM posted 18 weeks ago.

NO NO NO!!! Ha ha...that reads wrong sorry. I will do 8 to 10 mins as fast as I can and recover for 2-3miles and repeat.

I will go on a 20 mile bike ride and average 18mph but i feel I cant get enough O2 to go any faster than that and I want to get faster.

Your math is good. Turns out my ability to write something that makes any sense is bad.

The great thing about trying is that it requires no previous experience

KitKat's picture
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KitKat posted 18 weeks ago.

JesseM wrote:
NO NO NO!!! Ha ha...that reads wrong sorry. I will do 8 to 10 mins as fast as I can and recover for 2-3miles and repeat.

I will go on a 20 mile bike ride and average 18mph but i feel I cant get enough O2 to go any faster than that and I want to get faster.

Your math is good. Turns out my ability to write something that makes any sense is bad.

Lol, ok that makes sense.
If you want to go faster intervals are key and you'll need to get used to liking not being able to breath. I'd try for 4-6 x 2-3 min intervals with 1/2 the interval time recoveries. They'll hurt (muscle & breathing), and make you faster. If you're hitting your Vo2 max you should feel your muscles struggling to maintain it.