Bike Training
583
Member
351 days
jhudalla posted 23 weeks ago.
Welcome triitout! Congrats on your first race. In the beginning any type of exercise will help you get into better shape, be it on an olyptical, stationary bike, mountain bike... what matters most is you are spending long periods of time at a moderate heart rate (I don't know your age). After you build a solid base (again I don't know what your background is) you can then worry about modifying your training strategy.
Weary is the path that does not challenge.
602
Member
522 days
TryScott posted 23 weeks ago.
We can give you ideas, but it's personal. Some people can lot lots of hours on a bike at the gym or in their home. Whatever method you can do is going to help. Once you log thousands of miles over a few years, then it will be time to start getting picking about doing hills vs flat, group vs solo, or indoor vs outdoor.
I'm struggling with finding ways to stay on the bike for any length of time. On a group ride I can go about 30 miles before it's not fun anymore. Going by myself around local roads I find an excuse to go home around 20 miles. On paved bike trails it's cool because there's lots more twists, but with slowing down for walkers and all, my average speed and heart rate are low. On my trainer and at the gym, I'm looking at the clock after 20 minutes. The only thing I haven't tried is a mountain bike and trails, but I think I'd like it more than everything else.
Mix it up and have fun.
1934
Member
1127 days
tri-ac posted 23 weeks ago.
connect with a group
the group will help you learn the popular bike routes in your area and give you more confidence to find routes on your own with some variety
they'll also provide some subconcious competition to get you moving faster
for training on your own, it's always good to have a plan and a goal so that you're not just putting in empty miles. sign up for that next race and set up an appropriate training plan.
the gym is your last resort in bad weather (or trainer/rollers at the house)
124
Member
485 days
Toothless posted 23 weeks ago.
Without any specific info on your weaknesses, this is hard. How much are you riding each week? Unless you are riding over 5 hrs per week, I'd say ride a lot more, but increase mileage gradually. Each week do one long ride at endurance pace (should be able to carry on a conversation) and 2-3 shorter rides with some harder efforts mixed in (like 3X10 minutes tempo with 5 minutes rest between). Try to make it fun.
During a race I think about keeping my cadence between 80-90 RPM, keeping my effort in my target zone (HR or watts), and sticking to my nutrition plan. I also just enjoy being out on the course and being aroung the other competitors. On busy courses I also focus on riding safely and not drafting. All of these things make the time fly on the bike. It's on the run when I have trouble with the mental game.
5071
Member
1764 days
beads1985 posted 23 weeks ago.
Welcome!! If you are riding a bike, any kind, that will help. You can continue to do long rides on the canal path with you mountain bike. If you are going to get into tris seriously then you will need to at least start with a road bike. Get some road training to acclimate yourself to the bike and the nuances of road bike handling.
Nothing to it, but to do it
Hey everyone. I'm kind of new to Triathlons, and just finished my first yesterday. My bike time was unsatisfactory and I wanted to get some advice on training. So far I have been using a mountain bike on a canal trail that passes near my city. It runs from Illinois to Michigan so there's no problem with available distance, but I would rather be using a road bike since it is what I'll be using in the tri. Not to mention my back takes a beating after a while. There aren't a whole lot of safe usable roads around me, and I can't find any bike paths. Is it wise to put a lot of training into exercise bikes in the gym? Is there anything else I can do? I also wanted to inquire about what you think about during the race. I was completely focused, but it made the whole thing seem so much longer than it was.