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Weight Loss Forum / Low Carb / June 2006Anyone else Cycling?
Last time I Lowcarbed (and lost weight), I was going to the gym, and also having the odd run, and bike ride. Bike rides were approx 15 - 20kms a day. At the moment I'm doing no exercise, and very unfit, so have decided to try getting back on the bike. (winter time, the worst time for bike riding but never mind!!). Bought myself a couple of new tubes, cause the currents one's are leaky, and hope to be back on the bike in a day or two. Does anyone else have some idea of how much I should try to do each day? I tried a few months ago, managed about 3kms but nearly died lol Mind you, I think the tyres were half flat! I have an old ten speed road bike. Not the greatest, but enough for me right now. My partner has a much better road racing bike that he has leant out to a friend, but I'd rather get back into it on the older bike, and see how I go. Loooooong term goal is to do a Duatholon next February. Should I try to bike abit every day? Alternate days with walking until I'm fit enough to jog? Any help would be greatly appreciated. W I'd ride a few days a week and build up to it. You need stamina also and total body weight training. Make a schedule, ride 1 mil a week 3x a week, ride 2 mil a week 3x a week, etc. Until you build up to the mileage of the Duatholon 4x a day. That's MHO. > Last time I Lowcarbed (and lost weight), I was going to the gym, and also > having the odd run, and bike ride. Bike rides were approx 15 - 20kms a [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > W I agree with the other poster. Work up to greater miles. Your butt will hurt at first, though, so you'll have to build that up. After time, the miles will come easier and easier. Frankly, I don't go out the house unless I plan to do 30 miles (not km). :: Last time I Lowcarbed (and lost weight), I was going to the gym, and :: also having the odd run, and bike ride. Bike rides were approx 15 - [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] :: :: W >I agree with the other poster. Work up to greater miles. Your butt will >hurt at first, though, so you'll have to build that up. After time, the >miles will come easier and easier. Frankly, I don't go out the house >unless I plan to do 30 miles (not km). he he > I agree with the other poster. Work up to greater miles. Your butt will > hurt at first, though, so you'll have to build that up. After time, the > miles will come easier and easier. Frankly, I don't go out the house unless > I plan to do 30 miles (not km) We don't talk in miles over here ;) >> I agree with the other poster. Work up to greater miles. Your butt will >> hurt at first, though, so you'll have to build that up. After time, the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > We don't talk in miles over here ;) He wasn't trying to "convert" you into talking about miles---he was gently telling you that the distances you mention in kilometers are ridiculously short. Push yourself into some serious distances if you want to get anything out of it. It wasn't too long ago that Roger himself was a rank beginner in cycling. Now, just look at him! Or maybe I should say, listen to him.....he's worked through the sport starting where you started and now he's a serious rider. And, you can be, too. But, 3 km isn't going to help much. You've got to get dedicated. Pat in TX <snip> > He wasn't trying to "convert" you into talking about miles---he was gently > telling you that the distances you mention in kilometers are ridiculously [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > he's a serious rider. And, you can be, too. But, 3 km isn't going to help > much. You've got to get dedicated. Doesn't everyone have to start somewhere though? To people who cycle regularly, 3kms may sound like nothing, but to someone who does *no* exercise, it's alot! If I set out to cycle for twice that distance, all that would happen is that I would collapse, fail miserably, and give up, thinking I couldn't do it. The point of starting with 3kms is that I know in my unfit state, I *can* manage this distance, although my legs are very wobbly, and I'm abit wheezy at the end of it. And yes, after I could do this easily, then I would slowly add more distance or time to what I was doing. W > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > W Start slowly. Build up gradually. You're right. > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Doesn't everyone have to start somewhere though? Oh yeah. I started in 2002 or so (more than 80 pounds heavier than I am now, btw). I started with a WalMart special and I counted minutes, not miles/km. The Wallie World special didn't last long, I moved on to an REI (Novarra) road bike and I can remember when I did 10 miles for the first time -- Woo hoo! Double Digits Baby! Last year, I completed the MS150 and was no worse for the wear. I plan to do that again this September and I am signed up for the Tour de Cure (also 150 miles) at the end of this month.  Signaturejmk in NC Yep, take it slow. It's ok to go slow, as long as you stick with it and increase the time/distance as you get fitter. If you start out too fast you could get injured, or at the very least really discouraged and might give up. Maybe try a stationary bike first to find out how far/fast you can go, before you go out and hit the road? That way you won't get too far from home and have trouble getting back. Or plan on a ride to a local landmark where you can rest, then ride back. LQ/GR > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > W One really good thing about just starting out on an exercise program that's not often mentioned is the fact that your gains in fitness over the first year or so will be spectacular. When I first started riding many years ago (partly to lose weight, mostly to kick a nicotine habit), an 8 mile ride was a big accomplishment that left me tired and sore the next day. By the end of the year, I was regularly riding 20+ miles on mountainous trails (I was a mountain biker at the time). As others have suggested, take it slow, but keep pushing yourself to go a little farther each week. And enjoy those gains in strength and fitness...those big gains in fitness become *much* harder to obtain as you get fitter, so enjoy them for now! GG <snip> > As others have suggested, take it slow, but keep pushing yourself to go a > little farther each week. And enjoy those gains in strength and > fitness...those big gains in fitness become *much* harder to obtain as you > get fitter, so enjoy them for now! Well, I hopped on the bike this morning straight after work, even though I had a few excuses not to lol (back tire was abit soft, battery in my light was flat, I was tired, and it was *cold*) I finish work at 4am, so 4:30ish am I was on my bike, out in the cold, freezing my butt off. I just concentrated on keeping the same rhythm the whole time, and not trying to go too fast at the start. I had a route I had sorted out that hopefully wouldn't encounter too many crazy wandering dogs, or mad car drivers :) I did end up doing an extra loop of part of it because I felt I could. It still only added up to 17 minutes on the bike, and about 4 - 5kms, but while I wasn't at near collapse at the end, I still felt like I couldn't go much further. So I'm quite pleased at my effort, especially as I'm coming down with something yet again. (either tonsillitis or glandular fever ) Will do my best to get out again tomorrow morning, hopefully this time with a light on my bike! Incase anyone is wondering, the reason I chose 4:30am to bike is because if I don't go straight after work, I won't go at all. A combination of several things (shiftwork, depression, low b12 and another underlying illness that we haven't got to the bottom of yet), means that I'm exhausted all of the time, and once I get to bed, I'm asleep all day. I generally get back up around 5pm, have a couple of hours with my partner then its back to work. So basically I have to exercise when I know theres a higher chance of me doing it. W > Incase anyone is wondering, the reason I chose 4:30am to bike is because if > I don't go straight after work, I won't go at all. I have found that the best time for me to exercise is whenever it will actually get done. For me that means before work -- and on the weekends, in the morning. The main thing is to get it into your daily/weekly schedule and make it a habit. I find that logging also helps. I think that may be because my dad was a runniner (10Ks, etc.) when I was in middle school. He had a running journal that he wrote in and I still remember that. I have a small spriral bound notebook where I write down my route and the info from the bike computer. Signaturejmk in NC > I had a route I had sorted out that hopefully > wouldn't encounter too many crazy wandering dogs, or mad car drivers :) I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > best to get out again tomorrow morning, hopefully this time with a light on > my bike! Glands have gone down abit, although I still feel abit snuffly. This morning I went out again, this time with tyres fully loaded and decent lights :) Made a last minute decision to go another route, not really knowing how long it was, but figuring it was atleast what I'd done the day before. I find a couple of km's into it, my legs usually feel quite tired, but if I keep going I sort of come through that stage? Anyway, apart from losing my water bottle within the first 500m (!), everything went smoothly. Not sure if I will take that whole route again, as part of it is a country road with no lighting, and abit scary when trucks come along! I had planned just to do the one big loop, but when I got back to my house I still felt like I could do more, so carried on and did another smaller loop. All up 8kms (I drove round in the car to check), and it took 25 minutes. I still felt good at the end, but my legs were wobbly enough that I almost fell over when I went to hop off the bike lol. Am quite pleased with myself, but know the real challenge is going to be when I have to go out in the pouring rain or a decent wind! My 2 mornings so far have been abit frosty, but quite calm. Once I lose abit of weight and don't feel so self concious, I may try to get in the odd afternoon ride where I can incorporate a few hills etc. W > This morning I went out again, this time with tyres fully loaded and > decent > lights :) Made a last minute decision to go another route, not really > knowing how long it was, but figuring it was atleast what I'd done the day > before. I find a couple of km's into it, my legs usually feel quite tired, > but if I keep going I sort of come through that stage? Yes. Every sport has this effect. At first, there is the anerobic effect of being well-rested and ready to go. After a little bit, your body changes over to operating aerobically. Just expect it and keep going through it and you'll emerge on the other side easily. In swimming, this happens to me on the second lap. I think this effect is why there is the mile run in track. That can be done anerobically in 10 seconds. > I had planned just to do the one big loop, but when I got back to my house > I [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > so > far have been abit frosty, but quite calm. You don't have to go out in the pouring rain. Think of an alternate activity. When I am not cycling, I swim. I was learning in-line skating and tried to get someone to give me some tips. His response was "Wait until it's a day we can't ride bikes and then I'll help you." Always have some kind of alternate activity available. It'll keep you mentally fresher. > Once I lose abit of weight and don't feel so self concious, I may try to > get > in the odd afternoon ride where I can incorporate a few hills etc. > > W It occurred to me that since you are a new rider, you may have set your saddle too low to the ground. People struggle when this is done because they are not able to get full leg extension. The idea is to get your biggest muscles propelling your body--the thigh muscles or the buttock muscles. If the seat is too low, you are using the calf muscles mostly, and that's not good. If you can put your feet flat on the ground when you are sitting on the seat, your saddle is set too low. Pat in TX <snip> > Yes. Every sport has this effect. At first, there is the anerobic effect of > being well-rested and ready to go. After a little bit, your body changes > over to operating aerobically. Just expect it and keep going through it and > you'll emerge on the other side easily. In swimming, this happens to me on > the second lap. I think this effect is why there is the mile run in track. > That can be done anerobically in 10 seconds. I used to think it meant I had gone as far as my body would let me lol, but now I know to just ignore it and I'll soon feel better. <snip> > You don't have to go out in the pouring rain. Think of an alternate > activity. When I am not cycling, I swim. I was learning in-line skating and > tried to get someone to give me some tips. His response was "Wait until it's > a day we can't ride bikes and then I'll help you." Always have some kind of > alternate activity available. It'll keep you mentally fresher. Well, I'm not really into anything else. The only "sports" I've ever done are walking, running or cycling. I'm not coordinated enough to play ball games, though my partner has mentioned starting up playing squash............ <snip> > It occurred to me that since you are a new rider, you may have set your > saddle too low to the ground. People struggle when this is done because they [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > good. If you can put your feet flat on the ground when you are sitting on > the seat, your saddle is set too low. Truth be told, the bike is probably too big for me all round. I have to have the seat the lowest it will go just to reach the pedals without straining. (my leg is almost at full extention without being too straight if that makes sense?) It's a boys bike, so has a straight bar from handle bars to seat post. I can *just* stand astride that while touching the ground, without doing myself a mischief ;) It also seems abit of a stretch to the handle bars, I almost feel like I'm taking alot of my body weight on my hands? I have no idea how to measure a bike frame, and although I'm 5'4, most of my height is in my body I think. I did another 8kms this morning. About 4 were into a head wind, which definately gave me a workout! Felt quite good except for my sore bum. Anyone tried gel seat covers? I realise I will eventually need a new/better bike. We do have one, but for now I need the safety of my chunky bike :) I'm not overly confident on it, have to slow right down to go round corners etc, as I'm scared of falling off :( The racing bike would seem even more spindly. W > Well, I'm not really into anything else. The only "sports" I've ever done > are walking, running or cycling. I'm not coordinated enough to play ball > games, though my partner has mentioned starting up playing > squash............ Here is what my ortho doc told me one day: "Go to a tall building and walk up the stairs. Then, take the elevator down. Do this over and over until you are tired or until you have done 30 minutes." The reasoning is that going down stairs is so much harder on your knees than going up. He didn't say run up the stairs--just walk up. > Truth be told, the bike is probably too big for me all round. I have to > have [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > have no idea how to measure a bike frame, and although I'm 5'4, most of my > height is in my body I think. This doesn't sound good. Think of your body on a bike as a triangle consisting of your hands, your bum, and your feet. You are supposed to be balanced. Too much weight on the hands and your back will start to complain and so will your neck. I would suggest going to a local bike shop and let the experts there "eyeball" your setup. Most bike shop personnel are good people who genuinely want to help people have fun riding bicycles. > I did another 8kms this morning. About 4 were into a head wind, which > definately gave me a workout! Felt quite good except for my sore bum. > Anyone > tried gel seat covers? No, forget the gel seat covers. It simply takes a while for your bum to "toughen up." I know it sounds bad, but that is what will happen. I can be off of the bike for a week and will have to deal with a sore rear when I start riding again. If I don't swim for a week, there is no penalty that I can detect, but cycling....still, your saddle may need to be changed out. Mine has a cut-out down the middle. That saves the "soft bits" from getting squashed. > I realise I will eventually need a new/better bike. We do have one, but > for [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > W Your bike may be just fine, but the set up is not fine. It needs to be "dialed in" for your body. Maybe a few tweaks here and there will make you a lot happier riding it. I suspect your handlebars are too low, as well. Let a pro tell you, though, before your back starts to hurt and you get a kink in your neck. My mountain bike is similar to your bike. I feel like I'm riding a cow pony when I ride it whereas my road bike feels like riding a mosquito. One of these days, you'll get on a mosquito and appreciate it, but not for awhile just yet. Something to look forward to, though. Oh, and BTW: you don't fall "off" of a bike---it falls along with you! :) Just make sure to fall on the left side. Remember that; it's important. Pat in TX ::: Well, I'm not really into anything else. The only "sports" I've ::: ever done are walking, running or cycling. I'm not coordinated [quoted text clipped - 63 lines] :: you! :) Just make sure to fall on the left side. Remember that; :: it's important. Pat in TX hehehe.. You told me that....the first time I fell I thought, "Now, how in the hell am I supposed to make sure I fall to the left?!?" I still haven't figured that out.... > :: Oh, and BTW: you don't fall "off" of a bike---it falls along with > :: you! :) Just make sure to fall on the left side. Remember that; > :: it's important. Pat in TX > hehehe.. You told me that....the first time I fell I thought, "Now, how in > the hell am I supposed to make sure I fall to the left?!?" I still > haven't figured that out.... Ooh Ooh! My hand's up! Call on me! I have figured it out! Right as you start to fall, pull the right handlebar towards your stomach. After all, you still have your hands on the handlebars, so pull it towards you. Pat in TX ::::: Oh, and BTW: you don't fall "off" of a bike---it falls along with ::::: you! :) Just make sure to fall on the left side. Remember that; [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] :: :: Pat in TX Next time I go down, I'll try to remember that!!!! :) > :: Right as you start to fall, pull the right handlebar towards your > :: stomach. After all, you still have your hands on the handlebars, so > :: pull it towards you. > :: > :: Pat in TX > Next time I go down, I'll try to remember that!!!! :) This is a theory of mine for falling without breaking the collarbone. Have you noticed that people tend to break the collarbone a lot? Well, I think they are hitting their shoulders perpendicular to the road. If they were to turn just a bit, maybe the force would be blunted and the bone wouldn't give 'way. Now, a person doesn't have time in a fall to orient their back to the road (or so I speculate), but just maybe if you ingrain the thought to pull the handlebar towards you, that would rotate the shoulder around enough so it wouldn't be hitting on the point, so to speak. We need to spread this idea around so as to have a larger experimental group involved. This idea came to me after a woman in our group let her front tire touch the rear tire of the guy in front of her. Down she went. That wasn't a particularly fast fall, so it seems to me that besides saying "Oh no!", she might have had time to yank on the handlebar. One thing we know for sure is not to put the hand down with the arm straight. This is a sure way to break your wrist! Pat ::::: Right as you start to fall, pull the right handlebar towards your ::::: stomach. After all, you still have your hands on the handlebars, [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] :: hand down with the arm straight. This is a sure way to break your :: wrist! I think part of the issue with doing any of this is that we don't want to crash and thinking of reacting a certain way in a crash will probably make you crash. Everytime I've gone down it was never a time when I had any presense of mind to do anything but kiss pavement. The only way I can envision doing otherwise is to crash on purpose (mountain biking comes to mind now). The best way to learn a thing is to do a thing, IMO. Theory is great but not truly useful until put in the practice, IMO. :: Pat I think you can rehearse things like this in your mind and then you will be prepared to do them when the time comes. You can't just say you will do it, you have to do it mentally, imagine it happening and you reacting the way you want to. Repeat every now and then and it will become ingrained. In news:128lrna37mgdc18@news.supernews.com, Roger Zoul <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> stated | I think part of the issue with doing any of this is that we don't | want to crash and thinking of reacting a certain way in a crash will [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] | thing is to do a thing, IMO. Theory is great but not truly useful | until put in the practice, IMO. :: I think you can rehearse things like this in your mind and then you :: will be prepared to do them when the time comes. You can't just say :: you will do it, you have to do it mentally, imagine it happening and :: you reacting the way you want to. Repeat every now and then and it :: will become ingrained. I suppose....but I can't see crusing down the road at 20 mph mentally thinking about pulling my handle bars to the right. Nope, I just can't see doing that. :) :: In news:128lrna37mgdc18@news.supernews.com, :: Roger Zoul <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> stated [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] ::: learn a thing is to do a thing, IMO. Theory is great but not truly ::: useful until put in the practice, IMO. You don't do it while you are actually riding, you do it sitting in your living room. Haven't you ever rehearsed something you dreaded doing, like telling someone something uncomfortable? Just visualize yourself riding, starting to fall and then do the actual motions with your hands that would result in pulling the handle bars to the right. In news:128mautm9u39332@news.supernews.com, Roger Zoul <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> stated | I suppose....but I can't see crusing down the road at 20 mph mentally | thinking about pulling my handle bars to the right. Nope, I just | can't see doing that. :) Hmm..... I guess one can try that.... :: You don't do it while you are actually riding, you do it sitting in :: your living room. Haven't you ever rehearsed something you dreaded [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] ::: mentally thinking about pulling my handle bars to the right. Nope, ::: I just can't see doing that. :) Just been for another bike ride, after two mornings off. Abit of a wind this morning, which meant for half the ride I had a reasonable head wind, and half a sort of side/tail wind. But atleast I know I don't need it dead calm to manage it :) 12km this morning, in 36minutes. Probably very slow to you "pro's", but I'm quite happy with it. Hubby is starting to realise that I might actually be sticking with it, and is mumbling about maybe starting biking himself. (but not at the same time as he's fast asleep!) I have sorted out a reasonably safe route, which is basically 2kms out, then a block which is a 2km loop and I can do as many times as I'm able to, and then 2kms home. It may sound boring to most people, but it's enough for me at the moment. There are a few slight rises, probably the average cyclist wouldn't notice them, but to me they feel huge lol It also helps, when I'm doing a loop, to just concentrate on finishing that loop. It seems more maneagable than having a huge course set out ahead of me, or having to watch the clock and ride for X amount of minutes, if that makes sense? I'm also slowly gaining confidence going round corners, and no longer need to slow right down! That may change however when/if the road is wet, as I worry about sliding over on white lines. Must add, it was just starting to spit abit as I finished, and now 11/2 hrs later, it is blowing a gale and pouring down. Yay! Glad I got the ride in when I did. W Good job, W...those miles are increasing, slowly but surely. Have fun. :: Just been for another bike ride, after two mornings off. Abit of a :: wind this morning, which meant for half the ride I had a reasonable [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] :: :: W > Just been for another bike ride, after two mornings off. Abit of a wind this > morning, which meant for half the ride I had a reasonable head wind, and [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > W I bike to shop -- bookstores, coffeeshops and malls are my favorites. Eventually, you might be able to extend your bike route to include some "fun" things. Keep it up. Enjoy. Jim Signature1) Eat Till SATISFIED, Not STUFFED... Atkins repeated 9 times in the book 2) Exercise: It's Non-Negotiable..... Chapter 22 title, Atkins book 3) Don't Diet Without Supplemental Nutrients... Chapter 23 title, Atkins book 4) A sensible eating plan, and follow it. (Atkins, Self Made or Other) <snip> > I bike to shop -- bookstores, coffeeshops and malls are my favorites. > > Eventually, you might be able to extend your bike route to include some > "fun" things. Lol, there isn't much open at 4:30am ;) But yes, hopefully when I get abit fitter and look better in bike shorts I'll do a few days rides, and actually go places rather than around in circles! > Keep it up. Enjoy. > > Jim Actually, I am enjoying it. More than I thought I would! It's early days yet and have only had one day with abit of wind, so we'll see how keen I am in the middle of winter. Went this morning. Was a slight wind, not as bad as yesterday, and abit nippier on my bare arms. Managed 14kms, in 44 minutes. Not exactly setting any records, but it's only my 5th day on the bike. Once I can get abit more fitter, then I'll look into the fancy stuff like rpm's and things ;) W :: "Jbuch" <jbuch@revealed.net> wrote in message :: news:e6jhs902848@enews3.newsguy.com [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] :: Once I can get abit more fitter, then I'll look into the fancy stuff :: like rpm's and things ;) I think you're doing really great! When I started, I rode loops through my neighborhood. Then I rode in a nearby park. Then I rode at this old airport that I had a 7 mile loop, with no traffic lights and only 1 stop sign. Then I rode on the open road. Baby steps wins out every time.... After a bit more time, you might enjoy hanging out over in rec.bicycles.misc, too. > I think you're doing really great! Thanks :) > When I started, I rode loops through my neighborhood. Then I rode in a > nearby park. Then I rode at this old airport that I had a 7 mile loop, with > no traffic lights and only 1 stop sign. Then I rode on the open road. Baby > steps wins out every time.... Where I ride is pretty close to home (about 2kms) so if I have a breakdown/fall it isn't that far to limp home! Plus it seems to be a relatively safe and quiet neighbourhood. Only one set of traffic lights which is always green. This morningI had my first real moment of "it's cold, I'm tired, I can't be bothered". I made myself go out anyway, figuring even if I only managed 2kms, it'd be better than doing nothing! It *was* freezing. I couldn't find my windbreaker, so only had a short sleeve shirt on, and definately felt it. My fingertips felt like they were going to drop off too! I altered my course slightly to sort of incorporate 2 loops I'd previously done, so it was a 4km loop. In the end I did 20km! Yay! Took an hour and 4 minutes. I don't think I will try an increase the distance again this week.. I will stick with trying to get faster at the 20kms, although the way I feel tonight I might be struggling to do 10kms in the morning. > After a bit more time, you might enjoy hanging out over in > rec.bicycles.misc, too. I shall have a lurk :) W two things worry me about your post. 1.) do you have a pump, tube patches, and tire levers in a kit in case you get a flat? 2.) are you paying enough attention to dressing for the conditions? I know that under-dressing results in more calories used, but.... Pat in TX where we do NOT have to worry about cold weather right now. :: two things worry me about your post. :: 1.) do you have a pump, tube patches, and tire levers in a kit in :: case you get a flat? :: 2.) are you paying enough attention to dressing for the conditions? :: I know that under-dressing results in more calories used, but.... Boy...last winter I happened to underestimate how cold it was out side and tried to ride in come gloves that had my fingers exposed. I only got about 2 miles before I had to run around. By the time I got back to the car, my fingers were ready to fall off! W - you'll have to learn to dress right for the conditions there. It's a thin line between over dressing (the tendency is to do that) and under dressing. But you'll definitely need some good gloves that cover your fingertips completely as cold air will do you in once you start moving. That will kill your motivation in no time. :: Pat in TX where we do NOT have to worry about cold weather right now. > Boy...last winter I happened to underestimate how cold it was out side and > tried to ride in come gloves that had my fingers exposed. I only got > about 2 miles before I had to run around. By the time I got back to the > car, my fingers were ready to fall off! I have gotten good mileage out of buying silk glove liners from an Army-Navy store. I think they were $3 a pair. I pull them on and them pull on the bicycle gloves over them. The silk is amazingly warm and leaves you with finger-tip touch that disappears with full-fingered gloves. Pat in TX > W - you'll have to learn to dress right for the conditions there. It's a > thin line between over dressing (the tendency is to do that) and under > dressing. But you'll definitely need some good gloves that cover your > fingertips completely as cold air will do you in once you start moving. > That will kill your motivation in no time. I have fingerless gloves, but will see if I can find some thin one's to put underneath them with fingers. I just don't like the feel of normal gloves, never have. W >> W - you'll have to learn to dress right for the conditions there. >> It's a thin line between over dressing (the tendency is to do that) [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > W Your mileage (ha!) may vary - I'll ride down to ~25 degrees F (as long as the roads are clear and dry) and if I do it in full-fingered cycling gloves, my hands feel too hot after the first couple of miles (though they definitely feel too cold for that first mile or so...) > two things worry me about your post. > 1.) do you have a pump, tube patches, and tire levers in a kit in case you > get a flat? Um....... no. But I will get on to that one! > 2.) are you paying enough attention to dressing for the conditions? I know > that under-dressing results in more calories used, but.... It's not so much that, as trying to find something I'm not going to be too hot in by the end of my ride, something that doesn't constrict me and something that I don't have to stop to take off or put on. W ::: two things worry me about your post. ::: 1.) do you have a pump, tube patches, and tire levers in a kit in [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] :: constrict me and something that I don't have to stop to take off or :: put on. Cycling clothes! :: "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message :: news:128rir6f4rnm530@news.supernews.com [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] :: short sleeve shirt on, and definately felt it. My fingertips felt :: like they were going to drop off too! Yep...time to get some gloves that completely cover your hands...you might be able to find some one sale this time of year....where in the world are you? I altered my course slightly :: to sort of incorporate 2 loops I'd previously done, so it was a 4km :: loop. In the end I did 20km! Yay! Took an hour and 4 minutes. I :: don't think I will try an increase the distance again this week.. I :: will stick with trying to get faster at the 20kms, although the way :: I feel tonight I might be struggling to do 10kms in the morning. Cool. That's a good idea...sticking to a distance and doing it faster (or trying to). That will likely entend your range a bit, too. ::: After a bit more time, you might enjoy hanging out over in ::: rec.bicycles.misc, too. :: :: I shall have a lurk :) Yes, after you lurk a bit ask about proper gloves and clothing. You don't want to over dress either. As Pat mentioned, it's a good idea to be able to fix flats & things. I once broke down about 10 miles from home....talk about a long walk!!!! > Cool. That's a good idea...sticking to a distance and doing it faster (or > trying to). That will likely entend your range a bit, too. Well, on friday morning I managed to shave 3 minutes off my time ;) Making it 1 hour 1 minute for my 20kms :) I intend to have saturday and sunday mornings off as my break for the weekend. A guy I work with didn't think that was a very good idea, as then I might not want to get back on the bike on monday morning, but isn't it better to give yourself a couple of days off a week? Btw, I think you asked in one of your messages where I lived (to be in the middle of winter). I'm in New Zealand, and I'm not exactly in the coldest part of it, just feels that way when it's frosty! W ::: Cool. That's a good idea...sticking to a distance and doing it ::: faster (or trying to). That will likely entend your range a bit, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] :: want to get back on the bike on monday morning, but isn't it better :: to give yourself a couple of days off a week? I think the best answe to that can only come from you. If you feel as if your body needs a break, then by all means take one. If not, don't worry about it. You may instead want to do a sort of "recovery" ride. That is, do some riding, but keep it easy and short compared to what you did before. This type if riding is supposed to help your body recover quicker, assuming you don't overdo it. For exmaple, if I do 75 miles on a Saturday, I'll do 40 on Sunday. A slower 40, however. :: Btw, I think you asked in one of your messages where I lived (to be :: in the middle of winter). I'm in New Zealand, and I'm not exactly in :: the coldest part of it, just feels that way when it's frosty! Well, when it feels frosty, it's frosty, IFAIC. >> Cool. That's a good idea...sticking to a distance and doing it >> faster (or trying to). That will likely entend your range a bit, [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > to get back on the bike on monday morning, but isn't it better to > give yourself a couple of days off a week? <snip> I take weekends off - I cycle the 13 miles to & from work weather permitting, which usually comes out to 3 or 4 days / week. (I don't ride in the rain) I've noticed that my best rides, the ones where I feel strongest and go fastest, are on the Monday morning after a 100+ mile week, with Saturday and Sunday spent off the bike. > I take weekends off - I cycle the 13 miles to & from work weather > permitting, which usually comes out to 3 or 4 days / week. (I don't ride in > the rain) I've noticed that my best rides, the ones where I feel strongest > and go fastest, are on the Monday morning after a 100+ mile week, with > Saturday and Sunday spent off the bike. I do find I feel abit refreshed, and it helps that I have 2 days off to look forward to :) Well, monday morning my bike died. Within the first 500m the chain jammed/came off twice. After getting it back on, and my hands covered in oil, I realised I would have to do the whole ride in the same gear, as it kept jamming everytime I tried to change gear. (It's an old bike.) I usually change up or down gear depending on hills (bumps in the road lol) , head winds and things like that. I also noticed that one of the roads I bike down had road works, and since I'm not very confident on the bike and dint' want to come off on loose gravel, I did a different route. Had abit more of a hill, and it was nice to just have a change. Did manage 19k in about an hour, so not too bad. This morning I took the "race machine" out. My partner has a road bike (don't ask me specifics because I have no idea!), and adjusted seat etc for me. I think I need to adjust the handlebars, I just felt abit stretched. 21k in 58 minutes this morning :) Took me a couple of kms to work the gears out, as the gear levers are on the brakes sort of, and I'm not used to that :) All in all though I was gaining abit of confidence toward the end. It's alot lighter to handle than the old one, as well as being abit smaller. And I also know where every single bump in the road is, as I felt them all! W ::: I take weekends off - I cycle the 13 miles to & from work weather ::: permitting, which usually comes out to 3 or 4 days / week. (I [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] :: :: W I think it's time to seriously consider getting your own road bike. You and the partner can ride together. Or, just use that bike, but be sure to fully adjust it for your body. Frankly, I wouldn't consider letting someone change up a bike that I plan to ride regularly. Others may have a different take on that. I'd be interested to hear them chime in. > I think it's time to seriously consider getting your own road bike. You and > the partner can ride together. Or, just use that bike, but be sure to fully > adjust it for your body. Frankly, I wouldn't consider letting someone > change up a bike that I plan to ride regularly. Others may have a different > take on that. I'd be interested to hear them chime in. Well, he's had the bike for a few years, and for most of the time it was sitting in the shed doing nothing! Recently he had leant it to a friend to bike to work on. So I'm really the only one now riding it. I can't see him getting up at 4:30am to ride with me ;) But yes, I have sort of been thinking of getting a bike of my own, just not there yet. It's also a money thing. If he seriously got back into cycling, then I'd think it was worth getting another bike, but I don't want to have a bike sitting in the shed doing nothing! His game is golf ;) His is a Giant OCR 2. Felt good this morning after adjusting the handlebars. It's now only the seat that kills my butt! 25.5k in 1hr 8. I now have a computer on the bike so everything is much more accurate. Yay! Anyway, I'll stop boring everyone with my cycling stuff. I'm just excited thats all lol To keep it on the lowcarb topic, I've been pretty good foodwise. We had another "food reward" at work last night, but I had taken my own because I knew about it in advance. I will admit I had one small piece of cake, but it could've been so much worse, so I'm happy with that. Weightwise there doesn't seem to be too much of a difference yet, but I'm possibly losing inches. So even though things are going slowly, I'm very happy with how they are going. W :: "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message :: news:129e242oascca21@news.supernews.com [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] :: don't want to have a bike sitting in the shed doing nothing! His :: game is golf ;) Okay, so you'll either take over his or get a new one for youself, either way works, as long as his fits you fairly well. :: His is a Giant OCR 2. Felt good this morning after adjusting the :: handlebars. It's now only the seat that kills my butt! 25.5k in 1hr :: 8. I now have a computer on the bike so everything is much more :: accurate. Yay! Yay. The fun of gadets on the ride. Great! :: Anyway, I'll stop boring everyone with my cycling stuff. I'm just :: excited thats all lol It's not boring, and those who don't want to read won't anyway. Also, part of adopting a new lifestyle is finding ways to make exercise a regular part of your life. Talking about it helps you keep focus, which is why we talk about low carb. You may find that the alt.bicycles.misc is better because there are likely to be more people who share your interest. OTOH, many of those people aren't LCing and you're get mixed up advice if you mention LCing and doing long rides ... So, depending on your goals and progress, you'd likely be best here for now. :: To keep it on the lowcarb topic, I've been pretty good foodwise. We :: had another "food reward" at work last night, but I had taken my own :: because I knew about it in advance. I will admit I had one small :: piece of cake, but it could've been so much worse, so I'm happy with :: that. Ride it all. Use up those carbs! :: Weightwise there doesn't seem to be too much of a difference yet, :: but I'm possibly losing inches. So even though things are going :: slowly, I'm very happy with how they are going. :: :: W Good. <snip> > Okay, so you'll either take over his or get a new one for youself, either > way works, as long as his fits you fairly well. Yep. He has half heartedly mentioned starting biking again, but hasn't made any effort to do anything lol, so think I'm safe for now with his bike. <snip> > Yay. The fun of gadets on the ride. Great! Isn't it amazing! I also realised that my watch and using the car to track out the distances wasn't as accurate as the bike. I found out that having the speed in front of me pushes me to keep it above a certain point too. So it definately helps to keep me focused. <snip> > It's not boring, and those who don't want to read won't anyway. Also, part > of adopting a new lifestyle is finding ways to make exercise a regular part [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > LCing and doing long rides ... So, depending on your goals and progress, > you'd likely be best here for now. I have lurked abit, but everyone seems very professional lol, and I don't want to come across as sounding like someone too wet behind the ears :) Also scoping out who the nasty people are ;) I'm abit gutted today as it was raining heavily when I finished work, so I couldn't go for a bike ride. Still raining now. I feel quite lazy, missing a ride. Hopefully it will be fine tomorrow, although I don't have work so the real trial will be getting up early and going! Am aiming for 30k by the end of the week, fingers crossed! Weightwise, I'd love to be 80kgs by the end of the month, but won't be too sad if I'm not. This time around I seem to be focussing more on my fitness than on my weight, which I think is healthier for me. I'm not feeling so defeated if I don't lose much/any per week. I'm feeling better physically, and really look forward to my bike rides. W > :: "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message > :: news:129e242oascca21@news.supernews.com [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > LCing and doing long rides ... So, depending on your goals and progress, > you'd likely be best here for now. Last year, I completed two centuries, one 75 mile ride, and one 100km ride (sanctioned) and a bunch of 6,0, 70, 80, and 90 mile rides. This year, I'm not as in shape due to getting married, but I plan on doing two centuries again and riding to work. I just got back from riding from work to home -- 17 miles, 1.5 hour ride, many brutal hills. SignatureBob M remove ".x" to reply :: Last year, I completed two centuries, one 75 mile ride, and one :: 100km ride (sanctioned) and a bunch of 6,0, 70, 80, and 90 mile :: rides. This year, I'm not as in shape due to getting married, but I :: plan on doing two centuries again and riding to work. I just got :: back from riding from work to home -- 17 miles, 1.5 hour ride, many :: brutal hills. Bob, 1) Good to see you're back! 2) Congrats on getting married! 3) Glad you know you didn't get run over on one of those rides you did last year. I wondered what happened to you. > :: Last year, I completed two centuries, one 75 mile ride, and one > :: 100km ride (sanctioned) and a bunch of 6,0, 70, 80, and 90 mile [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > last > year. I wondered what happened to you. Thanks, Roger! Getting married is very time consuming! I ran out of time to do anything, including riding my bike. My ride from work to home last night was brutal -- there were three hills where I was in my lowest (easiest) gear and standing on the pedals and I barely made it up one hill. Luckily, going from home to work only has one hill (though it's a stud muffin of a hill), and it's all downhill. I'm still a bit confused as to how many carbs are "necessary" for biking, but as with last year, I'll be adjust my carb intake up and down to see how much is really necessary. Are you still riding? By the way, I'm going to be using "Bob in CT" again. SignatureUsing Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ :: On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:12:52 -0400, Roger Zoul :: <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] :: :: Are you still riding? Oh, yes. Typically 65 on Saturdays, 30 or 40 on Sunday. Due to work and other home projects, I'm not getting any weekday riding right now. Hopefully, my evenings will clear up by late July. > Thanks, Roger! Getting married is very time consuming! Can I please get some credit for not responding to this "fish in a barrel"? Welcome back, Bob. Pat in TX > :: Last year, I completed two centuries, one 75 mile ride, and one > :: 100km ride (sanctioned) and a bunch of 6,0, 70, 80, and 90 mile [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > 3) Glad you know you didn't get run over on one of those rides you did last > year. I wondered what happened to you. <VBG> Yes, congratulations on the wedding! Signaturejmk in NC > I'm not as in shape due to getting married This struck me as an odd statement. Signaturejmk in NC :: Bob M wrote: :: ::: I'm not as in shape due to getting married :: :: This struck me as an odd statement. I didn't seem that way to me. Once you change your routine you lose a bit of fitness for cycling. I just assume he meant he couldnt ride as much. Life brings new priorities from time to time. > :: Bob M wrote: > :: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > of fitness for cycling. I just assume he meant he couldnt ride as much. > Life brings new priorities from time to time. I understand about being busy but I also recall how hard Bob in CT worked to get to that fitness level. I guess I was just surprised by it is all. Then again, I'm probably projecting. One of my biggest fears -- even after nearly three years at this weight -- is that it'll all come back. I don't want to be 'that way' again! Signaturejmk in NC :: Roger Zoul wrote: ::: jmk wrote: [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] :: biggest fears -- even after nearly three years at this weight -- is :: that it'll all come back. I don't want to be 'that way' again! Understandable. Same here, too. > Last year, I completed two centuries, one 75 mile ride, and one 100km ride > (sanctioned) and a bunch of 6,0, 70, 80, and 90 mile rides. This year, > I'm not as in shape due to getting married, but I plan on doing two > centuries again and riding to work. I just got back from riding from work > to home -- 17 miles, 1.5 hour ride, many brutal hills. Wow, you sound like a pro! I'm afraid I'm only just doing 25k, and thats mainly flat with a couple of tiny hills, more like bumps in the road than hills ;) But I'm slowly trying to build up abit each day. Have also been trying to alternate routes to get in abit of variety. My long term aim is a 100k ride early next year. I'm not out to break any records though lol W :: Wow, you sound like a pro! I'm afraid I'm only just doing 25k, and :: thats mainly flat with a couple of tiny hills, more like bumps in [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] :: :: W You'll break your own record since you haven't done a 100k yet! > You'll break your own record since you haven't done a 100k yet! This is true! Bought myself a ladies seat for my bike today. Much more padded than the nasty little seat that was on the bike. Getting new headlight for the bike on monday, so will be all set then. May get in a day ride or two before then. This morning at 7am-ish there was a truck versus cyclist fatality across the other side of town :( Has made me abit wary of venturing too far, especially when I'm going in the dark. W ::: You'll break your own record since you haven't done a 100k yet! :: :: This is true! Bought myself a ladies seat for my bike today. Much :: more padded than the nasty little seat that was on the bike. Getting :: new headlight for the bike on monday, so will be all set then. May :: get in a day ride or two before then. oh....padded "seats". Well, be careful here. Bicycles really have saddles, not seats. On a bike (diamond fram), your weight rests in part on the saddle (not seat), the pedals, and the handle bars. The padding you added may very well work against you has to build up more miles. Believe it or not, that paddling will create new "pressure points" that may work on your "tender parts" (we all have them) once you start regularly riding more miles. If you're not having any problems right now, don't worry....but if you do later on, remember this. You may need to get another one of those "nasty little seats" that is more suited for your "rear" sections than for your partner's. :: This morning at 7am-ish there was a truck versus cyclist fatality :: across the other side of town :( Has made me abit wary of venturing :: too far, especially when I'm going in the dark. Well, you never know what you think about these kinds of things. The cyclist could have been doing something he/she shouldn't have been doing. Or, the truck driver could have been the one. More than likely, someone was not following the rules of the road correctly. Developing a good sense of "situational awareness" is something to strive for as a cyclist, in my opinion. :: Wednesday wrote: :::: [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] :::: across the other side of town :( Has made me abit wary of :::: venturing too far, especially when I'm going in the dark. Here is something that may be of interest: http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces.msn.com/ :: Well, you never know what you think about these kinds of things. The :: cyclist could have been doing something he/she shouldn't have been :: doing. Or, the truck driver could have been the one. More than :: likely, someone was not following the rules of the road correctly. :: Developing a good sense of "situational awareness" is something to :: strive for as a cyclist, in my opinion. :: Wednesday wrote: ::: [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] :: feel strongest and go fastest, are on the Monday morning after a :: 100+ mile week, with Saturday and Sunday spent off the bike. Yeah, good recovery period. Good point! You can always pull some pants over the bike shorts. I bought some "shell" shorts made out of nylon for just that purpose. Pat in TX > You can always pull some pants over the bike shorts. I bought some "shell" > shorts made out of nylon for just that purpose. Hi Pat, Well, because of the cold, I do wear a pair of long tights under my shorts. Suppose I could do it the other way round! It's more that my shirt tends to accentuate the rolls ;) >> You can always pull some pants over the bike shorts. I bought some >> "shell" [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > to > accentuate the rolls ;) The conventional wisdom is to have the cycling shorts' pad next to your skin. Some people put a layer of petrolatum jelly or a lanolin-based cream in the creases of the skin where the legs join to the body to reduce chafing problems. There is a product having to do with udders that some people use. You don't want that area to be dry because of shear forces that can occur on the skin. I would dress the upper body in layers. You probably know all about that. You are using cycling gloves, right? Pat in TX > The conventional wisdom is to have the cycling shorts' pad next to your > skin. Some people put a layer of petrolatum jelly or a lanolin-based cream > in the creases of the skin where the legs join to the body to reduce chafing > problems. There is a product having to do with udders that some people use. > You don't want that area to be dry because of shear forces that can occur on > the skin. I haven't had any chaffing problems yet, but should probably start doing it properly so I don't! > I would dress the upper body in layers. You probably know all > about that. Um, no ;) The reason I wear just a shirt is, I'm usually still warmish from work, and I have problems usually from overheating. If I get too hot, I have nasty sideeffects like diahrhoea (not something you want to have on a bike ride!), and nearly passing out. So I tend to err toward the colder side of things. I did find wearing the windbreaker got me abit hot, plus it billowed up with the wind and I couldn't see behind me properly. I guess I don't want the hassle of having to stop to remove clothing part way through, I just want to go. I will make an effort though if its really cold to wear something under my shirt to keep the chill off. >You are using cycling gloves, right? Yes, but they're fingerless one's. :) I know I probably sound like an accident waiting to happen lol, but I am taking note of all of your tips! W >>The conventional wisdom is to have the cycling shorts' pad next to your >>skin. Some people put a layer of petrolatum jelly or a lanolin-based cream [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > > W For biking, I usually make my windbreaker into something like one of the more expensive ones with "Pit Zips", zippers to open up the jacket under the arm pits to get good circulation. I make "Pit Slits" about 6 inches or 15 cm long following the seams from the arm down the sides of the jacket. For a nylon or polyester jacket, I cut these "pit slits" with an old hot knife to keep the unraveling problem down. I bike in the winter as well here at 40 degrees north latitude in Chicago type weather. I am comfortable with "pit slits" as I have "pit zips" in a couple of winter (waterproof) shells that I also keep unzipped in all but the most blustery cold wet conditions. Get rid of the sweat and the heat of the armpit areas. I feel it helps a lot. If you do the "Pit Slits", you might want to begin with small slits first. In this way, you are cooler even if the jacket is partly or fully zipped up (and thus not billowing in the wind and making it hard to see behind). Jim Signature1) Eat Till SATISFIED, Not STUFFED... Atkins repeated 9 times in the book 2) Exercise: It's Non-Negotiable..... Chapter 22 title, Atkins book 3) Don't Diet Without Supplemental Nutrients... Chapter 23 title, Atkins book 4) A sensible eating plan, and follow it. (Atkins, Self Made or Other) > When I first started riding many years ago (partly to lose weight, mostly to > kick a nicotine habit), an 8 mile ride was a big accomplishment that left me > tired and sore the next day. By the end of the year, I was regularly riding > 20+ miles on mountainous trails (I was a mountain biker at the time). Yes, I can remember that climbing the steps on the way to the shower was an issue when I first started. Now, no problemo. Both the distance that I go and the speed at which I travel increased significantly during my first summer of riding. > As others have suggested, take it slow, but keep pushing yourself to go a > little farther each week. You also might want to create some new routes using something like http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/. Signaturejmk in NC I do about 45 mins on the exercise bike in the AM (alternate with aerobics and walking) which covers about 10 miles. Unfortunately all it does is rain up here so outdoor biking is out most of the time ::sigh:: You may want to think about starting out by time, not by distance. Decide how long you want to go for (half hour, 45 min, or an hour or whatever) then pick a direction and go half that time (15 minutes out, etc) then turn around and come back. Go at a pace that is comfortable and not killing you but still makes you crack a sweat and get your heart rate up. Add time in 5 minute one-way increments (which will give you 10 minutes more round trip). I do that with the walking - if I want to walk for a half hour I set out one way and go for 15, then come back. The only thing I don't like about it is I get bored seeing the same thing on the way back but the way my roads are here there's no way to walk a loop unless I want to go 20 miles (it's rural). Exercise tolerance does build up over time. I'm finding I have to crank up the resistance on the exercise bike 2 or 3 notches above what I started at to get my heart rate up, or else I'm just coasting. Since I do it in the AM before work adding time is more problematic than adding difficulty, so I've kept the time constant and keep making it harder on myself :) . LQ > Last time I Lowcarbed (and lost weight), I was going to the gym, and also > having the odd run, and bike ride. Bike rides were approx 15 - 20kms a day. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > W Get the bike into fairly good rideable condition -- you described above that with leaky tubes you got poor bike exercise results and a negative experience. After the bike is in fairly good rideable condition, it helps to figure out what it is that you want to do. You currently mix up biking, walking and jogging as options. Maybe you should eventually try to figure out which of these exercise activities you will actually do again and again and again ....... Then, you can get much better information on how to get the best out of whatever exercise(s) it is that you will do with regularity. Good luck in figuring out what you want to do and will do it regularly. Jim PS Yes, I bike regularly in every season of the year, but in the summer I do more bike riding, including bike travel camping. I just got back from a six day 200 mile bike camping trip -- sleeping under the stars at night and cooking most of the meals on a small backpacking stove. Jim Signature1) Eat Till SATISFIED, Not STUFFED... Atkins repeated 9 times in the book 2) Exercise: It's Non-Negotiable..... Chapter 22 title, Atkins book 3) Don't Diet Without Supplemental Nutrients... Chapter 23 title, Atkins book 4) A sensible eating plan, and follow it. (Atkins, Self Made or Other) |
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