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First road bike, first ride

  • 13-07-2014 6:59pm
    #1
    codrulz
    Registered Users Posts: 369 ✭✭


    Hi all,
    I bought my first road bike yesterday, a Merida scultura 900.
    My first impressions are very good, it is light enough, quite comfy and gear changes are smooth and silky.
    it has the shimano claris 8 speed 23m maxxis reuler tyres and a carbon fork.
    today on my first ride I was very impressed.
    I cycled 80k in 2hours 30mins dead and most was either flat or uphill.
    my average speed was 31kph and max was 73.9.
    what should I be aiming to improve to, I dont feel I was pushing myself As I was getting used to drop bars and I find it very to pace myself. any help greatly appreciated


Comments

  • #2
    G1032
    Registered Users Posts: 6,904 ✭✭✭G1032


    For a recreational cyclist you set a very fast pace I think.

    I've no real idea about what speed you'd need for racing in Ireland but from what I'm told it's more about reacting to changes in pace than average speed per say. There are plenty around here who'll tell you what speeds you'll need for racing


  • #3
    veetwin
    Registered Users Posts: 2,003 ✭✭✭veetwin


    G1032 wrote: »
    Well Xxxxxx won today's stage of TDF with an average of 40+ km/hr.

    For a recreational cyclist you set a very fast pace I think.

    I've no real idea about what speed you'd need for racing in Ireland but from what I'm told it's more about reacting to changes in pace than average speed per say. There are plenty around here who'll tell you what speeds you'll need for racing

    You couldn't have used spoiler tags for the first piece of information by any chance? I have today's stage recorded to watch after the World Cup final:mad:


  • #4
    JPWOctane
    Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭JPWOctane


    Cheers G1032. I needed to hear that from you.

    OP, that sounds quick. Keep it up!


  • #5
    G1032
    Registered Users Posts: 6,904 ✭✭✭G1032


    veetwin wrote: »
    You couldn't have used spoiler tags for the first piece of information by any chance? I have today's stage recorded to watch after the World Cup final:mad:

    Sorry. Never thought. I'll remove it now.


  • #6
    codrulz
    Registered Users Posts: 369 ✭✭codrulz


    JPWOctane wrote: »
    Cheers G1032. I needed to hear that from you.

    OP, that sounds quick. Keep it up!

    Thanks for the feedback


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  • #7
    steve-o
    Registered Users Posts: 903 ✭✭✭steve-o


    veetwin wrote: »
    You couldn't have used spoiler tags for the first piece of information by any chance? I have today's stage recorded to watch after the World Cup final:mad:
    Now it's your quote that's doing the spoiling!


  • #8
    veetwin
    Registered Users Posts: 2,003 ✭✭✭veetwin


    steve-o wrote: »
    Now it's your quote that's doing the spoiling!

    Fixed:o


  • #9
    t'bear
    Registered Users Posts: 588 ✭✭✭t'bear


    veetwin wrote: »
    You couldn't have used spoiler tags for the first piece of information by any chance? I have today's stage recorded to watch after the World Cup final:mad:
    indeed :-(((


  • #10
    ZiabR
    Registered Users Posts: 5,575 ✭✭✭ZiabR


    Have you been cycling before you bought the bike? How long has it been since you last cycled?

    If this was you first cycle in years then to be able to do 80km for a start, let alone average of 31kph seems very fast.

    For example, I am cycling nearly two years, albeit I dont race but my average speed is only about 27kph.


  • #11
    triggermortis
    Registered Users Posts: 2,683 ✭✭✭triggermortis


    I think my first ride was less than 10k and probably maxed out around 30Kmh and averaged about 20!
    Good effort


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  • #12
    codrulz
    Registered Users Posts: 369 ✭✭codrulz


    logik wrote: »
    Have you been cycling before you bought the bike? How long has it been since you last cycled?

    If this was you first cycle in years then to be able to do 80km for a start, let alone average of 31kph seems very fast.

    For example, I am cycling nearly two years, albeit I dont race but my average speed is only about 27kph.

    I started about 2 months ago on a hybrid and quickly got into cycling, as Rugby season is off atm it seems like a good way to keep me fit.
    thnaks for your help.


  • #13
    smurphy29
    Registered Users Posts: 871 ✭✭✭smurphy29


    Seems like you're a natural. You say you're a rugby player so I'm guessing you're a big lad by cycling standards who can output a lot of power. 31kph over 80k is plenty quick. You say your route was mostly either flat or uphill - was it a loop (in which case the up and down have to be exactly equal!) or a point-to-point in which case the wind direction wold be a huge factor.

    What to improve depends on what you want to do. Race or sportif? If you're looking to do sportifs, then work on upping the distance and building endurance. If you want to race you might look at more structured training; doing short bursts of high intensity and so forth.


  • #14
    cuculainn
    Registered Users Posts: 798 ✭✭✭cuculainn


    codrulz wrote: »
    I cycled 80k in 2hours 30mins dead and most was either flat or uphill.
    my average speed was 31kph and max was 73.9.

    a max speed of 73.9 on a flat or uphill course.....impressive, and ballsy if you are just getting used to the drops


  • #15
    Daroxtar
    Registered Users Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Daroxtar


    2:30@31kmh is 77.5km not 80. Do you have a Strava or Map my ride link? Not questioning you, just curious to see if there may be some inaccuracies with your calculations or equipment


  • #16
    codrulz
    Registered Users Posts: 369 ✭✭codrulz


    smurphy29 wrote: »
    Seems like you're a natural. You say you're a rugby player so I'm guessing you're a big lad by cycling standards who can output a lot of power. 31kph over 80k is plenty quick. You say your route was mostly either flat or uphill - was it a loop (in which case the up and down have to be exactly equal!) or a point-to-point in which case the wind direction wold be a huge factor.

    What to improve depends on what you want to do. Race or sportif? If you're looking to do sportifs, then work on upping the distance and building endurance. If you want to race you might look at more structured training; doing short bursts of high intensity and so forth.

    its a loop, which is mostly flat or uphill except I live ontop of a very steep hill I descend at the start of my loop from 290asl to 140asl, this is where I hit 73.9 kph.
    I am interested in doing both races and sportifs and I can only imagine doing both would benefit me more?
    how often do you go cycling and how often do you recommend going cycling?
    cheers.
    cuculainn wrote: »
    a max speed of 73.9 on a flat or uphill course.....impressive, and ballsy if you are just getting used to the drops
    hahaha cheers I reached 73.9 on the only downhill though :o
    I'm fairly happy with my stats, as it was my first ride and I'm only going to get braver :P
    Daroxtar wrote: »
    2:30@31kmh is 77.5km not 80. Do you have a Strava or Map my ride link? Not questioning you, just curious to see if there may be some inaccuracies with your calculations or equipment

    well it wasnt 31kph avg dead.
    I can't remeber now what it as but it was roughly 79.9... with an avg of 31.3 or .4?


  • #17
    mathie
    Registered Users Posts: 5,093 ✭✭✭mathie


    I once cycled so fast that on my way back I saw myself heading out and I gave myself a high five.


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