New to cycling - where to start

Dubh_Ghaill

Looking for advise on cycling for beginners. Fitness schedules, routines , plans etc. Obviously don't want to be going at it a million miles an hour and end in tatters after the first few outings.

Good solid fitness base but alas age and impact injuries have caught up with me.

All advise welcome.

-DG

Hmmzis

Dubh_Ghaill wrote: »

Looking for advise on cycling for beginners. Fitness schedules, routines , plans etc. Obviously don't want to be going at it a million miles an hour and end in tatters after the first few outings.

Good solid fitness base but alas age and impact injuries have caught up with me.

All advise welcome.

-DG

For general fitness there is not much to it just get on the bike and turn the cranks until you reach the spot you wanted to go to.

Do it at your own pace and maybe work up a bit of a sweat around the middle marker of your route. If you feel strong on the bike try to get up a hill or two.

For structured training you might want to consider getting a heart rate monitor and finding out your training zones.

The main thing is to enjoy your time on the bike. You can go for the suffering (racing/sportives) later on.

CramCycle

Are you doing any cycling at the minute? How much and how do you find it?

Try and keep up a reasonably high cadence where possible 90+ revolutions per minute up as high as you are comfortable with and without strain.

Lumen

There are loads of sportive training plans on the internet if that's what you're looking for. Or just ride your bike!

It's not really so much like running where training plans are designed to stop you developing crippling over-use injuries. If you're fit already you should be able to do 3-4 hours (~100km) on a bike soon enough without difficulty.

Felloffmebike

Try this. It's nice and simple and full of good advice

http://www.grantthornton.ie/db/Attachments/Publications/Sean_Kellys_Gui/Grant%20Thornton_Cycling%20(lowres).pdf

Tonyandthewhale

Tell us what your goals are. Training needs will differ massively between mountain bikers, audax riders, commuters, tourers, roadies, BMXers, track riders, cross riders etc. So get specific and you'll get more specific advice.

Cycling isn't a particularly bad sport as regards injuries so you can be a little more informal with your training schedule than you might be with the likes of road running (although the better and more precise your training, the better your results).
However, there are a few general things to watch out for. First of all, don't mash too high a gear, never be afraid to change into a lower gear. As someone already said, keep your cadence (RPM of your pedals) around 90.
Of even greater importance is your bike fit and positioning. Make sure your bike is the right size and that the saddle is at the right height for you. Also, ride with your arms slightly bent or you'll get back, shoulder and wrist pains.

CramCycle

paddyduc wrote: »

drink plenty.

+1 even if your not thirsty, keep supping away at your water whenever it is convenient to do so, very important.