Beginner with a couple questions.

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

My wife and I in the last two weeks started biking. We haven't been in the best shape for the last couple years so we firmly decided to take action. Walking/Running was kinda boring and took alot of time to get a decent workout so we got some bikes and tried biking. We noticed we were getting a much better workout in less time and it was much more fun. We making an effort to get back in shape and lose weight, so we are "hardcore" by any means. We do approx. 4-7 miles per day, 6 days a week. my questions are; 1. Is that regiment good for us? 2. Is there anything else we should be doing? and 3. What is an effective workout for people like us, who are doing this to lose weight and live healthy?

P.S. we are also dieting ofcourse.

thanks

I actually think that its the opposite for running: it takes a shorter time to get a decent workout. This is what I think at least. Since I can run at least 7 miles in an hour, that's 700 calories, but when I'm on the bike I only usually burn about 600 calories in one hour. Also, when you are on the bike, you will definitely be coasting (not pedaling) for a lot of moments so you aren't really burning anything.

My wife and I in the last two weeks started biking. We haven't been in the best shape for the last couple years so we firmly decided to take action. Walking/Running was kinda boring and took alot of time to get a decent workout so we got some bikes and tried biking. We noticed we were getting a much better workout in less time and it was much more fun. We making an effort to get back in shape and lose weight, so we are "hardcore" by any means. We do approx. 4-7 miles per day, 6 days a week. my questions are; 1. Is that regiment good for us? 2. Is there anything else we should be doing? and 3. What is an effective workout for people like us, who are doing this to lose weight and live healthy?

P.S. we are also dieting ofcourse.

thanksSounds good. Do what you enjoy. Cycling is fun.

Keep pressure on the pedals all the time, even when going downhill you can still do work. No need to coast.

Perhaps try a longer ride once a week for something different. Pack some food in your jersey pocket and take plenty of fluid with you. Over time you'll find doing longer rides becomes easier.

For fun, pick a hill and try to get up as fast as you can. Time yourself. Then try to beat your time next time you go there. To make it even with your wife, see who can make the biggest improvement.

Thanks for the advice.

We are building up taking longer and longer rides. Fortunatly we have miles and miles of bike trails just in our backyard. On our rides we try never to coast and just try to push it to keep a pretty even pace. It is getting much easier and as soon as we are ready we are planning to do a semi-long ride to the next town which is about 10 miles on the main road, but the trail we go on is a bit longer. Anyhow, it will be lots of fun.

Thanks very much again for the advice.