Training plans for Winter?

Originally Posted by Eden

I'm with Mellic here. This forum is getting a bit dull, we need to get some good bike related discussions going. So how's about this for a starter. I've been cycling a long time, but I'm just getting into racing. I've been riding a lot, but I think I've gotten about as far as I can by just going out and riding without a real plan, so I need to start thinking about a training plan for winter. So far I've aquired a nice used trainer (its a fluid trainer - the hubby got a magnetic one last year that I've used also and so far I don't see a big difference) and I plan to do the Power Interval DVD that I have at least twice a week when it starts getting too dark to go outside after work, but I don't yet have a lot of real ideas about what else to do. I'll probably put in between 45 min and 1.5 hrs inside on 4 weekdays and get outside to put in base miles on weekends - it stays warm enough here pretty much all year if a bit wet at times (I'll go cross country skiing on the weekends sometimes too if we get any snow this year!).

I will also be going out on Saturdays to the local "meet the team" rides, so I may be able to get some pointers there too, especially if I decide to join one.

How about everyone else? - What do you all do for the winter to stay in shape/improve for next year? For the southern hemisphere gals how did your winter training go? any pointers for us just starting the season.

Originally Posted by Mellic

Yay a decent conversation. Don't know how much of a response you will get to this one though Eden since there doesn't seem to be too many competitive girls out there. Anyway I can add to this topic a little.

Hmmmm...where to start. Well I am lucky enough to live in the southern hemisphere. Our race season is based over the colder months (April-September) because our summers are too hot to race in during the day.

During the race season I primarily train on the road and on weekends I train offroad. On the odd occasion it does rain and I have to pull out the wind trainer and do my 45 minute trainer session, but that is very rarely (maybe twice a month).

In summer (our off season) I train at night both on and offroad. We do have some races in the summer but they are mostly endurance races held at night.

Anyway I really cannot give any training advice because most of us here stay in shape all year round because we don't have to contend with winter.

Originally Posted by bikelet

Hi,
I'm just interested in your comment about Pilates. I've wanted to get involved with it and there are some books at my local library but i don't know exactly what sort of movements are most important, the fundamentals if you like. There are some instructors around but they charge the earth and i'd rather do it at home. I'm a southern hemishpere girl too so i guess i don't have much excuse for slacking off in winter like i do . When it rains or i can't be bothered going outside i skip (good for the calf muscles), sometimes box or dance around and do light weights. You have to be a bit creative sometimes. The one thing i like about being inside is that you can have music on. Some people ride with music but i don't like that because it you can't hear the traffic and such forth

Originally Posted by wackydeirdre

I've trained a lot and am in fairly good condition but have lots to learn about actual racing. I've only ridden alone so far and need to learn about the best way to take corners etc. Let me know if you know of any organizations on Long Island,NY. I've looked at a couple but would like to know of more.

Originally Posted by Eden

Getting used to riding in a large group before you try a road race would definitely be a good. You'll find yourself riding far closer to people than is comfortable and if you know what to expect you will be much less likely to crash. You may be able to find some time trials in your area, but it can be more difficult as you are on your own and it can be challenging to learn to pace yourself properly.

I'm afraid I am on the other end of the continent up here in Seattle so I don't know too much about what is available around the Long Island area, but I'll do a little research and post some links at the end. We are really lucky here to have an extremely active cycling community. I just went on a women's skill building ride today and was able to meet people from several teams. It was quite educational. We split up into groups and swapped ride leaders about half way through. The teams have quite distinct personalities. The largest women's team covers a lot of the sport- track, road, cross, but the members definitely represent a lot of talent and experience and they really want to share it. One of the co-ed teams is very regimented and unlike most teams has a specific training regimen that they expect their members to attend throughout the winter (we can ride pretty much all year round here - it rains but doesn't usually snow or get too cold. The bigger problem is that it gets dark at about 4:30 in the afternoon). Another team seemed to be the "party team" and I found them to be a little lacking in focus - they got chatting so much they couldn't maintain a paceline. Strangely enough I think when it comes down to racing they are a very strong team, but they weren't taking the ride very seriously.

On to links - I'm not finding too many racing teams, but there are a fair number of clubs which is a good way to start getting used to group riding and there are often fast riders even if they aren't into racing. You should ask around at your local bike shops too, they may be a bit standoffish, but be persistant- racing can really be a bit of a boys club and they aren't even always too welcoming to new boys much less women, which is why having the women's groups out here is really great. This is a good time of the year to get involved. Teams are generally looking to take on new members and set their rosters for next year around now. Of course you don't necessarily have to join a team to race, but having good mentors who know their way around is nice.
clubs
http://www.bicyclelongisland.org/
http://www.bicyclelongisland.org/libc/
http://www.sbraweb.org/
http://www.massparkbikeclub.org/
http://home.att.net/~tbkrenitsky/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
racing teams
http://www.bicyclelongisland.org/gbsc/
(all of the USA cycling + USCF registered teams in NY - may help you web search)
http://www.usacycling.org/clubs/index.php?state=NY
races
http://krebcycle.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=225
(past, but may reoccur next year)
http://www.rockawave.com/news/2004/...munity/005.html
just plain funny
http://members.tripod.com/geert_pc/slang.htm

Originally Posted by wackydeirdre

I'm not sure it's fair to say the girls on this forum aren't serious riders Mellic. I think they are just asking questions pertaining to ladies issues as this is a ladies forum. I'm sure many of the girls are or want to become serious cyclists and feel this is a good place to start. I had lots of things I hadn't a clue about when I began cycling and asked lots of really odd questions here when I joined the forum. It really is the only place to ask questions about hygene, etc. Try to give these girls a break and remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. These ladies only want to learn how to improve themselves.
As far as living in the southern hemisphere, I really wish I did also. I can take any kind of heat but really don't like the cold at all! It's an odd thing really. The more hot and humid it gets the more I enjoy my rides. I also really enjoy going for rides after dark.

Originally Posted by Eden

I'm with Mellic here. This forum is getting a bit dull, we need to get some good bike related discussions going. So how's about this for a starter. I've been cycling a long time, but I'm just getting into racing. I've been riding a lot, but I think I've gotten about as far as I can by just going out and riding without a real plan, so I need to start thinking about a training plan for winter. So far I've aquired a nice used trainer (its a fluid trainer - the hubby got a magnetic one last year that I've used also and so far I don't see a big difference) and I plan to do the Power Interval DVD that I have at least twice a week when it starts getting too dark to go outside after work, but I don't yet have a lot of real ideas about what else to do. I'll probably put in between 45 min and 1.5 hrs inside on 4 weekdays and get outside to put in base miles on weekends - it stays warm enough here pretty much all year if a bit wet at times (I'll go cross country skiing on the weekends sometimes too if we get any snow this year!).

I will also be going out on Saturdays to the local "meet the team" rides, so I may be able to get some pointers there too, especially if I decide to join one.

How about everyone else? - What do you all do for the winter to stay in shape/improve for next year? For the southern hemisphere gals how did your winter training go? any pointers for us just starting the season.

Originally Posted by Mellic

I never said girls who don't race are not "serious", I said they were not "competitive". There is a big difference. Eden asked about a training plan, and obviously competitive cyclists are more likely to have one. Girls who ride for fitness/fun can ride whenever they like and generally have no firm training regimes.

In regards to what women ask on this forum - true the forum is designed for discussing ladies issues but it should be specific to cycling. I am more than happy to address topics about bikes, clothing, shoes, helmets, health issues, training etc as long as it is specific to cycling. Make-up, deodorant, shaving product etc are all things that people have personal preferences towards and they are just things you learn from trial and error.

Originally Posted by ric_stern/RST

There's quite a lot of training related questions in the training and power forums, as you'd expect. Obviously, they may not be specific to women, although general principles of training remain the same between the sexes (and people of different age)....

The best *general* bit of advice i'll give now, is to not slack off over the off-season, and do nothing! You just lose fitness and have to start all over from scratch! If the weather is poor, then an indoor trainer is the best tool you can purchase -- that way you can ride indoors, keep dry/warm and maintain (or even increase your fitness).

Cheers
Ric

Originally Posted by Eden

Any tips are good tips and indeed, there are other people talking about training, but one of the ideas here was to get the girls talking.