Establishing a good base

KEEBLER

I am a beginning cyclist and was wondering how long and what type of riding i should be doing to establish a good base?

I also dont have as much time as i would like to ride during the week , but i do do spinning 2 times a week, and cycle on the weekends. Does spinning help to establish a base, or should i really try to spend more time on the bike?

Any info would be appreciated
Keebler

Bob s.

It depends on your goals. Yes, spinning classes do contribute to both outdoor cycling and overall fitness. If your goal is to be a world class cyclist, spinning and weekends aren't going to cut it. You'll need to ride several hours each day as a minimum for that, along with a trainer, etc. If on the other hand your goal is to do a 50 or 75 mile ride, then yes, it's possible. Combine spinning 2x a week with 3 outdoor rides a week and it can be done. If you take a spin class on monday or tuesday, ride outside on wednesday, spin thursday or friday and ride outside sat and sun you should be able to handle a ride like 50-75 miles by the middle of july. This is assuming of course that you have a reasonable fitness level right now.
My wife and I, along with my sister trained for and did the Shoreline bike Tour that way. It goes up the shorline of lake Michigan in seven days. The ride was 45-70 miles a day. My wife and sister had never ridden seriously before. This was a totally doable thing for them. While they were sore some days, it wasn't anything that made them want to stop. They trained for it by riding 4 times a week. During the week it was 10-15 miles a night. On the weekends we worked up from 25 miles early in the summer, to doing 50 miles in one day on july 4th. The 7 day ride was on july 31th-august 7th. They loved it! Granted, we were NOT going very fast, I think our average per day was 10-13 miles per hour most days. That's not too bad though, it's a relaxing ride through awesome country. While I would have loved pushing 20 mph with a pack, this was also very enjoyable. by the way, we did it on mountain bikes.
So yes, depending on your goal, that is a good start to training.
--Bob

KEEBLER

Thanks Bob for the reply

I am not really trying to be a world class cyclist, its not easy with three kids .

I am just trying to improve my overall fitness level and be able to ride, like you said, a 50 to 70 mile ride without dying.

I am currently living and working in germany, right near the luxembourg border. Beuuuuutiful riding country. I work in frankfurt and stay in that area during the week (without a bike) thats why i do the spinning, and on the weekend i go home where my bike is. I try to ride everyday on the weekend and am trying to get my son interested.

I was just wondering if spinning is the same or comparible with actually riding the bike

again thanks
KEEBLER