New touring enthusiast

ifinn89

Hi,
I started biking again last summer on a hybrid and began slowly as not to risk injury. At the end of last year I was averaging 10-12 miles 3 times a week. I used a trainer indoors during the winter months as to not shock my system again in the Spring. I recently purchased a Bianchi Strada (that I love) for more road type riding, which I find at least 25% more efficient all the way around (i.e., avg speed and effort).

I'm 47 and now ride 20-25 miles 2-3 times a week for recreation and fitness. My log shows 175 miles in July. This may not sound like much to the average cyclist, but for me this is great progress. I did manage a 30.5 mile trip during July but feel I went from 15 miles to 30 miles too fast.

I also lost 30 lbs. during 2002 and have another 30 to go; hence, I'm not the lightest person in the fleet.

The reason for my post? I'm not sure how fast I should push forward? 10% increases each week? Is that too much or not enough?

There are so many books out of training, etc. I'm not sure which books offer good advice for someone of my age or stamina.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Irene

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It's never too late to start!

Geonz

The "don't try to jump more than 10% at once" is a good rule of thumb for the daily kind of riding. Another one that has held up is that whaever you can ride comfortably from day to day, you can do three times that much on a "touring" ride if you pace yourself and there are food stops and you don't mind being a little stiff the next day.
Then pay attention to your experience. Hey, you might be a 15% person -- or a 5% one. Or... 10% increase might be a two-week thing. What makes you feel stronger ajnd happier --as opposed to mildly overwhelmed and needing lots of ibuprofen and major motivation to get back on?
My other motivator is the knowledge that sometimes I'm not really that tired... I just don't want to climb that mental threshold to get on the bike and out there (or get the shoes & running gear on and start plodding). I tell myself "Okay, then just do 15 minutes... you'll sleep better and if you are under the weatehr you'll know it and stop." And most of the time, by 15 minutes I'm cooking and don't want to stop.
And one of these days you'll get to Endorphinville and do enough to catch tghe genuine buzz, if you haven't already :-)

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Sioux Geonz, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net

Geonz

p.s. -- that *is* good progress :-)
You're right, the athletic types have a whole different program and agenda because they bring a different set of underlying skills and abilities and motivations to the process. But a regular person (well... who's regular??) *can* acquire those skills, especially if you can rise above comparisons and see your own progress in its own light... and you're doihng that :-) Come ride with me, anytime :-)

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Sioux Geonz, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net