Distance or Speed

Cameron,

I'll give you the standard answer anround this place, "it depends." It depends on what you're riding goals are. As for simple "getting in shape" I think the answer most folks will give you will be riding at 75-85% of MHR. I can go a fairly long time at that pace. What you did today sounds like a hard Time Trial type effort 90%+ MHR. Those types of efforts cannot and should not be attempted on a regualr basis. You're body simply cannot recover quickly enough for these to be done on a regular basis.

Good luck,
L

First of all, I wouldn't ride in that weather - not for me. Secondly, you are fast! How many miles & hours do you train per week? How many miles have you biked so far this year?

Why not try endurance pace mixed with hard intervals and do a medium distance? Lately I've tried LT training and I've only gotten leg sore and it was hard to ride on my next rides. So I'm trying endurance pace mixed with hard intervals next.

JTE83 said:

First of all, I wouldn't ride in that weather - not for me. Secondly, you are fast! How many miles & hours do you train per week? How many miles have you biked so far this year?

Why not try endurance pace mixed with hard intervals and do a medium distance? Lately I've tried LT training and I've only gotten leg sore and it was hard to ride on my next rides. So I'm trying endurance pace mixed with hard intervals next.

Lately I've been doing an hour ride in the morning and another 2 hours toward the end of the day, around 50 miles a day and average 20 mph. Sometimes I'll slip in an hour or so ride during the middle of the day if it isn't too hot out. I do that 7 days a week, unless it’s snowing or raining, in which case I do some miles on the treadmill or stationary bike. I wasn't really able to do more then 10 miles until I really started to push myself and started to build stamina. I I don't really experience soreness, the only reason why I stop biking is because of my stomach, I just begin to get nauseas, almost like I'm not getting enough oxygen or something. I’m 17 years old so I figure I have a shorter recovery time then some of my fellow elders. Its just hard to train for something without someone telling you if your doing it right or not. In my other sport, skiing, there are people who can say “yes your turning correctly” or “you should practice xyz hours a day” but for cycling, that’s a little different as I’m quickly finding out.

-Cameron

camhabib said:

Is it better to go let say, 60 miles at a slow pace then to go 20 miles at a fast pace, training wise. I'm trying to get in shape and I'm curious what would be the best thing to focus on, speed or distance.

It's going to depend on your goals, which you haven't told us. If your goal is to sustain 30 mph for an hour then riding long distances at a slow pace generally isn't what you would do to train for it.

to me it sounds like you live in a place that is harsh this time of year. personally, i draw the line at a heat index of 100. if it is 99 i will ride. but if it is over 100, then i will alter my schedule and go inside on the indoor trainer. and yes, i also think you are fast, but unless you arent drinking large amounts of water while riding in that kind of heat (like 2 liters/hour!) then you are playing with your life. seriously, your hot-weather riding skills should be bulletproof to ride like you do in that kind of heat. otherwise, you will pass out while riding. if you are unconscience and no one is there with you, well, you get the idea. be smart.

good news, however, is that you probably have a strong base from your other sports. if so, then you should pick up cycling quickly. i very much recommend getting The Cyclist's Bible, The Ultimate Ride, and Serious Cycling. a good nutrition book couldnt hurt either. also, come here and ask Q's. the people here are very experienced and trustworthy. as fellow cyclists, we wont advise into the wrong direction. but if there is one thing you need to know, it is this: know yourself.

vio765 said:

to me it sounds like you live in a place that is harsh this time of year. personally, i draw the line at a heat index of 100. if it is 99 i will ride. but if it is over 100, then i will alter my schedule and go inside on the indoor trainer. and yes, i also think you are fast, but unless you arent drinking large amounts of water while riding in that kind of heat (like 2 liters/hour!) then you are playing with your life. seriously, your hot-weather riding skills should be bulletproof to ride like you do in that kind of heat. otherwise, you will pass out while riding. if you are unconscience and no one is there with you, well, you get the idea. be smart.

good news, however, is that you probably have a strong base from your other sports. if so, then you should pick up cycling quickly. i very much recommend getting The Cyclist's Bible, The Ultimate Ride, and Serious Cycling. a good nutrition book couldnt hurt either. also, come here and ask Q's. the people here are very experienced and trustworthy. as fellow cyclists, we wont advise into the wrong direction. but if there is one thing you need to know, it is this: know yourself.

I have a pretty good sense of my limits and it I feel I'm getting too hot on a ride I pull over in the shade and rest for a moment or just take me time getting home. I'll certainly look into those books you recommended. I suppose in time I will learn the limits of my abilities better and be able to build and expand upon them. My ultimate goal is to be able to seriously participate in racing, how soon that becomes a reality, I'm not sure. Thanks to everyone from your insightful posts and comments.

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-Cameron

camhabib said:

My ultimate goal is to be able to seriously participate in racing, how soon that becomes a reality, I'm not sure.

You still haven't really answered the question that others have asked in order to really answer your question.

Going with your example of assistance when you ski... If this was a ski forum, you haven't even let us know if you are talking about down hill or cross country.

The racing at least gives an idea, but there are many types of racing...

If you haven't decided on what type of racing interests you (or even if you have) you can get a general idea of what types of training are suggested for various types of racing by using the search feature.

Enjoy the ride!