Hi folks,
A seed was planted in my mind yestreday by a work colleague. I was invited to joing a bunch of elite UK vets who are intending to go on a trip to do the Tour of Flanders Cyclo in 2008 and then watch the race. I was thrilled to be asked especially by such a classy rider. He knows I used to cycle and that I'm interested in cycling. I'm desperately keen to do this but there is a minor issue.
1) I have not been on a road bike (or any bike) in yearsand don't have a bike now.
2) I am 39 years old. I'm about 5ft 7.5" and weigh around 188Ibs. Up until 3 weeks ago I hadn't done any exercise (at any level) at all in years.
3) I decided around 3 weeks ago that I wanted to drop my weight down to around 165 Ibs. According to a set of Tanita body composition scales my 10%body fat weight is around 166.7Ibs.
4) I started exercising on a rowing machine (I am undergoing a small diet (not much of a calorie deficit from a normal AMR (Active metabolic rate) for someone of my weight and size. I am now at the stage that I'm capable of rowing for 2 hrs at a stretch with some sprint bursts but am nmto that powerful. I have years of doing no exercises so am a bit feak and weeble.
I am prepared to suffer for the cause. If I have a goal I will stick to it.
5) I have dropped 11.4Ibs since I started 3 weeks ago and am starting to see some posture and muscle changes. I know I don't want to stop.
To do the Tour of Flanders cyclo with these guys I have to be able to ride a significiant distance at a reasonable speed. I don't want to do the macho thing and be faster than they are but I do want to be able to keep up. I have no idea what speed they will ride it but I assume somewhere around 20-25 mph (am guessing around 23mph).
I have till Friday to make a decision as to whether to do it.
I have 8 months to get fit approximately (though will probably have 3 weeks out for holidays)
I need to buy a decent bike
I need to get cycling specific training done.
Q1: Is it possible to raise myself to the level required in the time (From scratch to quality level amateur cyclist)? Is this goal possible or am I completely mad to even consider it?
Q2: What sort of training and training progression would you suggest? I get the impression that to achieve what is required (Speed and stamina) in the time will take some fairly targeted training but base miles are also required
Q3: What sort of road bike would you recommend (type/budget/manufacturer). I haven't decided on a budget but the machine is likely to have to take some fairly high mileage. It might subsequently be used for racing. If I choose to do this and I succeed then I will take up racing again. Money is no real object but I don't want to be stupid about it.
Many thank in advance
A seed was planted in my mind yestreday by a work colleague. I was invited to joing a bunch of elite UK vets who are intending to go on a trip to do the Tour of Flanders Cyclo in 2008 and then watch the race. I was thrilled to be asked especially by such a classy rider. He knows I used to cycle and that I'm interested in cycling. I'm desperately keen to do this but there is a minor issue.
1) I have not been on a road bike (or any bike) in yearsand don't have a bike now.
2) I am 39 years old. I'm about 5ft 7.5" and weigh around 188Ibs. Up until 3 weeks ago I hadn't done any exercise (at any level) at all in years.
3) I decided around 3 weeks ago that I wanted to drop my weight down to around 165 Ibs. According to a set of Tanita body composition scales my 10%body fat weight is around 166.7Ibs.
4) I started exercising on a rowing machine (I am undergoing a small diet (not much of a calorie deficit from a normal AMR (Active metabolic rate) for someone of my weight and size. I am now at the stage that I'm capable of rowing for 2 hrs at a stretch with some sprint bursts but am nmto that powerful. I have years of doing no exercises so am a bit feak and weeble.
I am prepared to suffer for the cause. If I have a goal I will stick to it.
5) I have dropped 11.4Ibs since I started 3 weeks ago and am starting to see some posture and muscle changes. I know I don't want to stop.
To do the Tour of Flanders cyclo with these guys I have to be able to ride a significiant distance at a reasonable speed. I don't want to do the macho thing and be faster than they are but I do want to be able to keep up. I have no idea what speed they will ride it but I assume somewhere around 20-25 mph (am guessing around 23mph).
I have till Friday to make a decision as to whether to do it.
I have 8 months to get fit approximately (though will probably have 3 weeks out for holidays)
I need to buy a decent bike
I need to get cycling specific training done.
Q1: Is it possible to raise myself to the level required in the time (From scratch to quality level amateur cyclist)? Is this goal possible or am I completely mad to even consider it?
Q2: What sort of training and training progression would you suggest? I get the impression that to achieve what is required (Speed and stamina) in the time will take some fairly targeted training but base miles are also required
Q3: What sort of road bike would you recommend (type/budget/manufacturer). I haven't decided on a budget but the machine is likely to have to take some fairly high mileage. It might subsequently be used for racing. If I choose to do this and I succeed then I will take up racing again. Money is no real object but I don't want to be stupid about it.
Many thank in advance