Starting off

[rasper101]

Morning guys, just started off with MTB, anyone know of a nice training program? i starting off witj my diet last year. Lost 36kg's till now.. still weighing in at 132kg and want to use cycling to take it to the next step. please help guys..

[Dicky DQ]

Welcome Rasper. Kudos on the weight loss so far. I am sure someone will have a plan for you. Bust just get out there and enjoy the bike the weight will leave on it's own accord.

[Vetseun]

Welcome Rasper. Congrats on the weight loss. Im no pro but I think for now LSD is the way to go to drop more kilos. Keep us posted.

[GrantRH]

Well done rasper.

 

The best thing to do, IMO, is to sign up for a big race. Whether it is a stage race or challenging 60kms is up to you, but a stage race would be better.

 

There is a website called fittrack.co.za that then offers training programmes catered for most of the big races. Choose your race, choose your training programme, and choose what level you are aiming for (just to finish, podiums, or anything in between).

 

It helped me with my first Berg & Bush.

[eddy]

Well done rasper.

 

The best thing to do, IMO, is to sign up for a big race. Whether it is a stage race or challenging 60kms is up to you, but a stage race would be better.

 

There is a website called fittrack.co.za that then offers training programmes catered for most of the big races. Choose your race, choose your training programme, and choose what level you are aiming for (just to finish, podiums, or anything in between).

 

It helped me with my first Berg & Bush.

 

With respect, this is poor advice.

 

The OP has lost lost 36 kg of weight and STILL weighs 132 kg. Clearly he was way out of shape and has some way to go before the label "morbidly obese" no longer applies. NO race program is suitable for somebody who needs to lose the weight he is still carrying.

 

Rasper, Vetseun (OK, since you joined he is now officially VetterigeSeun) has the best advice. Ride your bicycle slowly and for extended periods of time. It will both burn fat and motivate you to moderate your diet further. As with losing your weight, it will require discipline and time.

 

You ought really to be consulting a Doctor before embarking on an exercise regime after (what I assume is) a long period without one. Ask the Doc what level of intensity is best to burn fat.

 

Good luck and well done so far. Keep us posted.

[scotty]

Try get a group to ride with you can chat to Clint at FL cycles in Glen Marais.

[GrantRH]

 

With respect, this is poor advice.

 

The OP has lost lost 36 kg of weight and STILL weighs 132 kg. Clearly he was way out of shape and has some way to go before the label "morbidly obese" no longer applies. NO race program is suitable for somebody who needs to lose the weight he is still carrying.

 

Rasper, Vetseun (OK, since you joined he is now officially VetterigeSeun) has the best advice. Ride your bicycle slowly and for extended periods of time. It will both burn fat and motivate you to moderate your diet further. As with losing your weight, it will require discipline and time.

 

You ought really to be consulting a Doctor before embarking on an exercise regime after (what I assume is) a long period without one. Ask the Doc what level of intensity is best to burn fat.

 

Good luck and well done so far. Keep us posted.

 

Oh well, not everyone will agree with me.

 

I work with 2 guys that have lost a lot a weight from cycling. Both of them chose a race as a target and then rode towards it. One did it through a training programme and has lost a whole lot more weight.

 

If you are like me, you need a target to work towards. A big race 3 or so months down the line will give you some time to get some saddle time in.

 

If you have no idea what training you need to do, find a training programme. I do agree that if you are able to find a group who rides regularly (3 to 4 times a week) that will serve the same purpose.

 

Each to their own I guess. Just enjoy yourself.

[johanpre44]

I started cycling after being inactive for about 10 years, 5 months later I participated in the 94.7 cycle challenge and completed it in 5 hours. I really struggled for the first couple of months to get up hills (had to stop a lot), but eventually I could ride them without stopping. I weighed about 108kg and dropped down to 96kg in 5 months.

 

Doing a very big race is maybe not the best thing, your immune system takes a huge knock (took me a couple of weeks to recover from the 94.7). But to keep motivation up I suggest that you find some riding buddies and enter events (even though just shorter/flatter ones to start out with, I agree GrantRH in his 2nd post a lot!). In a couple of months you should be able to complete a 40km flattish MTB event in 3 hours.

 

Regular short rides help a lot, maybe try and do a couple of short 1 hour rides until you get fit. If work allows do 2 in the week and another 2 over the weekend (4 hours over a week is a lot of good exercise). I have heard that the Modderfontein reserve is a lot of MTB fun (I usually go to Northern Farms). During the week and most weekends I just to trails around my home (which involves a lot of tar).

 

Have fun and keep the tires side down!

Edited July 27, 2014 by johanpre44

[rasper101]

Thanx for all the good advice guys.. trying to do an hour a day. had a nice ride today aswell. will keep you posted on my training. will make a turn by clint aswell as its there where i bought my bike last week. thanks again

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Thanx for all the good advice guys.. trying to do an hour a day. had a nice ride today aswell. will keep you posted on my training. will make a turn by clint aswell as its there where i bought my bike last week. thanks again

Welldone! Lsd, continue with the diet and ride the bike.

 

U do need to set a realistic goal and train for it. As the kilos drop ur speed will increase.

 

And most of all, it should remain fun

[lechatnoir]

Rasper, what you're doing is awesome. Keep up the good work. Getting a challenge in mind, such as the 94.7 is great, because it gives you focus. But, just as easily, it could be a 30km MTB race. The point is to have a goal. Don't be afraid to aim high, but you need to stretch yourself I think, be it distance or time. But MOST important, is get a routine, and don't give up. That way you get to set new challenges, and dammit, cycling is fun!

 

EDIT - and don't forget that cycling is an awesome low-impact sport. Unless you fall off, then it's quite high...

Edited July 27, 2014 by trevori77

[Fabian46]

Hi Rasper, found a nice workable training plan the other day.

 

Monday - off

Tuesday - 60 - 90mins of high intensity with most climbing , e.g. hill repeats ( or just go find some hills to climb)

Wednesday - LSD( Long Steady Distance) @ 70% for 90mins

Thursday - 60 - 90 mins of high intensity, focusing speed/pace

Friday - off

Saturday - Long intense ride, 2 - 4 hours

Sunday - Rest/easy ride

 

This plan is more for MTB riding

 

Repeat! You can obviously adapt it to suit your schedule.

 

Hope this helps.

Edited July 28, 2014 by Fabian46

[rasper101]

awsome... thanks alot!! will work on that.. did my hour ride everyday this week. its going much better. luckily the pain in the ass isnt that bad anymore! LOL .. will keep doing the hour trip this week... the weekend i want to see how far i could stretch it.. maby want a 2-3 hour ride. im upping the pace more everyday.. but today i really felt extremely strong. dunno why? Last 2 questions.. 1) im in JHB in kempton park... any specific roads that is good for cycling? to do my long ride? and must you be 6 or more to go ride at the Red barn in irene? thanx for the support guys!!! dropped another 1.5kg's this week!!

[mrhilux]

Hi Rasper, I am also from Kempton. I normally cycle from home to Modderfontein, they have different route options, and then I cycle back home. This normally gives me about 60km of cycling. I haven't done red barn yet so can't comment.

[mrbaker]

Well done on the weight loss!!!!!

 

A doctors visit is definitely in order, sooner rather than later- just to get a check up and the all clear.

 

For now LSD would be my suggestion, maybe with some light intervals combined - even if it's just 'racing' a friend from point to point during the long rides...

[+ Ryperd +]

Well done Rasper. As for Red Barn, you can pitch and ride. No need for min group, but cycling with friends is a lot more fun.

 

See if you cannot join a group ride.