Beginner: help needed

[CassieVE]

I have been cycling for about 3 months now. Ideally I want to train for MTB events, but decided to take my MTB to the road to lose some weight first (Being an ex-couch potato, I need to lose a lot…)

 

Currently I am doing 2 hours on a stationary bike on weekdays (1 Hour Tues/Thurs - Can’t get out on the road at this time…)

Saturdays is a 3 hour ride with about 3 hills. (+-65km)

Sundays is a 2 hour ride with 1 hill. (+-40km)

 

Now do I add more km’s to the rides or stick to the route and try and improve the time / avg speed?

 

I will start doing MTB routes (Most likely @ Teaks place), in December on Sundays…

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Guest eyecandy]

Why on the road? Ull probably burn more cal's off road. Come ride the spruit during the week.

[CassieVE]

Why on the road? Ull probably burn more cal's off road. Come ride the spruit during the week.

 

Time is currently a factor, being a single Dad.

 

End Nov, my brother in law is joining me, and the plan is to leave the little monsters with my sister on weekends so we can go and cycle.

[Guest eyecandy]

O, ok......u welcome to join us anytime

[Help.Me.]

Hi Cassie consider a training program written by a Maryke Verster(she is on the hub) i start using one and it does help believe me. She will tailor made it for your circumstances etc....Welcome to the Hub

[Skirminkel]

My advise for a beginner would just be to spend as much time in the saddle as possible. Your body does take some time to develop the muscle groups that you use while cycling. It is a bit of a metamorphis. I lost about 13kg since I started and got body fat down to 6% just by riding as much as possible. And you start to enjoy it more the fitter you get.

 

A ride of two during the week will do you wonders, does really make a big difference.

[Harry Potter]

The training is good, but you will need to get your diet right, you will loos more weight and centimetres if you have a good diet and train, I'm sure their will be some hubbers with a good diet, My wife lost 25kg's an 70cm, by eating right and do some gym work,

[MaxUmis]

Cassie, your training schedule looks good.

4 days a week will get you in plenty good shape.

 

I can however suggest that you "shape" what you're currently doing.

When on the trainer, do speed intervals on Tue and power intervals on Thu. Then ride like you stole something on Saturday and slow to a crawl on Sunday.

You'll benefit much more by structuring your current schedule than to just go full out every time.

 

A slow ride might seem pointless but it grants you time to take in your surroundings and to enjoy some fresh air on the MTB, plus they don't call them recovery rides for nothing

 

Oh and long slow rides will drop more weight than hard short efforts.

[Cheese]

Hi,

Your time on the bike looks impressive for somebody that just started.

If you want to improve more I will say that you need to see if you can get two more rides during the week as your weekend rides would not get much longer unless you go semi-pro.

Try to do 4 one Hour sessions in, on weekdays. Maryke programs is quite cheap around R300-00 and this will help you to push yourself.

You would preferebly need Heart rate monitor , even just cheap one to see where you are at wehn training.

 

Good Luck and welcome to Cycling.

[CassieVE]

Thanks guys,

Feniks, my diet is getting there. Still have the odd 'junk' now and then but generally keeping to a healthy diet. (Lost 13kg in the last 3 month already...)

 

So basically I can just improve the time on Sat, and increase the KM on Sundays (Slower ride.)

[Stof akkedis]

I'll vouch for Maryke's trainig program as well. Just gives you that bit of direction.

[alan4251]

I am on week 7 of my training program that I got Maryke to do and I can’t believe the improvements I have made in all areas. I say get a good program to start with. I don’t believe it is the amount you do but the quality of the ride you do. (Structured program in other words))

[CassieVE]

Is the program for road or mtb?

[Harry Potter]

Thanks guys,

Feniks, my diet is getting there. Still have the odd 'junk' now and then but generally keeping to a healthy diet. (Lost 13kg in the last 3 month already...)

 

So basically I can just improve the time on Sat, and increase the KM on Sundays (Slower ride.)

Well good for you, I bet you get only good compliments when some of you buddies sees you. 13kg is allot

[alan4251]

Is the program for road or mtb?

You can apply it for both. I ride my MTB on the road through the week because it gives you a better workout and then over weekends I do some off road riding but you can chop and change as you wish because it is hart rate based training. I ride both MTB and Road bike through the week, all depends on how I feel. I ride mostly MTB through the week because it gives me a better workout.

[chris_w_65]

You can apply it for both. I ride my MTB on the road through the week because it gives you a better workout and then over weekends I do some off road riding but you can chop and change as you wish because it is hart rate based training. I ride both MTB and Road bike through the week, all depends on how I feel. I ride mostly MTB through the week because it gives me a better workout.

 

I also do road in the week and offroad on the weekend, both on mtb. Going for a ride this afternoon at 3pm, Fourways area. Anyone keen?