Anyone ride slow but long? - Page 2

08-26-2004, 09:57 AM

>
> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that it
> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for two
> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>
> --
> Bob in CT

This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do we
only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I improve
on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has to be
done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am doing
is stressing my knees.

Pat in TX

08-26-2004, 09:57 AM

>
> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that it
> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for two
> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>
> --
> Bob in CT

This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do we
only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I improve
on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has to be
done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am doing
is stressing my knees.

Pat in TX

08-26-2004, 09:57 AM

>
> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that it
> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for two
> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>
> --
> Bob in CT

This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do we
only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I improve
on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has to be
done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am doing
is stressing my knees.

Pat in TX

08-26-2004, 10:13 AM

On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:57:15 -0500, Pat <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>>
>> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
>> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
>> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
>> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
>> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
>> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
>> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
>> it
>> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
>> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for
>> two
>> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
>> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>>
>> --
>> Bob in CT
>
> This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do
> we
> only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I
> improve
> on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has
> to be
> done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
> feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am
> doing
> is stressing my knees.
>
> Pat in TX
>
>

I don't know. I'm a stronger rider this year than last. I do, however,
ride my mountain bike in the winter -- I just put studded tires on it. As
for the knees, I personally think your friends are right and wrong. I
used to be a bodybuilder and have very strong legs. I'm going to post a
picture of myself soon so you and the low carb people can check me out and
view my weightloss. Anyway, my strong legs don't really help me that much
(your friends are wrong) and when I grind up a hill, all that happens is
my knee (my left knee only for some reason) begins to feel the strain
(your friends are right). Moreover, I've found that I can shift into an
easier gear and still go the same speed (though sometimes I slack off).
That doesn't mean that I don't grind up some hills; it's just that I
choose grinding when it's a short hill and a short period of time, and
getting up the hill fast would be good. Perhaps upping your revs/minute
to get a good speed up the hill would be good? Also, I'm trying to pedal
circles. I started out mountain biking, and you develop a mashing style
of pedaling there.

Personally, I think hills are more about aerobics and the ability to put
whatever power you have down for a longer time. They're like time trials
in that regard.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

08-26-2004, 10:13 AM

On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:57:15 -0500, Pat <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>>
>> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
>> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
>> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
>> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
>> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
>> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
>> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
>> it
>> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
>> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for
>> two
>> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
>> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>>
>> --
>> Bob in CT
>
> This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do
> we
> only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I
> improve
> on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has
> to be
> done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
> feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am
> doing
> is stressing my knees.
>
> Pat in TX
>
>

I don't know. I'm a stronger rider this year than last. I do, however,
ride my mountain bike in the winter -- I just put studded tires on it. As
for the knees, I personally think your friends are right and wrong. I
used to be a bodybuilder and have very strong legs. I'm going to post a
picture of myself soon so you and the low carb people can check me out and
view my weightloss. Anyway, my strong legs don't really help me that much
(your friends are wrong) and when I grind up a hill, all that happens is
my knee (my left knee only for some reason) begins to feel the strain
(your friends are right). Moreover, I've found that I can shift into an
easier gear and still go the same speed (though sometimes I slack off).
That doesn't mean that I don't grind up some hills; it's just that I
choose grinding when it's a short hill and a short period of time, and
getting up the hill fast would be good. Perhaps upping your revs/minute
to get a good speed up the hill would be good? Also, I'm trying to pedal
circles. I started out mountain biking, and you develop a mashing style
of pedaling there.

Personally, I think hills are more about aerobics and the ability to put
whatever power you have down for a longer time. They're like time trials
in that regard.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

08-26-2004, 10:13 AM

On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:57:15 -0500, Pat <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>>
>> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
>> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
>> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
>> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
>> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
>> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
>> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
>> it
>> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
>> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for
>> two
>> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
>> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>>
>> --
>> Bob in CT
>
> This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do
> we
> only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I
> improve
> on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has
> to be
> done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
> feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am
> doing
> is stressing my knees.
>
> Pat in TX
>
>

I don't know. I'm a stronger rider this year than last. I do, however,
ride my mountain bike in the winter -- I just put studded tires on it. As
for the knees, I personally think your friends are right and wrong. I
used to be a bodybuilder and have very strong legs. I'm going to post a
picture of myself soon so you and the low carb people can check me out and
view my weightloss. Anyway, my strong legs don't really help me that much
(your friends are wrong) and when I grind up a hill, all that happens is
my knee (my left knee only for some reason) begins to feel the strain
(your friends are right). Moreover, I've found that I can shift into an
easier gear and still go the same speed (though sometimes I slack off).
That doesn't mean that I don't grind up some hills; it's just that I
choose grinding when it's a short hill and a short period of time, and
getting up the hill fast would be good. Perhaps upping your revs/minute
to get a good speed up the hill would be good? Also, I'm trying to pedal
circles. I started out mountain biking, and you develop a mashing style
of pedaling there.

Personally, I think hills are more about aerobics and the ability to put
whatever power you have down for a longer time. They're like time trials
in that regard.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

08-26-2004, 10:13 AM

On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 12:57:15 -0500, Pat <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>>
>> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
>> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
>> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
>> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
>> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
>> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
>> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
>> it
>> tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current long
>> rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except for
>> two
>> very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average over 20
>> mph on the flat sections of the downhill.
>>
>> --
>> Bob in CT
>
> This brings up another topic: can we get better during the season or do
> we
> only improve in the off season? I have heard it both ways. How can I
> improve
> on hills if I spin up them? I have been told that leg improvement has
> to be
> done in the weight room during the off season. If I grind up a hill, it
> feels as if I am building stronger legs, but friends tell me all I am
> doing
> is stressing my knees.
>
> Pat in TX
>
>

I don't know. I'm a stronger rider this year than last. I do, however,
ride my mountain bike in the winter -- I just put studded tires on it. As
for the knees, I personally think your friends are right and wrong. I
used to be a bodybuilder and have very strong legs. I'm going to post a
picture of myself soon so you and the low carb people can check me out and
view my weightloss. Anyway, my strong legs don't really help me that much
(your friends are wrong) and when I grind up a hill, all that happens is
my knee (my left knee only for some reason) begins to feel the strain
(your friends are right). Moreover, I've found that I can shift into an
easier gear and still go the same speed (though sometimes I slack off).
That doesn't mean that I don't grind up some hills; it's just that I
choose grinding when it's a short hill and a short period of time, and
getting up the hill fast would be good. Perhaps upping your revs/minute
to get a good speed up the hill would be good? Also, I'm trying to pedal
circles. I started out mountain biking, and you develop a mashing style
of pedaling there.

Personally, I think hills are more about aerobics and the ability to put
whatever power you have down for a longer time. They're like time trials
in that regard.

--
Bob in CT
Remove ".x" to reply

08-26-2004, 10:17 AM

Bob in CT wrote:
>
>>
>> What I found is that I have to occasionally ride with faster riders. The
>> result is that I ride faster, too. Oh, yeah, just in keeping up with
>> them at
>> first---but eventually, I get accustomed to the "feel" of riding
>> faster and
>> it seems more like normal to me. Last week, two of us were riding at
>> 19 mph
>> (trying to catch the main group which had left 15 minutes earlier) and a
>> third guy was going along with us--mostly drafting--well, okay, always
>> drafting. But when we stopped for a moment or two, he panted out "I
>> don't
>> usually ride this fast. I mostly ride at 12 mph." And yet, he was
>> keeping
>> up--because he had an incentive, I guess. When you ride alone, you
>> tend to
>> ride slower. At least that is true for me. Now, I have another
>> problem--I'm
>> up in the 18 mph range and all alone. I call myself a "tweener"
>> because I am
>> used to riding faster than the 14 mph group but I can't hang with the
>> 23-24
>> mph group yet.
>> The morale of the story is: riding with some faster people can improve
>> your
>> performance.
>>
>> Pat in TX
>>
>>
>
> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
> it tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current
> long rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except
> for two very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average
> over 20 mph on the flat sections of the downhill.

You sound like me. If I ride 12 mph I can ride for a long long time,
and pretty much any hill will get my HR up over 90% of max, if it isn't
pegged at MHR. How long have you been riding regularly? For me, I
think a lot of it is just that I've only been riding since late May, and
it takes me a long time to build up fitness due to my impaired gas exchange.

I think I have the best of both worlds right now: when I ride with my
husband, it's long slow distance; when I ride with my sons, they push
the pace. We're an exclusive club of five around here. *grin*

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-26-2004, 10:17 AM

Bob in CT wrote:
>
>>
>> What I found is that I have to occasionally ride with faster riders. The
>> result is that I ride faster, too. Oh, yeah, just in keeping up with
>> them at
>> first---but eventually, I get accustomed to the "feel" of riding
>> faster and
>> it seems more like normal to me. Last week, two of us were riding at
>> 19 mph
>> (trying to catch the main group which had left 15 minutes earlier) and a
>> third guy was going along with us--mostly drafting--well, okay, always
>> drafting. But when we stopped for a moment or two, he panted out "I
>> don't
>> usually ride this fast. I mostly ride at 12 mph." And yet, he was
>> keeping
>> up--because he had an incentive, I guess. When you ride alone, you
>> tend to
>> ride slower. At least that is true for me. Now, I have another
>> problem--I'm
>> up in the 18 mph range and all alone. I call myself a "tweener"
>> because I am
>> used to riding faster than the 14 mph group but I can't hang with the
>> 23-24
>> mph group yet.
>> The morale of the story is: riding with some faster people can improve
>> your
>> performance.
>>
>> Pat in TX
>>
>>
>
> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
> it tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current
> long rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except
> for two very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average
> over 20 mph on the flat sections of the downhill.

You sound like me. If I ride 12 mph I can ride for a long long time,
and pretty much any hill will get my HR up over 90% of max, if it isn't
pegged at MHR. How long have you been riding regularly? For me, I
think a lot of it is just that I've only been riding since late May, and
it takes me a long time to build up fitness due to my impaired gas exchange.

I think I have the best of both worlds right now: when I ride with my
husband, it's long slow distance; when I ride with my sons, they push
the pace. We're an exclusive club of five around here. *grin*

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

08-26-2004, 10:17 AM

Bob in CT wrote:
>
>>
>> What I found is that I have to occasionally ride with faster riders. The
>> result is that I ride faster, too. Oh, yeah, just in keeping up with
>> them at
>> first---but eventually, I get accustomed to the "feel" of riding
>> faster and
>> it seems more like normal to me. Last week, two of us were riding at
>> 19 mph
>> (trying to catch the main group which had left 15 minutes earlier) and a
>> third guy was going along with us--mostly drafting--well, okay, always
>> drafting. But when we stopped for a moment or two, he panted out "I
>> don't
>> usually ride this fast. I mostly ride at 12 mph." And yet, he was
>> keeping
>> up--because he had an incentive, I guess. When you ride alone, you
>> tend to
>> ride slower. At least that is true for me. Now, I have another
>> problem--I'm
>> up in the 18 mph range and all alone. I call myself a "tweener"
>> because I am
>> used to riding faster than the 14 mph group but I can't hang with the
>> 23-24
>> mph group yet.
>> The morale of the story is: riding with some faster people can improve
>> your
>> performance.
>>
>> Pat in TX
>>
>>
>
> You're right about that -- sometimes when I'm alone, I'll let my speed
> slip. I've been trying to get faster, though, when riding alone. It's
> just that I ride so many hills that I'm going as fast as I can up the
> hills that when I get to the top, I don't (or can't) go faster. Many
> times, my HR is well into the 90-95% of my max. HR for a long time
> (typically, about 1/3 of my ride is above 90% of my max HR -- I'll find
> out more this weekend, as I'm going to reprogram my HR monitor so that
> it tells me how long I'm between 90-100% of my max HR). On my current
> long rides, as soon as I turn around, I know it's all downhill (except
> for two very hard uphills, but these are relatively short), so I average
> over 20 mph on the flat sections of the downhill.

You sound like me. If I ride 12 mph I can ride for a long long time,
and pretty much any hill will get my HR up over 90% of max, if it isn't
pegged at MHR. How long have you been riding regularly? For me, I
think a lot of it is just that I've only been riding since late May, and
it takes me a long time to build up fitness due to my impaired gas exchange.

I think I have the best of both worlds right now: when I ride with my
husband, it's long slow distance; when I ride with my sons, they push
the pace. We're an exclusive club of five around here. *grin*

-km

--
the black rose
proud to be owned by a yorkie
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]