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Cycling

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Improving fitness

10 replies

SausageDogMum73 · 03/01/2022 15:51

Hi, I have signed up for a 80 mile cycle ride in September and I am looking for recommendations for programmes to follow to enable me to improve my fitness so that I can actually finish the course. I have a Watt bike and currently do Peloton classes but don’t think that’s enough. Any recommendations?

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BookWorm45 · 03/01/2022 17:29

Hi. Cycling Weekly might have something for you, also have a look at online cycling forums.
I'd recommend you cycle outside on the road at least weekly, even better if you can go on the route you'll be using in September or terrain like it. Cycling outside is quite a different feel and needs more stamina than being on a Watt bike. This would also give you a chance to build up your familiarity with the bike and saddle that you'll be using on the day. Padded knickers or padded bike shorts essential!

SausageDogMum73 · 03/01/2022 19:13

Thanks for the tips. I like going on my road bike but only in nice weather but think I am going to have to just get on it irrespective of the weather as Scotland isn’t renowned for being warm for that many months of the year. Good suggestion re Cycling Weekly will go and see if it’s on Readly.

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WhiskeryWoman · 04/01/2022 15:09

Best bet is join British Cycling. Why? Well it’ll give you a level of insurance. So, if, the worst happens and you get knocked off, you’ll have cover. That’s really important, otherwise you’ll lose a proportion of your claim. It’s important to claim to cover the cost of clothing, kit and bike damage. Also any injuries sustained - loss of earnings and the cost of rehabbing them (I wouldn’t rely on NHS - have you seen the wait times for physio!). Likewise it’ll cover therapy for any psychological trauma. You may of course find that your car, health or home insurance covers this. If so, fair enough. The benefit of joining BC is not just the insurance, but they have a batch of training programmes that you can download. They cover everything from beginner preparing for first sportive, up to seasoned racer wanting to get ready to race.

Don’t cycle outside again until you know you are covered! Cycling U.K. offer the same just for joining them. My partner found this out the hard way. He’d left his BC card at to remind him to renew his membership, forgot, then got knocked off. He lost several thousand quid from his claim having to go through No Win, No fee.

Alternatively programme wise, I wouldn’t shy away from using a wattbike. That’s an awesome resource to have at your disposal - I’m well jealous. I’m a seasoned racer (road, crits, time trials and cyclo cross) and I do the bulk of my training indoors (smart turbo for me). What I would suggest if you don’t go down the British Cycling plan route is using one from Zwift, TrainerRoad or Sufferfest. All you’ll need is a tablet, smart phone or Apple TV/ smart TV that you can station in front of your Wattbike. I use a tablet attached to a cheap music stand off Amazon. Then download your preferred app - they all have free trials, so you can decide which you like best. Zwift has all manner of training programmes which you can sign up for. There’s certainly one on there for what you’ll be looking for. They are ‘free’ as you pay a monthly subscription to use Zwift (£12.99 per month). Each time you do one of the pre-set sessions it adjusts the resistance according to the effort you need to put in and will give you prompts for cadence. Obviously as PP said you do need to HTFU and just get out on the road as often as possible (as long as it’s not icy, snowy or very windy). There’s no such thing as bad weather, just poor kit choices/ poorly equipped bike. Sorry if that sounds harsh. But we’re British cyclists, we’d never blooming ride if we only went out in fine weather (so about three times a year). Also when it comes to event day - what’ll you do if it’s raining?! Best to be in the mindset of just getting on with it and having the best kit to cope, likewise having your bike kitted out to deal with it. Most importantly you’ll be able to handle it on wet roads. It’s actually no biggie, but if you aren’t used to it it could go titsup. Literally.

The other benefit of doing wattbike via a programme is you are less likely to miss a session. Other than illness, there’s literally no excuse. I work full time and have a young child so have a very narrow window to train. I just wouldn’t get chance without the turbo.

Happy peddling. You’ll love it and training is super fun. It’s ace and so motivating having a specific goal to aim for.

Neversaygoodbye · 05/02/2022 11:20

Might be a bit late but just wanted to say I'd highly recommend Zwift. I'm not a cyclist (that'll be my husband) but we have a wattbike and I joined zwift 2 years ago and absolutely love it. I've joined a group called the Herd and I know they do group rides for people training to do long distance rides so that might be worth considering; I'm sure it must be nicer to have that support for such a lot of training.

SausageDogMum73 · 04/09/2022 16:48

So it’s been months since I started the thread but wanted to say thank you for the Zwift recommendations. I todays completed the 88km ride (other the Wall of Talla which defeated me. Hardest thing I have ever done physically but given I’m in my early 50’s I’m delighted.
I still have Zwift and going to continue to use it to improve my fitness. Thanks again!

OP posts:
Shudacudawuda · 04/09/2022 16:51

Well done OP!
What is Zwift exactly, is it an app?

Shudacudawuda · 04/09/2022 16:51

Oh sorry, should have read the thread! I may look into Zwift myself

SausageDogMum73 · 04/09/2022 17:14

Zwift is great, you can gradually build your fitness and have programmes you do over a week at a time. Worth a look.

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LimboLass · 16/09/2022 08:05

Congratulations. How close did you get to the full distance in training?

I am considering doing a long ride myself but it will be in the spring so I will be hard pressed to find good weekends for training over the winter. Training during the week is unfortunately not an option.

SausageDogMum73 · 19/09/2022 19:52

I managed to get to 75km in training, and did this the Monday before the big ride. I too couldn’t really do training during the week anywhere near as much as I wanted to so had to ramp up the training at the weekend. I realised distance wasn’t the issue it was the climbing which was going to get me, and it turned out to be the case.
if possible try and have a plan and see if you can force yourself out. It is hard but will make it seem less daunting.

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