Fitness - I think I am dying........

Posted by: long-time-dead on 13 June 2004

Bugger me !

The recent onset of my 39th birthday and a house move to the edge of town rekindled my passion for cycling.

I asked some of the Gods (yes, you guys) and my LBS for advice and the advice was forthcoming. I made my decision, changed it, made a new decision, changed it again.

Finally I made up my mind. I bought a Trek 2300 road bike. It offers everything I could want - Shimano Ultegra groupset carbon/Alu frame, carbon forks. A veritable stallion waiting to be unleashed on the road.

The rest of the outfit followed. Shoes, top etc. were sourced so I didn't look stupid (?) and was nice and comfortable on the bike.

Boy, did I feel good.

I looked outside and saw the weather was fine. I'll have my initial ride !

5 miles later - I was knackered.......

So far it's cost me around £350 per mile.

Looks like it's definitely an uphill struggle - but I'll get there !!!

Moral : We are certainly not as fit as we think we are

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by AL4N

quote:
Originally posted by long-time-dead:
Bugger me !

The recent onset of my 39th birthday and a house move to the edge of town rekindled my passion for cycling.

I asked some of the Gods (yes, you guys) and my LBS for advice and the advice was forthcoming. I made my decision, changed it, made a new decision, changed it again.

Finally I made up my mind. I bought a Trek 2300 road bike. It offers everything I could want - Shimano Ultegra groupset carbon/Alu frame, carbon forks. A veritable stallion waiting to be unleashed on the road.

The rest of the outfit followed. Shoes, top etc. were sourced so I didn't look stupid (?) and was nice and comfortable on the bike.

Boy, did I feel good.

I looked outside and saw the weather was fine. I'll have my initial ride !

5 miles later - I was knackered.......

So far it's cost me around £350 per mile.

Looks like it's definitely an uphill struggle - but I'll get there !!!

Moral : We are certainly not as fit as we think we are

we are also not as young as we once were!

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by long-time-dead

Too true.

In the true spirit of hifi I have deduced that :

The equipment is fine but the power supply is needing to be burnt-in for a little longer to start seeing the benefits......

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by woody

I bought a bike last summer with the intention of cycling to work (about 5 miles through Central London). I was happy to discover most of the journey had cycle lanes, but going to work was downhill and back home was uphill. Doh. Then my bike got nicked. Not a happy experience all in although I'm beginning to remember why I did it in the first place - the Northern Line in summer is not a nice place to be!

-- woody

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by AL4N

quote:
Originally posted by long-time-dead:
Too true.

In the true spirit of hifi I have deduced that :

The equipment is fine but the power supply is needing to be burnt-in for a little longer to start seeing the benefits......

i think i may need re-capping or something

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by Tim Jones

Stick with it. Three years ago I was smoking twenty a day pissed every night, diet of curries and pizza. My first ride was awful - like you I got about five miles.

Find a little circuit you can do, do more of it, then find some hills, then get up to distances of 50 miles and speeds of around 20 mph (trust me, you'll get there), then find a club, distance up to 100, speeds up to 30mph, then start racing.

All these things are do-able. The problem at the start is that your brain tells you you should be going much faster than your body is capable of. The nice thing is after about six months when your brain and body start getting into alignment.

Tim

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by Tim Danaher

Long-time --

Stick with it. I know how you're feeling. I've just got back on the road bike after a break of SIX WEEKS (due to some twat broadsiding me at the velodrome and causing me two cracked ribs) and I've just spent sixty miles in purgatory.

One thing to keep in mind: your fitness won't increase linearly -- you may spend four weeks suffering and then find you're going MUCH better in week five. Don't get discouraged, as Tim says, just keep gradually increasing the distance.

Tim --

Congrats on kicking the fags, but how do you stay off them? just spent a week in Valencia with Susi, who is now officially 'back on it'. Sometimes it's just easier to have a fag than an argument....

Cheers,

Tim
_____________________________

Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by long-time-dead

Oh yes - I'm sticking with it through thick and thin. I know it makes sense !!!!

I used to club race 20 years ago and thought nothing of 100 plus miles on the "Sunday Run" and a few high speed 30milers during the week. I also loved the time trials although I wasn't a great fan of sprints.

I know that the only cure to this is to put in the miles and think sensibly about diet. I have a nice 5 mile circuit where I live - undulating, smooth and with a good uphill and downhill section. At the moment I am going the "easier" way and plan to change when I get fitter. Making the lifestyle change is the awkward thing at the moment to allow me to get out after work / before dinner. (I ate too soon before my last ride and honked it all up when I stopped - much to the amusement of my kids !!!)

I'm only going to buy a computer for the bike once I get more capable. For now, assimilation is more inportant than measurement.

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by Two-Sheds

I'm in sort of the same situation (younger, but just as unfit). I couldn't motivate myself to stay in the gym so I bought a mountain bike to try and get fit.

I try and get out at least twice a week after work (just on cycle tracks) and that's been getting better. I've now just got back from my 2nd excursion off road, the shop I bought the bike from has rides most sunday mornings and I'm absolutley knackered. The backs of my shoulders are quite sore from taking all the abuse of going down bumpy hills and my legs are tired from getting up these hills, but I'm loving it and the guys leading the groups are friendly and keen to offer advice, this time I was so much better than last time. Plus going in a group you get pushed to do more than you would alone so hopefully the weight will start falling off soon.

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by andy c

LOL,
funny thread this...
We do our selected keep fit, whether it be gym, bike, footy or whatever, but I recon the worst bit is when you don't do anything for a fortnight then return to your fitness regime.

it feels as if your lungs are getting ripped out as well.

Oh, respect for giving up smoking too...

andy c!

Posted on: 13 June 2004 by long-time-dead

FWIW

Second ride out tonight, same route.

Felt better, no vomiting.

IMPROVEMENT !!!!!

Posted on: 16 June 2004 by long-time-dead

3rd run done and I have noticed an improvement.

Cadence is beginning to settle down (no idea what it is yet but it feels good - no computer to give a figure) and I am enjoying being out more. Legs are not burning as much, although I still feel it when I return, and I am "attacking" the road in sections.

Breathing is getting deeper and I will swear that I am using parts of my lungs that I doubt I have used for years.

I feel fitter, concentrate harder and already notice a better muscle tone.

All in all, a good result for the few miles I have put in to date.

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Berlin Fritz

I suppose the biggest problem was falling over absolutely wrecked after just a few hours in the beginning. It is really true though, gradual training is definately the safest and healthiest way to attain former glory. I've never really smoked on a regular basis, but find now with good company, music, and food, I can easily get through two packets now, no problem, and before where after three or four ciders, I was well dizzy, I can now tan a right old skinfull with no sweat (that comes later).
Yes this binge over-indulgence really is OK, but only in moderation ?

Fritz Von Begoodtoyourselfyouknowitmakessense

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by domfjbrown

quote:
Originally posted by Tim Jones:
Stick with it. Three years ago I was smoking twenty a day pissed every night, diet of curries and pizza. My first ride was awful - like you I got about five miles.

I still drink and smoke, but ride to work (most days from April->November). Just got my bike back from servicing, and bugger me, it's quick. I, err, broke the speed limit this morning (didn't realise it's a 30mph area and got up to 35.9 downhill!). In fact, the bike's now so much more responsive again I was going over the top of Honiton Road hill at 17mph - a full 5mph faster than last week.

Bikes rule!!! Not sure why my new brake blocks cost £10 each though - £40 to stop the thing when I want it to go faster seems silly, but there you go

__________________________
Don't wanna be cremated or buried in a grave
Just dump me in a plastic bag and leave me on the pavement
A tribute to your modern world, your great society
I'm just another victim of your highrise fantasy!

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by stevie d

When travelling down hill at 35.9 mph, there may come a time when you were glad you paid £40 for your brakes.

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by domfjbrown

Well, yeah, except the OEM stuff (got the bike new in August 03) stopped me in the wet at 35mph last year no probs

These seem to be less "grippy" and more "controlled" though, if you see what I mean - less wheel skid??

I have a mirror I have to fit to the handlebars too - thought it would be a good idea. Now all I need is some spokey dokeys (for real - seriously want some!!!!)

__________________________
Don't wanna be cremated or buried in a grave
Just dump me in a plastic bag and leave me on the pavement
A tribute to your modern world, your great society
I'm just another victim of your highrise fantasy!

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by stevie d

The brakes lock up on my bike so easily. The slightest touch and my back wheel is like bambi on ice. I may have to have a bit of a play around at the weekend to get it sorted.... Although I am thinking of a new bike as this one is knackered.....

Steve

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Laurie Saunders

quote:
Moral : We are certainly not as fit as we think we are

or: moral:

You cannot tell a book by it`s cover

I have none of the fashion acoutriments you list, ride a 25 year old (hand built) 531 STEEL frame, am 10 years your senior, and after 15 miles am just getting warmed up

(mind you I do have 45 years of unbroken cycling behind me as a head start)

(I don`t mean to sound as if I`m having a dig, but the opportunity was too good to miss...ie no personal malice intended)

laurie S

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by long-time-dead

Hi Laurie

No malice perceived but wait until I am your age

I have to say that EVERYONE should get out on a bike regularly. It's a fantastic way of improving our lives. Who knows, it might even make our ears better so we get into our music more !!!

Posted on: 17 June 2004 by Laurie Saunders

quote:
Who knows, it might even make our ears better so we get into our music more !!!

I have just had the misfortune to have had a serious bout of flue......I am just getting over it after 1 month...my doctor told me that i had been "running in the red" at work and things had just caught up with me

Why I say all this, is that during my illness I had virtually no interest at all in listening to my hi-fi....it`s so very true that good health makes ALL leisure pastimes much more intense and enjoyable, so i suggest that you are correct...get fit and and avoid that expensive upgrade!

Laurie S