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| *Vultures Knob>>>Cycling |
Should I have my head read? Cycle race or not? |
My brother (a semi-pro cyclist) is trying to convince me to do this 85 mile cycle race, i am pretty fit (go to the gym 4-5 times a week) and have an active lifestyle mostly, but 85 miles seems an awful long way!!! Also, if i have to start training means i will have less time for 360 and Yahoo Answers... What do you think should i just do it? or should i go see someone and have my head read? Hi Lara, Is this a cycle ride or cycle race? Cycle race you should skip. cycle ride you could train for it in about 4 months and do it. Fitness is sports specific. I can ride my bike all day long, but I could not jog for 20 minutes. (trust me I've tried it!) So even if you are fit from going to the gym, you should go on a few rides before you sign up for this ride. Once you start riding you can find one of the following things 1. You do not like riding 2. You like riding but the timing of this ride does not suit your cycle fitness level OR 3. You enjoy cycling and you will be ready for it in no time! Once you are able to ride about 60 miles or so you'll be ready for the 85 miler. Go ride and have fun! Sounds like you're pretty fit with an active lifestyle so why not challenge yourself - I can tell you're tempted. If you don't succeed with the whole race, think how good it will feel to achieve at least some of the 85 miles - get out of your comfort zone and surprise yourself! go for it it will be fun you're fit and trained..... i'll cheer you on Check with your brother, - Is it an Audax or Sportif type event? If so, then I would say yes go for it! If its a full on race and you dont have any experience of racing then sit this one out!! Try again next year after some hard training. No matter how fit you are, unless you are used to cycling these distances at speed you will come a cropper. Double check with your brother eh? Good luck whatever the outcome. EDIT: . .PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! . . .Get your brother to check out some of these answers!! I'm sure he will find some of them entertaining. Meanwhile, I'm going to throw away my LOOK pedals, invest in some toe-straps and "sit back, relax and get pulled along by the other riders" ????? Good for you to be fit. But every sport has it麓s own challenges, so getting used to riding a bicycle for that distance will take time and training as you already know. It is more a matter of motivation. If you like to cycle, you would like to do the necessary training, then: Go for it! Specially if it is and audax or similar event. (Like said by others, I would sit out racing events to begin with). It should be fun, beneficial, and who knows, maybe your brother will write in Yahoo:" My sister a pro cyclist, is tyring to convince me of..." (he, he) Give it a though, and if it seems a good challenge and you hav the motivation, Go for it. If not, hey. nothing wrong with the gym. I am guessing the race is a road race. If so two points for you: 1) 85 miles is way easier than it sounds. 2) Riding a bike in a road race is way harder than it sounds. Once anything on land starts moving faster than about 14kph, aerodynamics start to kick in. The trick to road racing is "drafting" - basically you need to put your front wheel directly behind the rear wheel of the bike in front. If there are enough bikes in front of you, you can honestly just sit back, relax, "spin" your legs and have the bikes in front of you literally pull you along ! If you have even average fitness then 85miles will be know biggy for you. Learning to ride a road race will be an issue if you have not done it before. Definitely hit your brother up to take you out on some training rides with his mates. But I warn you now - you may never return to the gym! racing can be very dangerous. never forget there are risks, and to jump into a field with no experience can be awful hard. i still like the club. joining your local club gives you a chance to race in small groups and gain experience before jumping into a large one. if you are not smooth and steady, an inexperienced rider can be a danger to everyone. i think if you want to race, then do so, but think it over. you usually do best if you have a plan. your bother can help, as it sounds like he has experience. as for this race, i guess it would depend on how big it is going to be. i dont think jumping into a large group without any experience is a good idea. |
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