I just joined the NYCC about 5 minutes ago. I am looking for training rides in Central Park. On Tuesday and Thursday morning there are the A and B level rides. What should I do as a C-level rider that wants to become an A-Level rider? My work schedule doesn't usually allow me to do the C-Level weekend rides.
My goal is a 7day, 585 mile ride by June 2004.
Thank you in advance for any thoughts.
C-Level Riders
Sun, 08/31/2003 - 6:12am
Sun, 08/31/2003 - 9:02am
#1
Check out SIGs in Spring 2004
"This doesn't answer your question for now but by the time next Spring arrives, you should definitely check out the various ""SIGs"" - they start at various levels at beginning of March 2004.
http://www.nycc.org/rides_sig.shtml
"
Sun, 08/31/2003 - 9:48am
#2
Welcome ...
"... to the wide wide world of cycling.
If you are a beginning C rider, try cycling ""base"" miles. Build a foundation. Do a couple of laps at a comfortable speed and find out where you are comfortable in terms distance. Do that pace and distance a couple of times, then push a little – go a little faster for a little longer. If you start at 25 miles, next time, try 30, then 35, then 40, then 50, 60. 62 is a metric century!! Going 15 mph on the flats is OK, maybe even a little fast. By then, you should be a B rider.
Once you have a decent base, you start working on speed and strength. Do intervals: after warming up, go all out for 15 seconds, then take 5 minutes or so to recover, and do it again. I like to work in threes. After a few rides, try 30 seconds, then 45, 60, always with a recovery in between, because that is where you get stronger.
READ:
Cyclists’ Training Bible, Joe Friel, and
The Lance Armstrong Performance Program, Lance Armstrong and Chris Carmichael.
You may also want to work on handling skills: turning, cleating in/out, breaking, descending.
You may, at some point, want to hit the gym for general core strength and weights.
The MOST IMPORTANT THING, from my perspective, is to keep it in focus – do your riding diligently, yes, but do not pressure yourself into viewing cycling as a chore. It must always be fun, even if your legs are breaking and heart expoding up a mountain at a fast speed. Enjoy it. Keep enjoying it by riding in a groups, sightseeing, exploring, riding to a picnic or lunch.
G’luck,
"
Sun, 08/31/2003 - 10:08am
#3
One more thing I should mention
"I could probably keep up with the ""b"" group. The reason I am looking for C-level rides is that I think I was riding too hard.
I road 51 miles, average speed 14.5 miles the other weekend. I hadn't done much other riding before that since I was a kid. On wednesday, I rode to work. When I got home, As I went to sit on my couch, my knee went out.
I am more looking for c-level rides so that I can ease back in and not hurt my knee again."
