Where are you from,what do you do?

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Any ideas or general advice to get me back in the fast lane?

Just ride ride ride, eat eat eat, rest rest ride ride ride!!!!!:D[/QUOTE]

G'day Velogarcon, when all else fails get hold of Lance Armstrong, latest book, "The Lance Armstrong Performance Program", it contains some good tips for getting back into the fast lane.

But your right, there's no substitue to hard work, of course you have to find the balance that suits you and your physiology. A "Heart Rate Monitor" is essential for getting you there, there's a expensive one for the technically minded, you can download your personal info into the pc and monitor your progress as you go on a graph etc.

If you can't afford one of those expensive jobs then get a cheap one, there's a few around, it's essential to have a diary as well and record you daily activity. Diet,(the quality and quantity of food, don't eat crap or that's all you'll get out of your food intake, no pun intended) Supplementation (essential), Training, (both on and off the bike) Sleep, (absolutely essential to get at least "8" good hours a day).

If possible hook up with a couple of training parteners who have the same motivation as yourself, it makes training easier when you compete against others of equal or better ability. If the other guy(s) is or are better than you, you will have to work harder to get to his or their standard?

Make your bike training rides like race rides, racing is training for racing anyway, chase a truck or two while your out, if you get a friendly cooperative truckie it is like motor pacing and that gets you up there?

Apart from that tiddley-winks is less stressfull, become the fastest tiddley-winker in the west.

Keep the Wheels in Motion, and just "DO IT", don't look back, unless it to see who you've dropped on that last mountain. TBC

work out of Calgary, Alberta

commute to work 12 months a year on my bike
commute is 10 km,
5 downhill morning
5 uphill evening

my main work revolves around forest protection, we look after
the area west of calgary to the Montana Border


this will be my third winter that I've biked

I'm from Portland, Oregon "the bike-friendliest city" in the US. I cycle 150-200 miles a week (when conditions warrant), mostly while commuting. I also spend 40 hours a week outside as a Land Survey Technician for Washington County, Oregon.

Hey everybody. Just purchased a used bike on ebay and contemplating on what to do next. Kind of chilly in chicago to go riding so i guess i'll just look at it for now. I am a broken down runner and had to find something easier on the knees and joints.


Ditto on the "broken down runner" gig. I used to run 15+ miles a week, but my body didn't like it so much. I was never going to break any LSR (Land Speed Records) anyway. So, I took a break and then started with a MTB. But I really went south the first time I tried a road bike; now I'm a goner. The only conditions that stop me are fog and busted spokes! Most days, when my bike's working, I commute 30 miles roundtrip. It's awesome! Of course, I live in a moderate climate, with lows around freezing. DAMN, I HATE THE FOG!

Just ride ride ride, eat eat eat, rest rest ride ride ride!!!!!:D

If possible hook up with a couple of training parteners who have the same motivation as yourself, it makes training easier when you compete against others of equal or better ability. If the other guy(s) is or are better than you, you will have to work harder to get to his or their standard?

Make your bike training rides like race rides, racing is training for racing anyway, chase a truck or two while your out, if you get a friendly cooperative truckie it is like motor pacing and that gets you up there?

Apart from that tiddley-winks is less stressfull, become the fastest tiddley-winker in the west.

Keep the Wheels in Motion, and just "DO IT", don't look back, unless it to see who you've dropped on that last mountain. TBC[/QUOTE]QUOTED-------------------------------------------------------------


Hey Brian ---I was actually quoting someone else who originally asked the question, ;) so your post was hopefully helpful to him. I however, ride about 3,500 miles a season, only about 4.5 months out of the year you can ride outside up north here in Wisconsin. My specialty is CLIMBING!

But thanks anyways- I do need to invest in a hr monitor

I'm from Eau Claire, Wisconsin in the USA. Winter is rearing its ugly head here so I'll spend a lot of time on the cross bike or rollers. Australia sounds pretty good right now and will sound even better by February.
Hey come on over to Milwaukee- we've got the trainers set up and we're all lifting weights. I HATE WISCONSIN WINTERS!!!!!!:mad:

Hi Everybody,

I'm from San Francisco, California, USA; I'm into the vintage european lightweight road stuff. Today, I need your help. Trying to find our if a 1985 MASI Nuovo Strada is collectible per "MASI Buffs" and if so, is $1K USD worth it? The MASI is near mint, w/full Campy S.R. gruppo. 2nd'ly, how about a 1983 De Rosa SLX, w/full Campy S.R. gruppo; better than mint, painstakingly hand-detailed w/Q-tips! Pick a price between $1K-2K USD? Please reply, thanks for letting me on board!

Hello everybody

I have just signed up and would like to take this opportunity of telling you a bit about mysely.
I am from the UK and live in the Yorkshire Dales (plenty of hills). I am a very keen cyclisy, in fact almost obsessive.
I joined this forum to meet other people but mainly to get views on their choice of bikes. At the moment I ride a Pinarello Galileo but I am looking to upgrade.
Was thinking Pinarello Prince SL/Dogma or maybe Colnago!!!!
I don't really have to stick to a budget.
Thats it for now. I will make the most of this newsgroup.

Cheers
Les

Hello ... I am from Sacramento, California. I work as an advocate in the State Legislature in the area of health care.

Velocegal

Hello everybody

I have just signed up and would like to take this opportunity of telling you a bit about mysely.
I am from the UK and live in the Yorkshire Dales (plenty of hills). I am a very keen cyclisy, in fact almost obsessive.
I joined this forum to meet other people but mainly to get views on their choice of bikes. At the moment I ride a Pinarello Galileo but I am looking to upgrade.
Was thinking Pinarello Prince SL/Dogma or maybe Colnago!!!!
I don't really have to stick to a budget.
Thats it for now. I will make the most of this newsgroup.

Cheers
Les
Welcome to the forums, I'm new here myself. I live in Wisconsin, the Midwest of USA. Very cold here right now but I'm always in the cycling mood. I love th sport and everything that goes with it. I hope that you look into some American made bicycles as well during your search. I know that most things in America are silly and controversial but their road bikes - especially the higher end road bikes are tried and tested, not once but 6 times by none other than LANCE ARMSTRONG himself. In fact, I've toured the factory which is here in Wisconsin and they truly are commited to one thing- QUALITY-

Anyways, talk to you soon I hope- Velogarçon:cool:

I'm from across the Lake from you Wisconsin guys. Winter here in Michigan is better known as "Lake Effect Time" and the Lake Effect snow machine is coming on line for next week, which means we will have a White Christmas, but that pleasure I could do without. I am a retired public school teacher who is still active as an adjunct professor at the local community college, teaching history. My wife is a medically fragile cancer survivor who loves the out of doors and together we have ridden 2800 miles on the rail-trails here in Western Michigan. We are thinking of spending a couple of weeks in Florida in Janurary, if everything works out. If we get the chance to go south I will wrap our V-Rexes in black viscane and duct tape to keep the salt and road grime out, load them on our Karacks rack (to which I attached boat trailer tail lights) and head south stopping when we find trails to ride.

Welcome to the forums, I'm new here myself. I live in Wisconsin, the Midwest of USA. Very cold here right now but I'm always in the cycling mood. I love th sport and everything that goes with it. I hope that you look into some American made bicycles as well during your search. I know that most things in America are silly and controversial but their road bikes - especially the higher end road bikes are tried and tested, not once but 6 times by none other than LANCE ARMSTRONG himself. In fact, I've toured the factory which is here in Wisconsin and they truly are commited to one thing- QUALITY-

Anyways, talk to you soon I hope- Velogarçon:cool:
Velogarçon

Thanks for your input regarding a possible new bike. I appreciate your comments about the possibility of selecting a bike from America. Trek for instance cannot be discounted. At the moment I am on a Pinarello Galileo and it has been absolutely faultless, so much so that this seems to be the obvious choice. My nearest bike shop is a Trek agent. On a lighter note I have done a bit of research regarding my next purchase and the bikes in your country are for NOTHING!!!!. A full blown P/Dogma in your country is approx 5200 dollars.....believe you me that is a quality price.
I like the idea of Lance testing a bike SIX times:-)
Finally I have to say I am "obsessed" about bikes and when I am not riding I am on turbo. Fortunately for me where I live is VERY hilly but also very scenic so cycling is an absolute pleasure. I really don't know how I find the time to work LOL
Speak soon

Regards
Les

Welcome to the forums, I'm new here myself. I live in Wisconsin, the Midwest of USA. Very cold here right now but I'm always in the cycling mood. I love th sport and everything that goes with it. I hope that you look into some American made bicycles as well during your search. I know that most things in America are silly and controversial but their road bikes - especially the higher end road bikes are tried and tested, not once but 6 times by none other than LANCE ARMSTRONG himself. In fact, I've toured the factory which is here in Wisconsin and they truly are commited to one thing- QUALITY-

Anyways, talk to you soon I hope- Velogarçon:cool:Velogarçon

Thanks for your input regarding a possible new bike. I appreciate your comments about the possibility of selecting a bike from America. Trek for instance cannot be discounted. At the moment I am on a Pinarello Galileo and it has been absolutely faultless, so much so that this seems to be the obvious choice. My nearest bike shop is a Trek agent. On a lighter note I have done a bit of research regarding my next purchase and the bikes in your country are for NOTHING!!!!. A full blown P/Dogma in your country is approx 5200 dollars.....believe you me that is a quality price.
I like the idea of Lance testing a bike SIX times:-)
Finally I have to say I am "obsessed" about bikes and when I am not riding I am on turbo. Fortunately for me where I live is VERY hilly but also very scenic so cycling is an absolute pleasure. I really don't know how I find the time to work LOL
Speak soon

Regards
Les

Hello everyone! I just signed on as a new member. What I am looking for is some general advice about cycling to make me a better biker and train more efficiently for where I live and for my age.

Athletic background:
High school and college track and field half miler/quarter miler - 1:59 and 49.5.
High school, college, and adult basketball teams.
Adult volleyball teams.
Adult tennis singles and league doubles teams.
Adult cycling - independent for pleasure.

I have never smoked
I have never drank alcohol
I have no family history of heart problems

I am 53 years old.
I am 6 feet 4 inches tall, 210 pounds.

I have been a Junior High and High school teacher for 25 years.
I am a missionary art/English teacher in Quito, Ecuador, SA.
I live in the Andes Mountains at an evelation of 9,300 feet.
I have lived and taught in Quito for this my 14th year.

I began cycling when I came to Ecuador, a great introduction to cycling in these mountains.
I bike when I have time, averaging anywhere between 2,500 to 4,000 miles a year.
Anywhere we bike we go up or down ascending or descending anywhere between 1,000 and 7,000 feet per workout loop. There are no flats to speak of.

I am competetive against the clock, but can ride casually with lady riders for fun. Cycling is a great release from stresses of living in a city of over 2 million, and it gets me out of the pollution. I must love it to keep cycling after having fallen 50 feet off a cliff dislocating an elbow. I passed out once descending a highway, crashed and broke my collar bone. I hit a country lady who crossed without looking, and broke my collar bone and shoulder blade.

I average 5.5 to 7.0 mph climbing which for me is a good pace.
I have no fear of descending into the lower 40's mph.
On group rides with others we average between 10mph to 12mph over workout loops of 30 to 70 miles.
On workouts alone when I push to medium workout range I go up to 13mph average over the course of the ride.
On workouts alone when I push hard I go up to 14mph to 15 mph over the course of the ride.
My rides range from 25 miles to the highest in one day at 139, when we go toward the coast.
I am a sit and spin biker when I climb because of my size and strong legs. Standing and climbing exherts too much energy, although I had to stand and climb 8 miles when a lady in a car hit me at an intersection and stripped the bolts to my seat, and I had no seat for the way home.

I have biked the 175 to 200 mile two day rides to the coast six times over my 14 years here. The last time to the coast was 3 years ago. I have biked across Ecuador from the northern border of Colombia to Peru across the Andes in a week averaging 80 to 100 miles a day. That was 9 years ago.

I recently purchased a CardioSport heart rate monitor and have been keeping a log.
I have not yet tested my maximum heart rate.
My resting heart rate is around 53.
I can ride north on an upward rollercoaster highway 65 mile ride which overall climbs 5,000 feet in a little over 5 hours, at a medium pace at an average heart rate of 143. If the 220 minus your age formula is correct, that is 85% rate. That for me is a tiring workout where I need a couple of days for my quads to recover.

I am preparing to ride to the coast for a Christmas ride with two other friends which will be a three day, 254 mile ride. I have biked 763 miles in the last 7 weeks, my biggest weekend coming two weeks ago friday through monday riding 30,30,52,52. I ride anywhere from 1 to four times a week, normally 1 to 2 times a week due to my teaching schedule and responsabilities.

If anyone would care to make any comments about how I should train for my age and altitude to be more of an effective biker for distance, strength, climbing, etc. or to best safeguard my heart and health, etc. please let me know. Thanks for reading this "short" introduction. I am just looking for some input for biking from those who understand.

Hi. I am new to this forum site. I ride a 2004 Specialized Roubaix Comp. I enjoy long distance cycling, and ride as much as I can. I do not race but love a fast group ride where I am challenged. I prefer to ride fast centuries and to go on recovery rides with my friends and family as a way to get caught up on whats going on in their lives. I look forward to getting to know you all as time goes by.

Hi all,

I am a newbie; just bought my first bike: TREK 1000. I live in Dallas, TX and am originally from Turkey.

I am a Jan Ullrich fan, but respect Lance like crazy. His performance last year was just ridiculous.

I am happy to be here.

Oytun

I'm from the Dallas, Texas area and retired from the Dallas School System in 2002. I've been riding a mountain bike since 1994 and recumbents since 1999. My first five recumbents were all home built and progressed from a LWB USS to a LWB ASS, then to a SWB, to a moving bottom bracket double 27" FWD, and finally a relatively refined MBB-FWD 26/26. Nice thing about the MMB-FWDs were the hands-off riding. Worse thing was the heavy steering in slow situations - wouldn't want to get in traffic with one. None of these bikes still exist, except for parts and frames hanging around (most parts got passed from bike to bike). I got my first manufactured 'bent when Trek sold out their stock to Valley Bikes - $600 was too good to pass up and I figured if the bike stunk I'd use the parts for another home-built. The Trek rides nicely and handles well but the seat is awfully high and it looks like a moving bazooki. A couple of years ago, a riding buddy offered his Tour Easy when he moved up to a GRR. Another nice riding and comfortable bike but one size too large for me. Lately, I added a well used P-38 to my riding stock, and so far it's the best thing I've ridden. I've wanted one since starting with 'bents but couldn't afford a new one. That's about it. When I'm not on the bikes, I try to get in a ride on my old Virago. The Trek and my mountain bike are the only bikes I bought new - everything else was well used but good condition. I'm not proud.

Hi all,

I am a newbie; just bought my first bike: TREK 1000. I live in Dallas, TX and am originally from Turkey.

I am a Jan Ullrich fan, but respect Lance like crazy. His performance last year was just ridiculous.

I am happy to be here.

Oytun

Hey Oytun,
My first "real" bike was and still is a 2003 Trek 1000 roadie, with an all aluminum frame. I have ridden the S-N-O-T out of it for the last 10 months, and I love it. It cost me $450 (in gently used condition) for the whole bike!

I have ridden with numerous other riders this year, most of them sporting metal & carbon fiber steeds much more costly than mine. But I have had no problems keeping up or passing any of them (actually leaving them in the dust). Don't let anyone tell you that your bike won't do the job; I have found that "it's not about the bike" (pun intended); either you have the fire in you for screaming up and down hills and flying on the flats, or you don't.

Good to have you here,

Steven Carper

Hey Oytun,
My first "real" bike was and still is a 2003 Trek 1000 roadie, with an all aluminum frame. I have ridden the S-N-O-T out of it for the last 10 months, and I love it. It cost me $450 (in gently used condition) for the whole bike!

I have ridden with numerous other riders this year, most of them sporting metal & carbon fiber steeds much more costly than mine. But I have had no problems keeping up or passing any of them (actually leaving them in the dust). Don't let anyone tell you that your bike won't do the job; I have found that "it's not about the bike" (pun intended); either you have the fire in you for screaming up and down hills and flying on the flats, or you don't.

Good to have you here,

Steven Carper

G'day Steve, yes mate, you hit the nail on the head, it's the power pack that sits on the saddle that counts? Without that you've got nothing?
Keep the wheels in motion, and don't look back unless it's to see who you dropped on the last climb? TBC

Thanks a lot for the encouragement, guys. Mine was an easy decision to be honest with you. I wanted to start at the lowest level and there were only three choices: TREK 1000, Giant OCR3, and a Specialized that I can't remember its model of. So, I went with the TREK because I rode it, and it was pretty comfortable.

I'm sure a better bike helps one at a certain level, but where I am right now, I doubt that it would make such a significant difference that I would wanna spend an extra $500 or more.

So far; my only problem with riding my bike is the fact that I am still kind of hesitant of speeding downhill because I mainly ride it on the roads, where there is a lot of traffic and am still afraid. But, I only have 100 miles on my bike, so I'm assuming it will go away pretty soon. Or at least I hope so...

Glad to be here..

Oytun