Where do i stand as a cyclist?

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Hiya people,

Here's my situation...
I'm 21 and have been riding regulary for about 5 years and in the last few years have been riding 100 - 200 miles a week with the occassion endurance cycle of 150 - 180 miles in a day. I really love cycling but have never considered joining a club or anything, but since joining the gym and talking to people i feel i want to become part of it all. I have recently started using a personal trainer and she is trying to get me involved as she has some contacts in cycling, she is also going to get some fitness tests done for me. But i already know a few things about my performance which i want some feedback on from you knowledgable people. My resting heart rate is 58 and my max heart rate is around 180, when im using a cycle machine i can get an average speed of around 40 k/ph over 30 mins with an average heart rate of 169. My body seems to be better at going at a lower intensity for longer which would suit long distance road races i presume? Im 6ft and weigh around 140 lbs so im really light with long legs, does that mean that sprinting will be a weakness for me? I just want to get an idea of where i stand from this limited information, any feedback greatly appreciated!!!

Danny

Originally posted by DanBB
Hiya people,

Here's my situation...
I'm 21 and have been riding regulary for about 5 years and in the last few years have been riding 100 - 200 miles a week with the occassion endurance cycle of 150 - 180 miles in a day. I really love cycling but have never considered joining a club or anything, but since joining the gym and talking to people i feel i want to become part of it all. I have recently started using a personal trainer and she is trying to get me involved as she has some contacts in cycling, she is also going to get some fitness tests done for me. But i already know a few things about my performance which i want some feedback on from you knowledgable people. My resting heart rate is 58 and my max heart rate is around 180, when im using a cycle machine i can get an average speed of around 40 k/ph over 30 mins with an average heart rate of 169. My body seems to be better at going at a lower intensity for longer which would suit long distance road races i presume? Im 6ft and weigh around 140 lbs so im really light with long legs, does that mean that sprinting will be a weakness for me? I just want to get an idea of where i stand from this limited information, any feedback greatly appreciated!!!

Danny

well, for a 21 yo, 180 is a rather low MHR (which may tell us nothing really) except that if you haven't been doing large group rides then i'd bet you dollars to donuts that your MHR is probably much higher. my advice is to start seeking out some group rides and find out where you stand within a large group. this will give you "some" idea of your potential to race. that being said, no one knows how well they'll do until they actually bite the bullet and get out there and "just do it". if you've been riding "endurance" miles for 5 years then you proablably have a fantastic base and now it's time to start adding some harder efforts and some intervals. get a coach or at the very least, buy yourself a book like Joe Friel's "Trainig Bible." this will steer you in the right direction at least.

Originally posted by SquadraSF
well, for a 21 yo, 180 is a rather low MHR (which may tell us nothing really) except that if you haven't been doing large group rides then i'd bet you dollars to donuts that your MHR is probably much higher. my advice is to start seeking out some group rides and find out where you stand within a large group. this will give you "some" idea of your potential to race. that being said, no one knows how well they'll do until they actually bite the bullet and get out there and "just do it". if you've been riding "endurance" miles for 5 years then you proablably have a fantastic base and now it's time to start adding some harder efforts and some intervals. get a coach or at the very least, buy yourself a book like Joe Friel's "Trainig Bible." this will steer you in the right direction at least.

A HRmax of 180 b/min is nothing unusual. I've seen higher and lower. i think (from memory) the lowest i saw was in the 160s b/min for a 17 y old, who was an elite (world class level cyclist).

You can't really determine anything from body shape and size. If you want to know how you stack up to others, then race against them. If you want some concrete figures then test (using some decent equipment) with someone who knows about cycling (e.g., sport scientist, cycle coach).

Ric

Hey thanx gor the info guys!! im going to join my local cycle club later today and talk to someone in more detail about it all, but your right i won't really know until i get out there and race, i guess in a way im nervous as i've cycled hard to many years but never raced, i don't want to be rubbish at it.

Oh yeah and regarding my max heart beat, i measured it again and it was in the 190 region...don't think i was pushing myself to the limit last time.

[i][b]except that if you haven't been doing large group rides then i'd bet you dollars to donuts that your MHR is probably much higher.

somehow, i thought that might be the case. good luck in your endeavors!