Riding Fittness

[Bart]

I've recently just had the first ride of the season on my Blade, had this bike for 21 years from new and it's always great to reaquiant with an old friend. However, it's usually a bit of a shock to the body after riding an upright bike for a few months over the winter but this year was much better than previous years.

I think the reason is that I've been doing a bit of cycling over the past 12 months. First on a mountain bike with a electric motor conversion and then an unassisted road bike, not any mega long days just an hour or two on local lanes and bridleways. The converted E-MTB has been a revelation and a great catalyst to do more cycling.

So, does anyone do any exercise to help with their riding ?

 

[Highwayman]

Oh yeah.... Almost 50, work out everyday. Heavy weights weekdays. Switch it up for cardio on weekends and ride at least 12 miles (6 a day). Own a Remedy 9 for mtb.

More for, I just dont like being outta shape for the job and life. But it transcends into riding too.

 

[jrusell]

After a bad crash a few years ago I started cycling again. First on a trainer to get my damaged leg rehabilitated. After a while I picked up a road/urban bike and last year I picked up a Plus tire mountain bike. Love the mountain bike and have the road bike on my trainer in the living room currently.

Slacked off for the past few months and need to back on both. Doesn't take long to get behind.

 

[ballisticexchris]

I am in the worst shape of my life with an injured shoulder and knee. I'm struggling to lose the 10lbs I have gained since my injury on 01/01/20. I'm unable to walk or lift with my right shoulder.

My exercises consist of walking around on crutches and a lot of floor/chair PT including glute's, lower back, abs, and muscles surrounding my knees and shoulders. I'm using a lot of resistance bands, swiss ball, and straps for my workouts.

I also have my bike set up on rollers with a fork stabilizer to I get my cardio back in shape. Presently, I'm only up to doing 7 minutes at about 145bpm heart rate average. I was running the bike in the highest gear. I ran out of gas in under 5 minutes. So now I'm in the small chainwheel up front and middle in the rear. I'm adding 1-2 minutes every week to my roller riding. I started out a few weeks ago at only 3 minutes. I'm working on form and spinning technique. I figure once I get up to 20 or 30 minutes I can remove the fork attachment and use just the rollers.

The biggest struggle is my diet. I was very active before my injury. Now I have to eat a lot less and restrict the calories because of inactivity.

Here is my bike setup in the garage:

 

[blitz11]

I bicycle commute during the school year in Bozeman, 7 miles to / from home. To work is easy, home is all uphill. I do that three days/week. On those three days/week, i ride in, then "run" 5 miles, shower, then work the day, then ride home.

I have some heart issues, so "running" is "run for a while, hit my max heart rate, walk, let it drop, and repeat." I know how fast i should be able to run, but the ticker won't keep up. I can better regulate on the bike, so that's a bit easier. Running has become an exercise (pun intended) in frustration.

I "run" ~10 miles each day on the weekend. On the two days / week i work from home, i don't "run" or ride.

During the summer, i do 2, 50-mile road bike rides per week, and three, 35 mile rides per week. i don't "run" during the summer unless it is raining. I also stretch every day, whether i exercise or not.

This year, after a 4-year layoff, i may start racing off-road again. Actually, "racing" should be "riding in races." I really don't have much speed in the dirt.

I don't lift weights. My life-goal is to be strong enough/"smart" enough to remove/reinstall the engine/transmission of any vehicle i own. So far, so good.

 

[Bart]

Good to see there are other like minded people, I don't do as much as you guys, more irregular I guess due to "weather patterns"over here. The thought of a indoor trainer leaves me cold but can see it would work for some.
My favourite ride is the E-bike, some say its cheating, but everyone I know who tries it comes back with a huge grin. E-MTB's seem to be transforming mountain biking in mainland Europe, we are a bit behind in the UK.

 

[AusTexS10]

I took the last picture because I rode up on this sign from the trail behind it. I was safe, they just forgot to remove the sign.

Coming up on 73 in April, I still try to get out and hit the trails with the mtn bike (old school 26er), but after being off for a while and riding the "big" bike, I have to admit it felt a bit awkward at first getting back on the mtn bike (like I was on the verge of an endo being so far forward with respect to the bars). I don't get out and run as much as I should (about 60 lbs over my best weight from the 30 years I spent as a back judge officiating football, from which I stepped down at the very end of 2002 after working a state championship game), but I still hit the cardio and weights 3 times a week at the gym. Mostly, just happy to still be mowing the grass as opposed to inspecting the roots.

 

[Sierra1]

Monday thru Friday: weights for an hour-ish, and then 35 minutes stationary bicycle. It seems to be working....my bench is somewhere north of 450lbs, and the cardio keeps my calorie burn at about 4500/day. (according to Fitbit) I'm pretty sure the calorie burn is waaaay optimistic.

 

[Sierra1]

[QUOTE="ballisticexchris, post: 397430, member: 2801....Presently, I'm only up to doing 7 minutes at about 145bpm heart rate average. I was running the bike in the highest gear. I ran out of gas in under 5 minutes....[/QUOTE]

Chris, you may be overdoing it. For cardio the formula is 220 - age x .7 & .8 = cardio zone. So, Chris would be 220 - 59 = 161; 161 x .7 = 112.7. 161 x .8 = 128.8. So, 113bpm to 129bpm would be your where you want to keep your heart rate. My cardiologist advised that when you keep the heart rate high for an extended period of time, it could cause muscle to grow on the heart, enlarging it....not recommended. Now, for fat burn, the formula would be 161 x .5 =80.5bpm (81) to 112bpm. I just started the "fat burn" zone last week, so I'm interested how well it will work. But, I KNOW the cardio zone works....and quickly.

 

[Cycledude]

Bicycle is excellent exercise without being so rough on joints, running can wear out joints much faster.

 

[Don T]

I've been working out/training 5-6 times a week since I was a young teenager (now 46).
Over the years the focus have alternated between many different sports (martial arts, swimming, climbing etc.), but lifting weights and running have always been a part of my routine.

At the moment my cardio mainly consist of running, but I also ride MTB from time to time.

Being strong and in good shape without carrying around excessive fat, has many benefits and improve the quality (and quantity) of life.

I'm sure being fit makes it easier and more comfortable to spend long days in the saddle, but I can't know for sure, as I've never tried not being fit as an adult..?

 

[OldRider]

I'm in the runner category. I do 1-2 marathons a year along with 5-6 half marathons and all the 5K and 10K's I can find. It's always fun to get some running bling and it has gotten a lot easier in the 65-69 age group. I would like to bicycle more, but I live on a narrow high speed highway and I have to load the bike up and haul it somewhere in order to ride.

 

[ballisticexchris]

[QUOTE="ballisticexchris, post: 397430, member: 2801....Presently, I'm only up to doing 7 minutes at about 145bpm heart rate average. I was running the bike in the highest gear. I ran out of gas in under 5 minutes....

Chris, you may be overdoing it. For cardio the formula is 220 - age x .7 & .8 = cardio zone. So, Chris would be 220 - 59 = 161; 161 x .7 = 112.7. 161 x .8 = 128.8. So, 113bpm to 129bpm would be your where you want to keep your heart rate. My cardiologist advised that when you keep the heart rate high for an extended period of time, it could cause muscle to grow on the heart, enlarging it....not recommended. Now, for fat burn, the formula would be 161 x .5 =80.5bpm (81) to 112bpm. I just started the "fat burn" zone last week, so I'm interested how well it will work. But, I KNOW the cardio zone works....and quickly.[/QUOTE]

I would like to do a stress test and really get an accurate way to find my "zone". Right now I have my target zone (50%-85%) set at 81-138 bpm. 145 feels pretty good and I'm not out of breath too bad. But man I sure am out of shape.

I think you are on point Robert. I'm going to make an attempt in the next few days to pedal to keep my rate at around 115-130 just so I can peel off some of the weight I have been gaining.

 

[Bart]

Out of interest, I wrote the same opening post on two mainly UK forums as well....it seems you guys on here are much more into their fitness than we are on this side of the pond. Thanks to all for posting.

 

[Sierra1]

That's 'cuz the news says we're all fat bastards over here. US leads in type 2 diabetes, etc, etc, etc. I'm just trying to keep up with my kids.

 

[bimota]

I've recently just had the first ride of the season on my Blade, had this bike for 21 years from new and it's always great to reaquiant with an old friend. However, it's usually a bit of a shock to the body after riding an upright bike for a few months over the winter but this year was much better than previous years.

I think the reason is that I've been doing a bit of cycling over the past 12 months. First on a mountain bike with a electric motor conversion and then an unassisted road bike, not any mega long days just an hour or two on local lanes and bridleways. The converted E-MTB has been a revelation and a great catalyst to do more cycling.

So, does anyone do any exercise to help with their riding ?

NO never had any issues and 58 now can ride all day in heat and hundreds of miles must be lucky

 

[richarddacat]

I use a Spinning bike and follow with core exercises, at least twice a week.
This really helped me recover from my back surgery, before and after surgery last year.
I really felt good after finishing rehab and exercising every other day but I’ve slowed down after going back to work. 12hr shifts is wearing on this 62 yr old bod.

 

[Top Ten]

There is no aspect of your life that won't be improved by better fitness. This sounds better: Every aspect of your life will be improved by better fitness. Riding a motorcycle is one of them.

 

[gunner]

Mostly, just happy to still be mowing the grass as opposed to inspecting the roots.

I agree!

 

[ballisticexchris]

Well I'm getting it done!! Last few weeks have been a challenge. For someone who is unable to walk or lift without huge pain this is better than nothing. I just get up in the morning an do it. I'm unable to do leg work other than stationary bike or arm strength that requires extending my arm, lifting, or pulling. I have been injured since January 1st. It sucks but I'm making the best of it.