Tips for a newbie cyclist?

[black2002ls]

My main goals are weight loss and stamina, I always assume ill "fuel the machine" after a ride rather than during. Is that bad even though I'm normally done in 35 min or so?

And for weight loss would a higher Rpm be more beneficial or more resistance?

I weigh 125. According to Strava I only burn 141 calories in a half an hour ride averaging 14 mph and a cadence of 85-90.

I would think only riding 30 min you wont need to carry any snacks, just fluids!

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[samuel642000]

My main goals are weight loss and stamina, I always assume ill "fuel the machine" after a ride rather than during. Is that bad even though I'm normally done in 35 min or so?

And for weight loss would a higher Rpm be more beneficial or more resistance?

[black2002ls]

Just keep riding. it will get easier. Your distances will get furter and your speeds will get higher. Nutrition on the bike is important when you start riding further distances. I drink a mix of water and scratch labs. It is a popular drink with the cycling community. Pick what works best for you, there is so much stuff out there. On longer rides you need to think about calories too. You need to replenish what you loose. If you are thirsty and hungry when you are riding it is already too late.

I hit the water bottle regularly to stay hydrated. I haven't ridden anything past 60 min so I haven't worried about nutrition

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[Beej]

Just keep riding. it will get easier. Your distances will get furter and your speeds will get higher. Nutrition on the bike is important when you start riding further distances. I drink a mix of water and scratch labs. It is a popular drink with the cycling community. Pick what works best for you, there is so much stuff out there. On longer rides you need to think about calories too. You need to replenish what you loose. If you are thirsty and hungry when you are riding it is already too late.

[black2002ls]

I have been trying to dial up my training. Learning to push through the burn. ~12.5 miles this morning. Started off great averaging 15 mph for the first half. I fried my legs though and it fell quite a bit. My rides should all be 7-10 miles this week. When I started I was riding ~2 miles a day and felt it!

I need to work on my nutrition. I need to pick up some orange triad. As well as some protien for morning shakes.

Any tips from you guys riding 30+ miles/day

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[TeeShock]

Blue sky cycling has some killer online prices. JensonUSA will price match their stuff too.

[black2002ls]

Yeah I've been really meaning to get that done, maybe this weekend. Where are they located?

Where is a good place to look for pedals online? The kind I have, have the toe insert thing and kills my toes while riding. Maybe the fact I wear regular sneakers plays into this. But I'd really like some different kind of set up.

Positive not I did get up early this morning and rode a good ten miles. 14 avg mph, not horrible but not good yet. Still going at it.

14 mph avg is better than any of my rides!

I picked up my Shimano 105's on ebay because of free shipping. Cheapest online retailer I found was Nashbar.

RBM has locations in Dallas Frisco and Richardson. Richardson won't do a fit on Saturday's. Frisco will if you schedule ahead, ask for Rodney

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[samuel642000]

If you haven't already, it is WELL worth the $50 for a basic fit at RBM. It made a world of difference for me!

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Yeah I've been really meaning to get that done, maybe this weekend. Where are they located?

Where is a good place to look for pedals online? The kind I have, have the toe insert thing and kills my toes while riding. Maybe the fact I wear regular sneakers plays into this. But I'd really like some different kind of set up.

Positive not I did get up early this morning and rode a good ten miles. 14 avg mph, not horrible but not good yet. Still going at it.

[black2002ls]

I think my main problem right now is it seems as if the bars are angled too low for me. Feels like I'm in push-up position the whole time my hands are on the hoods. Then I forget to adjust it and have the same problem on the next ride.

If you haven't already, it is WELL worth the $50 for a basic fit at RBM. It made a world of difference for me!

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[samuel642000]

I think my main problem right now is it seems as if the bars are angled too low for me. Feels like I'm in push-up position the whole time my hands are on the hoods. Then I forget to adjust it and have the same problem on the next ride.

[samuel642000]

Not at all. I use gears to keep a cadence, especially climbing. Use the gears to "spin" up a hill. On the flats, stay on the big ring. There's a lot of range now with 11-23 (or about) 8/9 speed cassettes and a 53 on the front.

For the most part what you typed is jibberish lol I'm pretty new to all this, all I know is I use the big gear up front(only have two) and stay within two gears on the back(I think there's 5 back there.) then spin my ass off.

[black2002ls]

They help a good bit in keeping a cadence and getting up hills without killing your legs, as mentioned before.

I was topping out and burning my legs up and my speeds were 12-14 mph. Since I got the front fixed, I pretty much stay on the big ring and my speeds are 14-18 mph now. I know most people focus on cadence however since I ride in the evenings after work, I am focusing on increasing my average speed to try and get more distance into he same time frame before it gets dark.

I too have been able to maintain that "good" burn in my quads. My goal this week is 10-11 miles all week and 20 on Saturday and Sunday.

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[Vertnut]

So I assume its "wrong" to ride with hardly shifting?
I normally keep the front gear the same and only switch between two different gears on the back.
My stamina is increasing but been so busy at work and with family it's tough to find time to ride. On a positive note quads still have that good burn but no real pain, knock on wood.

Not at all. I use gears to keep a cadence, especially climbing. Use the gears to "spin" up a hill. On the flats, stay on the big ring. There's a lot of range now with 11-23 (or about) 8/9 speed cassettes and a 53 on the front.

[samuel642000]

So I assume its "wrong" to ride with hardly shifting?
I normally keep the front gear the same and only switch between two different gears on the back.
My stamina is increasing but been so busy at work and with family it's tough to find time to ride. On a positive note quads still have that good burn but no real pain, knock on wood.

[Beej]

glad they got your front d fixed up and glad your shoes are giving you less problems.