Learning to cycle longer

jod1983

So, in the last week i've taken the plunge and purchased a Giant Defy 3 as my first road bike. I've got the padded shorts, no clip pedals and no gloves.
Im 28 and of a strong build but would consider myself reasonably fit eg play soccer, gaa and golf as well. Haven't cycled since I was 16 and was dreading it to be honest.
But to my absolute shock last sunday I went for a 20km cycle and loved every minute of it. Did that in 48 min and averaged 23.9km/h. So tonight tried a different route of 20km and did that in 46min with round the same average. Both routes had a good challenge of up hills,down hills, rough and smooth roads and the body felt really good afterwards.
So after my long introduction the question is how fast can you progress? Dont want to do to much and knacker myself enough that i stop and get fed up with it, but also dont want to think that what im doing isnt going to benefit me? Plan is Ring of Kerry next year so training has started early!!

CianRyan

Increase by 10% a week.
I've just started about two months ago and I'm doing 50k spins at this stage. My average speed is about the same as yours, 20-25kph depending on the day.
I'm aiming to do the W200 next year so we're roughly in the same boat except you've got the upper hand, I've gone very flabby recently and I'm trying to shake that.

Are you based in Kerry or are you just aiming to do the ring?

morana

get out with a group or join a club and you will progress faster. its more difficult on your own and you seem to be already looking at improving your average and time taken.

When I started I joined a club and we gradually went longer and longer. after a year I would see I was doing 130km finishing it strong.

jod1983

CianRyan wrote: »

Increase by 10% a week.
I've just started about two months ago and I'm doing 50k spins at this stage. My average speed is about the same as yours, 20-25kph depending on the day.
I'm aiming to do the W200 next year so we're roughly in the same boat except you've got the upper hand, I've gone very flabby recently and I'm trying to shake that.

Are you based in Kerry or are you just aiming to do the ring?

Based in Cork but had a few buddies that did the RoK 2 weeks and that gave me the urge to just go and do it.
A very addictive hobby that i thought id never like.

jod1983

morana wrote: »

get out with a group or join a club and you will progress faster. its more difficult on your own and you seem to be already looking at improving your average and time taken.

When I started I joined a club and we gradually went longer and longer. after a year I would see I was doing 130km finishing it strong.

Thanks for the reply. Contacted a few buddies they do 20miles every sunday morning so might take the leap and head with them but try and keep my own pace.

CianRyan

Ah, was going to say if you were in Dublin you could have came out with a group I cycle with, looks like you're in good hands though, I wish my mates cycled!

jod1983

CianRyan wrote: »

Ah, was going to say if you were in Dublin you could have came out with a group I cycle with, looks like you're in good hands though, I wish my mates cycled!

Sorry Cian, should have quoted, that my mates cycles can be delayed due to the dreadful saturday eveing pub visit flu!!!!

CianRyan

jod1983 wrote: »

CianRyan wrote: »

Ah, was going to say if you were in Dublin you could have came out with a group I cycle with, looks like you're in good hands though, I wish my mates cycled!

Sorry Cian, should have quoted, that my mates cycles can be delayed due to the dreadful saturday eveing pub visit flu!!!!

At least they even think about it, the word exercise would have to be looked up in the dictionary for my lot.

Icyseanfitz

jod1983 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Contacted a few buddies they do 20miles every sunday morning so might take the leap and head with them but try and keep my own pace.

the good thing about being with a group is that you will more than likely be pushing harder than you would by yourself (if they are better than you anyway) its just something that will happen, keep putting in the pedaling and you will get better

jimzy

Yeah join your mates cycling, or find a group. Over longer distances it really helps to have someone to share the pain with!

I think you'll be really surprised at how far you can go when you push yourself a little. I'm around the same age and have just made the switch from a hybrid to a road bike a few months back, the longest i had done on the hybrid was only around 20-30k.
In around 2 months on the road bike I've upped the distance from 20k - 50k - 80k - 120k. Keep it consistent, don't push yourself too much I think is key.

If you can pick up a pair of cycling shoes with cleats they make a huge difference. Way more comfort, no slipping climbing hills... you and the bike become one! Good luck!