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Post by Taffydoo on Jun 22, 2008 18:09:59 GMT
 Serious fitness problem. Love mountain biking but fitness is problem because can't bike all the time. Any ideas..
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Post by Oggy on Jun 22, 2008 19:19:45 GMT
Hi taffydoo, good to have you on board.
I train in the gym 3 times a week (although not at the mo due to having a broken hand) but this doesnt not mean im bike fit in fact this training does next to no benifit for my riding. Im not bike fit at all but i just enjoy my riding, so if that means stoping for a lot of short rests on rides or even pushing it up the odd hill then so be it.
I recently took a serious road rider out on the trail and this lad is fit, but when it came to the constanly changing gradients on a mountain bike ride he struggled.
I suppose wot im trying to say is that the only way to become mountain bike fit is to ride your mountain bike, as well as the obvious such as eating right etc etc. If i get out and ride fairly frequently then i can notice my fitness levels going up but then it only takes a few weeks without riding for me to back to square one.
Most normal working people carnt get out riding all the time and it is hard to get taining in, but i dont beat myself up about it i just get out on to the trail and have a laugh. I also find that when im riding in a group my fitness is never really a problem as it is always a socail event with people chatting and having a laugh rather than people racing.
Im defenitly no fitness expert so dont hang on what im saying as these are just my thoughts and im sure there are some experts out there that could give you some proper advise but just enjoy your riding and the fitness will come with time
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Post by sikora on Jun 22, 2008 21:54:37 GMT
I also find getting out on the bike the best way to get fit.
I'm in the same boat as you taffydoo, i'm terribly unfit and i don't get out on it as much as i'd like to sort that out.
I live to far from work to actually cycle there, so I'm currently resorting to taking mine to work on the back of the car and put it in the bike shed. The missus then drives to her work. When i finish, i cycle to her work and wait for her to finish.
Its a pain having to put the bike on the car every morning, and the cycle to her work is only 2-3 miles, but it helps build me up for the weekend ride.
Have you thought about an indoor bike trainer? or maybe buying a cycling machine. It wont obviously help with technique, but doing varying speeds (think the term used is Fartlek?) You'll find your fitness improving
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Post by martinw on Jun 23, 2008 9:16:07 GMT
How do, taffydoo ;D
Something ive thought about is putting a set of slicks on my bike to get some road riding in to keep on top of my fitness.
If you dont get up to the trails that often it could be worth thinking about. With the little un I cant always make it to the trails, but if I get a quick hour to get out I will, just above Pen. (you know it well)
Your welcome to come out with us anytime mate. Its never a race we just get out there and ride to the slowest mans pace.
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Post by xybadog on Jun 23, 2008 12:43:59 GMT
I go to the gym nearly everyday. Minimum of 45 minutes cardio each time on the treadmill. I find though, when I'm on the bike, I get easily knackered. The reason for this is that cycling uses different muscles to those when walking/running. But I don't want to get on the exercise bike in the gym because I find it boring. So only one thing for it, get out on the bike more on top of my gym work. If we get nice weather  |
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Post by martinw on Jun 24, 2008 14:36:34 GMT
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Post by Oggy on Jun 24, 2008 21:58:41 GMT
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Post by xybadog on Jun 25, 2008 17:26:21 GMT
I used to use that site too. Just don't have too much time to go on it regularly now. Lots of good advice though. |
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Post by Taffydoo on Jun 29, 2008 12:06:27 GMT
Got a specialized racer on a trainer in the house but prefer to be out. Its the hills that kill me. I love the down hills  I am going to try to sought the fittness out. THANKS FOR TIPS GUYS..  |
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dan78
Have-a-go Hero
Posts: 142
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Post by dan78 on Jun 30, 2008 12:07:56 GMT
Have any of you tried spin classes? I take a spin class twice a week and it helps with fitness on the trails , but nothing is as good as getting out on the bike.
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Post by xybadog on Jun 30, 2008 12:28:58 GMT
Have any of you tried spin classes? I take a spin class twice a week and it helps with fitness on the trails , but nothing is as good as getting out on the bike. Never done a spin class. A bodybuilder mate of mine, who goes to the same gym as me, he swears by spin class. He goes to one twice a week at 6.30 am. I've watched them in the class when I've been at the gym, but I've never really fancied it. It does, thoug, have one of the best fat burning effects of ANY training. This is becasue your heartrate is kept high and this increases your metabolism, and it helps burn more fat during the rest of the day by keeping your metabolism at a higher level. |
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Post by martinw on Jun 30, 2008 13:22:19 GMT
Have any of you tried spin classes? I take a spin class twice a week and it helps with fitness on the trails , but nothing is as good as getting out on the bike. Never heard of it, what's the score there then? |
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Post by xybadog on Jun 30, 2008 18:04:33 GMT
This is a spin bike:  The object is basically to spend time "sprinting" up to somewhere near your max heart rate for about a minute then you will slow down to an easy pace, then go up to sprint for a minute then back down. This is it in a nutshell really. It can be quite punishing, but rewarding healthwise. Also, if you feel you can't keep up to the speed the instructor states, you can work out at your own pace, but it's only beneficial if you can reach a high tempo. |
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Serious fitness problem. Love mountain biking but fitness
