# Beginning the bike training. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 18, 2013, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555 "2013-08-18T13:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/21 "2013-08-19T00:18:53Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I did my first ride this afternoon. I stayed in the neighborhood. I don’t want to get creamed by cars. I think I did about 15-20 miles in about 45 minutes. That was a whole different set of muscles I’d used there. > > I learned three things: > > Gears are your friends on hills. > > Tuck your shoelaces inside your shoes. > > Kinked up leg hair sucks. Boy, talk about over estimation. It was more like 11 miles. Still, I suppose that’s not too shabby for not having been on a bike in twenty years. ---
**Author:** ![InsomniaMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ad7895/32.png) [@InsomniaMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InsomniaMama)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/22 "2013-08-19T00:32:53Z")
Nothing wrong with a hybrid bike. Mine is nimble and light and useful around town, as you said. I’ve done two sprint tri races on one and finished at an above average time. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/23 "2013-08-19T01:05:01Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I believe it’s 1000 yard swim, 15 mile ride, and a 5k run. The hills are modest around here. OK, that’s a sprint triathlon. I suggest building up a nice base-- that is, where you can do 20 -25 miles regularly iwthout problems and then do interval training. Pick a safe, comfortable route of about 1/2 - 3/4 mile and ride as hard as you can at very high cadence (at least 100) in one direction, then easy peddle back. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Or, if you have a comfortable loop, you can do the same thing without backtracking. The week before the race, take it easy. Just do some comfortable, short rides and easy run. Beware of the swim. It’s short, but it’s likely to be a madhouse. Find a comfortable place off to the side so you don’t get mauled. The swim is going to be the shortest leg of the race. As my friend used to say: The race begins when you get out of the water. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/24 "2013-08-19T12:51:23Z")
And now my bottom is sore. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/25 "2013-08-19T12:53:57Z")
Get some Bag Balm and more saddle time. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/26 "2013-08-19T13:49:48Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > And now my bottom is sore. Are you wearing proper padded bike shorts? Makes a big difference. 🙂 11 miles in 45 minutes is a decent pace, especially for someone who hasn’t been on a bike in years. Did you get it set up for your body properly? I second (or third?) the advice on clipless pedals - you’ll see a huge increase in efficiency by doing this. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/27 "2013-08-19T14:30:29Z")
If you go clipless. you MUST practice. Find a soft area and just ride around while clipping in and unclipping. The unclipping motion is not a natural one. You twist your heel outward to unclip. The normal reflex when stopping is to try to pull the foot straight back, leaving the foot attached to the pedal and you approaching the ground quite rapidly. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/28 "2013-08-19T19:05:05Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > Are you wearing proper padded bike shorts? Makes a big difference. 🙂 > > 11 miles in 45 minutes is a decent pace, especially for someone who hasn’t been on a bike in years. Did you get it set up for your body properly? I second (or third?) the advice on clipless pedals - you’ll see a huge increase in efficiency by doing this. I’m getting the bike properly fitted on Friday. The mechanic was on vacation until Tuesday. For those of you keeping score at home, I’d gotten a Giant Escape. I’m still astounded as to how light it is. I grew up on a Schwinn hunk of steel. The trigger gears are nice to work with. They’ll be even better once it’s been fitted. They tend to click right now. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/29 "2013-08-19T19:29:00Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > I have a goal. Next summer, I will compete in the Tri-Ballentyne triathlon. Not just finish, but actually compete. > > And > > Following their advice, I bought a hybrid, which I’ll fit with aerobars, when their mechanic gets back from vacation. I haven’t read all the post so I’m probably repeating things. If you want to compete, you need at least a road bike. A dedicated Tri-bike would be better, but they are a pain to ride. Lance Armstrong would have trouble competing in a Tri using a hybrid, even with aerobars, no matter what drugs he was using. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/30 "2013-08-19T20:58:37Z")
I am wondering about the practicality, for racing, of putting on an 11-speed cassette in favor of dropping a chainring and the front derailleur (saving maybe as much as half a pound). Not really so much for the weight savings but because it is a tremendous advantage to be able to track straight through the gear range (an 11-32 cassette provides plenty of range for pretty good hills). ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/31 "2013-08-19T21:16:53Z")
> [@For You](#): > > I am wondering about the practicality, for racing, of putting on an 11-speed cassette in favor of dropping a chainring and the front derailleur (saving maybe as much as half a pound). Not really so much for the weight savings but because it is a tremendous advantage to be able to track straight through the gear range (an 11-32 cassette provides plenty of range for pretty good hills). This is intended for Mt. bikes, but you could give it a try. > **[xx1 - SRAM](https://www.sram.com/en/search?t=xx1)** ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/32 "2013-08-19T21:29:28Z")
> [@For You](#): > > I am wondering about the practicality, for racing, of putting on an 11-speed cassette in favor of dropping a chainring and the front derailleur (saving maybe as much as half a pound). Not really so much for the weight savings but because it is a tremendous advantage to be able to track straight through the gear range (an 11-32 cassette provides plenty of range for pretty good hills). It’s amusing how much time, energy and often $$$ people will spend on shaving a few ounces (sometimes less) off their bike when they are 20, 30, 40 + pounds overweight. You want to go up that hill faster and easier? Train more and lose some weight! 😛 Not saying you’re fat,\*\* For You\*\*. I have no idea what condition you’re in. Just that it’s not an uncommon scenario. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/33 "2013-08-19T21:40:57Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > For those of you keeping score at home, I’d gotten a Giant Escape. I’m still astounded as to how light it is. I grew up on a Schwinn hunk of steel. The trigger gears are nice to work with. They’ll be even better once it’s been fitted. They tend to click right now. It’s a fine bike for your first tri. Don’t worry about it. I personally know someone who on the very first sprint distance triathlon came in first in the age group 35-40, on a non-suspension mountain bike with slick tires and no aero bars. This is so much more about your training and effort you put into that than the equipment you’ll be using. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/34 "2013-08-19T21:59:49Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > It’s amusing how much time, energy and often $$$ people will spend on shaving a few ounces (sometimes less) off their bike when they are 20, 30, 40 + pounds overweight. You want to go up that hill faster and easier? Train more and lose some weight! 😛 > > Not saying you’re fat,\*\* For You\*\*. I have no idea what condition you’re in. Just that it’s not an uncommon scenario. I, personally, am not a “weight weenie”, my Bacchetta Giro weighs around 30lbs with its somewhat draggy but very quiet Nuvinci 360, my StreetMachine GTe a few more than that. My main interest is having straight-line shifting, because going from gear-to-gear quickly, up the line, improves acceleration a lot. And **Maus Magill** appears to be in pretty good shape, weight might come to matter to him (and maybe that wisp of drag the FD, cable, etc create). And to we who ride 'bent, it is not “fat”, it is an “aerobelly”. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/35 "2013-08-20T12:12:21Z")
When it comes to weight and what not, I’m not too worried. I think I could shave the more weight off me than I could on the bike. Cost benefit analysis indicates, I would shave more weight for a lower cost by (shudder) avoiding potato chips. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/36 "2013-08-20T14:18:56Z")
I think that’s the right attitude. Good luck with your training. Come back and share your race results and experience. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/37 "2013-08-20T14:27:49Z")
so he can do about 15 miles per hour. just curious, what would his speed be if it were a $1000 bike? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/38 "2013-08-20T14:40:02Z")
$1000 bike?.. 15mph $3000 bike?.. 15mph $7000 bike?..15.1mph $10,000 bike?..160mph. If he was pushed out of a plane. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/39 "2013-08-20T16:50:03Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > so he can do about 15 miles per hour. just curious, what would his speed be if it were a $1000 bike? A $1000 hybrid, probably not much different. A $700 road bike, probably a few MPH faster. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555/40 "2013-08-20T17:20:08Z")
Having ridden long rides on both a hard tail mountain bike and skinny tires and a road bike the difference is striking. The difference was several MPH and a huge difference in effort. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-the-bike-training/666555.md?page=3)