A KZread channel dedicated to helping you get the most out of your cycling regardless of size, shape or age.
I'm just a normal chap that enjoys riding his bike. I'm not a skinny, super fit 20 year old that is destined to be the next big road racer hope but I have been cycling for many years and in that time I have learnt a few things.
If you like riding your bike and need to know stuff, please consider subscribing for my weekly uploads where I will be giving all kinds of bike related tips and advice.
I post a new video every Friday at 20.00 hrs UK time.
If you are really keen, please follow me on Strava. My profile is here: www.strava.com/athletes/515946
Пікірлер
I am 63, retired and I have been biking for the last 9-10 years. After being very athletic my whole life, I got lost after my retirement at 48. I got down, depressed and was overweight. Everything was a struggle. After a few years of that I bumped into riding my old bike a bit. That lead me to the bike store for something, then I test rode a bike there and I bought it on the spot. Every year since, I have ridden more times and more miles than the previous year. Last year I did my personal best of 209 rides and 6,000 miles. I absolutely love it. I thank the Lord for saving me and pushing me into biking. I have a serious passion again at this stage of my life. Biking is so good for you, especially if you are older. Get out there and ride. There are a ton of trails where I live in Wisconsin. They are fun to explore.
You are a cyclist, but why are you still fat?
Best advice so far on the subject 👍
I don't NEED a computer. I want one. I'm 60. Been riding since I was a kid. I ride for enjoyment and fitness. I currently do a 42km XC route on a repurposed abandoned traintrack, The N.E Tassie Railtrail, built by the local Rotary Club. Only times I look at the screen is sometimes checking my speed during inclines, making sure I'm pushing myself each ride. My current incline speed is 13kph, and it's very easy to slacken off and find myself down to 11kph, yet just as easy to push a tiny bit back up to 13s...and I usually can tell without looking if I've dropped below 13s. Also I look at the turn point and end, when it's time to record the details for my health log. I use a computer to keep an eye on the exercise element of my rides. Am not persuaded by manufacturing companies or other riders, as I own several old school wired and wireless button battery computers, and realising my mistake after purchase, I've only owned one over-priced GPS computer.
The worst part about bicycling is it's so very boring.
@@paul5683 Thats probably because you stop just short of the Mardi Gras that’s waiting at the end of most rides.
Train yourself to ride on the drops. Same power output, higher speed. It takes a while for the body to adjust, but it’s actually a no brainer.
GOPRO! The master of liars and decievers to the unknowing public. People will say anything being complety ignorant about what they are saying because of the way they FEEL. GOPRO is abad company and make cheap cameras period. I love how people come to their defense while being decieved themselves.
Thanks so much for sharing your filming skills.
2:34 ...takes a wrong turn and ends up in W. Sussex on an A-road!
Since when did they ride on the right hand side of the road in West Sussex?
@@jollygoodvelo Eh? You're definitely on the left!🤔 Alright, it may be a B-road.
@@simonsaville9962 maybe I’m just looking at the wrong bit?
There a lot of new interest in running, skiing and cycling among younger people here i Norway - and there is a lot of podcasts etc with detailed analyses on how to train; variation and consistency is nr. 1 advice; variation - strengt, running, cycling and skiing - with intervals 4x4 (up to 95% 1-2 time a week) and 70% sone 2 riding/running is what they say. Sone 2 is here up to 82,5% of max. If you do Sone 2 in easy terrain - you can work so you get an hight average puls - close to 82,5% then if you ride 2-3 hours it will be a very good session. 2x1 hour of strengt a week will give variation. They also say - listen to the body - of you feel tired - dont push hard that day - if you want consistency you need the keep your body feel good and positive - overtraining can be a real problem - that can make you stop for a long periode - and then things falls apart.
So after all that watching this for the whole 14 minutes, he still decides to take his GoPro with him.
I joined a stationary bike class at my local gym. It's fun and challenging and it pushes me to train harder than I would on my own. I've found that after a while my average speed on my easy rides has just naturally gotten quicker.
Gracias...!!!
Hi Leonard, Great video as per usual. I watch your videos all the time and they’re great. Keep up the fantastic work.
Speed is only part of the equation for me. Yes, if on my Giant Propel, I like to 'floor it,' where possible, because it is just the kind of bike designed for that purpose. However, on other kinds of bikes it is clearly not a priority, nor were they designed to 'chase hares' around a track so to speak. My gravel bike is for fun, and my single speed looks so cool it is a real head turner, so I ride slowly..:)
Leonard I’d link this to your earlier vid ……’what I wish id known as a new cyclist’, worth reiterating 90 % of cycling is mental self belief, regular positive patterns of riding. At some point I would urge anyone riding a bike to do Lands End to John o Groats to lift any mental blinkers or self doubts ……by whatever means ……. organised ………self supported ……….so many people, regular cyclists to novices, find it transforms their mental horizons and that plays into whenever anyone swings a leg over their bike . 😁 👍
Leonard agree 💯% always worth repeating hence posting. I’d also add riding a bike will take you to visit people and places you never imagined, what once seemed impossible will become possible (relatively quickly)…… 3miles …….100 miles……..riding through Africa ?……you name it. Mental restrictions will evaporate………age is generally not a limiting factor…….rides just take a bit longer. On the practical side seek knowledge, try out a cycling club (road, MTB, social ….whatever) ……..often lots of willing help for cycling entrants, get right size bike 1st purchase, make a smart used purchase, learn to look after it. Patterns ……. Set new ones for commaraderie, adventure, longevity. 👍👍👍
what a lovey authentic video. you'd be a good ambassador for mental health - definitely more straight talking
The water droplets affecting the Garmin touchscreen is on of the main reasons why I use a Wahoo Roam. Far superior piece of kit 👍
It's only us cyclists who know the real impact of even a mild(ish) wind and those damn inclines!! GREAT ride 👍👏
Average speed is mostly irrelevant. Terrain, weather, aim of the ride all have an effect. Plenty of slower riders hide in the group and come out with a fast average; I have done that, not for average speed gains, but to hold on to a faster group. I got lots of positive comments for it, but in reality I could never hold such a speed on my own. If you climb 1500 m over 100k you will have a faster average than if you had climbed 1500m over 50k. If you want to know if you are fitter, you need to measure effort and outcome, which is why virtual training is so effective.
My quickest average speed was 15.5, I usually ride between 12.5 mph and 13. The day I did 15.5 was also my longest ride of 100 miles. The reason it was my quickest was it was the flat 100 in Doncaster and flatter I found was faster, although boring 😂
I’ve also noticed that sometimes, on linger rides, average speed is higher. I think this might be down to riding further means that all of the little stops and slower sections of the ride are evened out.
I like that Strava idea. I only see the times and local legends after I've done the route. It'd be fun to see the times and other info while riding the route. I managed to tie for 2nd place on one route and am only 1 second away from first place tie, 2 seconds from first place. I'd like to be see how I'm doing as I actually race it. My technique for longer riding is to use my fat bike. It's heavy, wide wheels have more resistance so when I switch over to my lighter bikes they feel much easier.
First sentence is a contradiction to your title.
Best thing I ever did was take speed (both instant and avg) off my head unit screen - the only three things that I see these days are heart rate, power and cadence. In watching these stats and working within them over the last 18 months my avg speed has gone up by 15% with no extra perceived effort. All based on solo effort, no group rides.
"It's because i dont have a tt helmet"
That’s a shame.
Not for nothing, this all is good info and all but how "fast" does one need to go when you're an average cyclist like ourselves not competing in Le Tour De France? I can maintain a comfortable speed of +/- 20mph ..that good enough for my liking..and another way is to do leg workouts I think, stronger legs=faster wheels
That cable sticking out at front could easily get snaged on a branch.
Easy ! Lose weight, ride harder 💪
I had a drop bar bike. I just find them so useless. Do you get low? Yes. Is it better for aero dynamics? Yea. But on gravel? Seems kind of dumb and uncomfortable
I don’t get faster, I just keep hoping it’s going to get easier (with apologies to Mr LeMond!)
Thanks Leonard . Keep going . You are getting fitter .
I would add to this fast rolling tyres set up tubeless is perhaps the easiest way increase average speeds. Riding Z2 and applying constant pressure also helps to raise averages despite going easier on climbs you’ll find that you’re often travelling much faster on the downhill / flat sections of a given route that your speed increases.
The easiest way for me to raise my average speed would be to move out of Cornwall!
Why does it have to be a competion? Regular vs. "E." Many dont ride for exercise and fitness. Who cares. Figure out why you ride and keep nasty opinions to yourself (not you) generally speaking.
I came to the conclusion average speed is overrated for myself. My cadence has dropped compared to previous years and just don’t use the metric as a whole any more. As long as I’m roughly where I normally am and getting out and keeping fit and healthy I’m happy. Thus I’m enjoying my cycling much more. Don’t get me wrong we all want to improve and set goals and that’s fab, but now I’m early 50’s and experiencing the menopause now, if I over reach I take twice as long to recover. Then I feel I’m missing out on what I love doing - cycling. Therefore I’ve had to adapt, mix up sporting activities like more countryside walks and weight training, along with yoga, then keep cycling on the days I usually do. Keep up the great work 👍
What a great eplanation of issues-= I have tio have daily protection and witnessing of all confrontations of all things I am a senior and need transparent honesty even from #1 my 84 year old mothers daily hate and forgetting Everttyhing she says and yelling about my lies and corruption of everyione and bad outbursts
SO ON POINT in every way. I had 1 2014 the 3 Black =dismal issues and no battery support when no one makes them.. Now I need security as a senior and witness protection of bad people and keeping truth from contracts, stores and agencies and words of others./ Everyone forgets. Everyone. So I need to spend the little money I have, Activation at seconds or more battery.
Ninety days! Those are rookie numbers! You've got to bump those numbers up!
New bike. As if we need a reason…
Pushing yourself a bit sometimes is fine, but if you get fixated on increasing your average speed, it will take away the fun out of your riding. Not to mention the increased risk taking in order not to slow down and lower the average. Dangerous $h_1T
One on the most important things I did riding was change gears A LOT. Always trying to keep that drive over rollers and maintain that perfect cadences for me. Moving on the saddle and changing hand positions as needed to become one with the bike. I remember times when the bike would just disappear. Also training and especially Zwift is an amazing tool if you manage to NOT overtrain.
Allow me to state the obvious core underlying all these great tips... VOLUME. You gotta put the miles in.
Awesome. Very cool. Very well done.
As fun as it is to monitor speed, it's funner to monitor power. Hills, wind, and gear will vary your speed, making one lap not necessarily comparable to another. But when you see power improvements, you know it's a real improvement... and not due to a favorable tailwind or something.
Thanks Leonard. I can testify, Zwift rides help improve fitness and speed! Riding in the hills also helps a lot too.
Pick your routes carefully. My favourite routes involve many short sharp hills, blind bends in sunken lanes and crossing a busy road via a pedestrian/bridleway crossing in order to access my favourite routes. My average speed was never above 17.5 mph as i was baulked by road and route conditions. If i wanted a fast average speed id choose a busier A and B road with very few junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights. I could manage up to 22 mph average over 30 miles route. What wasnt so nice was mixing it up with 44 tonne Eddie Stobart and chums just for the sake of higher averages. This is why i pay little credence to Strava averages.
The best and easiest way to raise your average speed is to always be riding downhill.
and With the wind behind you 🤣
and a Bottle cold Beer at the Finish.
Zwift pace partners have worked well for me, started with the 1.6 pacers (D) and as I began pulling in front, I would try a faster pacer the next time (along with other rides/workouts/races). Now I warm up with 2.1 pacer and getting ready to start faster pacers in near future as I was bumped into Cat C racing. 55-Year-old rider here. Cheers from California.
Keep pedalling even on downhills, no free wheeling so for minimal effort you will be getting that average higher 👍🏻