Thread: Cycling Thread
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Old 04-25-2012, 05:48 PM   #336
Bill Bumface
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JonDuke View Post
Can anyone tell me what a total beginner mountain biker should expect for time and distance when starting out and what I should be aiming for?

My first day, I went 8km in 45 minutes,
Day 2 was 12km in 75 minutes
Today I went 9km in 40 minutes.
Every one of these rides consisted of 3-4 water breaks.
I realize those are probably pathetic distances for the time, but for me, it's a start.

I am trying to set a semi realistic goal by summers end, but don't know what "semi realistic" should be for someone who is not extremely active, and a smoker who is riding in the hill riddled Rocky Ridge/Bearspaw area.

Any advice for a goal to set? I would really like to do this daily and am hoping to use it as motivation to help me quit smoking too. Also, any recommendations for a distance time tracking app? I'm currently using the lite version of Roadbike, but am wondering if there is something better I can buy?
What are you riding on?

This:



is going to have you covering a lot more distance than this:



I would definitely judge yourself more on duration than distance. If you can go out and do a 3 hour right that is challenging you you'll be getting great exercise even if you aren't going far. If you cruising on easy stuff just keep your speed up to a point where you are working hard, and same thing, just go for a nice long ride. How beat you are that evening and the next morning will tell you if you're working hard enough.

Last edited by Bill Bumface; 04-25-2012 at 05:51 PM.
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