Solo ride difficulties

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Solo ride difficulties Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2008-09-24 8:50 PM

Veteran
381
100100100252525
Subject: Solo ride difficulties
         I'm having problems trying to muster up the strength to push myself the way I do in group rides.  When I stick strictly to 30 second sprint training I can get pretty winded and things go well.  But on 30 mile rides I have trouble keeping a good mph compared to when I ride with a group.  What do you guys do to make sure your pushing as hard as possible the entire ride?  Watching the mph gauge isnt doing it for me.  Mp3 player , no thanks, and I havn't tried cadence yet, suggestions please.

2008-09-24 8:51 PM
in reply to: #1694667

User image

Master
1741
100050010010025
Chapel Hill, NC
Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties
If you are riding 30 miles with a group, you are benefiting from drafting, so your mph would naturally be quite a bit higher than riding solo.

Also, every workout should not be "work as hard as possible the entire time". Are you following a training plan? Your long rides should be easy zone 2 (conversational pace), but working hills a bit is okay as long as you don't kill yourself on hills...save that for hill workout days! The other rides in your schedule should be whatever your plan says. For example, this week I did a 1 hour threshold ride, where 30 minutes of the ride was done at LT. During the 30 minute hard part, I tried to make sure my heart rate was in zone 4 - 5a. In other words, I went really hard, my legs burned and I was breathing hard. The rest of the ride, I just went easy.

PS - If you don't have a cadence meter, that would be a good investment. It is better to spin at a higher cadence (85-90+) rather than mash down on hard gears.




Edited by keyone 2008-09-24 8:59 PM
2008-09-24 8:56 PM
in reply to: #1694667

User image

Veteran
172
1002525
San Antonio
Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties

I was having the same problem, and still do from time to time. Now I'm learning how to push it on the trainer.which I'm finding much more difficult!

Something that did help was the cadence monitor on my Garmin.  If I focus on keeping my cadence up to (for me) 90 or above, It helps a lot. If I'm working on strength I push the big ring at 65-75.  Works for me!

2008-09-24 9:07 PM
in reply to: #1694667

User image

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties

I don't "push as hard as possible" the entire ride.  Actually, I don't think I'm ever pushing as hard as I can during training, unless I am doing intervals, or a LT test, I suppose.

I guess it depends on what you are training for, but if you are training for the longer stuff, it behooves you NOT to push as hard as you can.  I try to stay in zone 2, or RPE 5-6, not zone 4-5, or RPE 8-9.

2008-09-24 10:07 PM
in reply to: #1694667

User image

Member
180
100252525
Kayak Point, WA
Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties

The two most usefull tools on the bike are Heart Rate Monitor and Cadance.  I can tell by looking at both if I am working hard enough, too hard, need to shift, etc.  I recommend both of them. 

I also don't think that I ever ride as hard on my own as I do in a group.  There just isn't the same "energy" and "motivation" to keep up, race to the top, sprint out front, pull, etc.  But it is still good training.

Michael

2008-09-25 10:14 AM
in reply to: #1694673

User image

Member
381
100100100252525
Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties
keyone - 2008-09-24 7:51 PM
If you are riding 30 miles with a group, you are benefiting from drafting, so your mph would naturally be quite a bit higher than riding solo.

x2 on the drafting comment. you should expect to be quite a bit faster in a group if everyone is pulling some weight.

also - maybe you are just hypercompetitive. not a bad thing for a triathlete. if this is the case schedule your higher intensity medium length rides with a group. don't fight it - embrace it.

2008-09-25 10:50 AM
in reply to: #1694667

Champion
6539
5000100050025
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties
MPH is NOT a good gauge of how hard you're working. Monitor your effort by RPE or HR (or get a powertap and use watts ), but do not use MPH. Too many variables, one of which is the absense of a draft in your case.
2008-09-25 10:58 AM
in reply to: #1694667

User image

Subject: RE: Solo ride difficulties
Get a week of wind stronger than you're used to dealing with and watch your MPH drop through the floor

Heart rate and cadence. I cannot say much about the not working as hard as possible because I tend to want to not be able to walk for a while after I get off the bike. I don't push anywhere near like that when I run after but if it's bike only day I do.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Solo ride difficulties Rss Feed