Basic Training

[Marcin Stokowski]

Hello YOGIs
I have started going out regularly with YOGIs on Thursday night MTB and also with Wayne on Saturdays. My aim is to get some base fitness level in order to try my first MTB race (Soggy Bottom).
Hence I have a couple of questions.
1. What website, book or advise would you give me to get well prepared for race as a newbie, except advise Go Out and Ride as often as possible?
I do commute to work (7 miles each way sometimes I extend id to 15miles) 3-4 days a week + YOGI sessions.

2. I heard about Joe Friel'sCycling bible, is it good for new cyclist?


I know how important is checking your heart rate regularly during cycling and would like to buy some heart rate monitor.

3. Is basic one good enough like POLAR FS1 or something more sophisticated is needed? Having said that I have limited budget.

And finally
4. How do you guys cope with your passion to cycling and family life?

Cheers
Marcin

[Nicky]

Hi Marcin,

Welcome to cycling - it's wonderful. Yes the Joe Friel book is excellent and don't skip the bit where it says about base training. It's the most important part and will keep you in the game for longer. I've got a copy if you wish to borrow it.
Yes - do get a heart rate monitor. Basic one is best. Use it all the time, and you'll get a good idea of what your resting heart rate is and what you can go up to and what is your average. It will then give you a guide in your training as to whether you're riding too hard and wearing yourself out or training within your limits hence effectively.

Ironically, you need to avoid the hills. Plymouth and the surrounds are so hilly anyway, don't go looking for them, you'll get fitter quicker if you are able to maintain a good average speed without knackering yourself out. Put another way, if you went up Pork Hill 3 times you'd be dead, but if you did the same distance over Roborough Downs you'd be flying.

As to family and cycling, it's always going to be a compromise but if it makes you happy and you commit to do something in the afternoon, I'm sure you'll get the morning off for training. Therefore, don't train too hard and you'll still have plenty of energy for family.

All the best
Nicky

[Marcin Stokowski]

Thanks Nicky
Very useful advice. I bought myself Joe Friel's Mountain Biker's bible a while a go. And to be honest it is quite hard to get my head around the training. It is not because of the language barrier. I thought It would be straight forward but it is not. i am not sure how much should I ride and how often. I wanted to take part in soggy Bottom but I do not think I will be well prepared to it. Any suggestions? maybe links to some websites.
I read some sentence that MTB Bikers train almost entirely on road .m I dont now how true is that.

marcin