Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 16:47:11 GMT
Hey Roadies how would you say that riding road bikes has (if at all ) improved your fitness compared to just riding trails and off road ?
Has it helped ?
I'm loving riding again but get fed up with driving to the chase in the evening so was thinking roadie or cyclocross and pound out the miles after work and enjoy the trails at the weekend.
Just wondering if it actually helps
|
|
|
|
Post by andywatson on Jun 10, 2015 18:03:43 GMT
Yes it does because it's convenient.
-You can nip out for an hour or so if that's all you have.
-You can use the bike for errands (disguised training) where otherwise you'd get the car out.
You will need a thick skin if you wear lycra. Like wot I do.
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jun 10, 2015 18:10:52 GMT
Just get a cheap set of wheels for your mtb ..put some semi slicks on and just ride that ...add some rocks to your back pack and your fitness will improve no end !
Hang on though ..you have tried that already ....!
|
|
|
|
Post by Nelly on Jun 10, 2015 18:12:55 GMT
Massively, I went full roadie recently and in three weeks I'm feeling fitter than ever
I used to drive 2-3 hours ride, same drive home, got fed up with it, I'm enjoying getting my bike out the garage being gone 2 hours and doing 2 hours riding
Strava is great for pushing yourself up hills and along segments
I look great In Lycra
I'm getting 2-3 rides a week instead of one ride a month and seeing much more of my family in the process
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jun 10, 2015 18:42:10 GMT
While I take onboard everything that Nelly has said ..there is just one key word missing ...FUN !
That's why I go mountain biking ..I don't really give a shit about Strava ..beating this that and the other time does absolutely nothing at all for me ...yes fitness does come into my thinking ..I would like to be fitter but I'm not going to get paranoid about it !
At the same time I have fantastic riding within minutes from my front door ...so don't see the need for a road bike .
|
|
|
|
Post by shelfside on Jun 10, 2015 19:32:26 GMT
Ive been riding a roadie for a few months now. I got it as the time I have for MTB (in the Dales) can be limited, unless I just go on local bridleways and they are fairly short and done to death. I can get my roadie out and go for 20-30 miles quit easily, even when I get in from work. My fitness has improved quickly and dramatically (climb better on my MTB). I enjoy the freedom of cycling, Road or MTB. Mind you, getting back on my MTB after a while of only riding my Roadie and it was like riding a marshmallow, all soft and spongy  |
|
|
|
Post by glynnsixo on Jun 10, 2015 19:44:33 GMT
While I take onboard everything that Nelly has said ..there is just one key word missing ...FUN ! That's why I go mountain biking ..I don't really give a shit about Strava ..beating this that and the other time does absolutely nothing at all for me ...yes fitness does come into my thinking ..I would like to be fitter but I'm not going to get paranoid about it ! At the same time I have fantastic riding within minutes from my front door ...so don't see the need for a road bike . completely agree with everything here. a lot does depend on where you live and how accessible the trails are from the doorstep, im a short off-road bikeride away from the edge of the peaks so I appreciate that alot. iv thought about getting a roadie many times but it basically doesn't appeal. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 20:10:48 GMT
If I did get a ride bike it would only to use for fitness really and training the trails and exploring will always be first. It's just some times I can't be doing with getting everything into the car driving to trails and then thinking I better get back to the car.
I don't like the idea of using my on one for the road as I really do think tidies for road and mountain bikes for trails
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 20:30:18 GMT
Bloody gay never catch me on a road bike  |
|
|
|
Post by jgmu97 on Jun 10, 2015 21:02:18 GMT
The difference i found was my Road bike, be it a vintage fixed gear, was good at getting me places, and was alot faster, however i never really enjoyed riding it. The roads are too dangerous, and you're constantly blowing out of your arse racing up the hills. You're no longer having fun
Where as i love riding the MTB. Even if its a bitch of a ride or half an hours drive to the trails, id much rather do that! You just cant explain it, skimming between tree's and flying off jumps!!! Although i do try and get decent times, im not knackered after the ride, but instead have a large smile across my face
I am looking at getting an old road bike again, AS A PROJECT, to build up and then sell! Its satisfying when you restore one, i probably had more fun building my last one up than actually riding it!
|
|
|
|
Post by andywatson on Jun 10, 2015 21:22:32 GMT
Hardly dare say it Bob, but have you considered a bit of running.
Once you get started it's even more convenient than a road bike if time is short and builds fitness quickly.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 21:39:23 GMT
I have andy but I am really bad at running and suffer from tendinitis in my Achilles after just a few hundred yards
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2015 6:01:32 GMT
I'm one of the lucky few who live a 2 mile, off road ride from the trails, so I have no need and even less desire to own a road bike. Move to sunny Roojely Bob, problem sorted. |
|
|
|
Post by barffy on Jun 11, 2015 6:25:00 GMT
Get one Bob. Never have too many bikes and it really does wonders for fitness. I'd hazard a guess everyone telling you not to get one has never had one!
|
|
|
|
Post by Jimbo on Jun 11, 2015 7:12:29 GMT
Bob I use my road bike for fitness and as Nelly said you get on a road bike for an hour and do an hours riding. With my MTB it seems to take 3 times longer to be ready, I carry shit loads of stuff I never use and in 2 hours last night only moved for 1.5 of those. I love getting out on the country lanes and it feels odd being nearly naked in lycra but from a fitness point of view it's awesome. I also feel it helps me enjoy the MTB better as I am quicker on the ups and downs so I get a better flow rather than blowing out my arse!
That said I road bike on my own and do it for fitness but I MTB to keep fit but to mainly to have a laugh with my mates and enjoy the countryside.
Go and see the guys at Fred's in Wton they did me a cracking deal on my road bike.
|
|
|
|
Post by alshack on Jun 11, 2015 8:08:26 GMT
I would "go roadie" if it wasn't so flipping dangerous on the roads. I live near the Chilterns so I can be in the woods in about 15 mins riding, but even if I wasn't I'm not sure I would risk road-riding. I'm very observant & careful, but unfortunately most drivers I see are not, and they are bigger than me.
Shame as I quite fancy getting out & doing some serious miles. Some of the MTBers I used to go out with have "turned" and are very, very fit; they went out on the trails with a bunch of MTB guys a few weeks ago & blew them away (not that sort of blow!) up the hills, so I guess it does get you pretty fit.
I'll stick to MTBing me - I feel a lot safer and, at the end of the day, it really is more fun.
|
|
|
|
Post by hodgy on Jun 11, 2015 8:34:30 GMT
Get one Bob. Never have too many bikes and it really does wonders for fitness. I'd hazard a guess everyone telling you not to get one has never had one! Not quite true Barrfy ...but that was 40 years ago and there was a hell of a lot less traffic on the roads ! The main reason for not having one has just been spelt out very well in Alshacks post . Even in a quiet rural setting with less traffic ..every fucker up here thinks they are a rally driver ...and that's just the women on the school run .. |
|
|
|
Post by Jimbo on Jun 11, 2015 8:44:06 GMT
Shame as I quite fancy getting out & doing some serious miles. Some of the MTBers I used to go out with have "turned" and are very, very fit; they went out on the trails with a bunch of MTB guys a few weeks ago & blew them away ( not that sort of blow!) up the hills, so I guess it does get you pretty fit. I'll stick to MTBing me - I feel a lot safer and, at the end of the day, it really is more fun. Now that has just reminded me that while passing a parked car last night near the Common I was a little surprised to see the lad grinning to himself only to realise there was a mane of blonde hair moving up and down out of sight (to other cars not cyclists!) I remember those days |
|
|
|
Post by andywatson on Jun 11, 2015 8:48:20 GMT
Shame as I quite fancy getting out & doing some serious miles. Some of the MTBers I used to go out with have "turned" and are very, very fit; they went out on the trails with a bunch of MTB guys a few weeks ago & blew them away ( not that sort of blow!) up the hills, so I guess it does get you pretty fit. I'll stick to MTBing me - I feel a lot safer and, at the end of the day, it really is more fun. Now that has just reminded me that while passing a parked car last night near the Common I was a little surprised to see the lad grinning to himself only to realise there was a mane of blonde hair moving up and down out of sight (to other cars not cyclists!) I remember those days Over the years I've come across quite a bit of that whilst running and cycling.
BTW Has anyone else noticed that after members voting down a road bike section that road related threads usually generate quite a discussion...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2015 8:50:22 GMT
To be fair they are good for fitness and time, it can be a pain in the arse getting all your gear ready to go riding traveling to the place if you want to ride ...Mtb I'm lucky in some ways as I can get out to the country side with out having to touch many roads and still do a fair loop and climbing .. But saying that I like road riding as well ... And brill for an hour work out/ or two  which helps with your fitness on the Mtb in the long run Don't expect to drop loads of weight ... Just by cycling !!!! Diet .. Is the key which for me I've blown out the window again...  |
|
|
|
Post by alshack on Jun 11, 2015 14:34:16 GMT
Now that has just reminded me that while passing a parked car last night near the Common I was a little surprised to see the lad grinning to himself only to realise there was a mane of blonde hair moving up and down out of sight (to other cars not cyclists!) I remember those days Over the years I've come across quite a bit of that whilst running and cycling.
BTW Has anyone else noticed that after members voting down a road bike section that road related threads usually generate quite a discussion...
I'll bet ... Wipe-clean lycra??? |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2015 6:58:25 GMT
Like has been said, my biggest reason for not road riding is the danger element - I hear so many near miss stories off roadies from work to convince me it just ain't worth it. Bob, my honest advice to you would be if you are chasing fitness then do it, there is no doubt it'll make you fitter, all the lads I ride with who road ride too are on a different fitness level to me (not hard tbf) but if some feckin HGV runs you down and kills you, don't come crying to me! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2015 7:00:29 GMT
Oh, PS, I had a road bike as a kid and when I first started MTB I would ride the local by pass for fitness - and it bored the absolute shoite out of me |
|
|
|
Post by Jimbo on Jun 12, 2015 7:15:31 GMT
Do you still live by the dis-used railway? you can do 20k down the railway and not see any cars. It's nice at the moment but not so fun when it rains.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2015 14:14:55 GMT
Feck it think il just keep using the bike I got and make sure I get out at least 3 times a wee minimum
|
|
which helps with your fitness on the Mtb in the long run 