Training for the Artie—Where to start

Before you decide to take any bike training advice from me, it might be smart to peruse my resume. 

A few years ago – like 18 – I thought it might be fun to use the then-emerging technology called “mountain bikes” to get to my favorite fishing streams faster than I could hike.
This turned out to be true.  A bike would transport me and my gear up the fire trail (and down) faster than walking.  I fished new water and enjoyed myself.  But the bike riding became an end in its own right.

I began riding the bike and giving the trout a rest.  Then, came racing with very modest results, though occasionally I was a factor in some of the novice or vet sport categories.

The fact is that I rode a lot.  I saw a lot and I figured out some things that worked for me and some that didn’t.  There was a lot of reading in addition to saddle time. 

Inevitably, a road bike joined the mountain bike in the garage and now I ride much more on the road than on the trails.

Some perspective.

There’s a question as to what’s “a lot” of bike riding.  Let’s take a look at the extremes.

There are friends of mine who get up at 3 or 4 a.m., so they can ride 100 miles before they go to work!  These same people ride or race in large groups on the weekends, and challenge each other.  Riding up Bent Mountain would be routine.

The other extreme is the friend who drives to Green Hill Park or the Roanoke River Greenway, unloads their beach cruiser or older mountain bike and rides for 30 minutes, with a break in the middle.  These folks will ride with their grand kids, or as part of a weight loss program.  Riding up Bent Mountain would be impossible.

I’m in the middle.  I ride 50-miles pretty easily on a Saturday morning, and might do several rides of 15-25 miles – schedule permitting – during the week.  Typically I can still mow the lawn when I get back, but I might take a nap after that.  Riding up Bent Mountain is doable but noteworthy.

The Best of the Blue Ridge, Artie Levin Memorial Ride has something for all of these people.  For those of us in the middle, it will take some training to get up to the 75 or 100 mile distances.  If you ride in the park, you can take great pride in completing the 25 or maybe the 50 mile distances.  It’s just a matter of stretching yourself.

I’ll be offering some tidbits I’ve picked up along the roads and trails of Virginia to give you some direction.

Here’s the first:  There’s a difference between training and riding.  If you want to get better, the worst thing you can do is, “just ride.”  You need a plan.  You need a program.  You need to get out of your comfort zone just a little.

It’s not so different from training for a marathon.  There are speed days, there are long days, there are strength days.  These are separated by easy days or days off. 

But before you push yourself too hard, you need a base.  You need a few weeks of “just riding” to get your leg muscles and everything to which they are connected accustomed to riding.  Then when you begin to push yourself, your body will be ready and you won’t wind up with sore knees or some other overuse injury.

So for now get out and ride whatever is comfortable for you, and make it a habit.  If you’ve already got a base, start thinking about longer rides on Saturday or Sunday, intervals mid-week and maybe a day dedicated to slow climbing.

Good luck.  I’ll see you out on the road.