Over many years of biking I've tried the road thing a couple of times. As a kid, I raced in two "10 speed" races but never really was called to continue. BMX took all of my time back then and even the past few years.

Last year I bought a Jamis road bike from Jim at University Cyclery (American's Worst BMX Team). It is a moderate/beginner type bike but from where I sit it is very fast! Given that I am almost 47 and have several more lbs to lose, I am going to start riding 3-4 times a week here in Austin. I know so little about this discipline that I don't even know what to ask. I do know that I want to learn more about road biking.

I have started slow, about 6-7 miles per jaunt. I blaze the first 60 feet but smooth out after that! This evening I hit 36 mph on one downhill section and that was SWEET! I have a goal to continue riding with multiple objectives. One of those is to become an excellent cyclist in this area. The other is to increase my health and endurance and lose enough weight to make someone notice.

Are there road bike races other than the TDF? Anything a chubby bmx has-been could particpate in? Do I have to wear spandex? I am open to any thoughts and ideas on road riding. This is my first post in this forum and I am eager to move forward.

Thanks!

Cash Matthews

Racers cant just ride for fun, can they...

I take rides with my wife/kids (who race) we always end up ditching Mom and jumping curbs, racing / sprinting...

just can't help it.

Cash, that's awesome. Road riding is a certain and proven path to greater fitness and very efficient weight loss. The key is endurance, which will build as you continue. You'll be amazed at how the weight comes off.



Ain't it though? While I love the dirt and knobby tires, the elegance and efficiency of a road bike rules. It appeals to me more and more the older I get. Plus, those road miles sure make mountain bike rides more enjoyable -- the fitness gained from the road really shines through.



Elvis asked the same question last May. Go to Page 2 of this forum and read the thread titled Cat 4 racing (and new bike check) for the good info generated for him then.



It's Lycra actually, and yes, you do. It isn't for looks or aerodynamics, it's for comfort. This is the one key factor to you being able to spend long hours in the saddle. Good shorts are the gospel -- believe it. This is the one expense on which you do not want to scrimp -- buy good shorts. We'll talk chamois butter later should the need arise. I swear by THESE and they're American made.

The most important question you'll have to ask yourself once you become a svelte and savvy master of the tarmac is, "Do I have to shave my legs?"

Funny this came up today. Yesterday I rode my MTB to work. I came home on a different bike (see Picture). Less than 16 pounds of carbon fiber and Dura Ace. I had never ridden a road bike before.

I put my MTB pedals on it. (I only have about 24 hours of riding clipped in under my belt.) I didn't notice anything really wild until I saw a guy about a quarter mile ahead of me. I easily caught up to him and blew by in the big ring. Where I was really impressed was going up this one hill. I had climbed the others focusing on spinning, cadence and body positioning. I climbed up the last one out of the saddle. The bike just lept forward with each pedal stroke. It was amazing.

A month ago I rode my bmx up Philadelphia's famous Manyunk Wall before the race. I had to grind it out. On the SL-1 climbing out of the saddle was amazing. I am planning on riding it up more hills soon. How crazy is it that I'm looking forward to going uphill?

I don't know if I could ever be a roadie, but it is a cool bike and fun experience for sure!

Welcome to my addiction Cash! I was bitten by the Road Bug a few years ago, It is by far my favorite sport/hobby. The feeling that I get when I'm on my Cannondale is the exact same feeling that I used to get when I was riding my Race Inc back in 1983! My riding buddies always make fun of me for having a big dumb grin when I ride.

A great place to start is www.austincycling.org, it looks to have an extensive list of local rides and clubs. Look for a club that is active in teaching new riders, they will typically have a ride or two each week that focus specifically on teaching newbies the ins and outs of group riding. I was lucky to find a club here in Atlanta that has a great attitude towards beginners (Gwinnett Touring Club), they taught me everything from how to handle riding in traffic to riding in pacelines. Look out for groups that focus solely on racing (and training for races), they are often full of riders who are kind of elitists, and tend to look down on beginners. I have seen too many newbies run out of the sport because of the attitudes of some of our local Lance Wannabes.

And listen to Evan... a good chamois is a must, your nether regions will thank you.

What type of racing do you think that you would like to do? Crits or Road Races?

Manayunk! Thats a killer climb. I rode Brasstown Bald before the Tour de Georgia stage last year, I was doing ok (very slow, but OK) until I hit "The Wall" (22%), I wheelied everytime I pushed the pedal. Couldn't do it. Maybe next year.

Clavicus:

I don't know the difference between a Crit and a Road Race. How's that for novice!

I can ride about 9 miles right now without vomiting, so perhaps a 6 mile no spew race would be the most appropriate. Maybe one where we sit in recliners every mile or so and get our feet rubbed by Geisha types. Oh, and they feed me grapes or cupcakes or something delicious. I may have just invented a new sport!

Cash- A Crit is a set loop and you have to do as many laps as you can in a certain time. Loops can be anywhere from 5 miles or more. Road races are more of one long race where the guy in first wins. Time trials are a set course where you race the clock and the best time wins.

I would suggest going on local charity rides or with a cycling group. Nine miles isn't a bad place to start. Just get some tips from esxperienced riders. I have learned that spinning is more effective than power. Whatever gear you feel comfortable in, switch to one gear easier. Your minimum RPM's should be 60.

See, right there, I learned something on Vintage. Ok, my computer thingy does rpm's so my ride next week I will stay around 60 rpms. Thanks, that is cool! I leared about road biking on a bmx website. Good stuff.

Well, I work at SE and I'm surrounded by Fuji and Kestrel guys. It rubs off. It's all riding and fun. One other main thing is proper posture. Keep your back straight, shoulders square and don't lean on the bars. You should have just a light touch on the bars. It keeps you fresh and more powerful.

Cash, after 10 + years of being a roadie, do yourself a favor....get a professional fit. Instantly, you will add MPH, more distance and will help the overall breathing.

I spend many years doping it wrong & since the fit, the effort is effortless and it just feels right every time.

Look into organized rides where you can ride in a pack and see what that feels like before getting into the racing scene. Get a season of constant 20-40 mile rides to the point they feel comfortable and then see if you want to get into Crits.

Get good shorts and shoes. TRUST ME ON THIS. happy feet and the Junk not killing you will make for a better ride.

Welcome to your next obsession. Next thing you know, you'll be a weight weenie like the rest of us.

pep

Yeah, sounds like you should definitely put off any racing plans for a while, at least until you get a good base built. Charity type rides are usually a lot of fun.

I made the mistake of jumping into racing well before I had built up the endurance for it, I did a lot of crits my first season... I did a lot of puking too.

Eventually I found that I have the same problem with racing on the road, as I had racing BMX... A profound lack of talent. Now I stick to group rides and time trials. I enjoy time trialing so much, that I eventually started doing some triathlons (which are also a blast).

Hey maybe next year at Rockford, they can do a group ride for us Roadies!

I like Hoss Technical Gear for shorts. It's mostly for mountain bikers I guess, but I use them for road riding. They are comfortable and you can walk around off the bike without scaring small children. Basically, underneath the shorts feel just like regular road bike shorts, but there is an outer layer that make them look like regular shorts, though not so baggy that they catch on your saddle all the time. They have nice pockets also.


Click here.

This is good info here, and I'm glad Cash asked this question. I'm thinking of getting a road bike for fitness reasons but feel lost due to lack of ability and knowledge. I only have one local bike shop close to me and they're a bunch of yahoos so I'm gonna look for a reputable shop and get sized correctly if I jump into a road bike. Evan, I'm gonna check out that link you posted also.

Road bikes are for girls. You want fitness? Go with rolling resistance and good 4X4 ability, Get a good mountain bike.

There is no reason for road bikes to exist in my world.

Yeah, that must be why every contending MTB XC Pro spends 80%+ of his training time on the road bike.

I always find statements like this interesting. If there is no reason for roadbikes to exist in your world, why are you spending time in the roadbike forum?

................searching for my troll spray.

As a former MTB racer, EVAN could not have said it better. 80% on the road gives you a nasty 20% on the climbs on a singletrack.

Hey Cash, I don't know how big of a guy that you are, but I am about 225 lbs, so I know what its like to be the biggest guy at the group rides. Before I started riding on the road, I was around 250, so it has helped. Now if I could just stop eating junk food, I could get to a better riding weight.

There is a book by Mike Magnuson, called Heft on Wheels: A Field Guide to Doing A 180, it is a great book by a pretty big guy that got into cycling. You should give it a read, I found it to be pretty motivating. If you want to read it, shoot me a PM and I will send you my copy.

N2O... Well said!

or just quits MTB altogether, and does the Tour de France instead

they still keep that fave BMX hanging on the wall too.

i met him a few times when he was on Volvo/Cannondale. the team HQ was close to me and i'm aquainted with the guy who owned/ran the team.

Cash -

Come on up to Oregon and ride with Ken and I. Bring the family and do a tour of the San Juans. This weekend my two sons and I are riding www.cycleOregon.com on a tandem (one boy per day). It's very relaxing and a great way to burn off middle age.

One of the great things about road is as you get older and don't recover so quick anymore, you can get out on a road bike and ride for hours and hours with out doing any real damage to your body. Here's a real good suggestion. Have your bike professionally fit for you by a good fitter. This will prevent serious injury to your knees, hips, groin, elbows, wrists, and back.
Also supposedly as we get on in years we hopefully develop patience. This is a must if your going on longer rides.
There is a huge social scene with benefit road riding.
There always seems to be someone about your speed and ability to ride with.
It is a great way to augment your other riding.
As much as I dig coaching highschool mountain biking, there aren't many kids out on the road. It's almost entirely mature adults.
The world becomes an adventure limited upon your desire to go explore.