Cycling UK Forum

cyclop wrote: ↑13 Dec 2023, 8:59am ...exercising with a band has replaced that...

Yeearr man, just look at Keith Richard !

One of the great advantages of cycling for exercise is that you can build it into life (as of course you can with walking). So the daily process of getting about becomes exercise. I've been a club cyclist for 45 years now, and enjoyed racing, touring, Audax and so on - without ever actually being any good. I enjoy walking but have always been terrible at running. I've always regarded training in any form as slightly cheating (I agree with Flanders and Swann there). So that doesn't give much incentive to go off doing other forms of exercise that would be more disruptive to life.

That said, decades ago, I joined the St Christopher's CC for the duration of my time in Leeds as a student. They did winter circuit training, just in a hall. The following season, I rose majestically from going off the back on the slightest rise to actually being able to hang on to the rear of the group, and even won the handicap in their club hilly event (only time I'll ever win any kind of prize involving gradients). So it's not as though I don't realise that more rounded training helps.

Four years ago, after a double bypass, the excellent NHS system fed me into recovery physiotherapy first, and then into local gym membership to continue the work. Since then, I have been doing a bit of that as well as returning to riding. And it's actually quite fun.

So, to answer the question, it's taken me the best part of 50 years to cease to be a mono-exerciser.

drossall wrote: ↑15 Dec 2023, 11:42pm One of the great advantages of cycling for exercise is that you can build it into life

Though can be hard work .

Have a 42 mile ride to the gym today, the initial 21 miles directly into a head wind, blowing at a reported 21-25mph. May have to give that 4-5 mile section on the only stretch of dual carriageway for 60 miles a miss, as the HGV's could be meandering onto the "2-3' wide hard shoulder", with the wind. At least there won't be waterfalls of splash coming off HGV's today, substantial 3-6" deep sodden stretches

Having to do 50+ miles to the gym on Wednesday, was hard work. a 1.75Hr gym workout was superb, but came very close to deciding to walk the final seven miles, fortunately got away with a probable 4-6mph on the final several miles, (Nb. 5 miles of it, the only actual cycle paths in the area, 3.5 miles of it was lethal, with sodden, leaf litter. A 2.5 Hr walk preferable to broken bones )

.

gbnz wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 9:20am

drossall wrote: ↑15 Dec 2023, 11:42pm One of the great advantages of cycling for exercise is that you can build it into life

Though can be hard work .

Have a 42 mile ride to the gym today, the initial 21 miles directly into a head wind, blowing at a reported 21-25mph. May have to give that 4-5 mile section on the only stretch of dual carriageway for 60 miles a miss, as the HGV's could be meandering onto the "2-3' wide hard shoulder", with the wind. At least there won't be waterfalls of splash coming off HGV's today, substantial 3-6" deep sodden stretches

Having to do 50+ miles to the gym on Wednesday, was hard work. a 1.75Hr gym workout was superb, but came very close to deciding to walk the final seven miles, fortunately got away with a probable 4-6mph on the final several miles, (Nb. 5 miles of it, the only actual cycle paths in the area, 3.5 miles of it was lethal, with sodden, leaf litter. A 2.5 Hr walk preferable to broken bones )

.

In the words of The Painters from "Chewin' the Fat" ..... "You've taken that too far".

Yesterday, I was doing some manual work - getting logs cut and bringing them in. I was worn out only after a hour or so work.
I've never been strong in the upper body and arms. In the RN we had to do fitness tests and do loads of press-ups. I could only manage two or three.

Chatting to a friend later about body strength and leg strength. He said he has weak legs and could never cycle very far at all, but he's a builder. Strong as an ox ........ but not in the leg department.

Exact opposite to me.

We are all different. I cycle because I can. I don't lift weights because I can't.

We are all different

Quite, one can make the best of what life has given you (that can be a lot of change) but there are natural limits …

This has been an interesting thread, enlightening, maybe it’s drifted a bit but usefully so. Reading it highlights how highly focussed some members are and that goes some way to explaining deeply held convictions - polarised even - on other topics …

gbnz wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 9:20am

drossall wrote: ↑15 Dec 2023, 11:42pm One of the great advantages of cycling for exercise is that you can build it into life

Though can be hard work .

Have a 42 mile ride to the gym today, the initial 21 miles directly into a head wind, blowing at a reported 21-25mph. May have to give that 4-5 mile section on the only stretch of dual carriageway for 60 miles a miss, as the HGV's could be meandering onto the "2-3' wide hard shoulder", with the wind. At least there won't be waterfalls of splash coming off HGV's today, substantial 3-6" deep sodden stretches

Having to do 50+ miles to the gym on Wednesday, was hard work. a 1.75Hr gym workout was superb, but came very close to deciding to walk the final seven miles, fortunately got away with a probable 4-6mph on the final several miles, (Nb. 5 miles of it, the only actual cycle paths in the area, 3.5 miles of it was lethal, with sodden, leaf litter. A 2.5 Hr walk preferable to broken bones )

.

That's a hell of a lot of exercise. I have one or two questions.

1. Did you always do a lot of exercise ?

2. Do you think all that exercise helps keep the epilepsy at bay? ( can't quite remember what type of fits you take but you did mention that before )

3. Do you think too much exercise could be the cause of your fits?

Cowsham wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 12:58pm

gbnz wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 9:20am Though can be hard work

That's a hell of a lot of exercise.

Or really bad navigation 42 miles to the gym?

jimlews wrote: ↑15 Dec 2023, 10:31pm

cyclop wrote: ↑13 Dec 2023, 8:59am ...exercising with a band has replaced that...

Yeearr man, just look at Keith Richard !

: - )

Jonathan

Yes and No.

In out teens we play footie,cricket and swim.As we get to our 20's we get seduced by some one at the local cycling club or at work.Marriage and kids follow.Also the car.At this point in their career time is short few people exercise.They have to drive kids to many functions..On my street I am one of no one who cycles or walks.Except for those who have dogs and get taken out for daily exercise by said dog.
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I ride Brompton and a 100% British Vintage

briansnail wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 2:17pm ...
In out teens we play footie,cricket and swim.As we get to our 20's we get seduced by some one at the local cycling club or at work.Marriage and kids follow.Also the car.At this point in their career time is short few people exercise.They have to drive kids to many functions..On my street I am one of no one who cycles or walks.Except for those who have dogs and get taken out for daily exercise by said dog.

When Arthur Ashe knew that we would soon die he wrote a letter to his daughters. It included the difference between organised sports in which we compete when young and "sports for life", and emphasised the importance of the latter to health.

Jonathan

drossall wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 1:52pm

Cowsham wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 12:58pm

gbnz wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 9:20am Though can be hard work

That's a hell of a lot of exercise.

Or really bad navigation 42 miles to the gym?

I wouldn’t even cross the road to go to a gym.

I don't think I have ever exercised for exercise sake in my entire life. I have always had hobbies that have kept me fit, climbing - hill walking and now cycling.
My cycling is all about being out and about in the countryside watching the seasons change, (and even exploring edinburgh) and I do like the idea of powering my way along under my own power and the exhilarating experience in getting to the top of a big hill. But as odd as it may seem I don't do it for the exercise,

Pebble wrote: ↑16 Dec 2023, 3:43pm I don't think I have ever exercised for exercise sake in my entire life. I have always had hobbies that have kept me fit, climbing - hill walking and now cycling.
My cycling is all about being out and about in the countryside watching the seasons change, (and even exploring edinburgh) and I do like the idea of powering my way along under my own power and the exhilarating experience in getting to the top of a big hill. But as odd as it may seem I don't do it for the exercise,

This is the best kind of exercise.

I'm definatley with Pebble. My whole life has been spent on and off Hills, Potholing , swimming and Sub Aqua.
My caving Club is quite old and well established and we have a number of older members, some in their eighties who like to walk and cycle.
I am in the North West now, nicely located between the Lakes and Dales though when I lived in Bristol, I spent many happy weekends camping over in the Black Mountains with members of a Bristol Caving and Climbing Club, Hill Walking and Cycling.
I believe there is a lot to be gained walking as well. Too much cycling can over wear parts of the thigh tendons.
I found this to my determent when I ascended Coniston Old Man a few years back afte a long Hill Walking lay off and had a lot of pain on the descent from muscle group neglect. In some respects, cycling can be too easy and it can lull you ito a false sense of fitness.
Hip joint wear too can be adversely affected by too much cycling and hip replecements still plague cyclists.