How much cycling do you have to do to lose weight

Velocio · Post by **Velocio** » 30 Jan 2007, 12:11am

Thanks to everyone who's offered advice...some of the suggestions are pure common sense...and some are revelations to me...at least I don't feel like I'm the only one with a 'no weight loss while cycling' problem anymore...!

At the weekend...ever eager to put some of these wise suggestions into practice...I cycled a steady 10 miles in the glorious sunshine by the sea on Saturday...then on Sunday...I thought I'd attempt my favourite hilly 20 mile ride over the South Downs...after about 4 miles I met the first hill of the day...then suddenly...twang!...a shooting pain in my left calf putting pay to any further cycling that day...it was very early in the morning and very cold...I must have pulled a muscle before fully warming up...today I've cycled about 8 miles without pain or great exertion...I'm still determined to get fitter and slimmer through cycling by the end of the year...I'll keep you posted

Post by **Graham** » 30 Jan 2007, 12:41am

Sorry to hear about the injury Velocio. You could always try sneaking round the east side of Portsdown hill. i.e. Eastern Rd up to Farlington, through Bedhampton and Leigh Park to Rowlands Castle. Once there you have the start of some nice country lanes. My favourite is Rowlands Castle up to Buriton, through Queen Elizabeth forest. . .. . plenty of other possibilities though.

Post by **Mick F** » 30 Jan 2007, 9:13am

Yes Graham, I know it well round there.

Having been in Pompey for months on and off (Many years ago), I've done loads of miles in Hants. Rowlands Castle, Buriton, Uppark, Meon Valley, New Forrest, Petersfield, Hayling Island, even up to Stonhenge, over to IOW, ....

As you can tell, I had some time off!

Get well soon, Velocio!

Mick F. Cornwall

Velocio · Post by **Velocio** » 30 Jan 2007, 10:54am

Thanks for your kind wishes guys...getting there...cycling to and from work daily...

...the Petersfield to Rowlands Castle route is my favourite ride...Mrs Velocio and I ride it as often as possible when we're ready willing and able...I know of few other routes which are so beautiful and so quiet at the same time...we stick to the on-road route that takes you up the steep hill at Buriton...then what seems like down hill all the way to Idsworth and Finchdean...at Finchdean we turn left off to Forest Side...then right along the downhill road that passes Stanstead House...to the main road...turning right...200 yards...then turn right again into the forest and back towards Rowlands Castle...bliss

Penfold · Post by **Penfold** » 30 Jan 2007, 3:20pm

First post on the boards :oops:

On the subject of cycling and weight loss.....Do the more experienced members consider gym bike miles (or K's) wasted on general fitness?

I am desperate to increase my fitness and do about four 'sessions' per week in the gym, all airobic stuff (bike,runing,rowing) I'm on the bike for about 40 minutes each session.
Do members think I would be better off getting myself out there 'on the road' and dedicate all my efforts to active real time cycling? :shock:

Post by **Graham** » 30 Jan 2007, 3:36pm

Hi Penfold,
Welcome to the board .
Just my perspective : everyones' is different.
Cycling in a gym is a chore - the only thing you achieve is fitness - which is good in itself but . . . . How about achieving the fitness AND some other functional achievement. i.e. Real-world transportation - to work, shopping, or just getting out of the house into the countryside. This is synergy in action. PLUS you don't have to pay for the gym ( OTOH a bit of upper-body exercise is especially beneficial to us cyclists ). PLUS it is sustainable living par--exellence. PLUS the sense of independence gained . . . . . . .

Penfold · Post by **Penfold** » 30 Jan 2007, 3:50pm

Graham,
Thanks for the welcome

I'm lucky in as much as my work provide all the gym gear for free so I don't have the hassle of fee's etc.

I agree that gym cycling is a chore. :evil:

I'm not a fan of MTV booming out dross to help pass the time either.

I do have a half decent road bike hanging off the garage roof so I guess it's time to bite the bullet, get my sad fat butt onto the saddle and go for it. :wink:

PW · Post by PW » 31 Jan 2007, 11:35am

I used to ride @200m/wk, 5'-8" & 11st2lbs. 15 years later, after a few years in sedentary work with no spare time, I'm back to doing 120m/wk but struggling to get below 14st. I suspect that the metabolic rate drops with age (pushing 54 :oops:

) so more work is needed for the same result. Trouble is if I push it too hard either my ankle or knee joints start playing up.
The delights of middle age!

Post by **Mick F** » 31 Jan 2007, 12:29pm

Yes, the delights of Middle Age! I'm 54, and if I were Middle Age, I'd be looking to shuffle of this mortal coil at a whopping 108!

I've put on a stone since the summer - now 13st 9lb.
Oh well. (To quote Fleetwood Mac again.)

Mick F. Cornwall

Velocio · Post by **Velocio** » 31 Jan 2007, 5:13pm

Thanks PW and Mick F...I feel I'm among kindred spirits!

I take cod liver oil capsules to stop my joints from seizing up...and ibuprofen for my sciatica...I'm just happy and lucky I can still cycle and hope to continue for many years to come...

Penfold...I was off work today and went down to the sea and cycled up and down the seafront with the sun shining and the sea shimmering...filling my lungs with glorious fresh air...somehow I don't think a gym would have inspired me in quite the same way...if you can...do get out there...

southdowner · Post by **southdowner** » 31 Jan 2007, 6:46pm

First timer on this site and board!! I think it was when my brother called me "portly" at Xmas, when I deciced to take the plunge and buy a reasonably nice shiny new bike after months of gym work intermingled with other duties in the pub. I was full of enthuisism at getting out for some semi-serious mileage and was hoping this was going to be a virtual guarantee weight loss but am shocked to read its not going to be as easy as I expected.
I have to say though, you don't see too many fat bikers around do you??? Another few weeks on my bike and off the beers and rubbish food....surely even this 48 year old will get back to his fighting weight?

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Penfold · Post by **Penfold** » 31 Jan 2007, 7:19pm

southdowner wrote:I have to say though, you don't see too many fat bikers around do you???

[/quote]

No you don't, we are all in the gym hiding

But no more ....... The bike will be outta the garage this week, one day at a time.....I'm on leave from work till the 12th Feb and I swear I'm going to get at least half a dozen rides in before I have to go back to work.

Once I got the cobwebs off the bike (and me) I know I can keep it up

I think perhaps its getting out that is the hardest part, once you are out on the bike the normal 'lets get at it' syndrome kicks in (I hope)

Penfold · Post by **Penfold** » 1 Feb 2007, 8:38pm

Well I did it :lol:

Got bike outta the garage, off I go, enjoying the ride when all of a sudden, no steering and that rim on road sound DOH! Puncture!!!! :evil:

All was going so well too.
I was even using the cycle lane instead of risking life and limb on the A449.
Didn't spot till too late that Mr Farmer had trimmed all his hedges and left 90% of the cuttings spread across the pathway. That was me doomed.

Bike is now repaired and at defcom 3 ready for launch in the morning.

Guess which way I will not be going. :cry:

Ho Hum!

Velocio · Post by **Velocio** » 1 Feb 2007, 9:04pm

...my first running event was the 1983 London Marathon...after a year's preparation...at 23 miles I collapsed and was taken to hospital...I ran and completed a further 200 less problematic running events over the next 10 years...

...if at first you don't succeed!

The great thing is that you're not going to let a small puncture...happens to all of us...set you back...

Jimbo · Post by **Jimbo** » 2 Feb 2007, 9:47am

Regarding bikes in gyms, I've been recovering from an operation on my arm recently. They really helped keep fitness levels up so that when I got back on the bike I was ready to go.

Still not up to full fitness, but not as far as I could have been.