Originally Posted by
WhyFi
You started riding relatively recently, right? I wouldn't get too in to the weeds and ride by numbers just yet - ride your bike, build your base, and (most importantly) keep it fun.
Originally Posted by
MoAlpha
This and ignore what I wrote above. It's too easy to get obsessed with the numbers.
I did this to begin, but started getting hurt. Turned out I was going too hard/too long every time I went out. I started doing some reading and learned about FTP and how to pace myself. Apparently my rate of perceived exertion was way off. Anyway, I started taking it easy 3 out of 4 times and have been able to go a couple of months without hurting something or another.
And I'm one of those weirdos that think the numbers are fun (so this is part of keeping it fun
But yes; I agree, building the base is what I need. I was just curious about how hard people that ride 3 or more hours are pushing (relatively speaking). The same way I read wikipedia articles on things that have no bearing to my life.