Pedal constantly?
#26
Senior Member
My LOOPING ride today that I began less than 1 hour from my reply last night. Distance of 33.33 miles and only needed to stop pedaling 3 times each for a few seconds. Once for a Racoon that cut in front of me, another for an Opossum that also cut in front of me and then a car.
https://www.strava.com/activities/9262506253
https://www.strava.com/activities/9262506253
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,456
Liked 1,447 Times
in
1,005 Posts
But:
- New(er) cyclists often pedal a few times and stop (and keep repeating this throughout their ride). You don't want to do this (if you want to be a "better" cyclist).
- More experienced riders will tend to keep pedaling and vary the pressure on the pedals to control speed. (You can move the pedals without really applying any force.)
It's normal (and fine) to stop pedaling when you are coming to a place where you might need to stop (like an intersection).
It's normal (and fine) to stop pedaling when you are going downhill.
The more you can keep pedaling (and it takes conscious practice to do that), the faster your average will be and the fitter you will become.
Riding a bike is different than a stationary bike. On long bicycle rides (especially), there is more of a need to conserve your energy. That means one has to learn how to use/manage momentum. This takes practice/experience to do well.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-15-23 at 10:43 AM.
Likes For njkayaker:
#29
Senior Member
#30
old newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 958
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Liked 406 Times
in
210 Posts
Thanks everyone. I was just curious if I should be pedaling nonstop on the longer rides. Right now pedaling 45 minutes is tough enough. I can’t imagine doing that for twice as long or more.
Of course when I was young I couldn’t imagine running a mile either. I need to do it once so I will know I can.
Of course when I was young I couldn’t imagine running a mile either. I need to do it once so I will know I can.
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,638
Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
Liked 807 Times
in
514 Posts
Yesterday's ride began at 12:36AM with rabbits, racoons and opossums needing to be dodged. Skunks have pretty much disappeared due to housing construction. Today's ride was an *under the sun - scorcher* that I began at 8:33AM https://www.strava.com/activities/9271199892
Pedal as much as is needed for you to accomplish the desired goal and to keep it fun.
Thanks everyone. I was just curious if I should be pedaling nonstop on the longer rides. Right now pedaling 45 minutes is tough enough. I can’t imagine doing that for twice as long or more.
Of course when I was young I couldn’t imagine running a mile either. I need to do it once so I will know I can.
Of course when I was young I couldn’t imagine running a mile either. I need to do it once so I will know I can.
#34
Cantilever believer
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
But it is a serious safety concern. It can easily result in wheel overlap or wheel touching, which then results in multi-bike pileups and sometimes-serious injuries. To the people, too, not just the bicycles. In the groups I raced / rode with, squirrelly riders were told politely but firmly to improve their line and smoothness (typically with offers to coach the offending rider), move to the far back behind the rotation, or depart the pack/paceline.
As for me, I'm typically pedaling all the time at about 80-85 rpm with generally light pedal effort. I can typically keep up light effort and constant movement all day, as compared to heavy intermittent effort and coasting.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,456
Liked 1,447 Times
in
1,005 Posts
pepperbelly - just go ride your bike. It'll be fun. You don't need to make it complicated.
It’s saying the OP, after asking a fairly-specific question, should be satisfied staying ignorant. That they should be happy not becoming more skilled. It doesn’t really answer the OP’s question at all.
There are many people who ride bikes “casually”, which is fine.
But, with taking the effort of asking the question here, the OP doesn’t seem to want to stay in that group.
I have no idea why anybody would advise them that being a “casual” cyclist is what they should aspire to.
Why not give them useful information and let them choose how to use it?
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-15-23 at 09:52 PM.
Likes For njkayaker:
#36
I hate riding indoors, simulators, music, and other diversions never help, I get bored quickly. But when the weather is bad, and I don’t want to miss too much time in the saddle, I just suck it up and drag out the rollers. A positive point about using rollers for my indoor workouts is that I don’t need to hook up or connect anything, and that they greatly improve your balance, stability, and pedal stroke. After my first workout on rollers (which involved a few mishaps), I noticed an immediate improvement in my riding.
#37
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Liked 2,492 Times
in
1,287 Posts
The only time I pedal constantly is when I ride my fixed gear.
Likes For wolfchild:
#38
Hack
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,288
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
Liked 199 Times
in
136 Posts
This sort of reply is sad. It’s bad advice.
It’s saying the OP, after asking a fairly-specific question, should be satisfied staying ignorant. That they should be happy not becoming more skilled. It doesn’t really answer the OP’s question at all.
There are many people who ride bikes “casually”, which is fine.
But, with taking the effort of asking the question here, the OP doesn’t seem to want to stay in that group.
I have no idea why anybody would advise them that being a “casual” cyclist is what they should aspire to.
Why not give them useful information and let them choose how to use it?
It’s saying the OP, after asking a fairly-specific question, should be satisfied staying ignorant. That they should be happy not becoming more skilled. It doesn’t really answer the OP’s question at all.
There are many people who ride bikes “casually”, which is fine.
But, with taking the effort of asking the question here, the OP doesn’t seem to want to stay in that group.
I have no idea why anybody would advise them that being a “casual” cyclist is what they should aspire to.
Why not give them useful information and let them choose how to use it?
It won't take long to be able to compare how hard it is compared to the stationary bike. If felt like, from reading the OP and OP's follow-up responses, that they're nervous that they aren't fit enough to ride outside.
There's nothing that says having fun riding your bike is being a "casual" cyclist. Ride more, ride faster sometimes...... I know I'd be better served fitness-wise going for another ride than spending time posting on the internet about cycling or obsessing over my power data, even if that ride I did wasn't "optimal"
Likes For Viich:
#39
Senior Member
I have been getting back in shape and losing weight. I go to the gym most days and ride a stationary bike for 30 minutes. Today I rode for 45 minutes. I pedal constantly on the stationary bike.
Do riders never stop pedaling when riding on the street for 15-20 or more miles?
I just turned 65 and really need to get fit. I wasn’t wasted after 45 minutes but that was only the equivalent of 10 miles.
Do riders never stop pedaling when riding on the street for 15-20 or more miles?
I just turned 65 and really need to get fit. I wasn’t wasted after 45 minutes but that was only the equivalent of 10 miles.
I have cadence, speed, gradient, power, HR data for every ride. The only pedaling metric I look at is balance, how much off is my left leg compared to my right leg.
Likes For GhostRider62:
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,456
Liked 1,447 Times
in
1,005 Posts
Why should people take the time to figure out stuff they can quickly learn from asking a question?
People who do this often get bad habits that are hard to undo.
(Just to be clear: people have to ride also.)
pepperbelly - just go ride your bike. It'll be fun. You don't need to make it complicated.
There is no reason not to seek out what other people have learned and avoid taking the time to figure it all out yourself.
Your "advice" is effectively "don't ask questions" (which is sad).
The OP already chose to ask question on the internet. So, he thinks it's worthwhile for him.
Many people who don't seek out information from knowledgeable people retain bad habits for a long time. For many things, people would be better off learning things from other people rather than never learning a "better" way to do things. Often, this isn't much effort
You are doing exactly what you are recommending people not do. This doesn't make sense. And, since you aren't really answering the OPs question, what you shouldn't be doing isn't really useful.
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-16-23 at 09:18 AM.
#41
old newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 958
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Liked 406 Times
in
210 Posts
I guess I was a little flippant, but my point was - go for a ride and see how it is.
It won't take long to be able to compare how hard it is compared to the stationary bike. If felt like, from reading the OP and OP's follow-up responses, that they're nervous that they aren't fit enough to ride outside.
There's nothing that says having fun riding your bike is being a "casual" cyclist. Ride more, ride faster sometimes...... I know I'd be better served fitness-wise going for another ride than spending time posting on the internet about cycling or obsessing over my power data, even if that ride I did wasn't "optimal"
It won't take long to be able to compare how hard it is compared to the stationary bike. If felt like, from reading the OP and OP's follow-up responses, that they're nervous that they aren't fit enough to ride outside.
There's nothing that says having fun riding your bike is being a "casual" cyclist. Ride more, ride faster sometimes...... I know I'd be better served fitness-wise going for another ride than spending time posting on the internet about cycling or obsessing over my power data, even if that ride I did wasn't "optimal"
I was mainly curious about how it is riding in a group. I am mainly a casual rider but I want to go on a few rides, especially the charity rides.
I was just curious if riders constantly pedal or if it was like when I rode around my neighborhood.
You did have a good suggestion-I do need to just go ride. Since I don’t have anyone nearby to ride with I tend to pester this group with questions that would probably be easy if I was with others.
Likes For pepperbelly:
#42
Hack
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,288
Bikes: TrueNorth CX bike, 88 Bianchi Strada (currently Sturmey'd), Yess World Cup race BMX, Pure Cruiser race BMX, RSD Mayor v3 Fatbike
Liked 199 Times
in
136 Posts
pepperbelly , I don't have a lot to add to what other people have already said about pedaling constantly when riding on roads.
I get the impression from your original post and from some of your follow-up comments that you are nervous to go on longer rides because of how difficult the stationary bike is for the duration you expect the distance to take. If that is the case I would encourage you to just do outside rides of increasing length, many people find riding outside, for varying reasons, easier to ride for a longer duration than an indoor stationary bike. One of those reasons is that riding a bike outside is fun.
Likes For Viich:
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Far beyond the pale horizon.
Posts: 14,456
Liked 1,447 Times
in
1,005 Posts
"Group" riding is usually where a number of riders are riding together (like a "team" of sorts). "Charity" (organized) rides are where there are a bunch of riders (some riding in groups; some riding singly).
If you are riding alone (on an organized ride or not), you can do whatever you like (as long as it's safe for you and others). If you are riding in a group, you'll want to use a riding style that works with the group. (For faster, more experienced groups, that style will likely entail less coasting.)
While stationary biking is helpful for riding on the road, it's important to understand that there are significant differences. Stationary bikes are "all about" pedaling. Road riding is also about managing energy/momentum (which you aren't going to learn on a stationary bike).
Last edited by njkayaker; 06-16-23 at 10:19 AM.
Likes For njkayaker:
#44
old newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 958
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Liked 406 Times
in
210 Posts
The actual limit has to be much higher (so, you don't need to worry about it).
Riding in "a group" is not riding in a "charity ride".
"Group" riding is usually where a number of riders are riding together (like a "team" of sorts). "Charity" (organized) rides are where there are a bunch of riders (some riding in groups; some riding singly).
If you are riding alone (on an organized ride or not), you can do whatever you like (as long as it's safe for you and others). If you are riding in a group, you'll want to use a riding style that works with the group. (For faster, more experienced groups, that style will likely entail less coasting.)
Road riders don't constantly pedal. But what they do might not (always) be like what you do riding around your neighborhood.
You need to ride, of course. But there's no reason you can't ask questions. (One doesn't preclude the other.) If there's a local cycling club, that's one way of having people to learn from.
While stationary biking is helpful for riding on the road, it's important to understand that there are significant differences. Stationary bikes are "all about" pedaling. Road riding is also about managing energy/momentum (which you aren't going to learn on a stationary bike).
Riding in "a group" is not riding in a "charity ride".
"Group" riding is usually where a number of riders are riding together (like a "team" of sorts). "Charity" (organized) rides are where there are a bunch of riders (some riding in groups; some riding singly).
If you are riding alone (on an organized ride or not), you can do whatever you like (as long as it's safe for you and others). If you are riding in a group, you'll want to use a riding style that works with the group. (For faster, more experienced groups, that style will likely entail less coasting.)
Road riders don't constantly pedal. But what they do might not (always) be like what you do riding around your neighborhood.
You need to ride, of course. But there's no reason you can't ask questions. (One doesn't preclude the other.) If there's a local cycling club, that's one way of having people to learn from.
While stationary biking is helpful for riding on the road, it's important to understand that there are significant differences. Stationary bikes are "all about" pedaling. Road riding is also about managing energy/momentum (which you aren't going to learn on a stationary bike).
I retired at the end of July 2020- just in time for covid to be in full bloom. From then until this past January I managed to go from about 235 to 305 pounds. That ends now. I started keto at the end of January and am at about 257 now. It’s slower than I want but it’s working.
The only real downside is that eating very few carbs means I don’t have as much energy. I may have to up my carbs a little when I start riding 20 miles or more.
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,610
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Liked 1,721 Times
in
1,107 Posts
My short local rides are all Up and Down. I don't pedal when going down so as to gather strength for the next up... Ha
But think about it. If your only pedaling when going up and you do a loop then your only pedaling 1/2 of your ride.
I can't think of another sport that allows for such a good work out and short recovery time...
(Curling?)
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
Likes For zandoval:
#46
I will often adjust my cadence on a road bike and switch to a higher gear and lower my rpms on flat ground and the same when going down a hill where I am pedaling but in as high a gear as I have available. I focus on maintaining a minimum speed while bicycling and worry less about my cadence as I am not getting prepared for a race.
Likes For Calsun:
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 546
Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia
Likes: 0
Liked 391 Times
in
205 Posts
I never stop pedaling unless there's a good reason. I'll stop when turning to avoid pedal strikes, and on really steep downhills, but with rare exceptions, if the bike's moving, I'm pedaling. Even when I've done occasional centuries, I never coast.
Likes For Random11:
Likes For oldbobcat:
#49
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,574
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Liked 6,113 Times
in
3,122 Posts
Like Oldbobcat and several others, I don’t stop unless coasting to a stop, maxing out on a steep dwownhill, or avoiding pedal strikes. That doesn’t mean that I don’t vary my power output (Watts). Of course on climbs it goes up, but try to keep cadence about the same if possible. But I will also do mini-intervals where I push hard and then take it easy, rinse and repeat. It keeps things for me a bit more interesting. This is on solo rides, of course.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Likes For rsbob:
#50
old newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 958
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix
Liked 406 Times
in
210 Posts
Like Oldbobcat and several others, I don’t stop unless coasting to a stop, maxing out on a steep dwownhill, or avoiding pedal strikes. That doesn’t mean that I don’t vary my power output (Watts). Of course on climbs it goes up, but try to keep cadence about the same if possible. But I will also do mini-intervals where I push hard and then take it easy, rinse and repeat. It keeps things for me a bit more interesting. This is on solo rides, of course.