How much road biking should a mountain biker do?

[genusmtbkr5]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

[SIZE=6]ZERO!!!!!!!!!![/SIZE]

If you want to improve your endurance / strength ride a SS OFF ROAD Or just put in more saddle time on your current rig.

I do ride an SS, plus ride over 80 miles a week. The road part is just another training tool to use. Helps sustain that cadence that you can't get off road because of the changing terrain. Just like going up and down steep hills 3 or 4 times.

Originally Posted by S54MCoupe

You guys crack me up.

Almost ALL of the fast XC guys ride a lot of road, plain and simple.

But then again, they all wear lycra and shave their legs, too... so what do they know, right?

Ya like Mario(MP3), Manny, Michael Lee, Jason First and Cameron...,

That's why I signed up for the Long beach Bike tour. It's 26.2 miles of "CLOSED TO CARS" course and no red lights, just flat hammer out the pavement time!

[S54MCoupe]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

I do ride an SS, plus ride over 80 miles a week. The road part is just another training tool to use. Helps sustain that cadence that you can't get off road because of the changing terrain. Just like going up and down steep hills 3 or 4 times.



Ya like Mario(MP3), Manny, Michael Lee, Jason First and Cameron...,

I don't know anyone here, really. What class do they race in?

[jcbikeski]

I road ride when I'm short on time after work ('cause I can road right from my house on pretty good streets). I also do some century rides on weekends a couple times a month. So the short rides are generally 15-25 mile and the long about 100 miles. I also find a very easy road ride great the day after any killer ride.

With a mirror, lights and good roads and trails I feel as safe on road as on mtn.

John

[genusmtbkr5]

Judging from your signature, you probably do know them and have raced with against some of them. All I'm saying is that they're all fast and they do a good amount of training on the road bikes. Nice sight which one were you and how did you do in the cyclocross event?

[jcbikeski]

Originally Posted by kevinator

"... I could ride from the Back Bay to the end of the bike path in Irvine a couple times a week. I think that's about 30 miles. I've done it before. I used my HID light and was glad that I did ..."

Good idea about the bike path and the HID. People will definitely NOT be expecting a road bike whizzing past them at 20mph in pitch-black, but that's where the light gets you noticed. I'd take that over cars any day. I was riding the Aliso Creek path home from the Luge last week at around 8pm and had a doe run beside me for about 20 yards then veer into the brush.

I stopped using the bike paths at dusk (stick to roads) because I found two problems..... 1) bunnies darting arcoss out of the black and 2) those damn long, invisible leeshes when folks walk their dogs on the paths. South OC streets are pretty good with my HID light, red blinky and mirror on my clear glasses.

[DirtRider]

What about the stationary bikes at the gym or those "cycling" classes they have... wouldn't those keep/build your endurance during the winter months also???

[lukewiens]

the only reason i ride on-road is so that i can go faster off-road....

long road ride saturday....long mtb ride sunday.

on-road training allows you to control your hr and rack up a huge endurance base. the only drawback though is you have to have the patience to sit on the thing for 3-4 hours plus. low (hr) and slow (speed) in the winter on the road bike will let you build harder and peak much faster once the racing starts. plus a bunch of roadie endurance will sure help in those 12-24 hour races ehhh!!

Originally Posted by DirtRider

What about the stationary bikes at the gym or those "cycling" classes they have... wouldn't those keep/build your endurance during the winter months also???

those classes are great during your build periods (the last couple of months before you start racing).

since they are usually performed at higher heart rates your sub-threshold ability will increase allowing you to go hard at a lower heart rate. they also help in recovery from intensity. they will however allow you hang on to some endurance base racked up from the previous year....but the best way to go about it is to simply put in the volume (the more the better).

[jcbikeski]

There's another advantage of road. Those summer days when all the hills/mtns are pushing 100degrees, but your eager for some good miles. I find a ride down to San Diego along the coast very enjoyable both for the cool temps and the fine scenery on the beaches.

[FyrFytrRyn]

i first started riding road to help me on "the wall" at SR on the DH course. well, now i just like wearing the lycra. seriously though, i ride road to be faster at road, DH.XC and all other genres, and vise versa, i want to be "well rounded". now my legs look like "clubs that cavemen carry" ive been told. lol.

[Impy]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Right now the first half of the ride it's light out. But I afterwards I wear reflective clothing and use 5 lights. Helmet light (so I can point at drivers to make sure they see me), front blinky light, 3 rear blinky lights. .

I feel more secure riding road at night with blinkies than I do during the day time.

Winter is the time for Midnite Ridazz, riding in from across town with lights, a good 5 hour ride when all is said and done!

Less popular, but an option for those who work extended hours in the winter is an indoor trainer.

slap on a stupid movie or an inspirational video like the TDF and pedal pedal pedal..

[.8down]

I like spin class
























not really never been to one.

[allison]

Luke - we'll have to hook up with you for some road rides... especially after VQ training days we can get out and do some rides.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by allison

Luke - we'll have to hook up with you for some road rides... especially after VQ training days we can get out and do some rides.

Keep me in the loop on those too, if you don't mind.

[allison]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Keep me in the loop on those too, if you don't mind.

No, I'm over you.

























j/k bud

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by allison

No, I'm over you.



j/k bud

I know it was a joke, but I don't get it.

[Pilas]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I agree with you guys that road riding would be O.K. except for the cars on the road part. I guess that I could ride from the Back Bay to the end of the bike path in Irvine a couple times a week. I think that's about 30 miles. I've done it before. I used my HID light and was glad that I did because there were several hikers and dog walkers out there dressed in black, in the dark, and almost invisible.

Rather than go out at night, you can go out early, before work. If you want to ride the bike paths in the Back Bay area, the YMCA at University and Irvine allows anyone to use their showers for $2.

When I work on my base fitness, during January and february, I ride the route you describe. I usually use my CX bike, with road tires. I have an HID and a tail light. I'm able to clock 2-3 of riding without being close to any cars. I live right by the bike path in Irvine and I ride to the end of Back Bay and back to where the path ends (by the Spectrum area). If I want to add more distance, I repeat parts of the route.
Is not the most fun riding you'll do, but it beats the trainer...

[MTBMaven]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Q: How much road biking should a mountain biker do?

A: NONE
B: ZERO
C: ZILCH
D: NIL
E: ALL OF THE ABOVE <----CORRECT ANSWER!!!

Can we add a No Thanks button that will remove thanks? I kid I really kid.

[Fired Yo Momma]

I wonder what Steven Jackson things about this. I am curious if he throws in road riding to his training? Where is my man S.J., did he get banned?

[foofighter]

if i lived somewhere where there arent soccer moms behind the wheel of a 5000lb suv yapping on the phone/txting/applying makeup etc i would feel more comfortable riding on the road. I'm paranoid as it is riding to and from my house to the trailhead which is like quarter mile from my house.