Hi WantsMore. Cycling will definitely build the muscles in your legs if you do it regularly. It's such good exercise, however, that it will also cause you to lose more fat. So, what you're left with are slimmer calves and thighs that are nicely toned - the fat is replaced by muscle.

That said, there may be times where the fat loss slows while muscle tone continues to increase, resulting in your legs looking slightly bigger - but it passes. When I started riding regularly, I had big calves, but mostly fat. They did get slightly bigger after several weeks of riding but - after several more weeks of riding - they slimmed down, became much more muscular and are becoming nicely toned. Same goes for my thighs and butt. :) (Please note that I've been riding for almost a year now.)

For an excellent aerobic workout with little stress to your body, cycling is difficult to beat. One last thing I'm really happy with. Before I began riding, my resting heart rate was up near 80. It's now 51...

Interesting question WantsMore...

I agree with Carbs, muscle tone is a good thing, and cycling is a good way to get there.

I was wondering if how you ride the bike would effect muscle/leg development? i.e. if you spin more (push a lighter gear, but spin the pedals more) would you burn more fat but build less muscle than if you pedal slow and push a heavy gear?

Generally I spin more just because my knees hurt if I pedal too hard for long... And it's generally considered better form, but it's still an interesting question.

--nw

Hm Nowonder that's a good question. I'd love to know that answer. I want slim, toned but NOT muscular legs.

It does kinda look like an Atkins logo... It's actually from the Victory Brewing Company. They have a successful cycling team this year ( http://www.victorycycling.com/ ). I also just got an "Arrogant Bastard Ale" jersey. Is it odd that all my bike jerseys are for products I can't enjoy while on this diet?

--nw

Not at all! :D I was actually considering getting the Twinkies one.



I also like the Jelly Belly jersey. I need to lose some more weight before I feel comfortable wearing any in public though. Well, unless I go with the Jelly Belly one perhaps. Hmmmm... ;)

LOL My favorite jersey is my Ben & Jerry's! (at least they make low-carb ice cream now)

Hey all you cycling enthusiasts:

I have had a great time cycling in the organized rides and have just finished my 16 organized ride for this year. I have three more scheduled for this year. I had 20 planned, but I got seriously hurt and had to skip one. This is my first year riding and I choose the short option (20-35 miles) for my first 9 rides. With my next 7 rides, I switched to the 100k (62mi).

My next ride is a fairly flat cruise through the area around Davis, CA; and the 100 mile route only gains 2,800 feet. I think it's time to switch to doing 100 milers. I would like to do the Seattle-to-Portland ride next year (200 miles and 6,000 ft, over 2 days), so I think getting several 100 milers under my belt would be in order.

Anyone have any advice for making the switch from 100k's to 100mi's?

J.

You've already done 2/3 of the 100mi. Set a slower than average pace on the first third (30 miles or so) and then ride the remainder at your normal pace. I find that I can average significantly higher speeds on organized rides than solo rides due to drafting faster riders.

Enjoy the ride!

the last 20 miles are the hardest. Make sure you eat and drink right from the get go. You need to keep your body fueled and hydrated. I just finished the MS ride breakway to the beach 91 miles Saturday (just around 5 hours) 76 miles Sunday (3.5 hours). Longest traing rides I have done this year were 50-55 miles. Although, I trained for and completed a 1/2 ironman on 9/12/04 so I was used to training for 5-6 hours consecutivly. I would recommend you get a few training rides in at around the 75 mile range. A century is a great milestone. Good luck with it.

dug

Good Luck with that century! I hope to try some much longer rides next year.

My brother the elite track cyclist says - as long as your conditioning level is good and you've been riding regularly, you can go longer than you think. Just pace yourself and remember to stay hydrated and eat before you are thirsty/hungry.

Can't wait to hear about your 1st century - you are inspiring to a cycling newbie like me.

Oh goody! cyclists!!
 

woohooo!
I'm a 'bent rider. DH and I used to ride uprights and do 5000-6000 bike miles per season. Back before we got sedentary and fat. :(
We've taken up cycling again now that we're skinny but we really prefer recumbent bikes (why? you ask....), because.........

There's no butt/crotch pain, no wrist pain, no neck pain. There's just a lovely quad burn. :thup:
It's true we may be a bit slower on the upgrades but boy howdy! we're rockets on the flats and downhills! :D

DH and I regularly cycle during the week and try to get some centuries in now and then. Our latest find was the Trail of the Couer d'Alene. That's where this pic was taken. Lotsa lovely wildlife including moose and birds of prey. What's not to like??

Those recumbents sure sound comfortable!

Went on a great ride this morning - the weather was perfect - I love Autumn! :) A small group of us went from Littleton to Denver on bike paths, about 35 miles. I actually would've liked to keep going, but sometimes schedules won't allow. I wish I could get paid to ride... :p

Anyway, here's a picture from today:

I'm with you Carbs... Great weekend for a ride.

Here is a pick from my 35 mile jaunt around the philadelphia suburbs.
(In My Arrogant Bastard Ale jersey)



--nw

What? No one else do a 35 mile ride this weekend? :)

How about some more pictures?

How about preparing for winter riding? Anyone have experience/tips for riding in near freezing temps?

--nw