girlie cycling question

[Moon2]

So, I'm really getting into the cycling and feeling a lot better for it. But...one little niggle...

One of the lads here tells me that cycling only builds muscles on top of the fat you already have (*ahem* if I had any, which of course I don't) rather than toning pre-existing muscles and burning calories.

I don't think this can be right - specially if, like me, you're cycling mostly on the flat and clipping along at a fair ol' pace - can it?

I scoffed...but at the same time, I really don't want bigger calves...

[neon]

that's a scary thought, especially since I have a stationary bike.

anyone? help??

[jdf]

not an expert on the physiology of it but if you've got big legs when you start cycling then what you'll do is tone up what is there already.

[Moon2]

Big legs?? *trying hard not to get offended...sniff* Well, there would be some muscle there already from all the walking/rollerblading I've been doing. But it badly needs to be toned...

[grassshoppah]

I don't buy that Moon....your muscles will get bigger/stronger/more toned from cycling but you are also burning calories and therefore....should say hypothetically.....one have fat to burn one would do so....I have cycled off and on for years and my calves have NEVER got bigger....only more toned.....

[jdf]

I thought saying big was better than saying the other word but I guess I'll need some more conditioning before I broach the subject again.

[Moon2]

Good, so I can stop worrying and tell him he as just talking shite as usual then.

jdf...oh, you have so much to learn...;) :D

[Amergin]

No he's right, just look at the lard boys doing the Tour de France these days.

[neon]

whew!

[magicbastarder]

sounds like shite to me. why wouldn't it burn fat?

[Busaras]

Originally posted by magicbastarder
sounds like shite to me. why wouldn't it burn fat?

well if you're eating a large bag of fish and chips at the same time....

[Moon2]

While cycling? Could be difficult to balance...

[blather]

For start, the bigger calves thing is sort of a myth - I've heard many women say that they wouldn't take up cycling cos it will make their bums bigger.

It's far more complicated than that. There's different kinds of cycling for different kinds of needs. Then there's ifferent kinds of bodies.

Generally, in order to attain a high level of aerobic fitness, while toning muscles (as opposed to building) and burning fat, the best kind of cycling is

- Low Intensity
- Aerobic (you should be able to carry on a conversation)
- low impact (i.e., don't 'churn' big gears. On the flat, ride at 80-100rpm.




As an analogy, consider weightlifting. If you're doing a small amount of lifts with huge weights, you're going to develop huge muscles. If you're lifting small weights at high repetitions, you're going to develop muscle tone.

http://www.cptips.com/bscphys.htm
http://www.turnstep.com/Faq/fatburn.html
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1998/09sep/hawley.htm


this is pretty good
http://www.pmts.org/fitbike.htm

[blather]

I would add that you may see track racers of both sexes with huge legs - it's a different discipline. In most track events, it's a short, but massive exertion that's required. Those people do specific weight training - and they're not worried about getting up hills.



Do these calves look big to you (pro women)
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2002/mar02/hamilton/TBarndt.shtml
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2002/mar02/hamilton/TBsaturnflowers.shtml
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2002/mar02/hamilton/TBrossner2.shtml
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2002/mar02/hamilton/TBdoppman.shtml

[blather]

Photos from the Women's Tour de France (Le Grande Boucle Feminin)
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2001/aug01pb.shtml#lgbf

[Moon2]

Thanks, blather. That's sort of what I thought. I used to do a bit of weighlifting to tone...so that's why I presumed going fast on a flat surface would be okay. Also, we (me and girl I cycle to work with) tend to natter away (to the consternation of other road users) and rarely feel exhausted when we finish. So I think we're doing okay! Good to be sure, though...

[Beano2]

got any more pics of that doppmann girl blather? She looks like a bit of alright :D

[blather]

Don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with going uphill. It's how you make the effort. If you rode your highest gear on the flat, you wouldn't be doing yourself much good (unless you're already very fit and want to build more strength). The trick is not to go like the clappers so that you're knackered (forget the 'feel the burn' idea, that's for racing level people), but to keep a constant fluid pace.

[Moon2]

Feel the burn? LOL Not likely. I'm not much into pain...or even slight discomfort. :)
Going to try doing a few hills at weekends - there's a lovely cycle along a mountain path...but nothing too strenuous until I build up the old fitness levels.
Was very fit last year, but lost it over the winter...want to get that back again now.

[blather]

Wednesday 10th: Women's Cycling meeting, Portlaoise. All welcome. Details available from Cycling Ireland at 01-8551522.

also, take a look at the website of Ireland's only female pro cyclist:
http://www.tarjaowens.com

she runs good coaching courses when she's back (she's based in Italy)



also, i found this, it's out of date, but anyone interested drop her a line anyway...

Women's Training Weekend
9-10 Feb - Women's Training Camp, Meeting point: Roches Stores Carpark, Blackrock, Time: 10.00am. Get your season off to a good start All Ages and Standards, Welcome Spin to Wicklow, Lunch on arrival Talks on all aspects of training Evening meal Overnight hostel arranged Return next day 10:30am Full backup provided. Contact: Pauline McKay 087 2651718 pmckay@gofree.indigo.ie

[Wheeler]

As I recall from the World Track champs there was a very manly looking lady called Tammy Thomas who is not a face for advertising female cyclists.....I couldn't even find a piccie of her.....very butch.
Unlike this dutch filly who rides for Domo Farm Frites
http://www.leontienvanmoorsel.nl/index_leontien.html One or two of her team mates are very....photogenic too.

[Beano2]

Originally posted by Wheeler
As I recall from the World Track champs there was a very manly looking lady called Tammy Thomas who is not a face for advertising female cyclists.....I couldn't even find a piccie of her.....very butch.
Unlike this dutch filly who rides for Domo Farm Frites
http://www.leontienvanmoorsel.nl/index_leontien.html One or two of her team mates are very....photogenic too.

Indeed they are. Especialyl Mirjam. I shall spend the rest of the afternoon thinking about her and myself on a tandem. She takes the front seat naturally :D

[blather]

Tammy Thomas was very scary looking. If she was a bloke she would be scary looking. Mirjam is no.2 in the World Cup at the moment, y'know!
Then there's the Polikeviciute sisters... and Joane Somarriba...

[X]

Angel dust makes your calves bigger, don't think cycling does.

[Beano2]

Originally posted by blather
Tammy Thomas was very scary looking. If she was a bloke she would be scary looking. Mirjam is no.2 in the World Cup at the moment, y'know!
Then there's the Polikeviciute sisters... and Joane Somarriba...

You mean she's good looking AND talented? Why is it I never meet woman like that?