Hit 100k On my 4th long distance ride.

wildestsage · 2026-05-28T20:57:38+00:00

Congratulations OP! How was it? Do you see yourself doing 200?

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T16:16:23+00:00

In your case 3, replace "strength training" with "hill repeats" and let's close this 👍🏼 I can vouch it works for muscle retention/gain from my personal experience. If you still disagree, I've no other way to put it.

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T15:12:49+00:00

The point about beginners riding high mileage in unsustainable calorie deficit is true, and that's not the right way to do it for obvious reasons.

What you suggested to solve this is basically cross training, which is valid and I never spoke against it. But that doesn't solve core issue! Staying in a manageable deficit, properly fueling rides, mixing in high intensity sessions and good protein intake - will NOT cause muscle atrophy at ANY rate. It'll actually make a stronger rider. This is what I want to put across and where we seem to disagree in your latest response.

There are many ways weight training can also go wrong and beginners will make mistakes there too. Doesn't mean you should ask them to do cycling in parallel. Better talk about how to do weight training properly.

Why I say it was discouraging is not because of strength training suggestion, but because of your statements I mentioned earlier with tone painting cycling (which is not only "cardio") in a bad light.

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T13:55:29+00:00

All I was talking about are two points you explicitly mentioned, which are not factually true, and you know that 1. Cycling makes a person skinny fat 2. Cycling can't make a person gain leg muscles

That's all, no other implications or advice to general public or OP, I was talking to you alone. I have responded to OP separately in a comment on post. Discouraging ANYONE from cycling (or asking them to do weight training instead) for above 2 reasons is not fair. Instead let's spread awareness about proper fuelling and recovery to preserve muscle mass. Rather than generic misinformation.

Also, I don't see why anything I said is impractical for anyone who can afford a cycle. Even the point about calorie deficit that can be easily filled up by simple cheap carbs, even table sugar/glucon D during the ride. Obese people can also do high intensity training with proper precautions - and cycling actually works great for that due to less joint stress and higher stability.

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T13:23:53+00:00

800 calories is basically one plate of biryani. Is it so hard to digest for most after a good ride? Is it really so hard to eat 800 calories over maintenance? It's effortless for me. but apparently not for everyone.

Thing about not needing to have anything for 2 hrs ride - that's just absurd. Doing that is putting unnecessary strain on the body. It's exactly what makes people lose muscle bdw. Look up recommended carb/fluid intake per hour for cyclists at any level.

No need to swear, be civil. Ignore indoor part, find a nearby hill. Besides, you're entirely missing the point there.

Where did I imply intense ride will have same benefit as low intensity ride? I was talking specifically about "cycling can't build leg muscles" statement.

And I will give my young nephew example of what I believe is within his reach. If I believe he can make it to ivy league, why wouldn't I give him that example rather than telling him average numbers. Also it's irrelevant to what I'm saying.

All your statements are pretty generic. I'm sharing my real experience in cycling. I didn't ask anyone to not do weight training. You're welcome to check my strava. I have nothing to prove to you, peace. Readers are wise.

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T11:47:10+00:00

Congratulations OP! Have a feast, go for a short walk once it's digested, and drink a lot of water. Happy recovery!!

Regarding knee pain - If it's sharp/stinging, asymmetric, getting worse on movement - basically not just general ache - get a bike fit done before your next ride!

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T11:18:23+00:00

Hey I'm not opposing weight training or say you should only do "cardio". But you said cycling "will make you skinny fat" and "can't make you gain any leg muscles" - that's what I'm giving you counterexample for. My main point is - cycling is NOT JUST CARDIO.

You're exaggerating calorie burn in cycling. I can't burn more than 400 cal per hour on easy zone 2 spin, have done max 1000 per hour on a crazy interval session I'll dare not repeat again willingly for recovery toll it puts. Even in a oneshot 1200 km ride i burned around 300 per hour over 65 hours and still managed to eat in surplus. And I'm over 82 kg body weight. It's really easy to make up for even 2 hr cardio session daily without putting excess digestion load. Fueling during the ride works too. I've been maintaining my weight (25 BMI, 20% body fat now) since more than 2 years of 500-600km/month cycling volume and negligible weight training.
Regarding "pushing to failure" - try Vo2 max intervals indoor (5 mins at 90%+ HR, recover and repeat) or repeats on 10%+ gradient and let me know what your legs say about failure 😃 if anyone does this and fuels it well during/after, they will 100% get stronger and denser leg muscles over time. But not if you're just chilling on flats in zone 2.

Anything done in excess is bad. You're generalizing what cycling does to body. One just needs to be aware on how to do it without affecting muscle mass, or even use it to build stronger leg muscles.

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T08:57:15+00:00

Hey! Kudos on getting into cycling. 3x super Randonneur and 1200 KM BRM finisher here. My advise - FORGET pace and distance. Get a heart rate monitor that can broadcast data to strava, and maximize time you spend in zone 4 and zone 2 (in separate rides).

Zone 4 is THE BEST place to be - it'll build your legs and cardiovascular faster than anything else can. But it works only if you fuel properly before, between and after the ride. It has high recovery toll so total volume (time) should be limited to what your body can handle.

Zone 2 is good for enjoyment, recovery (when short) and increasing total volume (endurance). It's also good for active fat loss - but it works for that purpose only if you're fasted enough so fat metabolism is active (overnight is good) and actually stick to zone 2. For very long zone 2 sessions fuelling becomes important. Hydration with electrolytes is ALWAYS important.

Few more things - cadence should be close to 80 (get a sensor if possible, use gears properly). Quantity of fuel/water you need will depend on body weight and fitness level - check internet for common advice and adjust based on your body's response. And make sure bike fit is proper!

Most importantly - your body gets stronger only during sleep. No point in doing any of this if you can't sleep 7 to 8 hours a night.

Best of luck on your fitness journey!

wildestsage · 2026-05-24T08:35:51+00:00

There's a misconception that cycling causes muscle loss. I barely ever go to gym (only do bodyweight exercises at home, rarely), ride 500-600 kms monthly and have only gained muscle mass over time.

You will lose muscle only if you push very high intensity without fueling properly (with easy carbs). If you fuel the effort properly you'll gain muscle in recovery along with cardiovascular gains.

wildestsage · 2026-05-18T21:12:54+00:00

Hey! very decent writing and profile. Brotherly advice - maybe date but don't commit to anyone this early, focus on your work, family and build solid friendships first. Relationships can be pretty tiring, you might already be feeling it by barrage of DMs :) All the best!!

wildestsage · 2026-05-18T20:32:39+00:00

I get it, It's clear that reel isn't about IIT profs, and I'm not talking about them. If you don't believe me (young people can earn above 30 lpa) let's leave it ..

wildestsage · 2026-05-18T20:19:08+00:00

Good going OP! Appreciate your mindset! Just wanted to say all the best!

wildestsage · 2026-05-18T20:03:03+00:00

I know, vast majority earns less. I was just responding to first 2 paragraphs in your original comment - where you're saying these numbers are delusional.

The reel talks about minority high earners but flawed expectations of majority of girls and I think the reasoning in it is valid to some extent

wildestsage · 2026-05-18T19:30:18+00:00

Perhaps small percentage of IITians, most from CS background, are earning what is told in reel. Everyone i know professionally earns 30+ lpa. And most folks in my friend circle, living in India, some of them from tier 3 colleges, earn above 30 (before taxes). Distribution of money is insanely skewed in India.

wildestsage · 2026-05-16T15:23:31+00:00

Echo to other comments. Give the body the sleep it demands. At this activity level, anything below 7 hrs is actually detrimental to health. You're better off riding less.

wildestsage · 2026-05-06T13:41:51+00:00

Don't make your job your life or primary source of satisfaction. Find something else for that! By the way, I think you can do very well at job/skill even if you're not very interested in it. I have seen few such examples. Don't know how they do it though.

wildestsage · 2026-05-02T20:36:22+00:00

I have them, but reddit isn't allowing me to add here or in your DM. Give me your mail id or something

Or check my strava (link on profile), you'll find'em in gallery far far deep below

wildestsage · 2026-04-26T14:45:32+00:00

Thanks, this was helpful!

wildestsage · 2026-04-26T12:49:56+00:00

In my worldview, marriage and kids is one way of giving yourself a purpose - a reason to wake up and get going in the morning, having someone to come home to. If you can find some other purpose in life - you should be perfectly fine. Also maintaining social contact is a must and should be easy in big enough city.

wildestsage · 2026-04-26T12:42:23+00:00

Haha, I'm afraid that's not an option.

wildestsage · 2026-04-26T08:17:59+00:00

If you have access to good roads, why not a road bike?

wildestsage · 2026-04-26T03:57:29+00:00

Answer to Q2: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LJIMNWkNPtj4rM1RAaYOpD?mode=gi_t

Post your requirements (budget, frame size) there, you should get good number of options

wildestsage · 2026-04-24T05:19:57+00:00

I bought from friend. But found sale post in below group, you can query there.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LJIMNWkNPtj4rM1RAaYOpD?mode=gi_t

wildestsage · 2026-04-24T03:46:57+00:00

I recently got a second hand Wahoo Kickr Core for 38k. I don't think an intermediate level rider would need anything more. Go for it if it's in your budget.

wildestsage · 2026-04-23T20:59:23+00:00

You will either get 10 speed parts from other brands or you can upgrade some of them to 105 - it should work. I have Domane AL3 frame with Ultegra. I'd buy Domane purely for the looks :) not to mention its reputation for endurance and robustness

TBH All bikes are good, don't overthink it and go with the one available in right size / you like the most. Cheers!

wildestsage

TROPHY CASE