As @tissot said as you get fitter you will push yourself more and you will freewheel less increasing speed
Building speed... Does it come naturally?
- Thread starter dee.jay
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
P's when I started it took me 24 mins to get to work now I can do it in 17 think it has a lot to do with your mind set as well. Some mornings I go out to ride and just enjoy it other times I try to challenge myself by increasing my speed which means I put more effort in
One of the first signs of my improvement was when I started doing a 10 mile ride, I had to stop for a break 6 miles in. Naturally I didn't need the stop any more.
And the same thing on my longer rides: I used to stop twice on my regular 45 mile ride, then I started stopping just once, and now I don't stop at all; I eat and drink while riding. I am not advocating not taking a break, if you need it you need it and it's sensible to stop, but for me it's just an example of what has occurred naturally (on my 58 mile ride I actually took 5 minutes to sit on the seafront and have a drink).
I used to hate hills but last week I sprinted up one that daunted me a year ago .
I remember going up that hill with a GP last year and asking how the hell those guys go up it so fast . She said you will be doing that soon and your heart loves it . I laughed but she was right .
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
I ride to enjoy myself. I don't do masochism. It's a bit too "specialised".
I ride to enjoy myself also but also ride to keep fit so I mix it up a bit I use the commute to keep fit and longer rides to see things. Challenging myself is not to be macho it's simply just to get fit. I don't concern myself with beating others just beating myself.
guitarpete247
Just about surviving
- Location
- Leicestershire
I try as hard as I can. And still go out whenever I can. I don't have the time for doing big distances, especially now the nights are drawing in. The next time I get the chance to do any goodish distance will be mid October.
I'm on Sportstracker, Ritmo and Strava to keep track of my efforts. I fluctuate up and down, averaging mid 14 mph.
In my youth I did much better distnances and better speeds but I was 30 - 40 years younger and living in the flat area of South Yorkshire centred here.
I will be 58 next week (getting towards 60 too quickly). I still enjoy cycling and will keep going for as long as I can, going as far as I can.
I'm on Sportstracker, Ritmo and Strava to keep track of my efforts. I fluctuate up and down, averaging mid 14 mph.
In my youth I did much better distnances and better speeds but I was 30 - 40 years younger and living in the flat area of South Yorkshire centred here.
I will be 58 next week (getting towards 60 too quickly). I still enjoy cycling and will keep going for as long as I can, going as far as I can.
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
I like a personal challenge , and I enjoy getting fitter too. But I don't see pain as a virtue.
ayceejay
Guru
- Location
- Rural Quebec
What was the question again? I am 5 foot 6 and weigh 18 stone how do I get quicker on the bike?
If you can get on a bike I would consider that a result and once you are on and mobile you are cooking.
If you enjoy it roll your self on to the bike as often as you have the time, ride out into the country along a canal and stop to admire the view (not at a cake shop).
Before you know it you will be quick slim and healthy.
If you can get on a bike I would consider that a result and once you are on and mobile you are cooking.
If you enjoy it roll your self on to the bike as often as you have the time, ride out into the country along a canal and stop to admire the view (not at a cake shop).
Before you know it you will be quick slim and healthy.
What is faster? it is different for everybody. No need for pain, the Mathetone method works extremely well without all the hurt and i would say be ideal for somebody like the OP. All this no pain no gain talk is off putting for many, been there done that and got the T Shirt, like most I went faster using a mix. That mix only started once I had a good base in and a high level of fitness, as for muscle gain come on, you got to put a lot of work in to get ripped legs, even then you have little upper body definition.
Perhaps it really was a case of "ask a silly question" here - I suppose what it boils down to is - getting out on it whenever I can and the rest will come
Just go and get healthier, you owe it to yourself and your family, the benefits are massive. Most of all try and make it a hobby you enjoy.
Have fun.
Joshua Plumtree
Approaching perfection from a distance.
If you're fairly new to cycling, then just get out and ride for a few months; that'll increase your fitness and the weight will drop off, at least initially.
If, after a few months, you want to make a conscious effort to increase your average speed, then I would suggest incorporating a couple of ten minute intervals at a faster pace into your ride, gives you a target to aim for and much easier than
trying to go faster for the length of a whole ride which can be a bit of a drag and might ruin your enjoyment of cycling.
As you become fitter and stronger maybe increase to two twenty minute intervals
No point pushing too hard if the result is you end up losing yer mojo!
If, after a few months, you want to make a conscious effort to increase your average speed, then I would suggest incorporating a couple of ten minute intervals at a faster pace into your ride, gives you a target to aim for and much easier than
trying to go faster for the length of a whole ride which can be a bit of a drag and might ruin your enjoyment of cycling.
As you become fitter and stronger maybe increase to two twenty minute intervals
No point pushing too hard if the result is you end up losing yer mojo!
