What is the best way to get quicker? I don't race or any thing like that and mostly ride alone but I am a self confessed slave to statistics! I ride distances up to 100 miles but also like the shorter fast rides around 7-10 miles. I've just done my best 7 (to the in laws) average at 18.6mph which I was over the moon with but I was wondering the best way to train to get that over the magic 20. Most rides always seem to end up about 17 no matter what I do. Please help! !
How to get faster?
- Thread starter nxn2020
- Start date
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vickster
Legendary Member
Cycle more?
Join a club?
Find flat/downhill routes with no traffic and lights?
Get a better bike with better wheels?
Lose weight?
Get a cycling coach and a training plan?
Alternatively...
Turn off the gadgets and just enjoy the scenery
And get a paid job as a statistician
Join a club?
Find flat/downhill routes with no traffic and lights?
Get a better bike with better wheels?
Lose weight?
Get a cycling coach and a training plan?
Alternatively...
Turn off the gadgets and just enjoy the scenery
And get a paid job as a statistician
If there was a simple answer, we would all be riding quicker. Whatever your current PB is, it is the hardest thing in the world to beat it, then slowly you find a little advantage in how you are riding, or in your fitness, then all of a sudden you break your PB and then you find you can beat the old barrier easily. So just keep looking for little gains, then all of a sudden you will be there.
One of the best ways of finding those gains is to join a club and learn from watching other riders.
One way of beating the 20mph barrier is to cut the distance right back to say a mile, then keep trying until you can ride at the speed you want. When you achieve it for one mile, extend the distance by half a mile and go for the 20mph target again.
Good luck and ride safely
Keith
uclown2002
Guru
- Location
- Harrogate
Quite simple; ride your bike more, and if you're overweight then lose those excess pounds. Lighter/better bike will also help.
Joshua Plumtree
Approaching perfection from a distance.
Not sure there's a definitive answer on this. I've been mixing up my training on the turbo with short interval sprints, some 45sec to 90 second efforts and also work on my VO2 ability; all seems to help. A riding buddy, on the other hand, just goes out on his bike and rides as fast as he can. Seems to work for him, at 61 he manages 24 mins for a 10 mile time trial.
As someone said, choose a one mile stretch and hammer it. At 20mph this would take you 3 mins which, if you're pushing as hard as you can, is a good VO2 workout. Recover, then hammer back the other way. But don't cheat, if you find that a mile at 20mph becomes too comfortable, then up the pace again! Awful fact for those of us who were not naturally blessed with pace is that getting faster requires us to go through that dreaded pain barrier again and again.
As someone said, choose a one mile stretch and hammer it. At 20mph this would take you 3 mins which, if you're pushing as hard as you can, is a good VO2 workout. Recover, then hammer back the other way. But don't cheat, if you find that a mile at 20mph becomes too comfortable, then up the pace again! Awful fact for those of us who were not naturally blessed with pace is that getting faster requires us to go through that dreaded pain barrier again and again.
Clubs are a no go really as I work 4 on 4 off rolling over so I wouldn't be able to go for 4 weeks at a time. New bike?........ No go, no cash! Down hill routes? Live on the Essex coast so not many hills and it would just be cheating! Lose weight? I'm trying! Probably 1/2 stone to go. As for a coach, not even an option! How do you guys find interval training? Does it work? If so how often should it be done?
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Interval training can be done in many ways. Yes it works, of course it works..........
How often should it be done? Well given that interval training can be done in many ways, that question is not answerable!
How often should it be done? Well given that interval training can be done in many ways, that question is not answerable!
Ok then answer me this, what would be the best form of interval training to increase speed over 10 miles? Half a stone over weight, 44 years old and can only ride approx 3-4 times a week.
Don't discount joining a club. Many clubs have retired members and go out on day time/mid week rides when the regular 9to 5 people are at work. And don't be put off by the use off the word retired - some ride their bikes as if they were semi pro's and start going faster than when they were younger.
Some clubs even organise night riding. But most clubs operate "the fastest pace is that of the slowest", so don't be worried about them going too fast and I'm sure you won't have a problem anyway.
Talking and meeting other riders will get you to the place where you want to be.
Cheers keith
I get that bit you burke! Lol
uclown2002
Guru
- Location
- Harrogate
Why the fixation on speed over 10 miles?
How many miles a week do you ride on your 3/4 outings?
How many miles a week do you ride on your 3/4 outings?
uclown2002
Guru
- Location
- Harrogate
Perhaps but no indication OP races or intends to.
vickster
Legendary Member
This might be one of many threads to read for the OP? http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/is-20-miles-in-under-an-hour-a-realistic-goal-for-a-mamil.148988/
Or the speedy young chap posting in Beginners at the mo may be able to help
Or the speedy young chap posting in Beginners at the mo may be able to help
Brightski
Chronos Racing Team
- Location
- Cambridgeshire
Ride hard..
Rest well..
Rest well..
