Improving times on my commute... what is the likely upper limit

[dexter101]

So i have now been commuting for 3 weeks and feeling really good about it. saved enough money from not using the car that my £80 second hand bike is now paid for in itself and feeling much fitter and healthier is great too.

I am quite competitive against myself and really enjoy using strava to see where im improving and which areas I need to pull my finger out for.

to see the improvement i have made in 3 weeks has been brilliant but now has me wondering what the upper limit is of where I can get to and also if anyone has any tips for getting there.

My best time so far is 45.37 which was last friday and i was very pleased with that but how quick would it be possible for me to get to and is there anything I should be doing to help?

my thinking is that next year I might start time trialling and using my commute as training so any ideas would be great.

I am on a very tight budget now so im not interested in getting better time through spending money, just in improving my 'niques. (technicque, physique etc!)

Ive just completely fallen in love with cycling all over again and now want to push on keep going!

 

[raleighnut]

Training on a heavier bike is always a good place to start.

 

[cd365]

How far is your commute, is it hilly or flat?

 

[dexter101]

its 12.7 miles each way, heres the link to my commute this morning:

http://www.strava.com/activities/183231113/segments/4282321249

Its in essex so not hilly as such but there is always an incline or decline of some form...

 

[cd365]

What sort of bike have you got?
You will get faster and quicker, especially if you set yourself goals.

 

[Stephen C]

I started at a similar point, my first commute 2 years ago was 12.7 miles at 13.3 mph average, this morning was 15 miles at 19.3 mph (although I was feeling good this morning!). I bought a new bike about a week after I started and has done me well so far with only a few minor upgrades when parts wore out.

You will see a quick improvement initially, but will tail off over the winter as the weather gets worse, but you then get a nice surprise each spring as the warmer weather arrives. Just don't forget to take a few easier days to recover otherwise you will just burn yourself out!

 

[dexter101]

Thanks Guys, I was thinking of investing in a turbo trainer for the winter months as dont think I will be able to keep up the commuting (country roads at night arent something Im confortable doing on a daily basis) and will be playing rugby as well.

Ive got a Viking Giro D'Italia which is cheap and gets me from A to B. not looking to change anything about it yet as I would rather see the difference in my self than im my bank. If I can end up doing good times on this I would then consider improving the bike to get it even lower

 

[uclown2002]

So 25.4 miles per day, 5 days per week?
If so then 127 miles a week.
Gradually increase your mileage and time in the saddle by extending the commutes and/or adding weekend rides.
You will become fitter and faster if you do. No need for a specific training plan at the moment.

 

[dexter101]

Yeah thats what I have been doing and would like to go out for a few longer rides with friends as well.

Thanks for the help @uclown2002 as I wasnt sure whether the body would just get used to the distance rather than improve speed etc.