slightly disappointed..

[Miffy]

Rode a 60 mile ride today - took nearly 6 hours, just feeling a bit dissapointed at the time as aimed to make 5 hours at the most which would still be pretty slow! I was riding a hybrid which I suppose would make me slower than those on road bikes - got up all the hills with no problems (actually the only point I overtook people) but otherwise seemed to struggle a bit. Have done a few 50 mile rides as training and have been averaging around 100 miles a week riding since january, also swim and various other things so wouldn't consider myself unfit. Were also loaded up on energy gels, drinks etc. Any tips to increase speed? The fastest i've managed is 13mph on a 10 mile ride

 

[MrJamie]

You shouldnt feel disappointed, feel proud that youve managed a 60 mile ride, its more than a lot of people including me

Id say just to try to up your speed over short distances, find a good safe 1km where you can see how fast you can go in the middle of a ride.

I think you should only compare to yourself and work on improving that, but really riding 60 miles on a bike isnt something to forget

 

[HLaB]

Don't be disappointed Miffy, you achieved in one go a distance far in excess of the annual average in the UK. If you are doing longer rides fairly regularly speed will come in its own good time.

 

[Nearly there]

We all seem obsessed with distance and times me included why don't you just enjoy ya ride? I wish I could "got to be quicker and beat my average" "got to be quicker and beat my top speed" "must go further than ever before"This goes through my head every ride

 

[Miffy]

thanks all. I do enjoy it (most of the time!) and i'm not normally one for comparisons but i'd like to do 100 miles eventually and at that rate there'd prob be a search party out

 

[LarryDuff]

Don't worry about it. Some days you feel good and will go quickly and some days it will feel a struggle. That's why we're not professionals. But as was said above - just enjoy being out and about, the countryside really can be beautiful.

 

[Nebulous]

General advice is to build up miles first, then work on speed - so you're halfways there!

To go faster you need to go faster, so your body gets to know what it feels like, and the effort required. If you have a bike computer you can see whilst riding, try going faster for short distances. So if doing 13mph, push it to 16 for 20seconds, or between 2 lampposts etc. Drop back to 13 for a couple of minutes then repeat. Gradually increase distance/time.Mix it up, do some longer slower sessions and some shorter faster ones. Above all time on a bike helps, but if you do the same route in the same way you quickly get stuck in a rut.

Celebrate milestones. I remember first hitting 20 mph on the flat, then keeping it going, then averaging 20mph over a mile etc.

It's hard work, harder than I would have believed when I first started out, but that increases the sense of satisfaction.

 

[deanarello]

Rode a 60 mile ride today - took nearly 6 hours, just feeling a bit dissapointed at the time as aimed to make 5 hours at the most which would still be pretty slow! I was riding a hybrid which I suppose would make me slower than those on road bikes - got up all the hills with no problems (actually the only point I overtook people) but otherwise seemed to struggle a bit. Have done a few 50 mile rides as training and have been averaging around 100 miles a week riding since january, also swim and various other things so wouldn't consider myself unfit. Were also loaded up on energy gels, drinks etc. Any tips to increase speed? The fastest i've managed is 13mph on a 10 mile ride

well done 60 mile is a good distance,the best way to increase your speed is to join a cycle club, in a group ride you can put in less effort and go alot smoother and quicker.people who will show you proper cycle skills in no time youll be eating up the road miles and flying along,keep it up mate dont worry to mutch about speed and distance just enjoy being on the bike. Like i say you will work hard on your own with less results,you would do better to join a club and get pulled along,it takes yah mind off any effort being in a group>>>>>keep spinning<<<<<

 

[MattHB]

It's a great achievement don't feel bad. I ride a roadie all the time after getting off the hybrid in January, I can manage a solid 15-16mph on anything upto 70 miles, and a little below on 100... But if I get back on the hybrid, I'm down to 13!

Wind resistance is (arguably) 80% of the energy to propel yourself forward.. On a hybrid you're very upright, very wide arms.. As aero as a brick, combine this with much more weight and there you have it.

Be proud of what you've achieved and know that in different circumstances you're probably already fast enough to keep up with a good club ride on the right kit