The harder I train, the slower I get

[Tin Pot]

It appears that exercise is just one element. Have a look at your sleep pattern and nutrition as well, sorting out a sleep pattern was something that really helped me out.

 

[Tin Pot]

Try something else, have a swim or run perhaps

+1

 

[jay clock]

You are training for long slow rides. Get some long slow rides in, sod the average speed.

 

[uclown2002]

Just keep riding your bike!
There is nothing magical about it, gradually increase your mileage and time in the saddle and you will reap the benefits.

 

[michaelcycle]

Take a couple of days off. You sound knackered (more so mentally) and you are over reaching rather than over training.

I wouldn't worry about your average speed. I used to think it was hugely important when I first started. Now? Not so much as it is influenced by so many variables.

Get some miles in and enjoy the ride.

ETA: It would help if I had read the whole thread before commenting. I see that's actually what you've done...

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I can't believe my typo "sharts" lol

 

[Enis Baysal]

I took the last few days off, I was just tired and needed a wee rest. Did a nice early 40 miles yesterday with an average of 16.3mph which is just fine for me.
I just started to get back ache at about 35 miles. Last time I went out the back ache started at 30 miles. I usually do a few stretches when it sharts.
My birthday is coming up and I have a whole day to myself so planning to do 60+ with some hills and stuff.

I must sort out my rear wheel though, it has got noisy again.

Hey there Rooster, I haven't been cycling too long, but I have been trying to train myself to go harder for longer. Twice daily 5 times a week I commute pretty much as hard as my hybrid will take me to work at 5.3 mile distance (Not much but my fitness isn't brill), My legs started to seize up and stiffen because I wasn't pre/post stretching on my commutes. I have had the same problems as you when I cycle harder I get slower, I went from near enough passing out after 10 minutes, to 4 hours easy in 2 months. In my opinion, the best thing for keeping your legs feeling fresh and keeping your motivation up to push yourself, shower then soak in a piping hot bath whilst massaging your legs *you can find guides for pressure points easily online*. Also go for a relaxing swim at a local pool and it works the muscles you use to cycle as well as all the muscles around them, commuting cyclists who do not go to the gym or core train at home tend to neglect these, this would cause you to slow down as your legs are not working properly as they should with all muscle groups.
Also, a nice 30-45 minute massage every other week definitely helps, not only physically but psychologically keeps me positive and feeling great.

I hope others would agree

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Hey there Rooster, I haven't been cycling too long, but I have been trying to train myself to go harder for longer. Twice daily 5 times a week I commute pretty much as hard as my hybrid will take me to work at 5.3 mile distance (Not much but my fitness isn't brill), My legs started to seize up and stiffen because I wasn't pre/post stretching on my commutes. I have had the same problems as you when I cycle harder I get slower, I went from near enough passing out after 10 minutes, to 4 hours easy in 2 months. In my opinion, the best thing for keeping your legs feeling fresh and keeping your motivation up to push yourself, shower then soak in a piping hot bath whilst massaging your legs *you can find guides for pressure points easily online*. Also go for a relaxing swim at a local pool and it works the muscles you use to cycle as well as all the muscles around them, commuting cyclists who do not go to the gym or core train at home tend to neglect these, this would cause you to slow down as your legs are not working properly as they should with all muscle groups.
Also, a nice 30-45 minute massage every other week definitely helps, not only physically but psychologically keeps me positive and feeling great.

I hope others would agree

I think at the time of posting, I was totally overdoing it. Yesterday, I managed to average 18.2 mph for an hour with some hills too. I am feeling fit, but as per usual, fatigued. Doing about 100 miles a week.

I do need to do some pre and post stretches and stuff for sure.

 

[Enis Baysal]

I think at the time of posting, I was totally overdoing it. Yesterday, I managed to average 18.2 mph for an hour with some hills too. I am feeling fit, but as per usual, fatigued. Doing about 100 miles a week.

I do need to do some pre and post stretches and stuff for sure.

I think your going through the exact same motions as me

Good luck mate

 

[confusedcyclist]

Certainly from my experience of running (still new to cycling) the key eeking out that extra performance and improving week on week is having the right attitude and tracking performance in real time so you can go that bit harder. Without having a method of measuring your performance in real tim,e without going all out at every session, its hard to gauge your improvement and you will feel slower and will also be more likely to wuss out and take it easy.

That said, every time you get out you are getting that bit fitter, and although you might not be going faster you can improve in other ways (stamina, endurance etc)... average speed isn't everything and you said so much to start with regularly attaining PRs!

 

[JasonHolder]

Go harder but make sure you're recovered too.

 

[Andy Jeffery]

I just had a ride with a semi pro to look at the way I cycle. I was told that the pros don't train in the big cog and grind big gears which was what I was doing! So into the small cog I went. Result was cadence ave 90 to 100. Faster speed upto 16.9 mph. Less tired and a lot less tired legs. I would say have a rest like everybody is saying and drop to the small cog for training and spin those legs. Hopefully you will feel better and see improvements like I did.

Cheers Andy

 

[JasonHolder]

The difference being pros know what they are trying to achieve and how to get there. Simply upping your cadence is not the answer.

 

[Andy Jeffery]

Saves the legs and works for me

 

[JasonHolder]

Power breeds economy, and high cadence is economical. Working on your power is a much better angle to attack from