What has helped your cycling improve the most?

[night cycler]

I suppose it is fair to say that the more you cycle the better (and fitter) you become. But I was thinking in more specific terms.

When I go out, at some point in the ride I make a conscious decision to incorporate a hill or too in to the route. Some may feel that focussing specifically on hills is a big help, or maybe long distance rides are the way to go.

For me, I would say cycling very frequently is a key issue, and giving myself that slight struggle each ride with an hill or too.

Also, I find being relaxed is a big help, so I prefer cycling when there is hardly any traffic around. Living very close to town means going out very late at night or the small hours when the roads are quiet.

 

[winjim]

Depends what you mean by improve. My single biggest "performance" improvement came when I bought a decent pair of properly fitting shoes. I made a joke about it at the time, but then came back from my usual ride with nine PRs!

 

[Neilsmith]

Miles on the bike first and foremost, for me I mix the rides up sometimes doing hill repeats, sometimes long rides and other times as fast as I can comfortably manage without half killing myself. But I'm riding for fun may be completely different if I decided I wanted to race, I'd probably do some research into what was best for that

 

[numbnuts]

The bike

 

[Saluki]

Losing weight has been my best improvement. I was getting the miles in but eating badly. When I decided to shift the extra timber, I was already reasonably fit and losing the weight meant I could go further, faster and have much much more fun while doing it. My hill climbing has improved no end (still a chicken descender though)

 

[raleighnut]

Staying relaxed and just enjoying it is the key, try pushing it and tense up and you will be slower IMO.

 

[PK99]

joining a club and riding with other people esp more experienced cyclists.

 

[gaz71]

Changing from a mountain bike to a hybrid has helped me.i can ride longer and faster,just need to shift some weight now.

 

[Katherine]

My cycling has improved in terms of fitness, confidence and skills, which have been helped by

Cycle Chat.
Riding in a group.
Trying new routes.
Skyrides local.
Eating better, before, during and after a ride.

 

[Drago]

Sheer, bloody minded persistence.

 

[uclown2002]

Ride, eat. sleep, repeat............

 

[Mrs M]

More miles definitely.
Having little goals to reach, cycle for 40 mins, make it an hour next time.
Riding in "proper" road shoes.
Trying something different, a bit of "mud munching" on Mr M's bike (only if I clean it though).

 

[G3CWI]

The eventual realisation that clipless pedals are not compulsory. Once replaced with good flat pedals my inclination to cycle grew dramatically with subsequent performance improvements.

 

[summerdays]

Moving house so the commute became longer.... I'm a lazy bod who doesn't go the long way round just for fun!

 

[winjim]

I don't quite get this "deciding to incorporate a hill or two". I live in Sheffield and ride in the Peak District, it's all bloody hills. They're just a natural part of cycling to me, it would be boring without them.