A slave to average speed - and I won!
Discussion
I read in lots of places that we should not all get too hung up on average speeds and times etc.... but I have a 32 mile 'loop' that I do and this afternoon, setting off in 'rush hour' (No such thing really down here in Glos) and I took nearly 10 mins off my best ever time - not TdF standard I admit but averaged 17.2 mph over the trip! Never got near that before 
Not much but a total delight for sad lil' ol me
Now thinking should I have a rest tomorrow and go for it again on Sunday or a light ride tomorrow? ANy ideas?
(And yes, I know that is not a heavy ride)
Not much but a total delight for sad lil' ol me
Now thinking should I have a rest tomorrow and go for it again on Sunday or a light ride tomorrow? ANy ideas?
(And yes, I know that is not a heavy ride
)Well done that man!!
I found that the best way of raising my average speed was to focus on cadence, I aim to keep cadence between 90 and 105 rpm's and try to keep away from the 'little ring' for as long as possible.
When I first started riding my road bike (Feb this year), I was averaging 16.5 to 17-ish (on a couple of routes I have between 24 and 34 miles) - on the same routes I am now averaging 18.5+.
Last Saturday I did a 62 mile ride from Bracknell to Worthing (taking in Bury hill on the A29), and managed to average 18.4 mph, quite a bit of climbing and lots of very crappy road surfaces. Then on Sunday I did 10 laps of Goodwood race circuit (22 miles) and managed to average 20.5 mph. In both cases I only ever focused on my cadence.
As for tomorrow - just ride!!!!
I found that the best way of raising my average speed was to focus on cadence, I aim to keep cadence between 90 and 105 rpm's and try to keep away from the 'little ring' for as long as possible.
When I first started riding my road bike (Feb this year), I was averaging 16.5 to 17-ish (on a couple of routes I have between 24 and 34 miles) - on the same routes I am now averaging 18.5+.
Last Saturday I did a 62 mile ride from Bracknell to Worthing (taking in Bury hill on the A29), and managed to average 18.4 mph, quite a bit of climbing and lots of very crappy road surfaces. Then on Sunday I did 10 laps of Goodwood race circuit (22 miles) and managed to average 20.5 mph. In both cases I only ever focused on my cadence.
As for tomorrow - just ride!!!!
The problem is that I am naturally a rather big strong lad with massive legs! (ex rugby player and Uni rower at 6'4" and now DOWN to just under 17st.
My 'natural' cadence that I seem to always fall back to/on is aorund 85 or so. I have started trying to keep that cadence and NOT change to an easier gear and I think that alone may be to thank for better speeds etc.
Much higher cadence - small increase fine - but 120 or so just feels soooooo wrong with my legs.
ANd may do just that tomorrow
My 'natural' cadence that I seem to always fall back to/on is aorund 85 or so. I have started trying to keep that cadence and NOT change to an easier gear and I think that alone may be to thank for better speeds etc.
Much higher cadence - small increase fine - but 120 or so just feels soooooo wrong with my legs.
ANd may do just that tomorrow
Try it over a smallish ride, feels really odd for the first couple of rides but before you know it you won't be thinking about it, in fact if you are not spinning fast enough it feels odd!
To be honest everyone on here can offer an opinion of what you should do, best advice I could offer is to find what works best for you. I recently realised that I am nearly 40 and cannot tear along at the speeds I could achieve 10 years ago, so decided not to try to achieve them. Instead I try to find the balance between enjoying a ride (looking up, seeing the countryside, enjoying the downhills without trying the break the sound barrier) and competing with myself!
Most important thing is that you are out, on a bike and enjoying yourself!
To be honest everyone on here can offer an opinion of what you should do, best advice I could offer is to find what works best for you. I recently realised that I am nearly 40 and cannot tear along at the speeds I could achieve 10 years ago, so decided not to try to achieve them. Instead I try to find the balance between enjoying a ride (looking up, seeing the countryside, enjoying the downhills without trying the break the sound barrier) and competing with myself!
Most important thing is that you are out, on a bike and enjoying yourself!
Edited by MadDad on Friday 5th August 22:34
swerni said:
Just finished my 25.5 mile loop.
At 11.27 miles I had averaged 20.1 mph
At the end of the ride my overall average was 19.1mph.
This includes going over kingston Bridge, round the one way system and a number of lights.
Very pleased.
Yeah, but did you stop at any of the Red ones?... At 11.27 miles I had averaged 20.1 mph
At the end of the ride my overall average was 19.1mph.
This includes going over kingston Bridge, round the one way system and a number of lights.
Very pleased.
I got back on my road bike on Monday for the first time in over 9months due to being abroad did a 38mile loop with my brother and I struggled to keep the average over 15mph, I did take in all the steepest hills in the area, Beacon hill and Red road(to those that know them)! I was struggling.
Did a 15miler alone and managed 17mph avg.
Just need to rebuild my core fitness. Was out for 2hrs this morning in Swinley too. Forgot how much I love XC riding!
Did a 15miler alone and managed 17mph avg.
Just need to rebuild my core fitness. Was out for 2hrs this morning in Swinley too. Forgot how much I love XC riding!
swerni said:
Just finished my 25.5 mile loop.
At 11.27 miles I had averaged 20.1 mph
At the end of the ride my overall average was 19.1mph.
This includes going over kingston Bridge, round the one way system and a number of lights.
Very pleased.
Yeh yeh, any hills on that route? At 11.27 miles I had averaged 20.1 mph
At the end of the ride my overall average was 19.1mph.
This includes going over kingston Bridge, round the one way system and a number of lights.
Very pleased.
We can all average fast on the flat
MadDad said:
?............ I recently realised that I am nearly 40 and cannot tear along at the speeds I could achieve 10 years ago......
Bah.... I'm still getting quicker and I'm 38..... Less about age, more about amount of training/health until you're mid to late 40s IMHO.... Unless of course you're a pro...okgo said:
I prefer to push a bigger gear too. My legs go numb if I spin them at 100 rpm!
Do what works for you, I'm also fairly big at 14 stone 6ft and just prefer it to spinning.
One your legs have learnt to turn slowly with a big gear it is very difficult to teach them to work at a high cadence which means you will struggle with changes of pace !Do what works for you, I'm also fairly big at 14 stone 6ft and just prefer it to spinning.
robsti said:
One your legs have learnt to turn slowly with a big gear it is very difficult to teach them to work at a high cadence which means you will struggle with changes of pace !
I have not raced yet. But it has not hindered me in fast club runs etc where we often have sprints here and there.okgo said:
I have not raced yet. But it has not hindered me in fast club runs etc where we often have sprints here and there.
Not talking about sprints because that is usually done in big gears with power As long as we enjoy our cycling it does not matter which method is right!
P.S Lance beat Ulrich!
Rocksteadyeddie said:
robsti said:
Please do not post libellous posts in my name please!
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