The Cycling Thread

17.5 mph average over 82 miles is very good. Best i usually manage on big rides is 14mph and i thought i was doing well! Must try harder.

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

17.5 mph average over 82 miles is very good. Best i usually manage on big rides is 14mph and i thought i was doing well! Must try harder.

I started a Facebook Group last November, met other cyclists that put me to shame and thought OK let's see what I can do. If you want to have a go get out with stronger cyclists and try to hang on you'll soon get faster. At the start of the year I was nearly 2 stone heavier and was a commuter and leisure cyclist, my average speeds were in the 15's and was cycling about 60 miles a week. Now I'm disappointed with averages below 18, have done my first 10 mile TT at over 20mph and cycle at least 150 miles a week.

I'm not trying to show off, just point out that you really do get out of it what you put in and that is so so satisfying, be warned it becomes very addictive...

[maviczap]

That's my problem, 99% of my cycling is done on my own, just the occasional ride out with the old boys on a Thursday, which is always a gentle bimble.

So I seem to get stuck at about 17mph.

I have to fit my rides in when I can, so difficult to meet up with a group.

I got overtaken by someone last night, and he was doing a good 2 mph faster than me.

But hey ho

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by maviczap

I got overtaken by someone last night, and he was doing a good 2 mph faster than me.

Perfect opportunity Mav, a few weeks ago I was warming up on my commute home and this chap flew past, I jumped straight on his tail and asked if it was ok for a tow while I was warming up, he said "fine", we got chatting and now ride home together a couple of times a month, he's one of the strongest cyclists in the area but is happy to have a bit of company and encourage a relative newbie, oh and boy does he make me work...

Worst they can do say is feck off!!

[maviczap]

Trouble was he came past me so fast I couldn't jump on his wheel, and he went straight on, when I went right on at the roundabout after half a mile.

I was feeling a bit pooped yesterday to try any of that mularky

Plus he didn't even say hello when he past me, so obviously not the social type

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Dipper

I checked it out on Strava as the Garmin link doesn't seem work.

Turns out it was private to me and my Garmin buddies, so made it public.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/352694602

and on Strava

http://app.strava.com/activities/71878459

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Dipper

If you want to have a go get out with stronger cyclists and try to hang on you'll soon get faster.

This. Without the faster lads in our group I wouldn't be trying hard to keep up and get faster. It feels great to be 'up there' with the best of your peers. I was second home yesterday, with only one of our best climbers beating me after he attacked on a hill. The undulating ride home and big hill in the middle sapped the legs and lowered the average, but my average after lunch was about 18.3. Perhaps I'll start taking laps at the cafe halt...

[maviczap]

H'mm its one way, but I also managed to increase my speed by racing, not in mass starts, but by riding TT's.

I've never had the opportunity to ride with faster riders or as part of a fast group, as I was often working.

My biggest gain came after riding for quite a few seasons at the same level, I rode my first 50 mile TT.

A few weeks after that I rode my fastest ever 10, albeit on a really good night.

Intervals also work, but bloody hard, and I don't have the need or commitment to batter myself doing those

I am very very jealous of you all having broken my foot and barely done 100 miles in the last 2 months.

Thought you'd been a little quiet lately Dave.

i'll be back on the bike this week after a 2 week layoff having been on my jollys.