What are you opinions on the best way to improve speed. I just started riding and can hold about 18 or 19 on flat (with no DAMN WIND) for quite a while. What do you suggest to improve this. I would like to be able to ride in low 20s at some point. thanks!

-LV

Ride lots.

I know that's not what you want to here, but it's the best advice.

Riding with a group helps, too. It helps me keep my intensity up as I have a tendency to decrease my effort a little when I ride solo.

What are you opinions on the best way to improve speed. I just started riding and can hold about 18 or 19 on flat (with no DAMN WIND) for quite a while. What do you suggest to improve this.Bump it to 20 or 21 and see how long you can last. When you get tired, drop back down to 18 or 19. Repeat. Voila, interval training.

Hook up with a group ride that is a little out of your comfort zone.

Intervals..

And please remember, average speed doesn't mean jack squat.

what do you think would represent the best rider?

And please remember, average speed doesn't mean jack squat.The rider with highest average speed . . . wins the race.

I'm just saying.

I've discovered IMO, that the difference between good riders and great riders are the ones that can pull for miles at 26 - 30 mph. Tons of people, myself included can hang on toward the back of the train at virtually any speed or hit a sprint to about 33. I'll draft for miles and miles with some of these guys up front sustaining 30 and its just incredible. Then I'll find myself at the front and 24 seems nearly impossible. I think its that way for everbody. I'm just not quite sure how to become one of those strong guys. I ride about 140 miles per week and give it my all.

I've discovered IMO, that the difference between good riders and great riders are the ones that can pull for miles at 26 - 30 mph. Tons of people, myself included can hang on toward the back of the train at virtually any speed or hit a sprint to about 33. I'll draft for miles and miles with some of these guys up front sustaining 30 and its just incredible. Then I'll find myself at the front and 24 seems nearly impossible. I think its that way for everbody. I'm just not quite sure how to become one of those strong guys. I ride about 140 miles per week and give it my all.


multiply that by 5 and get back to us in about 3 months.

If you are new to cycling and interested in long-term sustainable gains, I have found this book to be a good starting point:

http://www.amazon.com/Base-Building-Cyclists-Foundation-Performance/dp/193138293X

That, and ride a lot (but with a purpose).

The rider with highest average speed . . . wins the race.

I'm just saying.

True, but, how often do you train according to what speed you're going? If you're doing it right, never. Average speeds in a race are irrelevant to whatever it is you're doing for training.

Races are different. You do whatever it is you need to do to either keep up, or win.

Ride lots.

I know that's not what you want to here, but it's the best advice.

Riding with a group helps, too. It helps me keep my intensity up as I have a tendency to decrease my effort a little when I ride solo.

When in Ohio I just don my MIchigan jersey and ride like heck until I get to the boarder.:D

Measuring training value by miles logged is about as useless as training by average speed.

With the right intervals you can get a much bigger boost in power on 150 miles/week than 250 miles/week of 'just riding'.

When in Ohio I just don my MIchigan jersey and ride like heck until I get to the boarder.:D

Ha! You are a brave soul.

So it is best to use intervals when training. Why doesn't average speed matter?

So it is best to use intervals when training. Why doesn't average speed matter?
Intervals are helpful, but no the be all and end all of training. Correctly using intervals will maximize your training time. There are many books out there that detail how to set up a training plan using intervals, HR, power, etc.

Average speed doesn't matter because its affected by things like wind, temperature, terrain, riding partners, total volume, etc. If you're riding the same loop under the same conditions day after day, then it would give you an indication of how hard your are working, but not many people like that kind of monotony.

oh okay I see. I just got a book that adj recommended. So ill read up and ride A LOT.