Improving...

pbriggles
pbriggles Posts: 4
edited July 2009 in Road beginners
Hi,

Just been getting into road biking (ex. mountain biker!) over the summer hols and was wondering what the best way to improve times etc. was.
Last night (in the rain :( ) I averages 18.5mph over 35miles... firstly is that any good? and to improve should I increse the distance and try to keep up the same speed or should I do the same distance and try to increase the speed? (r a bit of both I guess!)

Any advice would be appretiated!

Comments

  • Infamous
    Infamous Posts: 1,130
    pbriggles wrote:
    averages 18.5mph over 35miles... firstly is that any good?
    Dunno. For a pro rider going flat out, it's rubbish, for a begginner taking it easy, it's very good. Average speed is not a great marker.
    pbriggles wrote:
    and to improve should I increse the distance and try to keep up the same speed or should I do the same distance and try to increase the speed? (r a bit of both I guess!)
    Both.
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    Do more miles. Pedal harder & faster. Your speed & times will improve.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    I would've thought that was pretty good! How hilly was the ride?
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • pbriggles
    pbriggles Posts: 4
    what would you say is a better marker than average speed over a particular distance?
    it was in the cotswolds so reasonaby hilly...

    I'm definetly enjoying it - I just want to improve as much as possible over the summer so that when I go back to boarding college (full sponsorship :D - completely free!) I can ride with my mates who are supposed to be quite good...
  • Infamous
    Infamous Posts: 1,130
    A time trial is the best way to compare yourself with others.
  • pbriggles
    pbriggles Posts: 4
    Thanks - I'll investigate a local club and see if they tave any "try it out" events.
    alo... I'm looking at gsetting some new tires ith a smaller width but was wondering if I need to change the inner tube? (going from 700x25 tires to 700x23)

    Thanks
  • NoNotAgain
    NoNotAgain Posts: 91
    Spend at least 4 hours a day on the bike with an average of 38 kph or more.
    6 days a week.
    Send your wife to a massage class. You'll need it.
    Completely change your diet - all you need now are energy drinks and gel, gel, gel!
    Find an online shop for the needed supply of Roids and CERA.

    Or simply cycle.
    If you want to improve, depending on the amount you've cycled yet, there's a few things to do.
    You should IMO in the beginning cycle at a pace that's not too challenging but for as long as possible. Probably three hours or more, if possible.
    Once you're confident and when you're able to cycle 150+ km without resting, you might consider training intervals or HIIT.

    But at the end of the day, the most important thing is the fun you get from it.
    1,000km+ a month, strictly road.