Speed building

bianchi777

Hi

I've been cycling now for around 8 years- from age 15 through to the present, age 22 almost 23. I really seem to have hit a plateau where I can only really get my bike up to around 27, 28mph for around 3 to 4 minutes- I have very good acceleration but it just doesn't last. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with my build- 5'11, 65kg- as I am pretty lightweight with little to no upper body strength, but with more leg strength due to the amount of cycling I've put in over the years. My average speed lies at around 16 to 17mph which I feel is too slow as I eventually do want to join a cycling club and partake in some amateur road racing.

I just wondered if anyone had any advice as to the best way of building speed...any help would be appreciated.

shockedsoshocked

Join a cycling club! Going out with faster lads will bring you on.

bianchi777

Ahh you're from Middlesbrough...don't know how familiar you are with Newcastle but do you know of any cycling clubs going around here?

shockedsoshocked

bianchi777 wrote:

Ahh you're from Middlesbrough...don't know how familiar you are with Newcastle but do you know of any cycling clubs going around here?

I know the Gosforth road club are pretty big up there, as are NFM. There's a few others than I can't remember unfortunately!

jibberjim

bianchi777 wrote:

I've been cycling now for around 8 years- from age 15 through to the present, age 22 almost 23. I really seem to have hit a plateau where I can only really get my bike up to around 27, 28mph for around 3 to 4 minutes- [...] partake in some amateur road racing.

If you can jump and hold 45kph for 3 or 4 minutes solo at the end of an easy 4th cat race, you can probably win it. The pack is likely only doing about that.

Join a club, go race, stop worrying about speed - my average speed for riding on my own is lower than yours, yet I have no trouble hanging with 2nd cats in a race. You need experience of racing in a group, and how not to get dropped. Riding solo won't get you that.

a_n_t

time trials have brought my speed on. Over 24mph for a 10 in my first season.

bianchi777

Thanks for all your advice...I have sent an email to a local club enquiring about membership....then the only problem is getting my Bianchi up from Lancashire!