Have I really gotten that much slower...?

marksandygill
Posts: 5
So today I went out with my mate around Richmond park, he's new to cycling (6 months ish) but commutes 12 miles a day and rides a Peurgeot with Tiagra, I have been cycling for 4 years on a Trek 4.7 with Ultegra but only been out 10 times in the last year.
Now I was (in hindsight rather stupidly) expecting to still be faster than him, but on the hills/accents he literally left me behind, like 100m behind! On any flat sections and descents I was a lot faster, so I was wondering if it's purely down to fitness levels or could gear ratios etc play a part (I'm thinking I'm slow uphill as I'm out of shape and fast downhill because my bike is geared higher...?:)
P.S yes, I know its probably sour grapes/pride talking...:)
Now I was (in hindsight rather stupidly) expecting to still be faster than him, but on the hills/accents he literally left me behind, like 100m behind! On any flat sections and descents I was a lot faster, so I was wondering if it's purely down to fitness levels or could gear ratios etc play a part (I'm thinking I'm slow uphill as I'm out of shape and fast downhill because my bike is geared higher...?:)
P.S yes, I know its probably sour grapes/pride talking...:)
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Comments
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Surely he must be doped...left the forum March 20230
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Well his legs were so big his pedals were 4ft apart...I did wonder0
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If you have been out 10 times over the past 12 months, expecting to be faster than anybody else is a bit unrealistic, isn't it?left the forum March 20230
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Yeah, I think its a case of not expecting him to have gotten so good so quickly (he's literally done no exercise in the last 10 years yet drunk more alcohol than Boris Yeltsin...)
Did overtake someone who had a basket on their bike though...0 -
marksandygill wrote:Did overtake someone who had a basket on their bike though...0
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ugo.santalucia wrote:If you have been out 10 times over the past 12 months, expecting to be faster than anybody else is a bit unrealistic, isn't it?
What he said.
Your friend has already done 60 miles before any weekend riding versus your zero. Mileage is what makes you fitter and faster, not Trek bikes or Ultegra groupsets.
He's one of the lucky ones, who's commuting distance allows him to cycle and get decent mileage in at the same time. I'd love to be in this position! For most people it's not possible. I work in London and don't get home till 7:30-8pm, so it's only very recently with the longer days that I've been able to fit a couple of sneaky 20 milers in during the week, but what a difference they make to my weekend rides!
My advice is to try and fit rides in wherever possible, even if they're only short 10 milers that you can blast. Seriously, you'll notice a difference very quickly and will soon be keeping with your mate's back wheel up the climbs.0 -
Dont underestimate the daily commute!
I cycle just shy of 20 miles a day and its all the training I need, I do wish I had a few hills along the way, its pretty flat but I use it as a training ride, sprint as much as I can and try to churn a nice highish gear. It has made any weekend ride I have done so much easier and in only a year of road cycling* I have seen some excellent gains.
*Actually its my second year but the first was on a mountain bike and that was heavy and clunky compared to my road bike so doesn't count!Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
Specialized Langster SS for Ease
Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
n+1 is well and truly on track
Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/16088750 -
Yeah, up until last January I was in the Royal Air Force and was lucky enough to get out at 4 most afternoons to get a 20 mile ride in, guess I hadn't appreciated just how much fitness I'd lost!
Not sure i liked Richmond park to be honest, more used to the open roads of the South Downs, still at least there were no potholes...0