Want to get faster

[T-girl]

I recently started road riding (Dec 2010)

I was a mtbier so I guess that has made me stronger on the hills... but I seem to have NO pace on the flats; get dropped off the back of the bunch every time they put the hammer down! Yet on the hills I pass fellow riders.

 

How can I get faster?

 

I ride, on average, twice in the work-day-week; hills once and either speed-work on the circuit or just a general ride.

 

Can I expect to get faster after some more consistent riding?

 

Am tired of losing the pack and trying to chase them down!

[bikemonster]

You have just discovered what I have long suspected: MTB is great for strength, road is great for aerobic fitness.

 

You will get faster after some consistent riding, but two things spring to mind:

1. Ride with peeps who are slightly faster than you are, so that you are forced to up your game.

2. Learn to suck wheel. People are often rude about it, but it is a cycling skill and it makes a big difference in your ability to stay with the bunch.

[1hill@aTime]

great move over to the tar buddy you will love it,

 

keep riding and your fitness will increase, i was a MTB'r as well, shooooo don't tell anyone...

[T-girl]

You have just discovered what I have long suspected: MTB is great for strength, road is great for aerobic fitness.

 

You will get faster after some consistent riding, but two things spring to mind:

1. Ride with peeps who are slightly faster than you are, so that you are forced to up your game.

2. Learn to suck wheel. People are often rude about it, but it is a cycling skill and it makes a big difference in your ability to stay with the bunch.

 

I always seem to ride with peeps who are faster; its great actually as it makes me work hard! So that point is ticked

Yes; the 'sucking wheel' is a skill I am still learning to master. Just don't feel that comfortable being so close to the wheel in front yet!

 

Road riding, I have discovered, means NO rest/recovery on the ride. Takes some getting used to. Off-road you can always recover on the more technical stuff or in the single-track but on the road its just GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!! Real leg burning stuff!

But oh it is awesome!

[bikemonster]

There are "rest" periods on the road. As you get fitter you will notice them.

 

And then, one magical day, you will get to be one of the ones dishing out the hurt.

 

You will love that day!

[stratus5]

If you are nervous, you may be sitting near the back of the pack/peleton. The accelerations and decelerations tend to be accentuated here, so you can actually work harder.

 

Its often easier at about the 30% position in the pack. Also float around a bit looking for the most sheltered spot. Its not always directly behind the cyclist in front of you.

 

Look for the tallest cyclist you can find, he should have the best slipstream. That being said if you are reasonably tall and are used to a more upright stance (especially if you are nervous) try getting a bit lower on the bike. Just a few inches makes a very noticeable difference to me.

 

If you are a girl , then some kindly soul might give you a push occasionally if you are struggling a bit. Just smile nicely .. a lot

[Cyclewizz]

I have one word for you which will solve your problem.

 

INTERVALS

 

Do a proper interval session once a week and you'll see how fast you become.

 

 

@1hill

No wonder you a bloody mountain goat & love SBR.

[DaLoCo]

If you are nervous, you may be sitting near the back of the pack/peleton. The accelerations and decelerations tend to be accentuated here, so you can actually work harder.

 

Its often easier at about the 30% position in the pack. Also float around a bit looking for the most sheltered spot. Its not always directly behind the cyclist in front of you.

 

 

This sued to drive me nuts, and wear me down, so yes, you do work harder at the back. I had a mate who would ride with me every Saturday for about three months when I just started. He taught me how to wheelsuck, where to rest, all the little tricks.

 

Sadly he has been knocked of his bike by cancer, but is now getting back into it for the Argus.

 

Try and find someone like that for yourself, it is worth it.

 

I tend to enjoy riding alone, not in a bunch, but that is my personality type.

[scotty]

Road riding, I have discovered, means NO rest/recovery on the ride. Takes some getting used to. Off-road you can always recover on the more technical stuff or in the single-track but on the road its just GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!! Real leg burning stuff!

But oh it is awesome!

 

I find it the opposite, in a MTB race i am always cranking away wheras in a road race i find i can sit in a bunch and rest more often.

 

Tougher than both i find is track racing, thats real punishment.

[T-girl]

I usually do sit near the back of the pack. I think its cuz I usually allow a small gap to open up (when I'm not sticking RIGHT on the wheel in front) then others go into that gap!

Will make more of an effort to wheel suck from the tallest dude I see!

I have had a push before; and I always really appreciate it; but I feel like its such a cop-out to be pushed. Dishonest miles!

 

Thanks for the input

[DaLoCo]

I usually do sit near the back of the pack. I think its cuz I usually allow a small gap to open up (when I'm not sticking RIGHT on the wheel in front) then others go into that gap!

Will make more of an effort to wheel suck from the tallest dude I see!

I have had a push before; and I always really appreciate it; but I feel like its such a cop-out to be pushed. Dishonest miles!

 

Thanks for the input

 

Try and keep the distance at not more than 200mm, and ride with you hands on or close to the brakes so you can react. No such thing as dishonest miles.....you are doing the distance.

[1hill@aTime]

@ Indigo

 

@1hill

No wonder you a bloody mountain goat & love SBR.

 

[1hill@aTime]

I find it the opposite, in a MTB race i am always cranking away wheras in a road race i find i can sit in a bunch and rest more often.

 

Tougher than both i find is track racing, thats real punishment.

 

Go Scotty

[Wil6]

I have one word for you which will solve your problem.

 

INTERVALS

 

Do a proper interval session once a week and you'll see how fast you become.

 

 

@1hill

No wonder you a bloody mountain goat & love SBR.

Would be my advise also,do 2 min intervals @ 90 - 100% with 1min rest in between intervals,you must be able to see stars and not feel well at all after your second interval and just keep on going until about 10.Get yout heart rate down and start over....

[scotty]

Go Scotty

 

Greetings

[stratus5]

I usually do sit near the back of the pack. I think its cuz I usually allow a small gap to open up (when I'm not sticking RIGHT on the wheel in front) then others go into that gap!

Will make more of an effort to wheel suck from the tallest dude I see!

I have had a push before; and I always really appreciate it; but I feel like its such a cop-out to be pushed. Dishonest miles!

 

Thanks for the input

 

In the front third of the pack, you can often sit to the side and behind (dont overlap wheels though) of the cyclist in front. This gives you a much larger comfort zone, than right behind him.

 

Although a high cadence (90-100) is good on your own or whilst chasing, if you are just cruising and trying to recover in the pack, I find it helps to lower my cadence (~80) to give the aerobic system a chance to recover.

 

The Tuesday PPA rides at Killarney (18:00) are great for getting used to bunches and leaning how to best position yourself in the pack. The second half of the ride is interval training, which definitely boosts ones power after a week or two.