General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How to build bike speed? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2006-07-24 9:19 PM

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
White Oak, Texas
Subject: How to build bike speed?
I am trying to build speed on the bike currently I ave 16 max and want to get to 20 mph for 20 miles. I was going to start speed work tomorrow by accelerating down a ¾ mile straight away to top speed about 2/3 of the way down then holding it as best as I can for the remainder then taking a slower pace for 1.5 mile and repeating Is this a good work out and how many times should I repeat it?


2006-07-24 9:23 PM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Champion
5183
5000100252525
Wisconsin
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

"unless you are riding 100 mp week, you do not need to worry about speed work. Just Ride Lots."

-The Bear

ETA : yeah, you need to ride a ton more, delete this thread before bear sees it!



Edited by possum 2006-07-24 9:28 PM
2006-07-24 9:42 PM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Champion
11641
50005000100050010025
Fairport, NY
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

I agree with possum. And the bear. And Eddy Merckxx (who originally said "Ride Lots!" and Jonas Colting who said "Cycling is a blue collar sport. You gotta do the miles."

When I ride more, I get faster. When my cycling volume goes down, so does my avg speed.

I took a look at your logs and you definitely have the opportunity to increase your power/speed simply by increasing your time in the saddle. I'm thinking of doing an August bike challenge. You might consider it. They can be incredibly motivating.

2006-07-24 9:47 PM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Master
1506
1000500
Minnesota
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
Yup. Ride lots.
2006-07-25 12:01 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Pro
4206
20002000100100
Los Angeles, CA
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

Ignore all the posts above.  Everyone knows the first thing you got to do is upgrade.  Like when you get the carbon wheels, that will give you 2mph faster.  Then phychologically, because you are on such cool wheels, it will give you another 3mph.  That's 20 mph right there.  

2006-07-25 12:03 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Extreme Veteran
522
500
MN
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

Lose a few pounds.  No judgment, just physics.

Ride with some faster riders.  You will find out in a hurry if you have what it takes to keep up.

Get a better ride.  Again just physics.



2006-07-25 3:43 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Champion
7036
5000200025
Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

What they said.  More miles will do it.  The 100 miles/week may be a bit arbitrary; frequency is just as important.  You need to ride at least twice or three times a week to make any significant progress. 

Good luck,

Mark

2006-07-25 5:07 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Master
1718
1000500100100
Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

Mark's hit the nail on the head.  Yes you need to ride lots and other people have suggested Miles per week or more but as Mark said frequency is the key.  If you were going to do 100mile p/w then it would be better to do it as 3x 33 miles than 1x 100miles for example.

And until you have got a good number of miles/hours in your legs then you shouldn't be doing any speed work.

2006-07-25 5:54 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Champion
5495
5000100100100100252525
Whizzzzzlandia
Silver member
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

Yup... as the "Ride Lots" poster child... I have to agree... just get on your bike and ride... miles and miles and miles and miles... Try to ride 3x per week which includes a long ride on the weekends. You will gradually see your averages increase. I promise.

Your butt will become tougher too.

 

Whizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 

 

2006-07-25 6:09 AM
in reply to: #492129

User image

Expert
783
500100100252525
South Bend, IN
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

I have tried to increase my mileage since the weather became permissible in teh midwest. June into July has seen a major increase in my mileage, and also instead of focuising on speed, I have seen a steady uptick in my avg power output, especially in the 60+ mile rides.

Advice: More miles more consistently

 

2006-07-25 6:18 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Extreme Veteran
579
500252525
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
Looking at your logs you have done some 300 miles for the year riding. Hours in the saddle are what build cycling strength, speed will come from that. Try to ride 3-4 times a week with one, usually Sat. or Sun. being a long ride. Eventually work that long ride up to 3-4 hours of saddle time. Find a club or better yet a racing team that will let you tag along with them on thier recovery days. You will learn a lot from hanging with racers.


2006-07-25 10:39 AM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Master
1320
1000100100100
Chilliwack, BC
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

I kind of was looking forward to bears answer.

Considering the colour of your bike.

2006-07-25 2:17 PM
in reply to: #491942

User image

Master
2447
200010010010010025
White Oak, Texas
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
Thanks everyone after careful consideration of the replies I have come to the conclusion I need to go an a diet then take the money I save from the lack of food to by a new bike ? Or I need to ride the bike I have more thus causing me to get faster and loose weight. Thanks I guess I will begin the push for 100 mile weeks.
2006-07-25 2:22 PM
in reply to: #492799

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

CBarnes - 2006-07-25 2:17 PM Thanks everyone after careful consideration of the replies I have come to the conclusion I need to go an a diet then take the money I save from the lack of food to by a new bike ? Or I need to ride the bike I have more thus causing me to get faster and loose weight. Thanks I guess I will begin the push for 100 mile weeks.

The answer is in your signature.

2006-07-25 3:16 PM
in reply to: #491942

User image

SF Bay Area, Mountain View
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
one more thing - don't smell the flowers or check out girlie butts while you're riding. ride like you want to get somewhere!
2006-07-25 3:22 PM
in reply to: #492885

User image

Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

awol - 2006-07-25 1:16 PM one more thing - don't . . .check out girlie butts while you're riding.

party pooper



2006-07-25 3:36 PM
in reply to: #492891

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
ChrisM - 2006-07-25 4:22 PM

awol - 2006-07-25 1:16 PM one more thing - don't . . .check out girlie butts while you're riding.

party pooper



Don't you mean "pretty" pooper??
2006-07-25 3:40 PM
in reply to: #492885

User image

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?

awol - 2006-07-25 3:16 PM one more thing - don't smell the flowers or check out girlie butts while you're riding. ride like you want to get somewhere!

C'mon now, let's not get fanatical about this!

2006-07-25 3:44 PM
in reply to: #491942

User image

SF Bay Area, Mountain View
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
i also think that you should, every time you pass someone, reach over and give their front brake a firm pull. that'll establish your superiority and release hormones that'll make you go faster.
2006-07-25 3:53 PM
in reply to: #492885

User image

Master
2060
20002525
Northern California
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
awol - 2006-07-25 1:16 PM

one more thing - don't smell the flowers or check out girlie butts while you're riding. ride like you want to get somewhere!


pssssssssssssssh!! Is there ANY other reason for logging so many miles? I mean, c'mon man?!?

2006-07-25 4:24 PM
in reply to: #492085

User image

Extreme Veteran
402
100100100100
Ogden, Utah
Subject: RE: How to build bike speed?
bikingbruise - 2006-07-25 12:03 AM

Lose a few pounds.  No judgment, just physics.

Ride with some faster riders.  You will find out in a hurry if you have what it takes to keep up.

Get a better ride.  Again just physics.

I will second the comment on riding with faster riders. I do a Tuesday Night Ride with the LBS team. they kill me every time I am out there. but I average about 20 MPH trying to keep up with them.



New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How to build bike speed? Rss Feed