yesterday's lesson about speed

On my training ride yesterday, I learned a couple of invaluable lessons that seem particularly apropos given the "average MPH" thread going on.

Lesson #1: There will always be somebody faster than you.
I was cranking along at just over 18 mph, which is atypically fast for me, and feeling really good about myself. When a flicker in the corner of my eye caused me to look, and see the wiry, 50-something year old gent totally blow by me. I picked up my pace a bit to see if I could catch him, but even at almost 20 mph he was leaving me far, far behind. Rather than feel badly about getting smoked, I instead tried to think about it as "hey, I maintained an almost 20 mph pace for over a mile!"

Lesson #2: The road giveth, and the road taketh away.
I was shooting for 75-80 miles, and I was astounded to discover that I'd managed to cover 41.5 miles in the first 2.5 hours. I had several 15 minute laps where I was averaging 17 mph or higher (significantly faster than my typical pace of 15-16 mph). I kept thinking to myself "this is too easy..." I discovered why it was too easy once I doubled back to make the return trip, and was slammed by a 19 mph gust of wind that nearly threw me from my bike. The entire way home was a giant slog--it felt like fighting through wet sand. I had to work for every mile. Once I got home, I consoled myself with the fact that even after 2.5 hours of fighting the wind, I'd still managed to maintain my standard 15 mph pace over a longer ride than I'd ever done before.

I would say that actually more than the wind, my new saddle was a bigger impediment to my speed and distance goals. I'm testing out the Fizik Aliante, and now that I've put 150 miles on it, I think it's not for me...

good story!
it pays to be very aware of the wind. It changes speed and direction too. Lots of people have experienced headwinds in both directions. nasty stuff!

So true! Good job on your ride yesterday!!

I hate when you're cruising along and feeling good (not really feeling like you have a tailwind) then you turn around and BAM! headwind! :(

I ride mostly at the lake by my house. It's a 10 mile loop, and even tho I swear the wind blows 10mph more there than where they measure the wind,at least I'm always alternating between headwind and tailwind the whole ride. Unless there's a wind-shift and you get headwind the whole way around. :rolleyes:

Amen to the wind! I've had a "headwind" on many rides both going out and coming back. But a tailwind . . . sweet heaven!

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Originally Posted by blue_angel

Lesson #1: There will always be somebody faster than you.
I was cranking along at just over 18 mph, which is atypically fast for me, and feeling really good about myself. When a flicker in the corner of my eye caused me to look, and see the wiry, 50-something year old gent totally blow by me. I picked up my pace a bit to see if I could catch him, but even at almost 20 mph he was leaving me far, far behind. Rather than feel badly about getting smoked, I instead tried to think about it as "hey, I maintained an almost 20 mph pace for over a mile!"

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Haha! I rode the track for the first time on Sunday. It was pursuit style, just for fun, and road bikes were allowed. I was passed by a woman who was probably old enough to be my mom! Regardless, I was quite pleased with my average speeds which were fast for me, especially given that I'd never ridden a track before (although, neither had she, but she is a racer and I'm not).

hmmm... was looking for inspiration as I turned around on the local trail tonight when two guys went by. Figured I'd see if I could keep up. 17... 18... 19... 20... 21... holding 21 and they were STILL pulling away! :eek: I tried to keep them in sight but eventually I lost them. Oh well. I wasn't able to keep going over 20mph for very long but I think I am getting stronger and faster. I did manage to push up a hill at 23mph. That made me happy. :D But, it was definitely a night of "someone will always be faster."

since I have been trying for several years to get my pushing average anywhere above an average of 16.5, any time I am going faster than that and it feels like maybe the training is starting to pay off, I KNOW I will pay the price as soon as I turn around or change direction in any manner.

It's enough to make one a cynical pessimist.

I'm 47 and I want to grow up to be like those older riders who smoked you! lol.

Hey, really though, good for you for your accomplishments. And yes, there will always be someone who is more "X" than you.

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Originally Posted by rubysoho

hmmm... was looking for inspiration as I turned around on the local trail tonight when two guys went by. Figured I'd see if I could keep up. 17... 18... 19... 20... 21... holding 21 and they were STILL pulling away! :eek: I tried to keep them in sight but eventually I lost them. Oh well. I wasn't able to keep going over 20mph for very long but I think I am getting stronger and faster. I did manage to push up a hill at 23mph. That made me happy. :D But, it was definitely a night of "someone will always be faster."

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Damn...I'm impressed!!! I'm lucky if I can maintain 10mph up a hill (and I live in IL where we have NO real hills)...and this is my 3rd year of serious riding.

I rode with my sis and brother-in-law today. My sister was in front telling stories, i was next and BIL was trailing behind looking for deer, calling to birds and checking out the flooding. For some reason, today in particular several men (walkers and bikers) pointed out "the girls are getting ahead!"

This was a rite of passage when I lived in Virginia... you start thinking you're getting stronger and wow! You really are today! and WHAM!!!! (And, of course, you rode *hard* with the wind behind you).

Out here on the prairie, our routes are determined by the winds -- so you're reminded to think about it at the beginning of any given group ride.

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Originally Posted by nscrbug

Damn...I'm impressed!!! I'm lucky if I can maintain 10mph up a hill (and I live in IL where we have NO real hills)...and this is my 3rd year of serious riding.

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(it wasn't a huge hill ;) )

I have been experiencing the wind switch lately too. Was up to 16.8 for quite a stretch the other day. It was amazing and I was having fun until my riding partner, Freedomrider pointed out that I should enjoy it going this way, because on the way back, we gotta pay! I think I bottomed out @ 6mph on the return trip. Hmmm....and still remained upright! :cool:

Training rides to be afraid of:

on your way out, you find that you are much stronger than usual because your speed is several MPH faster than normal. You feel good so you decide to head out bit further than normal.

then you reach the turnaround point. Turn around and WHAM the headwind hits you HARD!! You also realize your home is further away than usual. :(:eek:

It took me several years to be wary when it seemed so much easier on the way out because of the tailwind. Now if I get into this situation, I turnaround before my regular turnaround point.

And yes I too have been passed by an old GEEZER!! Greybeard was riding a full suspension mountain bike with full on knobby tire making that roaring sound. I was riding my racing bike doing close to 24MPH. This was back in the days... Maybe he was doping :p

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

And yes I too have been passed by an old GEEZER!! Greybeard was riding a full suspension mountain bike with full on knobby tire making that roaring sound. I was riding my racing bike doing close to 24MPH. This was back in the days... Maybe he was doping :p

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Ha, last Summer DH and I were out on a 75 mile ride. About 50 miles in we cut over to a section of quiet, rural MUP for about 10 miles. We started gaining on this middle-aged chunky dude on a mountain bike. He took one look at us on our road bikes and took off...for about 5 miles he held us off (we were comfortably cruising at probably no more than 16mph). We passed him at a turn-around where he was soaked in sweat, guzzling water, and quite obviously cooked.

I don't know if we were just a fun challenge for him or if he had ego issues. But we had a good laugh about it. We were tempted to say "dude, really? We just finished a 50 mile warm-up and have 20 more to go...don't flatter yourself."

Some years ago, I was on my longest ride so far (back then) since buying my bike and despite feeling crappy the first four miles or so and the trail being bad at the beginning, I was feeling pretty proud of myself as I approached the midpoint. On the short incline up to the midpoint, I was passed by a woman probably 20 years or more my senior (so 70+), wearing (I am not making this up) a flowered dress and a straw hat, riding what I think was a 3-speed, and not sweating a bit.

I have been dropped more than once by grizzled older guys (older than me :))wearing jeans, riding mountain bikes, carrying large backpacks.

So, 50 something is old?

Love the story of the 70 something lady in the dress! I want to be her, but first I'll have to buy a dress!

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Originally Posted by owlice

On the short incline up to the midpoint, I was passed by a woman probably 20 years or more my senior (so 70+), wearing (I am not making this up) a flowered dress and a straw hat, riding what I think was a 3-speed, and not sweating a bit.

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I have a flowered dress and a straw hat...hope that can be me someday!:D

Old is anyone more than 20 years older than me... and the range keeps going up.

i can relate to the posts about going out farther than expected because you feel so strong, then you turn back, and Bam! reality check.

also, as to getting passed, i don't sweat that at all, because i know what happened: that they were behind me, then saw me and put the hammer down to pass me and then stay ahead all the while trying to look like its not hurting at all.

i know 'cause thats what i do!

What is so great about riding a bike - pretty much works for anyone. Love your story.
I never "train" but I do ride pretty much everyday and one day I was riding to a friend's on my steel touring bike, with fenders, dyno hub,light, racks and my zimbale canvas saddlebag - in my "street clothes" - gasp. There was a large group out on a "training ride" and as the head wind was strong I hopped onto the pace line, boy did I get some looks! This one guy even dropped back to ask me if I was a "commuter", guess they needed to attach a label to this woman who dared to think she could ride with them. I cracked up. I want a shirt that says "I am not a bike racer, it's okay. You are a bike racer, that's okay too." I make a point to smile and say hello to everyone I see, if they are passing me or if I am passing them, makes no difference as long as everyone is having fun!

I had a little lesson in humility last night. I had tried our local bike shop's serious beginner ride last week. It was a mixed group of men and women and I had heard that they go pretty fast. One of my friends had tried it, and she said that I would have no problem keeping up. Anyway, it ended up being super fast (for me) and we went 50 km (30 miles) at an avg speed of 30 kmh (18 mph). This is fast for me, as I am relatively new to cycling and usually average 14-15 mph on my training rides. I did manage to hold a wheel the whole time and was very proud of myself. I came home and told dh and he decided that he would come out with us this week.

Fast forward to this week, and as soon as the ride started I was way behind. Dh had to pull me back up to the group. I eventually caught up and got a second wind bit I was definitely feeling humbled. The average speed and distance ended up being about the same as the previous week, but I definitely felt like the slow newcomer. For some reason I have more grit and determination when my husband is not around. I'm not sure what that is about. I think I feel the pressure of his expectations and that throws me off. Anyway, I am enjoying riding in a group, as I usually just ride with one or two others.

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Originally Posted by andiewest

I had a little lesson in humility last night. I had tried our local bike shop's serious beginner ride last week. It was a mixed group of men and women and I had heard that they go pretty fast. One of my friends had tried it, and she said that I would have no problem keeping up. Anyway, it ended up being super fast (for me) and we went 50 km (30 miles) at an avg speed of 30 kmh (18 mph). This is fast for me, as I am relatively new to cycling and usually average 14-15 mph on my training rides. I did manage to hold a wheel the whole time and was very proud of myself. I came home and told dh and he decided that he would come out with us this week.

Fast forward to this week, and as soon as the ride started I was way behind. Dh had to pull me back up to the group. I eventually caught up and got a second wind bit I was definitely feeling humbled. The average speed and distance ended up being about the same as the previous week, but I definitely felt like the slow newcomer. For some reason I have more grit and determination when my husband is not around. I'm not sure what that is about. I think I feel the pressure of his expectations and that throws me off. Anyway, I am enjoying riding in a group, as I usually just ride with one or two others.

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Great job! As for your performance the second week, having done a lot of group training rides myself, I can say that some rides are just going to be better than others. While it could have been your husband's presence, it also could have been what you ate and drank that day or how fatigued you may have been. I'm glad you're enjoying it though. It's a great way to get a lot faster/stronger on the bike.

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Originally Posted by andiewest

I had a little lesson in humility last night. I had tried our local bike shop's serious beginner ride last week. It was a mixed group of men and women and I had heard that they go pretty fast. One of my friends had tried it, and she said that I would have no problem keeping up. Anyway, it ended up being super fast (for me) and we went 50 km (30 miles) at an avg speed of 30 kmh (18 mph). This is fast for me, as I am relatively new to cycling and usually average 14-15 mph on my training rides. I did manage to hold a wheel the whole time and was very proud of myself. I came home and told dh and he decided that he would come out with us this week.

Fast forward to this week, and as soon as the ride started I was way behind. Dh had to pull me back up to the group. I eventually caught up and got a second wind bit I was definitely feeling humbled. The average speed and distance ended up being about the same as the previous week, but I definitely felt like the slow newcomer. For some reason I have more grit and determination when my husband is not around. I'm not sure what that is about. I think I feel the pressure of his expectations and that throws me off. Anyway, I am enjoying riding in a group, as I usually just ride with one or two others.

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One thing I noticed is that I actually ride differently if I'm ... oh, intimidated. When I'm thinking "I can't do this," and switch over to "of course you can't do this for long, but just hang with 'em for a while," my posture changes and the rest of my body relaxes and suddenly the speedo has a higher number on it, my breathing is better... and I'm hangin' with 'em for real.