I've been riding now for a few weeks and have worked up to 16 mile rides, but my average speed stays the same, right at 8 mph. How do I get faster?
I either ride on a mostly dirt rail trail or paved/dirt back roads. I have a Specialized Crossroads, which is a comfort bike. Do I need a different bike? Or is there a way to improve on this bike?
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Thread: 65 and new to cycling
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07-29-2012, 08:12 PM #1
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65 and new to cycling
Shelley, Great Grandma Beginner
1991 Specialized Hard Rock
2012 Trek Superfly100 AL Elite
Occasional blogging at: My Mountain Home
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07-29-2012, 08:18 PM #2
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8 mph is really quite good on dirt.
Keep at it and welcome to TE.
Fancy Schmancy Custom Road bike ~ Mondonico Futura Legero
Found on side of the road bike ~ Motobecane Mixte
Gravel bike ~ Salsa Vaya
Favorite bike ~ Soma Buena Vista mixte
Folder ~ Brompton
N+1 ~ My seat on the Rover recumbent tandem
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07-29-2012, 08:21 PM #3
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Oh, I didn't know that. I am always reading about people averaging 12-15 mph so I thought I was extremely slow! And not improving.
Shelley, Great Grandma Beginner
1991 Specialized Hard Rock
2012 Trek Superfly100 AL Elite
Occasional blogging at: My Mountain Home
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07-29-2012, 09:12 PM #4
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Cycling is a multi year sport. It can take years to really build up. So you are off to a great start!
To get speed you need a strong foundation of lots and lots and lots of base miles. Keep riding and you'll build endurance. Once that's established far later this year or next season add hills, interval work, maybe lift weights.
But without a solid foundation of base miles all that's for naught. So keep riding. Speed will come.
Most posting 15 mph+ are on road bikes and not on dirt. So you are doing great. Slicks would not hurt (smoother tires if you have knobbies on the comfort bike) but really ....
8 mph on dirt with a comfort bike?
You rock!Fancy Schmancy Custom Road bike ~ Mondonico Futura Legero
Found on side of the road bike ~ Motobecane Mixte
Gravel bike ~ Salsa Vaya
Favorite bike ~ Soma Buena Vista mixte
Folder ~ Brompton
N+1 ~ My seat on the Rover recumbent tandem
https://www.instagram.com/pugsley_adventuredog/
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07-29-2012, 09:19 PM #5
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Okay--now I really feel encouraged! I'll keep at it, and be patient. Thanks
Shelley, Great Grandma Beginner
1991 Specialized Hard Rock
2012 Trek Superfly100 AL Elite
Occasional blogging at: My Mountain Home
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07-30-2012, 12:49 AM #6
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The saddle to cranks geometry of a comfort bike is meant for ... comfort, not efficiency. The cranks are probably further forward than a road bike. This means you can't use gravity (your body weight) to help push the pedals.
Originally Posted by Trek420
Ditto! Originally Posted by Trek420
8 mph on dirt with a comfort bike?
You rock!Laura
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07-30-2012, 04:03 AM #7
What's over that hill?
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What the others said, you are doing fantastic! Also, welcome to TE and to cycling
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07-30-2012, 09:03 AM #8
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This is so true and very important. It takes a long time to build strength. But guess what? Cycling is fun, so it doesn't really matter. You can enjoy yourself even if progress is slower than you'd like. Originally Posted by Trek420
Consider this: do you need to go fast? I'm quite happy being slow.
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