I want to ride faster

[RoadRaven]

The same 33 mile ride ridden over the years has gone from a 2.5 hour effort to a fairly consistent 2 hours. Why wouldn't this be a measure of my fitness?

It is the perfect measure of your fitness.

The same course, in similar conditions, repeated at intervals over the year (or measured at intervals over the year if you ride it often).

Half an hour is excellent improvement!

[SadieKate]

Thanks, I know it is. I was being a bit sarcastic at the statement that average speed on flat ground isn't useful.

[jobob]

You? Sarcastic?

nahhhhhhh ...

Geeze you'd think my 2000th post would be something erudite and worthwhile to befit the occasion.
nahhhhh ....

[indysteel]

Since we're on this topic, I'd like to bring up my current speed issue. I got my road bike at the end of July. By September, I was averaging between 16 and 17 miles per hour for most rides, assuming that it wasn't too windy and/or the route wasn't too hilly. Now that the weather has taken a turn for the cold, my average rides have gotten slower. I managed an average of about 16.3 the other day but the winds were calm. I dress for the weather and don't feel overly cold once I'm warmed up, and I certainly feel like I'm working hard. Is my slower pace just a function of the cold, the density of colder air, and how much harder my "engine" has to work in the cold?

[KayTee]

Indy, it's the cold weather. Our bodies have to work harder just to keep us warm, let alone pedaling hard. I, too, ride way slower in the cold.

[SadieKate]

I find that it takes much longer to warm up. I don't feel cold but my legs can feel like lead for twice as long as a normal warm-up.

[indysteel]

I'm glad it's not just me. I think my perception of what is and isn't a windy day has really changed, too, this winter. In the summer, I'd think it was windy if there was even a slight breeze. What a laugh! I would pay top dollar for a day like that now when the wind nearly knocks me down most rides.

Of course, slow or not, I'm very grateful that the weather's been so nice and that I'm remained healthy this winter. There's only been one weekend that I couldn't ride at all and that was a bit by choice (I decided to beat myself up in a 2.5 hour yoga class instead). I might not get a ride in this weekend either with rain/snow predicted but I'm taking tomorrow off and the skies look clear. At the end of the day, I'd rather be slow than grounded.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

At least where I live, there has been definitely more wind overall once Autumn kicked in. It IS harder to ride in the wind, and the cold can slow you down, not to mention the heavier layers of clothes.

[Kitsune06]

I hate to say it, but speed is more dictated by strength and endurance than the clothes you wear, the equipment tacked on and all those precious grams. It's not until you're really racing, when strength and endurance match those of the competition and you need every edge that you can get, that these things are important. Until then, you're just buying excuses.

[RoadRaven]

Kit... don't "hate to say it"

Its true... absolutely and comprehensively
Say it... say it loud - too many people I race with blame the bike, the shoes, the helmet, the gears, the cranks.... etc etc etc... Very few own up to their own performance!

(I race at entry level still... )

And I am going to borrow your phrase - "buying excuses" - its perfect.
Excellent word crafting.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sorry, but I can't afford to buy excuses- spent all my spare money on winter biking clothes so I can KEEP RIDING! I rode almost 4 hours today in 31F and almost got frostbite. Didn't bother looking at my speed, the hell with THAT... I just wanted to make it home alive!

[Bike Goddess]

Lisa- I just think that riding in 31 degree weather is a feat in itself! Besides, I think temperatures that low do have an effect on your speed. As SK said, it takes longer for our bodies to warm up (if they ever do!!!).

[RoadRaven]

31'F???

Isn't that about 0'celsius???

Congrats on making it home without frostbite!!!

Brrrr.... I have trouble with a few degrees above freezing - let alone on it or below!!!

You rock, Lisa... and all you other gals who bike in the Northern winter... (In the southern hemisphere we had a 26' day here and yesterday it was 31'C (thats about 75-85'F I think in your language?)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks Nancy and Roadraven, you make me feel good!
Yes, 31F is just below 0C. I admit it WAS cold. It wasn't so much the temp as the fact that we were out there pumping up and down hills for almost 4 hours.
I started out feeling cold, then I felt "less cold", fairly comfortable for the middle third of the ride, then I guess I lost steam and hands and feet got really cold. Also the sun was lower in the sky and wasn't warming us anymore at the end because it was behind the trees or hill line most of the time. I had a red face in a perfect circle shape that coincided with the edges of my balaclava! And my eyeglasses got realy cold and were giving me an "ice cream headache".
DH didn't seem to think much about it- he's always so much warmer than me- (like sleeping with a 6 foot long hot water bottle!)

I know there are lots of women out there riding under WAY colder conditions, and in the ice and snow too, but I'm new to this and all my life I've avoided exercise and being outside in the cold, so I feel good about being able to do this at all. Thanks for your encouragement, it means so much to me.

[KSH]

I know there are lots of women out there riding under WAY colder conditions, and in the ice and snow too, but I'm new to this and all my life I've avoided exercise and being outside in the cold, so I feel good about being able to do this at all. Thanks for your encouragement, it means so much to me.

Right there with ya.

Everytime I ride when it's below 60F degrees... I feel accomplished. I absolutely HATE the cold and bundling up.

Coldest ride this year, 35F degrees. BBBUUURRRR. Yes, I'm a whimp... to all the ladies living where it's really cold.

But here in Texas, I'm use to riding in 100F degrees heat.