I'm a relatively experienced rider but I am slow. I do about 1700 miles a season, mostly on my own. I realize whenever I do a club ride (B) that on my solor rides I just don't push myself enough. I get dropped on hills. I am slower than many newer riders.

I did a climbing clinic last night and it was great, although I was the slowest climber by a good bit. Humbling. The coach gave me a lot of advice on how to build my aerobic base- mostly by doing intervals and pushing out my solo rides more. Oh and by repeating hills.

I have friends who don't seem to have to work at it like I apparently must. They get a bike, start riding and can hang with most packs (though usually they are men). It's funny- some things in life come really easily to me- speed on my bike does not.

I'm just curious whether anyone here has improved their speed through deliberate training. My goals are not huge- just to be able to do the usual centuries and such at the end of the season but do them with more confidence and the ability to hang.