I want to ride faster

[Geonz]

They're going fast ***because*** they're all riding together.

Pacelines are truly an animal of their own, wiht their own physics *and* psychology. It is most certainly more than a question of being able to go fast. I'd highly, highly recommend finding somebody to help you learn drafting skills (though perhaps you're braver than I ;-)). It really helped me to be able to practice with one or two people and ask questions. Most of those 'young guy' pacelines are going too fast to allow for questions, and mistakes can land people in hospital.

Get the tires - you'll ***love it***

[mimitabby]

...thank you for sharing your advice. My tires are 32cc. A good ride for me is 42 miles at 14.8 mph, with some small hills, no big grades. I really don't do much climbing here in Ohio, it's more like little rollers.

That link is amazing! I have so much to learn, gotta admit a lot of those variables go right over my head.

Geonz, my ambition is to do RAIN, but I cannot see myself averaging 17.9 on my bike, but your story gives me hope!

Colleen

Colleen
you can probably put narrower tires on your bike. Take it to a bike shop and ask. That will improve your speed a little without your having to spend a fortune.

[momof4greatkids]

Colleen
you can probably put narrower tires on your bike. Take it to a bike shop and ask. That will improve your speed a little without your having to spend a fortune.

This sounds like a very logical and fiscally responsible first step I really don't want to spend a lot of money right now, so skinnier tires could be just the ticket.

Colleen

[Geonz]

...thank you for sharing your advice. My tires are 32cc. A good ride for me is 42 miles at 14.8 mph, with some small hills, no big grades. I really don't do much climbing here in Ohio, it's more like little rollers.

That link is amazing! I have so much to learn, gotta admit a lot of those variables go right over my head.

Geonz, my ambition is to do RAIN, but I cannot see myself averaging 17.9 on my bike, but your story gives me hope!

Colleen

As weather goddess, I brought a tailwind. Since it's a one-way ride, it helped a lot

Is that 14.8 under your own power or in a group? I ended up linking up with folks for big chunks of RAIN , and of course a paceline sticks another 2 or 3 mph onto your speed. I'm fortunate in that we have a Tuesday Tour that goes long miles at 14-15... and I learned how to do the paceline thing at those speeds, with just a few people in sort of a "low-key" way before I ever got on speedier ones.

[DirtDiva]

Riding in a group is kewl - On my Tuesday night rides I go about 5km/h (3mph) faster for the same amount of effort as riding solo. (Until the speed goes over 35km/h - then my legs fall off. )

[momof4greatkids]

As weather goddess, I brought a tailwind. Since it's a one-way ride, it helped a lot

Is that 14.8 under your own power or in a group? I ended up linking up with folks for big chunks of RAIN , and of course a paceline sticks another 2 or 3 mph onto your speed. I'm fortunate in that we have a Tuesday Tour that goes long miles at 14-15... and I learned how to do the paceline thing at those speeds, with just a few people in sort of a "low-key" way before I ever got on speedier ones.

Let me know please when you plan to ride it next and tell me so I can benefit from your tail-wind wielding powers also! If it's a one way ride, how do you get back to the start?

That 14.8 is by myself. I'd like to ride with others, I'm just not sure how to hook up. Seems like all the folks I see in pacelines and groups all have road bikes and are going much faster than lonely ole' me on my hybrid.

Colleen

[RoadRaven]

Well... I'm really just endorsing what others have said here...

Yes, a road bike is made for going fast on roads... just look at most club racers as well as all (to my knowledge) semi-pro and pro riders - they do not race on hybrids.

However, yes... you can go faster on a hybrid or on a mountain bike and the biggest, quickest and cheapest change you can make to your current bike is to put skinny road tyres/slicks on.

If you are not riding with others, you could also look at getting aero bars on your bike.

At our club we do have riders in the lower grades that race on hybrids or on mountain bikes. But ultimately as people want to go faster they move to road bikes... they are lighter, more responsive and more aerodynamic...

It depends on how fast you want to go and where/whom you ride with... and these goals will likely change as you ride more... just adapt your goals to what you are enjoying and thinking you might try.

I can't answer any questions about costs, sorry... wrong country to advise you... but it should not be huge and def worth it