Faster?

[indysteel]

Maillotpois, I just read a few of your bikejournal entries. I love reading ride reports from other parts of the country, especially from CA, because the terrain is SO different from Indiana. At least in central Indiana, we've got nothing but flat country roads for most part. Doing a ride with even 5k of climbing is a challenge--in more ways than one. Given how flat it is, it's hard to get really pumped from a ride, which is another reason I think I focus on getting faster. As a friend of mine says, it's hard to give a "hell ya" after passing yet another cornfield.

Anyway, your rides look amazing. I would love--or at least I think I would--to live someplace that had some really good, long climbs. I just haven't been able to test myself in that way. Do you ever just want some flatlands? Can we trade for a summer?

K-

[maillotpois]

Anyone who has ridden with me knows I love the flats!! I am a big power rider who likes nothing more than flat roads or shallow rollers and a lot of speed. Sure, I'll trade you for a bit!!

My deal is long, sustained hills are my weak point, so I really try to do a lot of them. Sick.

[smilingcat]

thank you thank you and thank you to:
maillotpois, indysteel, eden and few others for saying it succinctly and to the point.

Now lets just get back to riding and enjoy the ride
Smilingcat

[Kano]

I've enjoyed this version of "speed"

It's been an interesting and informative series of posts -- pretty much all constructive! It appears to me that the answer to that original question of "is it riding, or is it special training to get faster" all boils down to my husband's favorite annoying answer to an either/or question:

YES

The more we ride, the stronger and faster we get, and the more we challenge ourselves when we ride, the stronger and ultimately faster we get!

(and I've decided that carrying around the extra me is making me so strong that I'm going to positively amaze myself someday when it's gone!)



Sarah -- l think I'm learning to be like you when it comes to those long sustained climbs. Can't do 'em well, so I'm torturing myself with them! And we don't want to call that "sick" -- that's just too danged negative. Let's see how "determined" fits instead?

Karen in Boise