how can i improve?

[batsheva]

well, nitric oxide in cigarette smoke IS a pulmonary vasodilator actually-- so there is some logic to this actually-- if you ignore the carbon monoxide issue!

thanks for all your advice on base miles and the type of varied riding to do to improve-- i went out today and had a good ride, although short as it was so hot and was definitely managing better speed--

the cadence thing is an issue also i think-- i think i maybe should get a cadence computer as i think i 'give away' too much power spinning too much-- i tried today pushing bigger gears and did so much better, not so cardiovascularly knackered - tho' i can feel my leg muscles complaining a little more this evening...

thanks again everyone for all your advice - i was really touched my your repsonses...

plan: try no smoking for 24 hrs before my first 'group' ride thuesday morning so i am not carbon monoxided up-- that should get my VO2 up by 15% right away... will report back if it made any difference!!!

batsheva x

[batsheva]

oh my gosh!

it was the big annual LBS sale today...
went and bought a cadence computer so there are nasty wires to the rear wheel of my bike now... and also bought some 'gels' seeing as they were reduced...

WHAT A DIFFERENCE ON MY RIDE!!

instead of struggling 12-13 mph and it all being tough i was sailing the same route at 16-18 mph with some proper fuel (i eat a minimal carb diet for medical reasons generally) and the cadence monitor which showed I was wayyyyy overspinning at 115-120-- keeping that in the 90-95 range by pushing harder gears with some glucose in my legs-- a 4mph jump and i coulda kept going much longer than the 15 miles i did only time ran out...

cadence and glucose - WOW!!!!!

oh-- even though i thought my stock saddle was fine on my bike, i somehow managed to come home with a new one -