Is it ever the bike?

[smilingcat]

30km/hr is pretty good after only 6 month of riding. it's approx. 20MPH.

One thing I've noticed over the years is that our improvement is not necessarily linear. it tends to be more like staircases. See some quick improvement. Get stuck at that level for a while. Then suddenly show some improvement again. While you are in the plateau, your body is settling into and getting used to the new fitness level.

Just keep riding and once a month or so go for extra hard or longer distance. This will help you get past the plateau.

Again you are doing pretty well.

[nscrbug]

30km/hr is pretty good after only 6 month of riding. it's approx. 20MPH.

One thing I've noticed over the years is that our improvement is not necessarily linear. it tends to be more like staircases. See some quick improvement. Get stuck at that level for a while. Then suddenly show some improvement again. While you are in the plateau, your body is settling into and getting used to the new fitness level.

Just keep riding and once a month or so go for extra hard or longer distance. This will help you get past the plateau.

Again you are doing pretty well.

X2! Actually, if my calculations are correct, it is more like 18.6mph, but still...that is damn speedy, in my book. I would LOVE to average 18mph for an entire ride...but that has yet to happen. I live and ride in a suburban sprawl, with stoplights and stop signs at every corner...which doesn't do much for my average speed, which currently hovers around 15.5mph.

I think you're doing great and I would be super proud of an 18+mph average, if I were you.

[alexis_the_tiny]

nscrbug, thanks. Sometimes, I find that I'm a bit too hard on myself and don't celebrate what I've accomplished enough. Its so easy to forget that only a mere 10 months ago, I could barely run 2km.

So, I got myself a HRM with a speed and cadence monitor. Started taking an electrolyte supplement (was definitely NOT getting enough nutrients without supplements before). I looked back on my diary and realized I trained best on peanut butter and nutella sandwiches and chocolate milk. In fact, my health took a nosedive when I bumped those off my diet. What the??!! o.O It makes no sense but I'll do whatever worked. Also, found a group that does steady 28km/h rides to do my long saturday rides with. Its such a relief to find people who I can keep pace with and the ride is SO DIFFERENT from riding alone.

I don't have that terrible feeling that this is as good as I'll ever get, so much any more. Now, to get the bike fitted properly and serviced.