Does Bicycle and body height affect how fast you can ride?

[north woods gal]

Kajero, don't beat yourself up on this. Even with all the miles I ride in a year, I get passed, plenty. I'm 66 and in excellent shape and ride every day, but then another rider blows by me like I'm standing still and I feel down for a bit. Then I scold myself for letting it get to me because I know better. I ride because I love to ride and, besides, speed isn't the only way to rate your riding. The fact that you're riding those hills that had you walking, before, is no small thing.

Living in northern Wisconsin like I do, the only way I can keep in good bicycling shape, year round, is by riding indoors on a trainer when the weather gets nasty in the winter. It's a great way to keep in shape for us northern gals. On the same note, some bicycle shops in snow country offer classes where you can bring your bike to the shop, setup on a trainer and have a coach help you with your riding. I'm sure there are such classes in the Minneapolis area. Might want to check it out.

Also, you might try finding a riding buddy at, or a bit above, your level. Have done riding in the past with boyfriends and found that it helped push me a bit, but not too much.