Spinning at a higher cadence means you are using an easier gear. Sometimes that means moving from the big ring in the front to the middle (assuming you're using a triple) sometimes that means moving to an easier gear in the rear. (BTW the easier gears in the back are the bigger gears. )

If you are bouncing either you have way to high a cadence or you are not spinning in smooth circles. Probably the latter. Thom and I have been able to spin at 140 on the tandem - just for kicks - without bouncing. That takes a lot of effort and concentration and really doesn't do anything to make you go faster, but the club guys wanted to know how fast we could spin.


Your third question has as many answers as there are cyclists. When I feel the muscles in my legs beginning to burn from lactic acid buildup, I downshift to spin more. When I need to do that varies from day to day, based on terrain, wind conditions, how hard I rode the day before, etc. The effect for me has been that the burning goes away and my speed stays the same or actually increases.


Veronica