mr,grumpy 

I am riding the same bike as I was three years ago over the same loop that I found two hers ago and I'm not getting any faster and I'm not going any farther and I'm not getting any thinner. Yes, consistency is the key, and that is where i have admittedly lacked but when I haven't been riding I've been on a treadmill and elliptical. In my current streak of on-again my run keeper traces show me shaving of time a little at at time but I'm still over an hour to go 12 miles and I still have to stop for a break along the way. This blows.

CACycling

Treadmill and elliptical won't do a lot for your riding as you use different muscles. And you are right, consistency is the key. Ride more often and slowly increase distance. You will see improvement but it does take time.

bransom

Try doing some interval work. That seems to help bump my speeds more quickly than just straight riding, especially after a winter off the bike. As for the route, try riding the route backwards (assuming it's a loop and not an out-and-back). Also, poke around on Map My Ride for new rides in your area.

HelpMeRhonda

Totallly different thought process here. Sign up to run a half marathon. I did, it was one of the coolest experience I have ever had. Everyone is rootig for each other. There are great training programs on the net... Just search or ping me, I'll send you one. The medals and shirts are way COOL.... Try it, I'm serious, it was an awesome experience. It was soo cool, I did a second one 2 weeks later. I plan to do more. Oh,,,,, I lost 15 pounds training for it....

Null66

For different results you have to do things differently.

If faster is you're goal, intervals, hill work are a great idea.

Perhaps consider a structured program from one of the masters:

Carmichael:
The Time-Crunched Cyclist, 2nd Ed.: Fit, Fast, Powerful in 6 Hours a Week (The Time-Crunched Athlete): Chris Carmichael, Jim Rutberg: 9781934030837: Amazon.com: Books

Friel:
The Cyclist's Training Bible: Joe Friel: 9781934030202: Amazon.com: Books

basebuilding:
Base Building for Cyclists: A New Foundation for Endurance and Performance: Thomas Chapple: 9781931382939: Amazon.com: Books

Long Distance:
The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling: Build the Strength, Skills, and Confidence to Ride as Far as You Want: Edmund R. Burke, Ed Pavelka: 9781579541996: Amazon.com: Books


I'm sure there are others...

jaxgtr

weights,......add muscle and it a different exercise to jump start the weight loss.

Black wallnut 

To go faster you have to ride faster. Break out of your rut by mixing it up with sprints and surges or attacks. Go as hard as you can for a block or two to three power poles or whatever you can measure distance by. Said differently do some intervals. Vary your speed, work on increasing your cadence and spend some time making yourself exhausted by the end of a ride or two each week. To lose weight, not sure what you have tried, count calories and don't eat more than you are burning. I have had success with MyFitnessPal, not sure if it will work for you. I ride lots, I'm losing weight. If I rode less I could still lose weight but i'd have to give up beer. Realize your choices have real consequences and adjust according to your goals. Most of the time I want to lose weight more than I want to go get some ice cream or other wonderful dessert. I was in a two year rut myself with my weight staying in the 230's until i started using MFP. My weight is down, my mileage is up a bit and I am faster on the bike. YMMV

IBOHUNT

Short version of what our esteemed colleague says is:

bbeasley

And then there is the ever popular rule #5

IBOHUNT

Tru Dat

ill.clyde

Absolutely ... if you want to improve you have to get serious ... and consistent. Commuting is helping me a great deal. 24 miles a day adds up nicely, plus a long ride or two on the weekends.

I'll also endorse the idea of adding strength training to your efforts. I've been at that since late January and I've seen gains and lost inches across the board.