Originally Posted by
pallen
I wouldnt worry about average speed, but if you want to get faster, yes, you will get faster just by riding more if you've just started out. Eventually, you will plateau. If you still want to get faster, you have to push yourself more. Do that a while and you will plateau again. If you continue to want to get faster, you will eventually need a deliberate training program. Eventually, genetics will become your limit and you wont be able to do any better.
This^. The frustrating thing is that some people are just naturally faster without really trying. They can take a month off and still crush you. When I was a runner, I had to work HARD to get down to a 7-mimute mile pace. Best ever was a 19:30 5K. But I know guys who don't even train who can run a 6-minute pace without even thinking about it. Yes, you can get faster but you will eventually run in to your genetic limit.