Originally Posted by
sreten
Hi,
You can always train hard or you can take it easier and
put the miles in, the latter will take longer in the saddle,
and more hours per week, but either way you will get
there eventually if the speed you want to go at is
reasonably within your compass.
Personally I go for the mileage option and never try
very hard, learnt that from my running, just rack
up the weekly mile
It's true that the old pros used to say "distance builds speed". But those guys spent at least 20 hours per week on the bike, racking up 2000 miles per month in training. And in season, they raced three or four times a week, going very hard. I have seen my fitness and speed increase significantly when doing lots of long, steady distance, on tours for example. But that involves five or six hour days, five or six days a week. Most people don't have the time.