Originally Posted by
Zippy1390
This is a Novice question. I ride mostly on the weekends. I generally ride the same route and have gotten into the habit of timing everything. I am constantly trying to better my times. Therefore, when it isn't optimum weather ( wind), I am not even enjoying the ride because I know I cannot beat my times.
Is this a common approach to training, or should I not be worrying about time? I've been concentrating on speed because I only ride solo, but I hope to progress enough to ride in a group and keep up.
No, that's not a common approach to training.
Most people mix it up ...
-- long rides at a steady speed
-- hill repeats
-- intervals
-- Time Trial- like rides (which is what you're doing)
-- recovery rides
Get ahold of some books, like Joe Friel's The Cyclist's Training Bible ...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Cyclists-T...dp_ob_title_bk