Originally Posted by
Notso_fastLane
I've been riding pretty continuously since 1989. While my endurance has increased (I can ride 5-6 hours without much problem, and longer with a little preparation), my speed, while faster than the average non-biker, always seems slower than the dedicated roadies and riders who 'train'. It's obviously more than just distance and time, there is some (many?) thing about how to ride to actually get better that I seem to be missing.
I've tried some interval training, and maybe I just need to be more consistent about it, but after a couple months where it felt like work to ride, and no noticeable improvement, I stopped trying so hard. And maybe part of it is the 'noticeable'. Maybe I need some better equipment than the seat of my bike shorts. I may have been slightly increasing my power, but not enough to notice with nothing more than an average speed and time to compare it to?
The one thing I didn’t mention above as a training dynamic (due to our present distancing stuff) is signing up with a group or a partner that is a faster rider than you. I ride solo and have found my weaker inner self is the problem, but also my greatest asset being I am constantly riding into my own personal headwind. I am guessing your body “soma-type” is ecto? Given more toward athletic endurance? If so, then your challenge (as all of us) is working what is not a strong side of you. I’m meso, my challenge is endurance stuff but have found base miles benefit my 20 mile TT rides greatly. I wish you well, ride on.