Originally Posted by
pdlamb
My neighbor, who leads some of the more convenient group rides, is 100 pounds lighter and 15 years younger than I am; so he (and the group) out-climbs me handily, and his Z2 paceline leadout is my Z3/4 hanging on at the rear for dear life.
But I agree that one or two power pole sprint or 4-8 minute climb the hill intervals per week gets me to some of the best shape I've ever been in.
Also, touring (riding 6-10 hours per day for a week or more at a time) works wonders. Concentrate on spinning, so your legs get used to it. As the old cold warriors said, "Quantity has a Quality all its own."
Right-O! My group had been riding together for maybe 10 years before I joined them. They were mostly 10-15 years younger than I - I was about 57 and had started riding at 50 but was clueless. The first year, I kept up with them for about first 30 miles. I'd get dropped on every hill but just rode back on again. Then I was totally dropped and rode the rest solo - they published the ride a couple days ahead, so I had a cue sheet. Took me a couple years of trying to be able to stay with them all the way. I spent those years trying to figure out how to become a stronger rider w/r to hydration and fueling. A few years later I was leading the fast group, and then suddenly I was too old, just like that.
The first year I tried riding in the mountains with them I drove to the start and thought, "How the F am I going to do this?" So I was dropped in the first mile by a couple women but just kept pedaling. I had the endurance from the group rides, but didn't have the power yet.
Anyway, if anyone's trying to get faster, that's how I did it. It took a
lot of work. Try not to get discouraged.
And absolutely touring will fix you right up. I'd come back from a tour on the tandem with my wife, and folks would comment. Trick is to hold that fitness level!