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Old 08-08-08 | 08:49 AM
  #23  
e0richt
Senior Member
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 36
From: Hammonton, NJ

Bikes: Dawes Lightning sport, Trek 1220, Trek 7100

Originally Posted by kkp
Why does my riding not improve....

Hi all,

I am a 45 yo guy, I returned to cycling about
1 year ago and since have cycled 3K kilometers.

Most recreationaly and other commuting.

Whilst commuting particularly - I have noticed that I get 'dropped' by other cyclists at traffic
lights and overtaken othewise. NOT ALL CYCLISTS of course .. but some surprising and unexpected
cyclists -- older guys in lycra and even sometimes ladies [also] in lycra. Even guys in mountain bikes - sometimes.

I dont mind this happening (credit to power/performance of other cyclist) , but I am wondering
what I can do to go up an extra notch in performance?

I find that I dont have the legs -- I cant turn them faster - however my heart/breathing is by no means
laboured or at its limits. I just cannot persuade my legs to turn just a bit faster.

I ride a hybrid Trek 7.2fx with panniers - so I am an [often] loaded cyclist, but still
I get a nagging feeling that even without a load I would get dropped.
I dont use SPD's. I dont have slicks.

What is it? how do I juice up my legs -- and which muscles need juicing up?

the bike? the tires? the load? me? pedals? no lycra? How can I go up a notch in performance?

Yours
fed up staring at lycra-clad bottoms.
if your breathing is not laboured then you aren't working hard enough, pop a higher gear, get out of the saddle and sprint for a set number of seconds.... then turn it back down for a bit and then do it again...
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