Here is an issue that may bear on my present riding.

I rode out today after a 3 day layoff. While I managed 15 mph for the first 12.5 miles, it wasn't all that pleased. The next 5 miles were considerably slower, plus the wind was not a problem today - maybe even at tad helpful.

But coming back home after breakfast, I focused on making sure I could definitely feel the muscles pulling back and up on the pedals. My speed definitely picked up, though I find it hard to do this for long - it doesn't hurt, but the muscles just aren't used to doing this a lot so I tend to stop doing it in fairly short order.

Last summer I did 1000 miles where I focused on faster spinning, but the focus was just an keeping the rpms over 95. There was little resistance involved. I've never been really sure about this spinning stuff, but should I, at least when thinking about it, really feel the muscles pulling back and up?

I've talked to more experienced riders who have raced and they have said they don't feel that - but then, it may be so automatic to them, they just don't notice it anymore.

If you should feel it pulling, then that may account for my problem because all those miles I was really taking it easy just to put on miles, I probably got even worse about maintaining pressure all the way around than normal.

Any comments from experienced riders out there?