Speed - Why am I so slow compared to others I see
 

Yesterday, between getting off my first job and going on to my second I had a few hours and decided to go on a bike ride down the cycle path close to my house. I was able to maintain a speed between 9 and 11 mph with bursts up to 16 or 17 mph after taking a breather and cruising at around 7 or 8 mph for a minute or two.
But the whole time I was getting blown away by these guys on road bikes, they must have been going 20+mph, easy, maybe even 30 at some point. I met up with a few of them at an intersection and they seemed to take off like bats out of hell with ease. My estimate is that it only took them 8-10 seconds to reach 20mph without even breaking a sweat, seated the whole time.
Is their conditioning that much greater than mine?
These guys were thin fellas, probably no more than 160lbs and were riding some decent road bikes. I'm at 315lbs now, down from 330lbs (woohoo) and I ride a Hybrid, a Trek 7100. As my conditioning improves is it plausible that I might start seeing speeds like this on my current rig? And what if I were to get a road bike tonight, (not saying I can, but what if) would I see a signifigant improvement on my speed? Is there anything I can do right now to start gaining more average speed?
The reason I'm asking is that I'll be commuting soon, 11 miles each way if I take the bad routes and about 14-15 miles each way if I take a safer route and am wanting every edge I can get.

Congratulations on the riding and the weight loss. Keep it up.

Well, I think you answered most of your own questions:

1. You are riding a hybrid, they are riding road bikes. AT least 2 miles per hour difference.

2. You weigh 315 lbs, they weigh 160. It takes a lot more effort to get 315 pounds moving than 160 pounds. Think gravel truck vs. sports car.

3. You seem relatively new (you didn't state, but that was my conclusion), they are likely experienced and likely ride over 4,000 miles per year.

4. Yes, their conditioning is likely that much better than yours.

I wouldn't try a road bike at 315 pounds, but instead would keep pedaling on that hybrid. You need more road time, and your speed will get higher. More experience, lots and lots of pedaling, less weight, and when you get to around 250 lbs start thinking "road bike."

Have fun.

I want to commend you on your weight loss, I am riding to lose weight as well. Try this visual. Two men at a traffic light just walking. Both are 160lbs. the first man takes off effortlessly and hits a good stride almost immediatley, the second guy takes off like he is walking in water, why.... he has a 155lb. man on his back. You can not move twice the weight in the same period of time. There is some good news. Your legs have been carrying more weight and are stronger than the 160 lb. man. I would suggest you read a book called Heft on Wheels. Interesting read. Good luck and remember if you want to compete with those 160lb. roadies try wrestling!

So the next time I find myself waiting at an intersection with a few roadies I should tackle them of their bike and pin them for a three-count? Sounds like a great stress relieving tactic! :roflmao:
Thanks for the advice, I've also been reading some info at Sheldon Browns website, for a freakishly looking fella he seems pretty intelligent. Right off the bat I know my saddle is to low and my technique is way out of wack. Let's see where I go from here :)

You're accomplishing alot of good. Probably adding years to your life. Be proud that you're doing what others wish they were doing.

The other posts have pretty much nailed it. Those other cyclists do have faster bikes, and if they are cruising at +20, they are in great shape. No one does that without alot of conditioning.

After two serious years of riding, I can hang with those type of riders at +20mph. But, I have to draft off them, I can't lead the pack 'cause the wind knocks me down. I'm not ready to pull the train yet.

Your bike is slower than theirs, but as others have said, you also have a lot of work to do if you want to get to that level. It will probably become obvious when you get to the point that your bike is holding you back. Don't rush out and buy a road bike until your own abilities warrant it. But if you keep working at it, you might be surprised how soon that happens.

Yeah, I had a few doubts this arvo when another MTB went passed me doing at least an extra 5 knots. Couldn't even dream of catching up. One day I'll have that speed, I know it.

Don't feel bad. I can't hang with those guys either. I've been cycling for 2 years only taking time off for illness and bronchitis. At a nearby park where I ride there are mountain bike guys on knobby tires that swoosh past me, even though I'm on a road bike. And I tip the scales at a svelte wafer thin 250! :D Yes, they are just that much more conditioned. Plus there may be genetic factors involved. Some people just excel at endurance activities while others excel at burst sports.

When I was in my early to mid twenties I was into power lifting and bodybuilding. That's when I used to routinely bench 350 - 365 for 5 sets of 5 to 6 reps. The people that were new to the game always thought that was a lot of weight, but I'd been training for years and had built up to that. The same applies to cycling.

There is quite a difference between strength vs. aerobic conditioning though and that is you can take 2 weeks off of lifting and not loose any real strength. You take 2 weeks off of cycling and it's like you've lost 3 months worth of fitness. I know this because I've just taken 2 weeks off due to bronchitis. Last night was my first night on the bike in 2 weeks and I coudln't ride worth a crap. On top of that my heart rate was as high as if I were going much faster for much longer.

Congratulations and keep it up!

Don't forget to spin, rather than mash yer gears. Efficient shifting is the way to go!

It ain't just about speed but enjoying the ride--or so my wife tells me.

Yeah, I suppose it's easy to do. On my way back from Peterson's Winery the other day I really clipped passed a bloke on a road bike. He was really struggling and I bet I didn't do his demeanour any good that day. Thing is, if he sticks to it, he'll be a lot harder to pass in a month.

Congrats on the weight loss. Weight loss is very difficult. Ask me how I know? I would not worry about keeping up with them yet. I would work a cycling regimen. Go to Barnes and Nobles/Border Book and look in the Sports/Athletic section. Your better local bike shops some times stock quality training books too. Andy Pruitt's book is very good, and so are Chris Carmichaels books.

Part of gaining speed is equipment, part is body weight, and part is also technique. Even as a beginner, there are specific exercises that can make you faster. Focus on basic fitness; workng aerobics can burn fat but also increases endurance. Speed work, (simply making your legs move faster through intervals), increses speed over time.

I hope this helps

I remember when I first started taking my 30+ lb Norco monster to college. It was a 4-5 km one-way trip, with several valleys to gather speed then sap it up again on the incline. The first time I rode that ride, I was exhausted. It took me 20 minutes and I was so thirsty I had to buy a drink before turning around and heading home. I was embarassed!

By the time I was finished college, my best time had reduced to 8:30 minutes, and I could do the ride without breaking much of a sweat, if I wasn't wearing a backpack.

So yeah, conditioning makes a HUGE difference. The slick tires I put on helped, too. ;)

Man!....HaagenDas.....Your 2 new January knees must really be coming along!....


Refer pj7 to a link to your hilarious puts-you-right-into-the-bed-of-pain account of your operation.....That will amuse & inspire him......Not to mention the rest of us.....

Even if you're in relatively good condition, biking gets much easier with practice. I was a runner when I started commuting to campus (about 10 miles, but some of the stoplights are hairy.) I shaved whole minutes off my commute time in a month.

Keep it up -- three months from now you'll look at this post and shake your head. Welcome to the club!

:eek: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao: :lol:

Actually, it sounds like you are already on the right track. I'm sure that you could give us some good pointers, too. I started at about 320 pounds. I have both gained and lost since then, but my performance has steadily improved, in endurance, strength and skill. So I will presume to offer three bits of advice:

1. Patience and progression! You will need both. Always try something harder, but at a sustainable pace. I weigh 235 but I can ride pretty fast--a lot faster than I used to. And I have kept it nearly pain-free and fun.

2. The most important thing I have learned so far: Do not compare your performance to other cyclists. Compare it to your own performance a week ago. There should always be a small improvement from last week if you're working at it and using the right training techniques.

3. Read the books and this forum for technique and encouragement. (I also liked Hell on Wheels--the story of a fat drunk who eventually got into some serious rides.)

Don't get caught in the "speed trap." Look, the important thing is that you are out riding. Everyone has different reasons why they ride but i suspect based on your weight that health is a major reason of yours.

I personally ride probably more for mental health but physical health is also important to me. The thing is, there is always going to be somebody faster. So forget about being fast. If you want to go fast, go get in your car, it will likely go pretty fast.

Consistancy and steady growth is what you are after. Keep at your ride and gradually increase the miles. Concentrate on just enjoying the ride and the surroundings that it takes you through. Many fall victim to the faster, more mentality and end up with nothing.

How many dieters do you know that have failed? They head in 300 miles per hour and deprive themself of carbs etc. Then they soon tire out and revert back to eating crap. Meanwhile someone takes a more sensible approach and moderately adjusts his diet to where he can actually live happily with it. Ten years later he is lean and mean and still on that diet. Although now it is a lifestyle instead of a diet.

Well cycling sort of becomes a lifestyle as well if you let it. Ride as fast as YOU want and as far as YOU want and enjoy it. I personally know that this works. I have computers on both my bikes but generally use them to tell me what time it is and how far i have gone. I track my trip distance and most importantly my odometer tells me how many miles i have ridden. Since i put my computers on my bikes on Thanksgiving 03 (16 months of riding) I have suddenly logged over 8000 miles. Not bad considering that is through 2 pretty tough winters and that i only ride in the mornings before work.

I also have passed plenty of people on very expensive road bikes. I happen to ride Mountain Bikes with knobby tires. What does that mean? It means that i am faster than the guys i passed. When people pass me it means that they are faster than me. Why really doesn't matter all that much.

Just keep it up! The pounds will melt, you'll get stronger and feel a hell of a lot better! Don't get bummed about being slow, just keep peddling!

Amen.....Ranger.....

don't worry. those same guys that pass you, have a different set of guys that pass them.

I'm not sure if that would be a comforting thought or not. This new set of guys... they're even faster?!? :p

Why does the term "Rat Race" come to mind?....

Reminds me of one ot the rides my wife and I did on our "comfort bikes". We were at the middle of 60 mile ride, consisting of a trip out on trail, 30-some miles of hellish hills, and trip back on trail. We stop at a 7-11 that's a common cyclist's stop and as we are about to leave some (very fine) girls on road bikes come up, looking at us like we were some sort of lower life form.

Headed back down the trail, about 15 miles away, they catch up at a road crossing and are going to blow through the crosswalk light. We're stopped of course, and lead hot-girl-on-bike clobbers me when she realizes that we are stopped to keep from getting run over by cars. Duh.

They apparently stopped again somewhere because just before we pulled in the parking lot, they catch up to us again. Sort of a tortoise and hare sort of thing I guess.

Just get the miles on, the speed isn't important. Your hybrid isn't designed to be fast, and the purpose is, like mine, to get into better shape. When you get to about 225 you might want to look into a road bike, and you will be shocked at how fast you are. Keep pedalling, it's all good.

Hot girls on road bikes. We need some more of them around here.

/derail