Hey everyone,
I'm really new to these forums. I have a question, I just started riding a few months ago, I have a Trex Lexa. I've done a few beginner group rides where we went about 14-15 mph. I felt fine doing those, it was a very leisurely ride. I've also gone on a couple of saturday group rides with my friend and her friend's friends. At the beginning of the ride they mentioned the pace would be about 15 mph, well we got on the road and everyone, including my friend who is also a beginner, she has a Gary Fisher, riding about the same as me, since maybe june, was able to totally keep up and I was left in the dust, I couldn't see them and my friend was a little speck in the distance. Now I don't believe they were going 15 mph, I understand that they've been riding much longer so I understand why they are faster, but how come my beginner friend can keep up with no problem but I can't? What drills can I do to get faster? Since the days are getting shorter and colder, what can I do on my fluid trainer to improve my speed?

There's always faster riders, so you're always "slow" compared to someone.

Different people start out with different fitness. They may have trained at another sport, or they may just be genetically gifted. It doesn't matter, you just do what you can.

As a new rider you'll do best by getting in more time on the bike. Do more rides and do longer rides. Rule of thumb is to not add more than 10% a week. I would not recommend intervals at this point. Even most dedicated racers are not doing intervals right now as it's the end of racing season. But as a beginner you lack endurance, and you get that by putting in more time. Once you have that endurance base, and need them for training, then you can do intervals.

Also, different riders are better at different kinds of terrain. Very generally, larger riders are better on level ground while lighter riders are better up hills. It could be that your build is less suited for the ride you were doing than your friend's is. Or she could be better at drafting than you are. That just takes practice.

And your friends probably meant 15 mph average, not the speed on the flat, which is a whole different thing. 16 mph average is decent for a hilly course, the fast folks might make 18. So trying to do 15 as a beginning rider is tough. You done good. Don't be afraid of riding with them again. After a couple of months you won't be getting dropped as much, or at least not as quickly. A great way of training to get faster is simply trying to hang with faster riders.

Depending on where you live, you might want to ride outside all winter, at least once/week. It's not nearly as bad as people think as long as it's not icy. It's just a matter of having the right clothing.

thats right, that rider means the average is going to be 15. big diff. You gotta ride, then ride more and then when you get done, shower and ride some more. Tell yourself they aint gonna be a spec way up there this time. Riding with faster riders will make you faster and thats the best way to put it. Lance said it never gets easier, you just get faster.

go ride.

There's no substitute for putting the time in on the bike, and at your level you should see a steep curve of improvement, enjoy it.

Ride more. Long steady distance rides would be ideal, but if you have to use a trainer indoors, use it for sessions lasting about an hour, at the maximum level of effort that you can sustain for that time. You'll find out what that is by trial and error. And make sure that you use a gear that allows you to spin the pedals fairly fast rather than grinding along. It's better for your knees, gives you a better cardio workout and is a good habit to get into.

You'll see very rapid improvements. Most important, though is to have fun - don't turn cycling into a chore or you won't stick with it. And as others have said, a 15mph average for a beginner is quite a challenging target, so don't be too hard on yourself.

I've come to the conclusion that I am not a fast rider or am I a slow rider, I am just a half fast rider!

1. 15 mph is not slow.

2. Get a computer so you can see how fast you're really going.

To borrow a phrase from runners:
The only way to bike faster is to bike faster.

Lance didn't say that.

Correct. It was his good friend Mr LeMond.

yea but lemond is a crybaby and I knew that.......... "It never gets easier, you just go faster."
Greg LeMond


I do like his new trainer tho.

So if you like something that has been said by someone you don't like, you simply attribute the quote to someone you do like? You'd rather be wrong, and misleading, than accurate if being accurate involves giving LeMond any credit?

Wow. Good job I've got nothing against Shakespeare, or I might be telling people that Dan Brown wrote Hamlet.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going
- Batman

I'm Batman.