I read on here somewhere....

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rh100

Well-Known Member
that it doesn't get easier, you just go faster. (might have been a sig line - apologies for not remembering who said it)

I'm not sure yet, but after getting an aluminium hybrid, the downhills and the flats are feeling a bit more lively. I even scalped someone tonight, but won't count it as he had no lights and etc etc etc). But I'm sure I actually leant into a bend at one point.

I might have to nick the cycle comp' off the GF's bike, can't be bothered with the GPS on the commute, and the minutes don't change much as it's just a short ride, but just maybe my average is creeping up?

Was bloomin' knackered though :biggrin:
 

jonny jeez

Legendary Member
and so it begins.....pretty soon you'll be entering tt's!!


I went through a phase where I just felt as If I was getting slower. and slower each week. But it did pass ( around the same time the clocks went back)

maybe its just the dark, I always fell quicker in the dark.
 
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rh100

rh100

Well-Known Member
jonny jeez said:
and so it begins.....pretty soon you'll be entering tt's!!


I went through a phase where I just felt as If I was getting slower. and slower each week. But it did pass ( around the same time the clocks went back)

maybe its just the dark, I always fell quicker in the dark.

I doubt that! An improvement on 9mph average had to happen sometime, right? I had felt as though I had plateued though, just couldn't seem to push any further, hoping now for slow but steady improvements, just tonight it actually felt a bit quicker. Need to get the gears operating a bit better which will help, a project for the weekend I think.
 

potsy

Rambler
Location
My Armchair
rh100 said:
I doubt that! An improvement on 9mph average had to happen sometime, right? I had felt as though I had plateued though, just couldn't seem to push any further, hoping now for slow but steady improvements, just tonight it actually felt a bit quicker. Need to get the gears operating a bit better which will help, a project for the weekend I think.
That's called a tailwind:biggrin:
 

PK99

Legendary Member
Location
SW19
rh100 said:
that it doesn't get easier, you just go faster.:smile:

it might have been me in a conversation with a chap finding Cardiac hill in Richmond park a struggle - and it is certainly the case wrt specific challenges, but wrt (say) doing 20/50/100 miles they do get easier AND faster as you learn to manage resources better
 
I believe it does get easier. Since i started cycling, my commute ave speed has doubled and i tend to extend it by an extra 10 miles if the weather is good. I seldom feel nauseous and the sensation of muscles buring is now almost strangely enjoyable :smile: I still push hard as possible. Next, i think the problem pain is going to be not in my muscles but improving my lactate threshold and getting oxygen into my system.

So....i think it gets easier, then harder, then easier, then harder ;)

Tollers
 

Downward

Guru
Location
West Midlands
It's gets easier if you commute at the same pace as when you started commuting.
But for most it just gets faster.
 

bad boy

Über Member
Location
London
jonny jeez said:
and so it begins.....pretty soon you'll be entering tt's!!


I went through a phase where I just felt as If I was getting slower. and slower each week. But it did pass ( around the same time the clocks went back)

maybe its just the dark, I always fell quicker in the dark.

Thats def me at the moment I try and keep an eye on my average speed at certain points on my commute and it seems slower.

Im not sure if the weather is having an affect although I wouldnt like to use this as an excuse, I think its my legs they feel tired lately.
 

Cab

New Member
Location
Cambridge
For a while you get faster... until you gather enough experience to pace yourself, then you learn that you've got a choice between easier or faster.
 

Maizie

Guru
Location
NE Hertfordshire
I'm on the Herts/Essex border, so I don't have anything resembling 'hills' in this locality. But on my commute, each way, about one mile from the end, there is a relatively short, relatively steep bit.

The one on the way home is gradually getting easier.

The one on the way to work is still an absolutely killer, and has if anything got worse...it's a bit of slight uphill followed but a bit of steep uphill. It's always made me feel like I'm going to be sick when I get to the top (I never have, the feeling only lasts a very short time). The rest of the commute has got easier, but this bit feels just as bad if not worse.
However, I think in general I am going a bit faster up it, at least that is what I am going to tell myself.

Doesn't help that from looking at my speeds since I started this commuting lark, I definitely go faster in summer. Days with long trousers and a long sleeve top = slow cycling. Whether that's due to the clothes, or the general coldness that means lots of clothes, no idea.
 
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