Slow, slow, no quick slow.

[gavroche]

weather conditions, what you had to eat and when, terrain, your own mood, tyre pressure, temperature, witdh of tyres, weight of bike and rider, distractions ( pretty girls on pavement), time of the day , they can all affect your speed ,so.............. ignore all that and ride at a speed you feel comfortable with . After all, we are not training for the TdF.

 

[compo]

weather conditions, what you had to eat and when, terrain, your own mood, tyre pressure, temperature, witdh of tyres, weight of bike and rider, distractions ( pretty girls on pavement), time of the day , they can all affect your speed ,so.............. ignore all that and ride at a speed you feel comfortable with . After all, we are not training for the TdF.

I suspect that "riding at a speed I feel comfortable with" is partly why my performance has fallen off so badly.

 

[Nebulous]

I suspect that "riding at a speed I feel comfortable with" is partly why my performance has fallen off so badly.

I'd agree with that. I'm particularly interested in speed and I've had to push myself very hard to keep improving. I think its worth it, but that has to be an individual judgement. There can be a fine line between improving fitness and causing damage to health.

Some people regard it as worth while. I was talking to a lady a few days ago, using a stick, not much older than me, and she needs a hip replacement. I was sympathising with her and she said, "I don't regret a bit of it. I've played a lot of competitive sport, I rode a motorbike for years and I wouldn't change any of it. If I could do it again I would."