Will bulking up leg muscles (strength training: heavy squats) increase average speed?

[johnblack]

Only ever did leg weights during winter, Nov-Feb max, last year knocked them on the head completely and just did indoor torque work instead along with normal rides all on the MTB and standard indoor sessions. I felt much stronger this spring, it benefited me but who knows. Plus I'd rather do torque work than leg weights sessions, I've never enjoyed them.

 

[GuyBoden]

Chris Hoy's Track winning Legs.

Plenty of leg presses with heavy weights, probably.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Chris Hoy's Track winning Legs.

Plenty of leg presses with heavy weights, probably.
View attachment 479282

Ah but what was his average speed over a 10 hour ride?

 

[ColinJ]

Ah but what was his average speed over a 10 hour ride?

Probably a LOT higher than mine!

 

[rivers]

As someone mentioned above, concentrate on your cardiovascular fitness. I'm not horribly fast, but managed to take nearly 6 minutes off my 8.3mph time since last year. I didn't set out this year to improve on my TT time as I do them for a bit of fun if I'm free when my club TTs are on. However I did throw a lot of interval training into my commute as I was training for a double century, as well as started using a heart rate monitor. I think that helped more than anything. Well that and riding consistently through winter.

 

[RoadRider400]

Not for ten miles.
You are better of doing appropriate interval sessions on your bike.

 

[davidphilips]

Weights may not help a lot but with age, muscle mass dwindles and bones weaken. Resistance training helps slow that process, making you more powerful and structurally sound, which are both really important if you ride a bike.

 

[frank9755]

Thinking about it, my unscientific observation is that those with large thighs and skinny calves tend to be the nodding-donkey style of rider. Big calves and thin thighs still puzzles me, though.

Pedalling gently with the ends of the toes and excessive (and non-productive) ankling?

I've gone mid-foot so look forward to some weight-savings from losing lower leg muscle mass!

 

[Hacienda71]

Bit of trolling here methinks. Asks question that has created arguments in the past, then doesn't log in again. User name is somewhat suspicious as well.

 

[KneesUp]

I don't know how many time triallists do heavy weights, but this photo of Bradley Wiggins winning the gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics certainly shows that his legs were not massive!

View attachment 477523

Yes, but he has really bad asthma and hayfever so he can't access the gym.

 

[KneesUp]

Probably a LOT higher than mine!

I reckon it'd be higher than mine if he stopped completely after 5 hours :-)

 

[Milzy]

Muscles only help on the Track.
You need to do over/under intervals of your FTP. 5x5’s 4x10’s 3x15’s 2x20’s classic staple intervals too. This is the quickest route to greatness.

 

[KneesUp]

Muscles only help on the Track.
You need to do over/under intervals of your FTP. 5x5’s 4x10’s 3x15’s 2x20’s classic staple intervals too. This is the quickest route to greatness.

I'd go on the A25, or get the train to Bat & Ball.

 

[smutchin]

Bit of trolling here methinks. Asks question that has created arguments in the past, then doesn't log in again. User name is somewhat suspicious as well.

Or has been put off coming back by the general level of mockery at the question?