Getting up to speed - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-05-2004, 09:52 AM

Hi

I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks now, having started
reading the group after I got interested in builing up my cycling
abilities.

Before my question, a little history.

I'm 50, 6'1", and 230lbs.

I've been cycling for about 10 years now, initially because I was just
too lazy to get the car out and back for short journeys, then because
I discovered I quite liked it. It was always for "utility" purposes,
though, and my journeys were never more than 1/2 hr each way - usually
much less.

About 6 weeks ago, I started cycling, for no particular reason - just
for the sheer fun of it.

So far, I've managed to get to the point where I can do one 2 hr and
one 1 hr ride per day, every day. Depending on how I feel these will
be 13-16 mph, on the flat.

I'm interested in finding a site (or even buying a book)that would
give me some clues as to the best way to build up speed.

I don't seem to have any problem with endurence (other than getting
saddle sore, and occasional numbness in my hands). I do find it hard
to maintain a higher speed though.

I'm doing about 60% HRmax for 13mph, and 75% HRmax for 16mph, and I
can get up to 22 mph at 90% HRmax.

The problem is, that I can't seem to concentrate enough to do say
18mph for more than a minute or two. I start to think about something
else, and drift back to a more comfortable 15/16 mph.

Occasionally, someone passes me, and I can then usually use them as a
pacemaker (hanging far enough back so they don't think I'm trying to
race them), and then I can easily keep up 18/19 mph for 10/15 mins.

There are no cycling groups where I live (and I think I'd be way too
slow for them, anyway).

So my questions are:

1) How can I keep my speed up?

and

2) How long should it take me to be able to cycle at the 18 mph sort
of rate for protracted periods?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Mike