Avg speed for a 1.5 hour ride after 1 month, what to aim for

[svenny]

I bought a new road bike and have begun the long road back to fitness and lovin it

about what speed should I be aiming at say after a months training..at the moment Im averaging 25km ph which is thru hilly area and some flat areas...this is after about 4 rides and my weight is 90kg but Im solid not flabby and reasonably fit for 38 years of age

using a speclialized bike Aleez comp 2008 so bike is fine..and love it

Im looking at keeping my rides to about an hour and half and increaing the tempo..or should I try and fit a long haul in at some point?

or is heart rate better way to train .....?

[Mulger bill]

I don't race, I don't train, I just ride, so a grain of salt is prolly indicated about now...

Know your comfort zone and try to spend a fair bit of your rides just a little bit above it, keep it up and your body will naturally lift the bar for you. Add some variety in routes and distances to keep motivation up.

Push too hard and you'll damage something, don't push hard enough and you'll soften something.

Shaun

[colafreak]

If you're averaging 25km/h you should be trying to average 26. Get where I'm coming from?

[lemmiwinks]

This is a real "how long is a piece of string" question. Terrain, weather conditions (headwind/crosswind/tailwind/no wind) and riding solo or in a bunch, what you had for breakfast, what you did yesterday and heaps of other factors can all affect your average speed.

You could do a lot worse than follow Shaun's advice. Give it a month or two and you'll see some real improvement. I found that riding to work (15-20 minutes) going as hard as I could the whole way each direction built my fitness well, just got to work on endurance now. Try and get on bunch rides, join your local club.

[svenny]

yeah worried if I do a club social ride I will be left 2 km behind

thanks for advice guys

[lemmiwinks]

Don't worry about it, everyone had to start somewhere. Our club rides are usually pretty good, someone will go back and collect you after they finish if you get dropped badly.

[casual_cyclist]

yeah worried if I do a club social ride I will be left 2 km behind

thanks for advice guys

There are some good group rides for beginners. You can find out beforehand if a group will be suitable for you. Do a few easy group rides to get used to it and then start moving up to some faster groups. I found the group rides really helped my speed as they push you along. Getting left behind is a real incentive to go faster.

[RobRollin]

As said above, terrain, weather conditions(headwind/crosswind/tailwind/no wind) and riding solo or in a bunch, all ultimately affect your avg speed.

If you can keep an avg speed for the full 1.5hrs, then try and increase your avg speed from 25kmh to 30kmh. Also if you have a computer that records cadence, keep your cadence high around 80-100.

If you are keen then have a look at SST, as I have, (free plug) since starting the program setout by Alex I've made improvements to my cycling.

[bouncer1979]

As said above, terrain, weather conditions(headwind/crosswind/tailwind/no wind) and riding solo or in a bunch, all ultimately affect your avg speed.

If you can keep an avg speed for the full 1.5hrs, then try and increase your avg speed from 25kmh to 30kmh. Also if you have a computer that records cadence, keep your cadence high around 80-100.

If you are keen then have a look at SST, as I have, (free plug) since starting the program setout by Alex I've made improvements to my cycling.

What is SST?

[sogood]

What is SST?

Sweet Spot Training.

[svenny]

Hi all well I'm getting there...todays 1.5 hour ride i averaged 28 km ph...doing 4 rides a week 2 1 hour rides and 2 1.5 hour rides

the one hour rides I go hell for leather and then hit the wall then try to get home alive.....the 1.5 hour rides try to stay on steady pace and sprint home

the bike is great

Im feeling great too..luvin being back on the road