Improving Your Speed With Cycling Training
Games Guy | December 4, 2011
You can gain a number of performance and health benefits by taking part in a properly designed cycling training program. If you are preparing for a cycling race, then training will most certainly help you achieve a good finish time. Average speed is a parameter cyclists sometimes use to evaluate their progress. However, this can be affected by many different factors, including your route, weather conditions, the surface, and your bike. Nonetheless, there are ways to improve your average speed while training.
Boost Your Average Speed
Improving your speed even just a little bit can make a huge difference in your finish times. For instance, let’s say that your average speed is 17 miles per hour. If you can improve by just 1 mile per hour, you could cut down your finish time by approximately 20 minutes. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by riding with aero bars. Less pressure will be placed on your hands as you can alter positions during a ride.
Another relatively easy way to enhance average speed is by riding in groups. It’s natural for us to push harder when we have at least one other person riding by our side. However, they should be at least on your level, if not a little further ahead in their fitness. Otherwise, you will end up slowing yourself down so they can keep up with you.
Interval training is the best way to increase leg speed. This consists of cycling at high speeds for a specific period of time or for a certain number of repetitions, followed by a recovery period. The pedaling speed should decrease gradually as you transition from fast to recovery. The duration of fast pedaling depends mainly on the level of intensity you want to train at, as well as how fit you currently are. An example however would be to pedal faster for 20 minutes, followed by 10 of minutes of slowing pedaling to recover.
Increasing your pedaling efficiency also helps improve average time. One way to do this is by going on a slower-pedaling ride once a week or so. The pace should still allow you to have a conversation with someone else. Overall fitness will be improved as well from such rides.
Read More: Schwinn IC Pro Indoor Cycling Bike, Schwinn A.C. Performance Indoor Cycle Trainer, LifeSpan S4 Indoor Cycle Trainer