How to increase my base/cruising speed?
Yesterday I was out for a ride. While riding, I was cruising at what I felt was a pretty good clip. I wasn't working/struggling. I was motoring along in what I would call my comfortable riding zone.
While in this zone, I was passed by another rider who by all appearances was in his comfort zone. Not working hard, just simple pedaling and boom. He passed me and kept going. I suppose I could have jumped on his wheel and gone along for the ride, but a) I was content in my comfort zone b) I didn't want to work that hard at that moment in time and c) jumping on a wheel uninvited has a whole bunch of other consequences. Anyway...
My question for the forum/group is: how can I improve my comfortable riding zone? How can I raise my base zone of what's comfortable to what's 'work' for me? Or is this even possible? Am I stuck at my level?
Thank you.