How long till I hit the plateau?
#1
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How long till I hit the plateau?
I have been cycling for almost 4 months and on the same 20 mile loop with some hills I went from 15mph on my first month, then 16 mph on my second month, 17 mph on my third and now I have hit the 18 mph mark. I only train a little but I am worried that I might hit a plateau and stop making gains. If I keep this up for a few years will it be possible to at least reach at least 22 mph?
#3
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Yes
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Maybe.
Think we covered it all there.
Work on intervals. 22 mph average is rolling. I probablu could have done that in my 20's but I ran then and changed to cycling later in life after knee problems stopped the running. I doubt I'll ever see 22 outside of fast group rides where its a hell of a lot easier. But it's different for everyone and there are guys 30 years older than me who can probably still drop me like a bad habit.
So it depends on you.
Think we covered it all there.
Work on intervals. 22 mph average is rolling. I probablu could have done that in my 20's but I ran then and changed to cycling later in life after knee problems stopped the running. I doubt I'll ever see 22 outside of fast group rides where its a hell of a lot easier. But it's different for everyone and there are guys 30 years older than me who can probably still drop me like a bad habit.
So it depends on you.
#8
Banned
try to keep up with faster riders, that will take work , not parts*..
Middle age, then its back down hill with the years.. ..
just ride fixies? Join a track racing club.. Match Sprint or Pursuit?
* may want a bunch more gear sizes in your infield track gear bag , what cog : chainring tooth count you run now?
Middle age, then its back down hill with the years.. ..
just ride fixies? Join a track racing club.. Match Sprint or Pursuit?
* may want a bunch more gear sizes in your infield track gear bag , what cog : chainring tooth count you run now?
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-22-16 at 09:01 AM.
#9
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"Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day."
Be grateful for what you have been given and enjoy the ride. -Tim-
#10
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I think there probably is a limit or plateau if you keep doing the same thing. At that point we have to decide whether it's worthwhile to set up a more rigorous training schedule or be satisfied with it.
Plot your performance against time, however you're measuring performance. You're going to see an "S-curve", eventually if not already. Asymptotic to the top of the S-curve is your plateau.
Plot your performance against time, however you're measuring performance. You're going to see an "S-curve", eventually if not already. Asymptotic to the top of the S-curve is your plateau.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
try to keep up with faster riders, that will take work , not parts*..
Middle age, then its back down hill with the years.. ..
just ride fixies? Join a track racing club.. Match Sprint or Pursuit?
* may want a bunch more gear sizes in your infield track gear bag , what cog : chainring tooth count you run now?
Middle age, then its back down hill with the years.. ..
just ride fixies? Join a track racing club.. Match Sprint or Pursuit?
* may want a bunch more gear sizes in your infield track gear bag , what cog : chainring tooth count you run now?
#14
Banned
Pursuit may be a Better Race than sprinting for you..
2 riders start on opposite sides of the track, for the Measured distance of the race , they try to catch and pass each other .
Only climbing is up and down the track Banking..
Maybe you need a Road Bike
with More gears than a 49:16? [ 3.0625:1 ] or a 52:14 gear [3.7142:1] etc.
2 riders start on opposite sides of the track, for the Measured distance of the race , they try to catch and pass each other .
Only climbing is up and down the track Banking..
Maybe you need a Road Bike
with More gears than a 49:16? [ 3.0625:1 ] or a 52:14 gear [3.7142:1] etc.
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-22-16 at 11:26 AM.
#15
Senior Member
I have been cycling for almost 4 months and on the same 20 mile loop with some hills I went from 15mph on my first month, then 16 mph on my second month, 17 mph on my third and now I have hit the 18 mph mark. I only train a little but I am worried that I might hit a plateau and stop making gains. If I keep this up for a few years will it be possible to at least reach at least 22 mph?
#16
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Thread Starter
I have, I did a 52 mile trip the other week and managed to finish at 16mph, I plan on doing at least 18mph by mid next year.
#17
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Don't listen to all the Debbie Downers. You'll soon be doing the Kessel run in under 12 parsecs.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Pursuit may be a Better Race than sprinting for you..
2 riders start on opposite sides of the track, for the Measured distance of the race , they try to catch and pass each other .
Only climbing is up and down the track Banking..
Maybe you need a Road Bike
with More gears than a 49:16? [ 3.0625:1 ] or a 52:14 gear [3.7142:1] etc.
2 riders start on opposite sides of the track, for the Measured distance of the race , they try to catch and pass each other .
Only climbing is up and down the track Banking..
Maybe you need a Road Bike
with More gears than a 49:16? [ 3.0625:1 ] or a 52:14 gear [3.7142:1] etc.
#19
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Haha. "Which of you by taking thought can add one mph unto his average?"
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#20
Banned
Faster on a fixie ? A) spin that 49:16 like Mad.. or , B) less teeth on the Hub, More teeth on the crank 50:15, 51:14, etc.
Push a Bigger gear..
Push a Bigger gear..
#21
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just set a decent speed on the flats, and push till you achieve that upwind or uphill, and if you cant, harden the **** up, nobody else is gonna make you faster but yourself
#22
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Gears may help.
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I have been cycling for almost 4 months and on the same 20 mile loop with some hills I went from 15mph on my first month, then 16 mph on my second month, 17 mph on my third and now I have hit the 18 mph mark. I only train a little but I am worried that I might hit a plateau and stop making gains. If I keep this up for a few years will it be possible to at least reach at least 22 mph?
#25
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How are you measuring your average speed? Is it even accurate? How much elevation gain is there in this loop? Can you provide the Strava Segment for it? I've found that I'm a lot faster just riding on flat as opposed to my commute to work which includes a few little climbs, those slow me down quite a bit so my average speed drops significantly.