How to increase your average speed (But it’s a silly metric to focus on)

There's the obvious, the not so obvious, and the silly.
But more importantly, it is likely better to focus on something else because focusing on speed may be detrimental to your cycling.
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HOST INFO
Carlo Villarica - Bike | Photography | Podcast - Enthusiast
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Surly Midnight Special
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[@LorenzoEnzooey]

We can all agree that once in awhile, pushing yourself further is fun as hell

[@carlovillarica]

True!

[@dorkcereals]

Ever since I watched one of your vlogs in the past I stopped worrying about my speed. I also stopped posting my rides on strava because it's just another avenue for me to feel bad about myself (i.e. by comparing myself to others) and I don't want that in my life. All I ever wanted was for not to get dropped. Whenever there are group rides, I just want to stay on the group's pace and that's why I started investing on a power meter. It helped me figure out how much power I could exert in an hour,, and how I can improve on that. Power is the most objective metric, because it will show you the amount of effort you put into the pedal, regardless of headwind or tailwind (side note, one time I noticed that I wasn't exerting too much effort and yet I was going too fast, then I realized that I was riding on a tailwind when I looked at the grass movement around me). Based on learnings, I noticed that you don't need to always push hard on the bike to go fast - as odd as it sounds, polarized training or riding easy for longer periods of time helps build aerobic capacity which translates to longer sustained efforts on the bike. Which is probably why Zone 2 or endurance rides has become my favorite activity on the bike. It definitely helped me catch up with my group and better enjoy my bike. In the end I ride my bike to have fun and explore new places. Everything else is secondary. But that's just me.

[@carlovillarica]

Thanks for sharing! Yup I do something very similar. The polarized training has helped a lot. And zone 2 rides outside are one of my favorite rides to do.

[@adrianpaulpineda8744]

Just like what I've experienced this last Audax Subic 600, focusing on average speed messed up my achilles tendon. Should have focused on my heart rate just like what I did last Audax 400 in Bohol, exploring and adventuring.

[@carlovillarica]

Yup! I'm doing the Cebu Audax 600 very soon. We'll see what happens

[@RaduCrican]

Speed is the most irrelevant part of cycling for me :D I also own a Canyon Inflite which is my gravel, road do it almost all bike and an MTB hardtail . Adventuring is my goal, I also like wearing comfy clothes and just have fun. Speed obsession is the thing least relevant for me ...

[@carlovillarica]

Yup I wish more people thought this way. Cycling doesn't have to be a "sport"

[@tonyoestrella7306]

Focusing on speed will ruin your moment on the saddle and you will miss all the beautiful place esp when you are in the mountains...so I rather ride solo so I can pace myself whatever I want to.

[@carlovillarica]

thanks for sharing!

[@LonewolfCyclist]

It depends on your goals for the day - at least for me. When I'm doing a training ride, I'm not out there to appreciate the mountains and flowers. But when my goal for the day is to explore and have an adventure then I don't look at the metrics. Both is fun for me.

[@Joiedevivredesilives]

Average speed depends on climbs or no climbs

[@carlovillarica]

True!