Average speed is a key number for cyclists, and it can be used as a benchmark for your performance on the bike. However, there are many variables that can affect the average speed, such as comparing the speed of different people or even themselves over different periods, there will be bias. Riding faster is what most of us want to achieve, so how to increase the average speed of the ride?

Brake less

Reducing the number of brakes first requires the rider to have a good ability to predict the road, so it is usually possible to strengthen downhill practice to enhance confidence. On rough roads, a faster downhill brings more power, the equivalent of a run-up for the next uphill. Learning how to corner faster will also increase your average speed, again depending on your usual practice.

Team riding

Group riding is a surefire way to increase your average speed. If you’re with other riders, there’s an incentive to keep up with someone faster than you. Another benefit of riding in a group is that you can catch the wind and hide behind other people to save energy. Traveling with a local club is a great way to find a team ride, as most clubs organize group rides at different speeds, so choose a team you can follow and join as your speed and experience increase faster groups.

Get more aerodynamics

Getting more aero is a major factor in riding faster. Roughly three-quarters of your resistance comes from yourself, not your bike, so that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on a new aero bike or deep-section wheels.

Once you get over 16 km/h, wind resistance becomes the main factor. The main way to improve aerodynamics is to reduce the frontal profile. In short, get as low as possible on the handlebars to reduce the windward side of your body, but it’s not recommended for long periods of time if you’re uncomfortable with aggressive riding positions.

Use your bike’s shifting more efficiently

Improper use of shifting can also reduce average speed. Pre-judging gear changes ahead of changing road conditions ensures a comfortable pedaling, thus ensuring a stable riding speed. So, learning how to match your gears, read the road ahead, and be prepared can help you ride faster.

Stopwatch records

On longer rides, it tends to be easy to slow down to the back, especially on climbs. The stopwatch will help you keep an eye on your current and average speed, changing numbers can subconsciously encourage you to pick up speed, and features like Garmin’s Lessons will tell you if you’re going slower or faster than usual on a particular route. Strava is also a great way to see how you have performed in the past and how others have performed. You can pick a specific segment and use it to measure your own health.

Indoor cycling training

There are many benefits to indoor cycling. It is less affected by the environment than riding outdoors on the road, so you can train more efficiently without worrying about weather conditions. If you use a smart trainer, you can also use classes to track your training, and there are various indoor training apps, such as Zwift, to provide better scientific training.

Off-road riding

If you’re a road rider, off-road riding can improve pedaling efficiency, as well as balance and handling skills. Many road pros come to mountain biking. Ran such as Sagan, Vanderpool, Van Alt, Pidcock, etc. all have rich off-road experience. They have even achieved impressive results in the mountain bike arena. Good mountain bike technology has also helped them in the road. The arena can better control the bike or go downhill faster.

Climb training

Climbing should be a section that most cyclists are reluctant to face, and climbing tends to reduce average speed. Repetitive climbing training is an effective way to improve your climbing ability. Choose a suitable hill, try to maintain a sitting position, repeat the climb a few times, and stick to it for a while and you will find that your climbing ability will improve.

Eat less and drink more

As mentioned earlier, a large part of the weight of the riding process comes from the rider’s own weight, and the riding energy consumption is high, so how to deal with it? In fact, when riding, you can replace it with energy gel, and then drink more water, because exercise consumes more water, basically it will be consumed soon after drinking, so it is recommended to eat less and drink more during riding.

Upgrade tires

The improvements we’re looking for here are as low-cost as possible, or making minor changes to equipment to make a noticeable difference. Like changing tires, good road bike tires will ride faster than cheaper alternatives. Some brands design tires to cut tire costs, so switching to faster rubber can be an easy way to upgrade your road bike.

Many of the latest bikes will come with tubless wheelsets. Tubeless tires are relatively more efficient due to the elimination of friction between the inner tube and the outer tire. Tire pressure is also important, and the right tire pressure will balance speed, comfort, grip and puncture resistance.

Fitted cycling jersey

Cycling clothing is also a factor that affects riding. The snug-fitting Lycra jersey doesn’t blow in the wind like a loose fit, creating drag effects. Today’s jersey brands are increasingly emphasizing their functional advantages, a professional jersey will make you feel more comfortable, as well as provide better heat and sweat management. It can even receive marginal gains, especially for time-trial runners’ bodysuits. In addition to cycling clothing, things like aero helmets and shoe covers can also reduce drag without spending a fortune.

Maintain your bike regularly

Cleaning your bike might not be a particularly fun job, but it can make a difference to your riding efficiency. A clean chain with the right chain lube will have less friction than a dirty chain. Disc brakes rubbing against discs or a swayed wheelset can affect riding speed, so keeping the bike functioning well is also the key to ensuring riding speed.