How To

Eight ways to get faster on the bike

Everybody wants to be able to ride faster. Here are eight things to think about if you want to be a better cyclist

Keep pedalling

Want to improve your speed on the bike? Read on!
No matter what, when you're riding on your own it's far more efficient to try and get out of the way of the air than attempt to overpower it
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Unless you're going fast enough to justify this position, then you can still pedal!
Going out with stronger riders will force you out of your comfort zone (Pic: Polka Dot Cycling)
Are you a masher or a spinner?
"Ride lots" was Eddy Merckx's opinion on how to become a better cyclist. It might not be that simple but hours in the saddle definitely make a difference

Keep pedalling

It might sound silly, but since pedalling is what makes the bike move (unless you’re pointing downhill and gravity’s playing its part) then it stands to reason that you should keep pedalling when possible.

Sure, if you’re in a race then any opportunity to rest your legs without losing ground is a good idea, but if you want to go faster then stopping those legs from spinning isn’t going to help.

Of course, there are exceptions to this. For example, if you’re descending a mountain in 53/11 and have spun out, then by all means stop pedalling. But if not, then get those legs turning.

We’re saying this slightly in jest, but if you’re a rider whose in the bad habit of freewheeling whenever possible – and it’s surprisingly common with riders new to the sport – then you’ll find that your speeds will start to increase if you cut down on those rest periods. Much of the time you may find yourself freewheeling when it’d be just as easy to keep the pedals ticking over. At this juncture it’s worth pointing out that by working on other areas of your technique, like cornering and descending, you can also keep your speed high.

Of course, by pedalling more you’ll like find that rides become harder, too, but the natural extension of that is you’ll begin to develop as a rider as a result, your fitness will improve and you’ll naturally begin to cut down on the amount you freewheel.