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

Ride with others

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
Having an expert design your training plan can take some of the guesswork out of training, and also help to ensure you recover properly and don't overtrain
Intervals might hurt, but they'll bring big gains (Pic: Media24)
Training with power might still be reasonably expensive, but it's by far the best metric for measuring your effort
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

Ride with others

Riding in a group is a tried-and-tested way of improving your speed on the bike.

You can save around 30 per cent in energy when sharing the work and drafting in a group. While, on the face of it, that in itself may not improve your fitness, even if it bumps up your average speed, when you’re riding with others there’s a good chance you’ll be forced out of your comfort zone, whether it’s to stay with the group or having a dig on a climb.

In fact, whether you’re new to cycling or not, riding with someone who’s a little bit stronger than you is a great way to make strides forward. You’ll have some company for the rider, but you’ll also have someone to inadvertently push you along.

Sure, you may finish with your tail between your legs on occassions but you’ll be grateful for it in the long run.