Beginner question: Maintaining higher speed

golfhead

I've been cycling for 6 months now on a road bike I got under the Cycle-to-Work scheme. Cycle to work 3 or 4 days a week and do longer spins at weekends.

Just back from a 40K cycle - 20k into a gentle breeze and then the same 20k home.

Did the first 20k in 49 mins and the return in 45 mins. However, the 20km into the breeze felt easier because I could maintain a constant speed. However coming home, when the speed got over 27 - 30 kmph, I couldn't maintain the pedal revolutions to keep going at this speed. As a result, I never got a constant rhythm going

Because I don't understand the gearing concept, I generally don't change gears and I cycle with the chain in the middle cog at the front and in the middle one at the back.

So when I get to the point that the pedals are moving faster than my legs, what should I be doing?

Thanks

colm_gti

golfhead wrote: »

So when I get to the point that the pedals are moving faster than my legs, what should I be doing?

Changing to a bigger gear

Alanstrainor

Biggest cog at the front, smallest at the rear. Or just shift up on both sides with the shifters.

funnights74

Change to a "heavier" gear to increase speed, that's how it will feel as you pedal, When you find that this is becoming too difficult to do switch down to a lighter gear where you will feel under less strain.
There are loads of clips on you tube about cycling techniques and how to get the best out of your bike. Enjoy!!

golfhead

Thanks for the advice guys - it has made a huge difference.

Did an 80 K cycle yesterday and knocked 12 mins off my previous best time for the trip and averaged 26.9 kmph.

Happy days