Every cyclist dreams up ideas to ride faster, whether it’s to shave precious seconds off a personal best, keep up with the lead group on a weekend ride, or simply enjoy the thrill of speed on the open road. But increasing your average speed isn’t just about brute strength or pedalling harder—it’s about adopting smart strategies and refining your approach to cycling.
Riding faster requires a combination of improved fitness, efficient technique, and optimizing your gear and setup. From building strength with targeted interval training to perfecting your body position for maximum aerodynamic benefits, small, intentional changes can add up to significant speed gains.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key areas to focus on:
Whether you’re training for a race, tackling your first century ride, or just looking to get more out of your time on the bike, these tips will help you ride faster, more efficiently, and with greater confidence. No matter your current level, there’s always room for improvement—and the journey to faster riding starts here.
One of the most effective ways to ride faster is to improve your fitness. The fitter and stronger you are as a cyclist, the easier it becomes to maintain higher speeds. But how do you get fitter? Incorporating 1–2 interval workouts into your weekly training routine is key.
Interval training is highly effective because it targets different energy systems and helps you build both power and endurance. Here are two types of interval workouts to consider:
Regardless of the type of workout, always prioritize a proper warm-up. A 10–15 minute warm-up with gradually increasing intensity prepares your muscles, lungs, and heart for the demands of hard riding, reducing the risk of injury and improving performance.
Building fitness to ride faster isn’t just about intense intervals; it also involves increasing your endurance. One of the best ways to do this is by incorporating a long, steady ride into your weekly training routine. A long ride typically lasts 2–4 or more hours, depending on your experience level and goals, and is done at an easy, steady pace in Zone 2.
Zone 2 corresponds to a comfortable intensity where you can hold a conversation but still feel like you're putting in some effort. These rides should not feel too hard, but don’t confuse them with a casual coffee shop ride filled with stops and distractions. The goal is to keep your long ride as continuous as possible to maximize its benefits.
This steady effort builds your aerobic endurance, teaching your body to efficiently burn fat for fuel and improving your overall fitness. Over time, this enhanced endurance will allow you to maintain faster speeds for longer durations, both during training and in races.
To get the most out of your long ride:
Consistent long rides are a cornerstone of any cyclist’s training plan and play a critical role in helping you ride faster overall.
While improving your fitness is a key factor in riding faster, enhancing your aerodynamics can also make a significant difference. By reducing drag, you can increase your speed without necessarily increasing your power output. Aerodynamics primarily involves two key elements: your body position and your gear.
Your body accounts for the majority of aerodynamic drag while cycling, so making adjustments to your position can yield the greatest gains. To improve aerodynamics:
Small adjustments to your body position, practiced over time, can lead to a significant increase in speed.
Upgrading your gear can also improve aerodynamics, though it generally has less impact than optimizing your body position. While items like aero bikes and deep-section wheels are popular upgrades, there are more cost-effective options to consider:
For more tips on aerodynamic gear upgrades, check out this blog here.
By combining fitness improvements with aerodynamic optimizations, you can significantly boost your average speed and ride more efficiently.
In addition to gear choices for aerodynamics, the tires you ride and the pressure you use play a significant role in determining your average speed. Lightweight, fast-rolling tires, like the Continental Grand Prix 5000, are an excellent choice for efficiency and performance, especially when paired with the correct tire pressure.
Gone are the days of assuming "higher PSI equals faster speeds." While higher pressures can reduce rolling resistance on perfectly smooth surfaces, they also amplify vibrations and bouncing over real-world roads. These micro-bounces waste energy and reduce comfort, ultimately slowing you down.
To maximize your efficiency, aim for a tire pressure that balances rolling resistance, grip, and comfort. This depends on your total system weight (rider + bike + gear) and the road surface you're riding on. For an accurate recommendation, use this handy tire pressure calculator from Silca.
Choosing the right tires and optimizing pressure will not only help you ride faster but also improve your overall experience on the bike.
Riding at a faster average speed is a goal that every cyclist can achieve with the right approach. By combining focused fitness training, smart aerodynamic improvements, and attention to detail with your gear and tire setup, you can unlock significant gains in speed and efficiency.
Remember, progress doesn’t happen overnight. Consistency is key, whether you’re tackling interval workouts, committing to regular long rides, or fine-tuning your bike setup for optimal performance. Each small step contributes to the bigger picture, helping you ride faster and more confidently over time.
Take the time to experiment and find what works best for you—whether it’s discovering the perfect aerodynamic position, dialing in the ideal tire pressure, or mastering group drafting techniques. With patience, practice, and persistence, you’ll not only achieve faster speeds but also enjoy the journey of becoming a stronger, more efficient cyclist.
Now it’s time to put these tips into action. Get out there, test your limits, and experience the satisfaction of faster, more rewarding rides.
