Like so many cyclists, I want to ride fast. It feels great to fly along, feeling like your wheels aren\’t touching the ground. But getting there seems to take an eternity.

This morning I rode 45.4 miles; and astonished myself by averaging 14.5 mph! I wasn\’t expecting that, because about five miles before I got back home I began to feel very tired; and had to slow down.

For two consecutive \”laps\”, totaling 17.65 miles, I averaged over 15 mph! Apparently the \”force\” exercises I\’ve been doing have had some effect. I\’m glad I have the Garmin to let me know whether I\’m really getting faster. Otherwise I wouldn\’t know whether I\’m making any progress in my pace.

I do not, however, have a power meter; and sometimes I wish I did. Speed can be affected by factors beyond a rider\’s control, such as a fierce headwind; and that can make it seem like I\’m not getting any faster. But X watts is X watts; and from what i\’ve read, improved wattage is what matters. Power meters are, alas, beyond my budget.

There wasn\’t much wind today; and of course that helped a lot. It drives me crazy when I\’m trying to ride fast, but am thwarted by a stiff headwind. For most of today\’s ride it was overcast; but it didn\’t rain. The cloud cover also helped to keep the temperature down; and that was a great relief.

If only all my long rides could be like today\’s!