Cadence: Pedal Faster to Ride Better

All cyclists should learn to pedal at a fast cadence,Physiology, March 2006). Once again athletes and
whether you are an experienced racer or a novicecoaches find new training and competing methods and
recreational rider. Muscle fatigue and damage areyears later, scientists tell them that they are correct.
caused by excess pressure on the pedals, not by howAfter you have been riding regularly for a time, try to
fast you pedal. Pedaling at a faster cadence with lessspin your pedals 80 times a minute. In the beginning,
pressure allows you to pedal longer and harder.you will put so little pressure on your pedals that you
However, several researchers have expressedwill ride very slowly. However, after several weeks of
concern that pedaling very fast could decrease bloodpedaling at a cadence of 80, you will become more
flow to muscles and thus decrease athleticcomfortable and be able to move fairly well at this
performance. A study from Kansas State Universitypace. As you become stronger, you can maintain this
shows that pedaling fast does not decrease ahigh cadence while using higher gears and pressing on
muscle's flow of blood or ability to extract oxygenthe pedals with more force, so you will be able to ride
from the blood (European Journal of Appliedfaster and longer.