I would plan my path properly. Avoid busy roads just because it's a nice place to cycle. I see alot of cyclist like to cycle in certain area because it seems fun. Hello? Like you said getting hit by car is not fun.

Repetition is ok. You are there to work out and not have fun.

Having said that I made the most mistakes when cycling with others. So I find it dangerous you can't anticipate others.

I prefer much solo ride for true workout for stamina and endurance
Torture the muscles to max if can.

most of group ride usually eat-ride-rest during the trip, longer time required for whole trip, ending up more sun burn...

spoken like a true cyclist

at the moment I can reach 48-50km @ average 30+km/h without resting.
i got a fren, he ride in fast group can up to 30-31km/h
But while he ride in solo or with other buddies. the speed manage maintain 25-26km/h

always ride in group and fast doesn't make your stronger as always leeching at the back of strong cyclist. The only ways to make you stronger, solo always the to push with all the stamina that you have, hence your brain must be strong too as it always physco you to stop as soon as possible.

Come ride with me...
I can pull u all the way...
Anything between 30-39km/hr... I confirm u b stronger if u can keep up all the way...

Yes mental plays an important role...
As long as the group is faster than ur avg... U will still improve if u can keep up...

Smlj u want

lilredridinghood rindu kingcat rupanya

Anyone does touring on bikes? Riding frm cameron to gua musang this weekend.. kinda stoked

I thinking this Saturday, maybe me and one of fren that slow bit as previously, keep dragging my PR most of trip ytday.    Or else next Sunday with my stronger gang too, they may plan that seremban long route trip.

Got strava? See your power range before join

I even did solo along Kesas + Rimbayu what.
but no big deal must group ride. 
https://www.strava.com/activities/6217361528

so safety wise, yes better to have 2-3 person in group.

Only 20kmh avg can join ah?

3400m elevation... Crazy...

I hope ur power qualifies 😬

Good on you if you feel motivated to ride more, but dont get sooo into numbers is my advise..  and please drink water, its bad for your kidneys

the way u bold it make it sound like drinking water is bad fod kidney 

I would say constantly sip on water if its a hot day. If you wait till you are thirsty its too late. Long rides usually target 1 bottle per hour.

You want your body to perform, you need to give your body the resources it needs. Same with food or more specifically carbs, you dont diet on the bike.. you give your body the resources it needs to perform. With proper recovery it can adapt to your training.

Whats your definition of a serious ride though? Race pace average 44kmh? I would suggest you to try riding at 1 of those regular Putrajaya night rides that usually average 43+km/h first though.

Its not just about cycling fitness but bike handling skills that most newbies nowadays lack terribly and brings alot of danger to yourself and to anyone closeby. As much as you think cycling as a sport that needs alot of physical fitness its also a sport that requires very good bike handling skill in the peloton. 30km/h is the usual low speed endurance pace, and tempo rides are usually above 35kmh average which can be riden 5-6hours. For your general info, almost every race the past couple years before MCO, all averages nothing less than 40km/h for over 160km. Even 43km/h avg for shorter 120-140km distances.

You need to realise this before jumping in to any race/events, not to discourage you but preparation and expectation is equally important. I'm speaking from experience riding and racing since 1990's

Clearly you don't climb. Each slip on a climb is about 5 seconds lost and energy wasted.

Good to know your podium comes at the expense of drafting behind others.

Should tell that to all the pros... "u are weak coz u drafted".. its part and parcel of the sport, no 2 ways around it lol.. 

That 2018 SAER was actually 1 of the toughest edition coz TSG pros were in it, so dont feel so bad u got dropped..  i was barely hanging on myself.

I remember at about KM15 we hit shah alam hilly dragonback section, the pros light it up full gas.. Then when we hit that batu arang fruit valley hilly section it was single filed and full gas all the way until peloton snapped in half. It was a tough tough race.. even hariff salleh didnt finish well that year, i can feel my legs were cramping up on the last km.

like how you equal cycling to only one sport. guess not much activity up there for you.

speaking of which, there was 1 year of SEAR, i actually stopped and sit by the roadside 7km away from the finish line almost fainted.
nasib got volunteer saw me n gv me water and teman me until i can get back on my bike.

those were the days

SAER always short and challenging route.. luckily i have alot of friends in peloton haha... always have no issue when it comes to water even from different teams