Commuting - Your average speed on your commute?

Just interested in those who time themselves or check their speed on their commute. I have a average speed between 17 and 18, however there are points that I need to slow down. It seems that it would be very difficult to get up in the 20s without having all flat roads and no stops/slow points. Almost killed myself today trying to get my average up to 19 - didnt quite make it. I like the challenge of pushing myself - keeps the enjoyment going for me.

My average speed for riding to work is 27kph and my return is usually 29kph. I think this is around 15mph- anyone able to work it out?
It seems average speed is part of the 'Law of diminishing returns', you try harder and harder to go faster but that average rises slower and slower!.
For me the difference between a steady ride with some big gears thrown in and a small gear twiddle when tired/sick is only about 10 minutes apart.
But I do enjoy keeping an eye on the average!

Mine used to hover around the 27-30 km/h mark when I had a computer. I don't have one now, so I tend to worry less about the speed thing.

Chris

Originally posted by nikos
I like the challenge of pushing myself - keeps the enjoyment going for me.
I've improved over the years, too.

My speeds seem to vary according to many factors, but one thing is for sure: I am getting faster, or at least, more fit. I also enjoy my riding more and more as I learn more, both from others and from my own observations as I pedal on.

My overall average, including hills, traffic, stops, etc., in the morning is about 14 mph., in the afternoon is about 12 mph. Keep in mind, this includes flat terrain speeds of between 18 and 22 mph.

Keep up the good work, Nikos! :thumup:

Mine's about the same as pete's. I'm going 12.5mi in to the center of Phoenix and averaging 17-18mph at 4:30am when it's cool and no traffic; 13-14 at 2pm in heavy traffic and 100+ degree temps.

My speeds are similar. I avg 15 mph (23 kph) in the morning, and 12.5 mph (20 kph) in the afternoon. That includes stops, plenty of hills, and a couple of gentle climbs that I can do at 20+ mph. The ride home is more uphill than the ride to work, so it takes me 3-4 minutes longer. I also tend to hit most of the lights in the afternoon.

My max speed is around 34 mph, my min is around 8 on the nasty hills.

Jonathan

Originally posted by Chris L
Mine used to hover around the 27-30 km/h mark when I had a computer. I don't have one now, so I tend to worry less about the speed thing.

Chris

All I have to say to this is, DOES IT INCLUDED ANY HILLS?? No, the gold coast is a bit on the flat side of things.

Locker

I average around 33-34 kmh over the 34 km commute with a number of hills built-in.

Right now, lights are the main slower-down for my commute. It's slower with my Bontrager, however, these speeds are with a racing bike.

Cheers,
Tom

Originally posted by locker

All I have to say to this is, DOES IT INCLUDED ANY HILLS?? No, the gold coast is a bit on the flat side of things.


Well, unfortunately my commute is a little on the flat side :cry: . However I try to make up for that on weekends by riding the mountains to the west. We've got a couple of climbs of 1,000 metres or thereabouts. They is always lots of fun.

Chris

About 13-14 mph on cycle path. 16-18 on road

I usually average around 30km/h over the 20km of my commute. Sometimes I'm a bit slower (26km/h) even less sometimes I'm a bit faster (34km/h). I've figured out that the difference between reasonably comfortable cruising and busting a gut only makes about three minutes difference to the total time, so I tend not to bust a gut much any more.

I did get pretty rapid improvement in my average speed when I started riding, but it levelled off pretty quickly, maybe a few months, at my current speed. Only my stamina continued to improve. That seems to be dropping a bit lately - I need to ride more.

I really don't find riding the 20km to work any more tiring that taking the train. Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough.

12 - 13 miles per hour on a 12 speed in hill country

15+

I treat my commute as a training ride though...I won't be happy until I'm averaging 25 on it...it's short as heck so I really have no excuse not to clock those speeds, other than my legs wussing and I start losing cadence once I start getting to the smaller half of my cassette

My average is ~13-14mph, but I know I can pull ~22mph if I need to.

20 mph average to work. Great downhills in last 1-1/2 to 2 miles!

13 mph average from work. Terrible uphills for first 1-1/2 to 2 miles....

13-17 mph is the summer average, depending on how I feel. I had a 7 mph average on one commute in a snow storm once. My maximum commute speed is 35mph on a long, smooth, slightly downhill road on my way to work.

It takes me 1 hour 10 minutes to go 17.5 miles to work. That's 15.0 mph. Now, if there was no stopping along the way, that would be a different story.

15mph avg, loaded up with my Centurion at about 30#. I ride 22.5mi each way, it takes 90mins. So, I ride 3 days a week, and log a good 135mi/week, just from commuting.

My computer usually calculates an average of 14-15.5 mph. That's with basic pedals (not clipless) and street clothes on a hybrid. I'm not a racer and I don't push myself, but I can nonetheles see modest improvement in the 3 years I've been commuting. (And my wife notices the difference in my thighs! ;))

I look forward to the small dip on my regular route where I usually attain 25 mph on the morning downhill, and 30 in the afternoon, barring headwind. On a totally different and much longer commute I did three times a few weeks ago for a workshop, there was on long and steep hill where I hit 37 mph every day! That was awesome!

Here's a miles/kilometers conversion chart, for your convenience:

1 mile = 1.609 kilometer
10 = 16.09
11 = 17.699
12 = 19.308
13 = 20.917
14 = 22.526
15 = 24.135
16 = 25.744
17 = 27.353
18 = 28.962
19 = 30.571
20 = 32.18
21 = 33.789
22 = 35.398

All my commutes have been short in the 3 to 5 mile range. On the way to work my average speed is very slow so as not to work up much of a sweat, probably around 10 to 12 mph average. But on the way home I usually take long detours that can range from 12 to 30 miles and those detours my average is usually about 17 mph, but I'm over 50 and not racing anymore.

I don't have a cycle computer (for vmax, etc) , but my average speed is 10mph.

Just interested in those who time themselves or check their speed on their commute. I have a average speed between 17 and 18, however there are points that I need to slow down. It seems that it would be very difficult to get up in the 20s without having all flat roads and no stops/slow points. Almost killed myself today trying to get my average up to 19 - didnt quite make it. I like the challenge of pushing myself - keeps the enjoyment going for me.

It's 8 km/5 miles, slightly downhill, old urban, with multiple stop signs, some at major streets, and at least 7 traffic lights. Normal inbound average speed 19 kph/11.5 mph, best average speed 28 kph/17 mph. Return trip normal speed 17 kph/10 mph, best speed 20 kph/12 mph. I can't go all out most of the time because of traffic and intersections, but I do get a workout going home because of a few uphill sections.
Robert

I'm averaging right around 15 mph on the inbound ride in the morning since it slightly downhill and usually cooler. In the evening riding up a gradual incline my speed drops to between 12.5 and 13 mph. Like many of you those numbers have risen since I started commuting at the beginning of March. They are pretty stable now so I have been slowly working at increasing the speed through the slowest sections of my ride. It won't affect my average very much, just narrow the range a bit and give me a better workout.

I average between 20-25 km/h moving. Moving plus stopped perhaps 18-20. But it's thru a city and on an MTB. About 13km.

For my 5.5 mile commute; about 14-14.5 mph in the monring on my mtb/commuter, high 15's-16 on the road bike. Could go faster if I *really* wanted to and didn't mind no warm-up. About .5 mph or so faster going home (more downhill, esp. the climb out of my subdivision), except I usually take a longer route home, or work in some climbs in the neighborhood.

Well, I don't have a computer. I just tell by the time and distance. My average is now 30 minutes for a 8.7 mile commute through the city. Works for me.

I've been commuting to work at least once or twice a week for the last month, and I've already noticed improvements in my times and averages. The commute is 18.67 miles one way from Renton to Seattle and yesterday it took me 1hr 15min total, which included stop lights. I go through downtown Seattle so if you don't hit it right, you stop at every light. My average was 16.5 mph. On July 4th, my first commute, was 13.7mph. I have a rear rack and a light/battery that probably adds 15 lbs.

Coming to work is great as there is a 1.1 mile downhill with 330 ft of elevation. I usually dont pedal while going down because I'm already going 40+ mph. Yesterday I hit 43.3. The looks from the people in cars is priceless. Going home however, up the hill at 1AM, isnt the most fun, but there is the sense of acomplishment and the fact that I'm almost home.

Taking the average right from the bike comp. When commuting, it is 14 and change (the last digit has failed) When out riding for training... 16 and change...

I slow down for traffic and all the intersections.

Between 13 and 15 mph, for a 20-mile commute each way including some rude hills. Heat and humidity affects my speed more than anything else, though I did see a gradual speed increase last summer as I got more fit. That said, time spent at lights and intersections -- slow rolling, false starts, etc. -- really kills one's average speed! That introduces so much variability into the average-speed calculation that I ended up hating that little readout. I could be riding strong and fast all day, but not reach my goal speed, just because I spent too much time rolling through a slow area choked with traffic.

My bike computer needs new batteries right now, so it's not calculating speed at all. I'm actually a lot happier and calmer without it! :)

Today on the way in was:

Distance :14.83 miles
Time: 49:50
Average: 17.8mph
Max: 34.1mph

That's straight down Connecticut avenue into DC. It still feels pretty slow to me thanks to a few too many beers Saturday night ;)

Probably about 13-14 mph. During the summer, I'll usually ride in wearing normal clothes and don't want to get sweaty. On the way home, it's just too blazingly hot to push it hard.

Going to work in the morning: Approx 9mph. Uphill for at least five miles, and with a headwind from the mountain pass to the east after sunrise.
Going home: Approx 20mph. Reverse the above situation, but take away the tailwind. Wouldn't ya know, by evening I have a headwind again. Downhill is nice, though.

My commute is 23 mi (~30km) each way, a mix of hills, urban riding, and MUP so involves a number of stops. My average has been 13mph (19km/h) in the past couple years. Did it on my Gold Rush recumbent for the first time last week; expected to be slower, but being faster downhill and on the level apparently made up for the slower climbs. The longest stretch of stop-free riding is only about 3 miles. The best part is the ride on the I-90 floating bridge across Lake Washington; magnificent views of the lake, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains (weather permitting) on a bike lane separated from traffic by a barrier. Due to time constraints I usually get to ride it only once or twice a week, but hope to continue doing it through the winter.

No idea. Watch broke several years ago. Bike computer this January. I don't miss either one. I just rideeeeeeeeee. :)

I go 3.6 miles in 18 minutes, which works out to 12 mph (including time when I am stopped at an intersection, etc.) My speed when I am moving averages closer to 15 mph.

I should add that I try not to hurry, so that I won't arrive at work all sweaty. I could save a couple minutes by riding faster, but then I'd have to shower and change clothes, taking take far more time than what I saved riding!

Here's a miles/kilometers conversion chart, for your convenience:

1 mile = 1.609 kilometer

If you have an exact number that you want to figure out, and don't have this thread handy...


go to Google.com

search for: "X kph to mph" or "X mph to kph" (remove quotes and replacing X with the actual number)

Results when replacing X with 1:

1 mph = 1.609344 kph
1 kph = 0.621371192 mph

Enjoy.

My average speed is a whopping 5 mph. LOL.

neopipil

1 mph = 1.609344 kph
1 kph = 0.621371192 mph

Enjoy.

For rough calculations I just multiply by 1.6 (miles to km), or 0.6 (km to miles). It's not 100% accurate but it's close enough except for very precise training logs. Also I remember some simple conversions: 10 km = (approx) 6 miles, 8 km = 5 miles, 60 mph = 100 kph, so it's pretty easy to do a quick mental conversion. If I've averaged 20 kph and multiply by 0.6, that gives me an estimate of 12 mph, and the exact answer is 12.42742384 mph.
Robert

Commute to work:
6.6 miles along a bike path
gradual uphill nearly the whole way (about 250 feet of elevation gain over that distance)
average speed = 11-12 mph
I'm just starting out so my speed will probably increase. For the most part I take it easy on the way to work so that I don't sweat up a storm.

Commute from work:
6.6 miles along a bike path
gradual downhill nearly the whole way
average speed: 13-15 mph
Sometimes I go faster for short stretches. I don't have much cycling stamina right now.

Quite interesting to read all these stats. :) So many different styles, terrains, bikes... Gives me a nice feeling.

My average, I guess, is pretty average. :) Here are my stats:

Bike: Hybrid (Marin San Anselmo 2003, with a suspension fork, unfortunately)

Distance: 17 km one way

Road and terrain conditions: The first 7 or so km is along a major urban artery with quite a few lights, some traffic jams sometimes and (argh!!!) - buses. The hills in that part of commute are not what you call killers, but they are quite numerous. It's up and down all the time. The worst is when you are going downhill and right at the bottom there is a light which just for you has turned red. :( The pavement is truly awful in some sections of the street. It's like going through 100 speed bumps, only speed bumps are much nicer... Also there are some parked cars and some rude drivers, especially on one 1.5-km stretch, for some reason.

The next 6 km is along quieter residential streets - these are mostly flat and where there are no stop signs I can build up quite a speed, but unfortunately apart from a couple of longish stop-free stretches, there are lots of stop signs.

The rest of the way is along major roads again. Some of it is quite nasty traffic-wise, but the last part is actually kind of nice - wide lanes and nothing parked at the curb. Fun. There I usually go fast again.

Average: In the morning I usually average anywhere from 21 to 23 km/h. When I am coming back, the traffic is usually lighter (I must ride in rush hour in the morning but not in the afternoon, usually) and there is slightly more downhill, so the average goes up by 2 km/h or so, making it 23 to 25, if no traffic jam or unlucky light combination interferes.

Just interested in those who time themselves or check their speed on their commute. I have a average speed between 17 and 18, however there are points that I need to slow down. It seems that it would be very difficult to get up in the 20s without having all flat roads and no stops/slow points. Almost killed myself today trying to get my average up to 19 - didnt quite make it. I like the challenge of pushing myself - keeps the enjoyment going for me.
Do you go around Lake Monona on your commute? I always see some guy hauling ass the other way, but I can't tell from your picture alone.

I average about 16-18mph, but like you said, it's really hard to break that with slowing down and stopping.

wooohooo!!! - set a new round-trip "record" yesterday - 46.6km in 1:36 - 0:49 in, 0:47 home. My one way record is 0:45. In the winter, the round trips takes up to 2.5 hours :)

On my 7 mile commute, I was averaging 16.45 mph (mt bike) until I switched to my road bike 2 months ago (no computer). It is 3 miles downhill on the way there and then 4 miles of flat trail. I ride in street clothes, take it easy in the morning (so as not to be too sweaty) and really crank it going home. Now I'm curious, so I'll have to go buy another computer =)

On my 7 mile commute, I was averaging 16.45 mph (mt bike) until I switched to my road bike 2 months ago (no computer). It is 3 miles downhill on the way there and then 4 miles of flat trail. I ride in street clothes, take it easy in the morning (so as not to be too sweaty) and really crank it going home. Now I'm curious, so I'll have to go buy another computer =)
Just look at your watch. You can measure your precise distance here (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/).
Robert

12 miles one way, 900 feet of climbing, about 32 pound Gary Fisher x-caliber. I ride a mix of sidewalk, street, trail, single track, closed road. 16 mph ave. Bike is geared low.

14 mph

Usually about 15-17 mph. On the one hand, I've got full panniers, on the other, I'm in Chicago, so all flat. It's a 7.5 mile commute, one way. I'm mainly worried about consistency and pace, not so much top speed.