Respectable average speed with trailer

[bdiamond]

I just got back into cycling after 6 years off. I usually ride 50 miles a week or so with my 35 pound son (and sometimes a 12 pound dog) in tow. The trailer weighs 20 lbs.(?)The route is fairly flat and it is usually fairly windy(10-15 mph winds) although it never seems to be a tailwind. I have been averaging 11 mph. Is that on par with what other people average?

[st0ut]

Yes i would say so. I was amazed at my climbing after not have and extra 60 lbs. :)

[sailor2]

On a hilly road my morning commute with two kids & their gear (90 lbs) and the trailer (guessing at 25lbs) I can average 13 mph.
I can do 15, but it hurts the next day.

Funny thing is that when I do ride solo same route I only get 12 mph - I don't have nearly as big internal motivation or the peanut gallery behind me to really push it uphill :D

[HardyWeinberg]

Sounds about right to me. I was really surprised that the last 2 miles yesterday, after picking up my daughter and her trailer at her daycare, that my avg speed for the day stayed above 14mph until I got to my son's grade school (the last few blocks home at his pace on his 16"er ended that though).

[mtcougar832]

Sounds like my speeds with the kids in tow. Of course, when I have the kids we aren't usually in a hurry.

[st0ut]

After years of watching Cyclyism sundays i get the request to HAMMER DADDY repeatidly from the trailer.

:)

[JasonJ]

What difference does it make -- who are you competing against? I never worried about how fast I was going when my son rode in his trailer as I was more focused on avoiding bumps and potholes. He was too little to carry on much of a conversation then -- and usuallly fell asleep within five minutes -- so I just had fun.

But as an earlier poster noted, watch out the next time you're out by yourself, because you'll likely take off like a scared jack rabbit. The first time I went out for a hard ride without my son in his seat behind me I almost threw myself off because the bike was so much lighter and responsive.

Jason

[bdiamond]

What difference does it make -- who are you competing against?

Myself, and if I am competing with a complete gash I'd kinda like to know it.