Pacific Northwest - I am hella slow

40.98 mile bicycle ride. Avg speed 15.5mph total time 2.37:26 hours.

My apt at 185th and Redmond way, down to Avendale, to Woodenville/Duvall Rd, hwy 203 to Fall City, then back to 185th and Redmond way.

If that is averaging in your traffic stops that isn't really all that bad. Beyond that, the vast majority of the public can't ride 41 miles at all, at any speed.

You've got a few hills in there? Some of those Redmond/Samammish hills can really slow you down. Keep at it - the speed and endurance will come.

Keep working at it. It does so much for positive outlook when you can see the improvements. Many don't see average speed as an good indicator of your fitness - too many variables involved. I have a large family and not enough cash for heart rate monitors or power meters, so I look at my average alot. I use the same course often and then compare similar conditions on different days to gauge my improvement. So, far I'm up 1.5 mph on that course from last summer.

Yeah I watch both my heart, cadence, and avg spd.

My heart avg was 137 max was 157, cadence was little low of 72 with a max of 110. I plan on trying to ride this again after I have allowed my thighs to recover.

That may not mean you are slow. Every time I look down at my computer while riding it says 20-22 mph but when I get home and check average speed it is usually 16-17 mph because of all the stops and the traffic. Pick a long road with little traffic and no stops, get there, reset your average speed and get riding.

My wife and I are both rather slow; our average on longish rides is usually ~13 MPH. For organized events we try to hit the road as early as possible. Just today we were joking about making jerseys for the next event:

First to go
Last to show

I usually end up in the 15-17mph range for shorter rides in the area (< 50 mi), so that seems about right.

For long rides (> 200 mi) I usually end up somewhere closer to 12 or 13 mph (including stops).

Also, don't be discouraged when comparing those numbers to racing averages. I just started racing, and while I can barely hold a 20 mph averge for more than 20 minutes, I stayed with the pack and held 24 mph for about 30 minutes! The draft effect really does a lot.

Last ride was 39 miles at 10.6 MPH over the North Lake Washington loop. Mostly I'm happy there aren't too many people walking around on hills to be going by me when I'm climbing.

Most importantly, what was your average fun quotient? I don't think your average speed is hella slow for a recreational cyclist. I don't race, but I don't think I'm really slow either, and a typical average for me on a ride that length would be around 16mph. You have to allow for traffic slowing, hills and wind.

Well I know that was just a little more than 12 hours after doing a 15 mile route that is mostly hills. I only have about 550 miles on the bike total so I am still a newbie rider and still learning. I am enjoying it.

Yeah I watch both my heart, cadence, and avg spd.

My heart avg was 137 max was 157, cadence was little low of 72 with a max of 110. I plan on trying to ride this again after I have allowed my thighs to recover.

Your average cadence, ideally should be around 100+, not including stopping of course. Higher cadence builds cardio. Lower builds muscle.

If you have the money, train by wattage not heart rate.

Hell, some of my averages are 8-10 MPH, but then again...there are some hellacious hills here.

Your average cadence, ideally should be around 100+, not including stopping of course. Higher cadence builds cardio. Lower builds muscle.

If you have the money, train by wattage not heart rate.

I try to ride at a higher cadence, usually 95-100 except on hills I just don't have the legs to hold that yet. A power meter is on the wish list but it's a ways down. so for now I just have to deal with what I have. The biggest thing that of course does help as everyone knows is the fact of just getting out and ride.

You're still faster than me... I only average 11-13mph on the days I commute home from UW to the Sammamish Plateau. Hills, stoplights, and an undersized motor all contribute to my plodding pace. The only place I can keep up with the roadies is uphill.