Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Training speed, Event speed & exploring-new-routes speeds

I'm starting to notice a pattern in my riding. I can maintain 17 to 19 mph on my training rides on familiar routes. I can also keep a 17.5 mph average speed while on a well planned & supported events.

Twice this month I rode on longer routes that I planned on MapMyRide. The map and cue sheet was about 99% accurate. However, my speed dropped to about a 16 mph average. Resting to eat and plan the next 30 miles became critical.

Is this common? It seems that finding new routes provides a greater mental challenge, but slows the riding speeds to what feels like a crawl.

Michael

Feels like a crawl?
Might want to come ride in the mountains and hills. On mixed dirt and pavement. ;)

http://littlecirclesvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/DSCN2811-400x300.jpg

Yeah, It's mostly flat out here.

Exploring the fringe between the suburbs and the rural regions of Illinois will never match riding in Vermont.

Michael

On familiar routes (I notice this on club rides) I know which parts I can take it easy on to save energy for the tougher parts. Not an advantage you would have on unfamiliar routes.

Routes I'm familiar with I tend to break into smaller sections in my head: Here's the flat section I know I can make up some time before the hilly section I need to save something for, followed by the long downhill, etc... I can better meter out my strength and usually keep a faster pace because I know when I can burn it and when I need to hold back.

New routes, even if well cued, will slow my pace. I'm looking for roadsigns, watching the mileage on my computer, and always holding a little something in reserve for that hill you just know someone put on the few kilometers of the course.