Miller2

Did my first 75 mile ride today! 4:28 @ 16.7mph. Dont know if that is good or not but I'm pretty please with myself. Next stop.....a century. I think I'd have to slow it down to do another 25!!!

What do you guys average for a leisurely ride of that lenght?

Patriot

I assume there was a bit of climbing in there. If so, not bad.

Go for the Century.

Miller2

It wasnt flat thats for sure. No huge climbs but alot of rolling terrain and some long but gradual grades.

-VELOCITY-

Congratulations. No matter how flat or hilly the course 75 miles is a great accomplishment. The first time I did 75 miles it took me like 5:30. Don't remember the average but the fact that I finished it with not much prior training made me pretty pleased with myself. I'm not a racer by any stretch of the imagination, but that was still a heck of an accomplishment for me. That was at last years MS150. I look forward to 3 weeks from now when I do my second MS 150.

tropacanita

I agree! The other guy is just envious of you Miller2.

blonduathlongrl

awww congrats!

TrekDen

Congrats, that's a great ride! I rode 4 different times this week, and have less miles combined.

Denny

VegaVixen

I'm considering trying 55 next weekend. You have inspired me, Miller2! Then maybe I'll do the 70-mile route by May!

jrennie

All that matters is if its good to you. If you want to get faster you now have a base line and if it was just a matter of completing it then your speed does not matter.

cris2fur

+1. 16 mph is respectable to me at least. I did an 80 mile ride to UCSC in 6:57:28, granted it was on a 35 pound bike with 2 mountains to go over. But it was the feeling (well, at least the feeling on the downhill parts) that made it worth it.

Portis

That greatly depends on terrain and wind. I've averaged 19 mph on a century with a tailwind and I've also averaged 16 mph with lots of head wind and more climbing. Don't get caught up in the numbers unless you truly intend to be competitive because there are SO many variables, of which the rider is the biggest one.

rufvelo

Regardless of speed, or more importantly comparisons with other's timings, it is all good. Congratulations!

For your info only, 25mph over 100miles without assistance is a good speed . You may or may not get there, depending on your goals, training and natural ability, and it is not that important either. Just answering your Q.

Cypress

What is this "leisure" you speak of?

rufvelo

Very true. You may decide on an off day, just to stretch the legs, 16mph and then someone passes you in full gear without even looking at you - end of leisure, time to work.

buzzman

funny I was just going to post that I was so happy to have done my first good long ride of the season today (also 75 miles) and was so happy to have done it before the 1st of April (can you tell I'm a New Englander) and then I saw your thread!- congrats!- feels good doesn't it?

75 is definitely a benchmark, sure it's not a century but if you can do 75 (esp. in 4.5 hrs or less) you can do a century.

I was in a panic the whole ride because I left at 2:15p and sunset tonight was at 7:10p and I was trying out a new route I got hopelessly lost in the first 20 miles and the last 8 but I got there with plenty of sunshine- but I didn't dare stop (except endlessly having to read the map and sometimes retrace my steps- grrrrr!)

but 75- yay!

CerveloNW

25 mph over 100 miles (assuming some hills and wind and no help) is not just good speed, it's what the pros average. Amateurs should be thrilled to break the 20-21 mph average over such a distance if there are any hills involved.

I just went for a 45 miler today with about 3,000 ft of aggregate climbing - averaged about 18 mph, and I'm actually quite pleased with that.

Miller2

Do it! It's a great feeling to be able to see improvement.

rufvelo

You do make a point, so as not to put undue pressure on new cyclists here.

However this speed 25mph/100miles is the guideline for a 'good' racing cyclist. This with about 2 yrs development in a serious training program. It has been so since I raced in the 80s. It is the entry bar, to move up if that is your goal.

Interestingly while on business in Asia last week, I did witness an amateur road race where the top guys completed 100 miles at 25mph with one 30min climb thrown in, in 90F temps. I didn't take part this time, since I didn't have my bike, but it is a race I have done before and the talent among some 18-20yr old amateurs was very impressive.