Originally Posted by
Runner 1
I wouldn't think hills would make more than a 1-2 mph speed difference (avg) but I don't know... has anyone done a comparison between their average on hilly terrain (eg North Georgia) vs flat (Florida)?
Neglecting traffic lights 200W might net
21.5 MPH on flat ground
20.5 MPH up a .3% false flat
22.5 MPH down a .3% false flat
21.5 MPH average
25.0 MPH down a 1% hill
18.2 MPH up a 1% hill
21.1 MPH average
12.5 MPH up a 3% hill
31.6 MPH down a 3% hill
17.9 MPH average
7.6 MPH up a 6% grade
40.3 MPH down a 6% grade
12.8 MPH average
4.1 MPH up a 12% grade
52.4 MPH down a 12% grade
7.6 MPH average (this was originally a typo at 11.4)
Traffic lights can also make a big difference even when your bike computer stops when you're not moving - I spend as much time not pedaling approaching them as I do actually stopped and you also need to accelerate back to full speed.