Looking at my mapmyride info I noticed an interesting result.

I typically do two types of ride. One where I'll take off in the morning and ride for 6-8 hours (i.e. a century) with the other being when I only have 1 or 2 hours.

Of course I treat both rides differently, with the former I'll pace myself (i.e. not attack rolling hills_ and try to ride so I have plenty left in the tank. With the later, I know I only have a short period of time so I got all out.

So I was surprised to see my average speed for the first ride being 14.0 mph and for the later rides being 16.0 mph. All that effort only translates to a 15% improvement in speed! In both case terrain is similar: windy pancake.

I'm curious if other people have a larger difference in their averages than mine?

I'm also curious what this says about me and my bikes? Me being a newbie rider (but rides a lot) and my bike being a Breezer Venturi (steel racier bike)