Originally Posted by
jackb
I never understood the desire for speed in recreational cyclists. If you race, well that's a different story and is all about speed, but recreational riding is just that, recreational. I ride at whatever speed feels good on a any particular day. Sometimes I like to speed up a bit for the feeling of exhilaration I experience. At other times I coast a lot and don't work too hard to keep up speed. I simply enjoy riding. Speed doesn't matter.
Because if you are cycling for exercise, than the higher the speed the more aerobic the exercise will be. On a typical ride my heart rate will average in the mid-160's (peaking near 190 depending on the climb) for two hours. When I go on a recreational ride with my wife my heart rate stays around 100. One is exercise, the other is an activity. Speed matters.