I said in another thread that my average is topping out at 17.5mph and a fellow forumite suggested better planning on rides.

There is a ride im planning to do real soon and i thought about approaching it in this manner :-

There is a given point that I would like to reach around 16 mph average , its windy and im thinking of conserving leg strength.

The next section contains inclines and often with a wind blowing right in your face and Im planning a loss of 0.5 mph realistically.

This brings me back down to 15.5 mph average.

The road to the next checkpoint offers opportunity for greater speed and to arrive at it around 16.2 mph average is reasonable, again im thinking of energy conservation.

A steep decline follows and arrival at next checkpoint would be at 17.0 mph average.

Next section is quite hilly but wind sheltered and a loss of 0.3 mph is realistic thus bringing average down to 16.7 mph.

The next stretch is the burning of the matches to home and if i arrive there at 16.7 average mph, because ive followed a program and speed targets and paid attention to energy conservation, i couldnt see why an 18.0 mph average and personal best shouldnt be reached.

I know its a planned in advance and methodical way of reaching a speed target, but do any of you more experienced riders plan your rides similarly to reach specific targets ?

I would be , of course, taking isotonic drink and eating to put the required energy into my body.

James