Originally Posted by
kevin0cr1
There's a thread around here somewhere containing a poll of peoples' average speeds. Search for "average speed" and you should find it. Most people said their average speed is between 15 and 18 mph. Your 16.7 is actually pretty good.
+1
I think honestly, enthuasiastic riders and maybe cat 5 racers are just around 14-17 average, riding solo and taken over a longer sample of 1 week or so, wind + at least 500 ft elevation climb
If you are starting a clydesdale and you are already hitting 16.7 mph avearge, that is already fast. Stretch that sample to a week or a month and if you are still there, then you are fast I would say.
My general rule is ignore all speeds going downhill and with a tailwind. If I am cruising at 24 miles per hour on the flats, I know my real average speed is 16 mph when the ride is done. 2/3rds of my comforable flat speed.
There is a guy who used to be a part of the Olympic team in the 90's (don't know if he actually competed in the Olympics) who lives in our town. 4 years ago, I got a chance to ride alongside him briefly. I thought I was doing pretty good holding 23 mph on a relatively windless day. But I cannot even talk to him easily anymore and he was still whistling as he dropped me really fast when the road started to just have a bit of an incline. My speed dropped fast to 17 mph.