Originally Posted by
Belazriel
My typical speed for flat ground is about 15mph. I can do 18 without pushing too hard and 20 when trying to keep closer to car traffic speed. However, on my ride into work in the early morning hours I often find I drop down to around 13mph and as low as 10 if I don't keep an eye on it. I think a lot of it for me is just that it's early in the morning and I know I give myself plenty of time to get to work.
Get a cheap computer to keep track of your speeds, or keep track of what times you pass certain points. I know that if I am turning onto one road at 5:15 I'm making good time, but at 5:20 I need to watch my speed a little closer.
+1
On my way to work in the morning, I'm lucky if I can do 12mph. However, when I went into work over the summer, and could go in any time I wanted, I usually averaged around 15mph.
Also, when I get to my office, it is usually about 1 hour after I leave my house, but the computer on my bike says 45 minutes (or there about). Those 15 minutes didn't just disappear. They were spent getting out the door, putting on my gloves, waiting at stop lights, and possibly stopping to talk to some of my students at their bus stops.