Originally Posted by
making
I have been commuting all year on a road bike. I have a small bag on the back and not very much weight. I ride pretty hard 13.6 miles to work 3-5 days a week, 100+ miles per week... My commuter bike average is 13.8 mph. I read on here all the time about guys averaging 18 mph or better. Is that really true? I ride group rides and I dont feel like I am slow. Am I?
I am a year round commuter too with a similar distance and average speed. I know that to get faster you must intensify, e.g. intervals, relative perceived exertion, etc. I find though that it takes almost all my determination and energy to leave for my early 5 AM route, much less to intensify, and that is my only riding opportunity. I am more of a mileage, than speed "junkie."
I have reconciled myself to this situation after reading a post about speed, probably on the Fifty Plus forum, that "my 15 mph is to me as your 25 mph is to you."