Originally Posted by Rowan
To be frank, what are your goals. Is this just personal improvement or are you aiming for competition or just a faster commute? I know that over the past seven years, there have been numerous plateaus where my "average" speed hasn't increased, then suddenly there will a spurt (it's a bit like kids with growth spurts) where you move to a higher level.
No competitions.
Basically I want to be able to average at least 15 mph while just maintaining a good cruising effort (not straining myself). I want to be able to do so for as long as possible - but at least 12 miles (my shortest one way trip normally before I stop for breakfast). I was accomplishing that minimal goal until recently when I seemed to wear out from the weeks of long trips.
Next, I'd like to average 15 for more like 26 miles because doing so would let me ride all the way to the east end of the island. By the time I turn around and get back to where I eat, it would be 40 miles total and even if slower going back, I know I don't mind riding far if I can do that kind of speed comfortably.
Finally, I sure wouldn't mind being able to go even faster. I hear even older people talking about riding long distances going 16-19 mph. Since my absolute, all-out, fastest average speed for 11 miles is 19.19, they are way past my ability. My speed would drop rapidly beyond that - and my second fastest is about 1 mph slower than my record.
My willingness to do distance is, apparently, directly related to my speed. Keep me above 15 mph and I happily keep going. Let the speed drop below 14 and especially below 13 and I feel like it's a drag.