Average Speed Woes
08-06-16, 03:25 PM
#76
Non omnino gravis
Average speed should be calculated from the time you start pedaling at the start of your ride until you stop pedaling at the end of your ride. Any stops or cool downs in between simply get factored in. As long as you are using the same route this will be a true average and a very good indicator of progress/ability.
Ofc it should involve many rides on the same route to be a real barometer.
Ofc it should involve many rides on the same route to be a real barometer.
Of course, if you have a power meter, all speed numbers are meaningless.
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08-06-16, 08:03 PM
#77
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Average speed should be calculated from the time you start pedaling at the start of your ride until you stop pedaling at the end of your ride. Any stops or cool downs in between simply get factored in. As long as you are using the same route this will be a true average and a very good indicator of progress/ability.
Ofc it should involve many rides on the same route to be a real barometer.
Ofc it should involve many rides on the same route to be a real barometer.
On a closed course, maybe. Missing or making a few stoplights can make for a difference of +/-0.5mph, easily. As I've said, average speed is factored over weeks and months, not a few rides. And the timer should stop when the bike stops, because sometimes we have to stop whether we want to or not.
Of course, if you have a power meter, all speed numbers are meaningless.
Of course, if you have a power meter, all speed numbers are meaningless.
The whole bizarre sideshow of using average speed as a comparison against other riders and as a sham value was most unfortunately introduced, IMO, by Cycocommute, and did no more than obfuscate and derail the important stuff.
How to use average speed to evaluate progress is a legitimate development of the OP, and you guys all bring up good points. If I come home with a start-to-stop average speed of 16mph, for example, I know exactly how hard I had to ride to pull that off, so whether I call it the start to stop average of 16mph, or the open road average of 18mph, the point is that it relates to a level of intensity which I know.
08-07-16, 02:12 AM
#78
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I think you are doing just fine. It takes time to develop strength and endurance. I've been riding for 35+ years and I ride 3000 to 5000 miles per year. My average speed over those miles is a depressingly low 12 mph. A lot of that has to do with where I ride, as well. I do a lot of urban riding and the constant stopping and starting takes a toll on your average speed.
On the other hand, starting from a stop a lot helps you develop your sprint
Also be aware that people who claim 20 or 25 or even 30 mph averages are probably telling fish tales. You can hit a high speed on a downhill for a short period of time but climbing to the top of the hill is going to slow your average a lot. rm-rf is spot on about how increasing speed takes a lot of energy.
On the other hand, starting from a stop a lot helps you develop your sprint
Also be aware that people who claim 20 or 25 or even 30 mph averages are probably telling fish tales. You can hit a high speed on a downhill for a short period of time but climbing to the top of the hill is going to slow your average a lot. rm-rf is spot on about how increasing speed takes a lot of energy.
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