sdmc530

I never worry about speed, I just ride how I feel that day. Some days are slow and some days I can kill it.


According to the Garmin my average is 14-15 on a normal day for 20-30 miles. Don't know if that is good or not, don't really care to compare to others just like to ride at my pace and enjoy the ride. never was much for keeping up with others if they wanted to chat and enjoy a nice day than so be it but then we can ride at my pace, don't like to chase anyone.


I ride to have fun....

Daniel Jones

I do a 30 mile loop after work a couple of times a week. It's flat but usually windy. If my back allows me to stay in the drops most of the ride, the wind is low, and I can time the traffic I've averaged 21.7 MPH for the loop riding solo (no drafting):

https://www.strava.com/activities/580691168

On flat land, speed is mostly constrained by aerodynamics but I've also found the tire's rolling resistance makes a surprising amount of difference. I often ride with a guy who rides a recumbent with a power meter and heart rate display. On Specialized Armadillo All Condition tires, my heart rate is 18 to 20 BPM higher than his when I'm in his draft (the recumbent is very aero) but, on Continental GP4000 II tires, our heart rates are similar. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs and being able to ride in an aero position (lowered stem and in the drops rather on the hoods) helps a bunch with speed. Other things that contribute are aero rims, race fit jerseys (compared to a loose fit t-shirt flapping in the breeze) and aero water bottles (cylinders have a terrible drag coefficient). Also having a tight spread gear cluster so your in the sweet spot for cadence helps maximize the speed.

Hills are more about weight and gearing than aero. I've managed to average a little over 20 MPH on an 18 mile loop. I was riding with others but wasn't benefiting from the draft most of the ride:

https://www.strava.com/activities/567535870

Dan Jones

dim

20-25mph on a flat with little head wind for long distances ... 56 years old, smoke 20 cigarettes a day, and drink 4 pints of beer every night .... only been cycling for a year now, but I do just over 200 miles a week, (lots of commuting by bike as I am self employed and do gardening/landscaping at several sites daily) ....

and I have lost 37 pounds so far this year. Used to smoke weed 3 times a day, but have managed to kick the habbit .... have not had since last Christmas... I've got pretty fit so far and was very fit in my youth/army days

I will however smoke a spliff next month when it's my birthday and go for a 100+ mile leasurely ride on my Surly LHT (will smoke on my birthday/christmas and new year)

I will take it to the next level from January, and do some long rides every 2nd day and stop the beer..... aiming to loose another 10 pounds or so

FBOATSB

This year twelve miles in sixty minutes seven days a week. Last year it was ten. Next year I expect thirteen.

Rollfast

I get there at about that time.

jjames1452 

Sometimes more, sometimes less 5 11, 203 53 years old and never raced. I'd like to be in the 18-20 range and have been dieting to lose weight. 213 a couple months ago. My goal is 186.

baron von trail 

It depends on what you're counting.

If I include stops, such as cross roads and water breaks, 15 avg mph over two hours. If I only count time I am actually moving, 16 to 18. If I only count time I am moving at a constant speed, 18 to 20.

nitroRoo

Yes strava and I believe most bike computers only average moving time (they auto-pause, don't count time spent at 0mph). I'm 6' 225lbs and currently average 16-17mph on my road bike (usually). There are some commutes home where I'm tired and taking it more easy where I'll average 14 or so. On my mtb I usually only average 7ish mph. I personally love the challenges and competitive nature of strava. Knowing that I'm tracking my mileage and average speeds pushes me to keep the pace up, which I enjoy. I have found that riding in a group makes it a bit easier to hold a higher speed, for one you want to stay with the group, but for two, drafting takes the effort way down. At any rate, put in the miles, watch the diet, and speed and distance will improve

SugarMonkey

Doing a route that makes me go through town, 12-13 if I'm lucky. Just today I did a 40 mile organized event and did 14-15 easy because there were long stretches of nothing but country roads. That's on a mountain bike (call me crazy). I've got my eyes on a road bike so I'm sure that will change things too since those are actually designed for road riding. If only my mom would give me back my hybrid she "borrowed" when I wasn't able to ride...

nitroRoo

Yeah back when I was commuting on a mtb with slicks I would average around 14, being on a proper road bike makes a HUGE difference.

Flatbroke

I went for a ride Thursday and managed 12 mph over 9 miles. I had no more to give. Toes cramping after. Had not ridden since 6 months. Was doing 50 miles with a 18-19 mph average.

Or hills 15-16 AV. Hope to get back there. Should not have stopped.

fatpunk

10 - 12 mph, I've been spending more time working on endurance than moving fast.

jorglueke

I average 14 on anything longer with a dose of hills or wind. If it's relatively flat then up to 17

CircleofOne

Averaging 15 on my Trek hybrid, mostly flat-ish bike trails and bike lanes. Wind of course slows that down!

MikeRides

On a given ride with the same conditions (hills, wind resistance) I averaged 14.5 mph on the hybrid and 16 mph on the road bike.

IBOHUNT

4 years of data

Count: 829 Activities
Distance: 23,433.35 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,248,802 ft
Avg HR: 134 bpm
Avg Power: 202 W
Max Power: 1,561 W
Avg Distance: 28.27 mi
Avg Speed: 17.5 mph

Cyclist0084

Well, seeing as I'm slower than a drunk turtle in mud, I average right around 11mph.

Over the winter when I do more trainer work rather than outdoor rides (I hate riding in the cold. Yes, I'm a wuss LOL!!), I'm going to work on what I can do to increase my average, and hope to be able to get up to 12-14 mph come next Spring.

cyclist2000

My last four rides were all 20-25 mile rides, I averaged 12-14 mph. I wasn't riding hard, just going for a nice ride and a bit of exercise.

IBOHUNT

yesterday I was @TrojanHorse fast for 33 miles

TrojanHorse

You poor fellow!

jacksdad

Carmichael says this is a fruitless plan unless you have a LOT of time to ride. I briefly tried it as well and found him to be correct. Gotta push to get better. Working to get faster helps with riding longer. At least for me anyways.

jacksdad

20-30 mile solo rides on flats (all we have) I'm just over 15. Last couple metrics were mid to upper 14s.

bulldog1935

The point is always to enjoy the ride, whatever makes you grin.
If you race, knock your lights out. If you ride to not be sitting on the couch, more power to you.
If like to ride athletically, enjoy.

NYSteve

If you don't mind me asking. Which rail trail are you riding? I assume you are ding around Ryebrook. I would love to get some riding in down in your area.

IBOHUNT

Well I keep trying...

Distance: 33.0mi
Time: 1:28:07
Elevation Gain: 1,355ft
Avg HR: 157bpm
Max HR: 165bpm
Avg Cadence: 90
Max Cadence: 111
Avg: Power: 260W
Weighted Avg Power: 264W
Total Work: 1,376kJ