I've ridden my TT bike to work, so it's technically a commute but it's also a workout/extended detour/opportunity for saddle time. 5.8 mile segment at 26.5 still doesn't do enough to raise the total average speed over 20 once I get back into town and all the stop lights. https://www.strava.com/activities/1591118938/overview

[MENTION=200675]chas58[/MENTION] is right. The difference between average speed and cruising speed is important. This accounts for lies, exaggerations, and mistakes. Maybe some people look at their speed readouts only when they're going their fastest, and this misleads them into thinking that this is their average speed.

20 mph average is nearly inconceivable to me. I know it's possible, but I expect it's very rare. You'd need to be pretty darned good and also have really good equipment and also be lucky enough to have very clear roads with no lights.

I got passed doing 14-15 on my commute by a guy with a high end bike in full kit, then saw him turn in to a business about 1/2 way along my route so sometimes it's about length of commute too.

I average 14.5 on my route with VERY few stops (along a MUP with overpasses, underpasses, etc) and my route is fairly flat. I feel like that is hustling for me and I find it difficult to increase my average speed on my current SS equipment. Funny thing is my speed hasn't changed since I went from a 24 speed MTB to a single speed track bike for commuting!

I average about 15mph/24km/h daily and once a year I do a max run, and this year it came in at 29km/h, thats about 18mph. it was with a backpack and a fendered bike, with empty (quite big) saddle bag. good tires.

If i were to do this on my skinny tired naked bike i might get up to 30-32km/h. but i could only do this maybe twice a month i feel.

I've only averaged up to 16 mph on my commute from Lenonia to Manhattan (park and ride) or from Bloomfield to Manhattan (from home). There's just way too many lights and cars on my route. So 20 mph avg is a tall ask. There's also a decent hill (9% grade) from Leonia to Ft Lee that forces me to shift into a 39x26 and sometimes wish I had a 27 or 28 when I'm tired. So you ain't going to be fast on hills like that, either. About the only place that I could even pedal top gear (53x13) is on a downhill in Teaneck. But even then, there's a light a little after the bottom of that hill that I have to watch for. Probably the only real way to get 20+ mph avg might be at 2 or 3 am and blowing through red lights...

After your first 2 miles (warm-up and many intersections) you were 20.0 mph for the rest of the commute, 25.5 miles. According to the "analysis" page. I think you rate a "20+" average for that.

Good point on distance I can go pretty hard for 30 minutes but for a 90 minute commute I'm a lot slower.

Realistically the only way I’m going to go faster is to get strong enough to shift gears and maintain my cadence. When riding Fixed Gear – my gear pretty much determines my commute speed (i.e. the gear I can spin at 100rpm the whole commute).



They are called Freds (BSNYC)

Your location says LA, not NYC.

One of the things I like most about Strava is that it's a simple way to keep track of total mileage, and mileage on each of your bikes (if you have more than one).

Yes, exactly - I have to remember to cut myself some slack too because I have to pack home clothes and my computer everyday so my backpack weighs 18-20 lbs (company-issued laptops are NOT light) ... when I am riding after work or on weekends I feel like superman!

I know, right? Nothing like training with 20lbs on our backs!

No no sorry two different guys

that is a strong commute (well, its almost a loop, so not very direct). You are averaging well over 20mph between miles 2 and 26. Certainly the amount of congestion is going to impact someone's average time.

My favorite commutes are when I'm going down wind. Unfortunately I head west in the evening, and that is almost always a head wind if there is any breeze. Spring can be brutal.

[ QUOTE]One of the things I like most about Strava is that it's a simple way to keep track of total mileage, and mileage on each of your bikes (if you have more than one).[/QUOTE]
See also. just enjoying the ride.

Some of us are slower and admit it.

Damnit!! I didn't know I could use my average moving speed... then my earlier posted ride would've been 22.2 mph average speed (much better than the 22.0 mph)




My typical average speed on my commute more like 16-17 mph, this was just that one good day with the right winds, friendly lights, road bike, nice light traffic, feeling strong, not too much in my Chrome bag, ....

Definitely. I will sometimes ride 5 miles past my house just so I can turn around and finish with a sweet, sweet tailwind.

What ??? ....No bike computer, no strava....Heresy !!!

Nevertheless, I think the jury is still out on which is worse.

Nevertheless, I think the jury is still out on which is worse.Actually, it was angle-of-decline and wind support was the first possibility that came to mind.

Sigh....

I need a FASTER BICYCLE

Maybe those 20 mph commuters are mechanically doping. Just saying