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-   -   Average commuting speed? (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/816807-average-commuting-speed.html)

Jehannum 05-09-12 01:12 PM

7.5 miles each way, on my weenie Sora Scattante road bike.
To work: 10.2 MPH average, 13.2 MPH moving average, 300ft altitude gain
From work: 14.2 MPH average, 18.1 MPH moving average, 300ft altitude loss (duh)
Based on 8 datapoints, since 23 April. Didn't really feel like going further back and transcribing things from google tracks.

The wind is usually from East to West here, so in addition to going uphill in the mornings, I also have to contend with the wind.

Andy_K 05-09-12 01:28 PM


Originally Posted by Jehannum (Post 14201419)
The wind is usually from East to West here, so in addition to going uphill in the mornings, I also have to contend with the wind.

That is so unfair...going uphill, into the wind on your way to work. I feel for you. I'd be looking for a way to move to the other side of town.

Jehannum 05-09-12 01:48 PM

Makes commutes home a breeze, though!

Seems like my jobs keep moving East, though. Since 2011, my commute went from 2 miles to 5 miles to 7.5 miles.

kookaburra1701 05-09-12 02:20 PM

Going to work, I have a slight downhill along a straight highway with few lights and a usually a stiff tailwind. ~20mph, with minimal effort.

Coming home, anywhere from 9-14 mph, depending on how strong the North wind is, and how busy the 10 hour shift immediately preceding was.

When my speed drops below 4mph from the wind, I get off and walk until it dies down.

CACycling 05-09-12 02:31 PM

15 MPH on a good day. Less if the headwinds are stronger or I hit a lot of red lights.

rearviewbeer 05-09-12 02:40 PM

14.5 MPH this morning on a 8.5 mile commute to work. Don't like to push too hard on the way to the office...
On way home, I go a bit faster, depending on the wind...

Papa Tom 05-09-12 04:46 PM

I'd say 10-11 mph. The reason I ride to work is to enjoy some of the day before I'm cooped up inside for eight hours. Why rush to get there?

MattFoley 05-09-12 05:09 PM

12ish mph average...my 14 mile commute is like 1/3 city streets, 1/3 MUP (including a mile of unpaved path), and 1/3 on the shoulder of suburban roads with a mile long climb that averages out to about 3% grade...so that slows me down some, but I don't really go for top speed, just consistent speed.

cjewett65 05-09-12 06:04 PM

On the road bike with a backpack ill do my 9 mile commute in about 30 min.
On my commuter ill do the same commute in 35+ minute, im in no rush on this bike

azesty 05-09-12 10:38 PM

Usual: approx

Time 24 mins
Distance 12.8 km (7.8 mi)
Average 30 kmph (18.64 mph)


Excellent:

Time :22:25
Average: 35 kmph (31.7 mph)

z

bragi 05-09-12 11:06 PM

My moving average on my LHT is a blistering 15 mph. If you average in time spent stopped at traffic lights, it's more like 10 mph. Going up hills, which happens all too frequently, it can be as slow as 4 mph. Lots of low-velocity variety here in the Emerald City.

The fastest speed I've ever recorded on my bicycle computer is 97 mph. Somehow, though, I don't quite believe it.

cyclokitty 05-09-12 11:28 PM

My commute is really short at 2 km each way and the route is pretty flat. There are lots of stop signs (one every block) and two stoplights, on a single lane of traffic in each direction. I mosey along at a not at all hurried 12 km per hour on average. That includes walking from the apt to the street and from the street to parking so I guess I'm a bit faster than 12 km.

CigTech 05-10-12 12:08 AM

I have a 33.2 mile ride to work. I average 100 minutes ( or 1 hour 40 min). Thats a average speed of 19.8 MPH. Then I build 480 cars and ride back home. The ride home is about 2 hours or 16.6 mph.

stdlrf11 05-10-12 04:46 AM

This is where good brakes and propper stopping techniques really help.

Think about it. You are killing your average when you come to a slow stop. You are covering the same distance at a slower speed. I like to go as fast as possible until the last second, then I screech to a stop. That really helps my averages. Just kidding, Jeez!!

Surrealdeal 05-10-12 07:29 AM


Originally Posted by stdlrf11 (Post 14204396)
This is where good brakes and propper stopping techniques really help.

Think about it. You are killing your average when you come to a slow stop. You are covering the same distance at a slower speed. I like to go as fast as possible until the last second, then I screech to a stop. That really helps my averages. Just kidding, Jeez!!

I'm not sure if you were kidding or not but I was amused by this statement either way. Still, I was thinking along these lines this morning as I had an atypical ride in where there was less than a two minute difference between my total elapsed & moving times (Read: my foot only touched the ground twice in 20 miles). My overall (elapsed) average predictably took a noticeable jump and my moving average was modestly higher than normal as well. That time we spend starting and stopping does come into play.

NoTrail 05-10-12 07:36 AM

I always try to go fast enough to not fall over, and slow enough to not crash.

wphamilton 05-10-12 07:38 AM


Originally Posted by Surrealdeal (Post 14204747)
I'm not sure if you were kidding or not but I was amused by this statement either way. Still, I was thinking along these lines this morning as I had an atypical ride in where there was less than a two minute difference between my total elapsed & moving times (Read: my foot only touched the ground twice in 20 miles). My overall (elapsed) average predictably took a noticeable jump and my moving average was modestly higher than normal as well. That time we spend starting and stopping does come into play.

On the other hand, when you brake sharply you're wasting all that energy you spent accelerating. These days I just coast in easy, within reason, and spend that energy on the slowest portions instead, uphill for example. I think that's the most efficient, which leads to the lowest overall times.

making 05-10-12 07:44 AM

I do between 11.0 and 14 average over the month on my 13.8 mile each way commute. on rare occassions when I have a tail wind on the way home I have done better than 16 mph. Generally I am in no hurry but I should probably pick it up for CV training.

stdlrf11 05-10-12 07:47 AM


Originally Posted by Surrealdeal (Post 14204747)
I'm not sure if you were kidding or not but I was amused by this statement either way. Still, I was thinking along these lines this morning as I had an atypical ride in where there was less than a two minute difference between my total elapsed & moving times (Read: my foot only touched the ground twice in 20 miles). My overall (elapsed) average predictably took a noticeable jump and my moving average was modestly higher than normal as well. That time we spend starting and stopping does come into play.

Totally kidding. Highlight my first post.

JPinWI 05-10-12 08:04 AM

17.8 mph this morning on the way in...that is the best I've done this Spring. 19.6 mph on the way home the yesterday. I have a 17.3 mile ride to/from work...Mostly rural paved roads with about 1 mile of paved path. On good days I never put a foot down between home and work. :)

ChrisM2097 05-10-12 08:56 AM

Here's this morning's commute, which is pretty average for me - 10.3 miles in 43 minutes. 14.3mph

http://app.strava.com/rides/8242016

If I could drop another 70lbs (currently @ 270lb), I'm sure that speed will increase.

spare_wheel 05-10-12 09:01 AM

My personal best is an average speed of 24 mph on my commute home (includes descent). I absolutely hate biking slow. I don't get the attraction at all.

AdamDZ 05-10-12 09:04 AM

Don't know. Don't care. As long as I get there in reasonable time, I'm happy.

spare_wheel 05-10-12 09:08 AM


I like to go as fast as possible until the last second, then I screech to a stop.
Disc brakes and skidding!

spare_wheel 05-10-12 09:11 AM


As long as I get there in reasonable time
distance/time= speed

CommuteCommando 05-10-12 10:00 AM

My morning ride in is slowish, and sometimes even on a bus/rack. I have no shower at work. The afternoon ride home is my workout ride, and I will sometimes even extend the distance. I have a shower waiting when I get home.

globie 05-10-12 02:57 PM

Without wind, 11 miles each way in just over 50 minutes = 13 mph. Moderately hilly.

DX-MAN 05-10-12 09:06 PM


Originally Posted by AdamDZ (Post 14205166)
Don't know. Don't care. As long as I get there in reasonable time, I'm happy.

THIS.

I'm faster than feet, slower than a motor; I move at the speed of endorphins.

robert schlatte 05-11-12 09:31 AM

I quit using a cycle computer about five years ago. I found that I was constantly looking at it and if my speed fell below 17mph, I would crank harder even when I did not feel like it. So I threw it out and now I enjoy my rides so much more. I ride at a good pace with good cadence but I just don't care about what my mph is.

rearviewbeer 05-11-12 03:05 PM

I got passed on the way home yesterday in my jeans and computer bag strapped to my back - pissed me off. Worked my butt off to catch the guy, but I was able to catch and pass him before I got home:) (stupid competitive old man here)


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