If you click "Analysis" over on the left, you'll get graphs of speed and estimated power (or real power if you've got the right equipment.)

Ugh, thanks. I was looking for it by the graph, like the segments have, that is not an intuitive place for it!

It is a slight hill that runs under a bridge, now that I see where the problem is happening. I am assuming that my GPS loses signal under there (it is eight lanes of highway, takes a couple seconds to pass under), and when I get out on the other side, some sort of averaging takes over that gives me the goofy numbers.

Glad to have that sorted out!

Yeah, looking at that data, it looks like you were having GPS dropouts all over the place, so yeah, the top speed could be an abberation.

However, at mile 5.3, it does look like you've got a solid section of data down a similar incline that put you at 29.1mph, so quite close to the 31.8mph, suggesting to me that you could very well have peaked at 31.8mph at some other point.

So much for the guarantee you were "nowhere close to that"...

Just for reference, here's a grab of a ride I did downtown Detroit, where it's pancake flat as you probably know, and you can clearly see that the indicated 31.8mph max is clearly not a blip or GPS wackiness; the speed ramps up, and is sustained in the 30mph range for around .2mi, and is followed by another short sprint showing a similar, continuous ramp-up to +30mph:



https://www.strava.com/activities/358355859/overview

I'm back...didn't time it, but I was kicking butt. Had to deal with work as soon as I got off the bike. Happy with my performance for 4 days off
Especially on common routes, you know what gears you're using compared to times past, and you have a general feel for what kind of watts you're putting out, even if it's only qualitative.

Fred was there - he stopped on a bridge in front of me and turned sideways (because there was a siren on the overpass). I of course stopped as I was ringing my bell 8 times, and said, dude, you're not supposed to stop on a bridge.

Well, I guess if others are going to tell me I'm doing better than I want to admit, maybe I'll post it more

But yeah, that one I'd be more likely to believe, its a slight downhill that I like to do my best impression of pounding out. Interesting how much smoother yours is, though, do you have the actual Strava app? I'm wondering if a lot of my jaggedness is because I have a third party app that uploads my data to Strava in GPX form.

Really, I just like it for YTD mileages and general trends in improvements as the season progresses. I know I'm not winning any KOMs. It was cool to log the actual route of my tour, too.

Here's our regular burger run. We stop at about the 7.5 mile mark at a little diner, then meander home. That 45.2 mph is probably right on the money. It's a pretty steep downhill.

https://www.strava.com/activities/667056192

If you lie, you are only lying to yourself.

I was recording straight to the Strava app on my phone, but I think the issue you're having is not the 3rd party app, but the quality of the GPS connection. As I said, it looks like typical dropouts, and there's nothing an app is going to do about that.

Thanks for posting the data, though, because it turned out to be a perfect illustration of my point: you weren't lying about anything, but yet the data revealed an incomplete understanding behind what you were trying to say.

Trust, but verify!

I have nobody to impress, just working at my person goals for distance, speed, elevation... etc.

I've used GPS tracking for years, and I'm more concerned about over reporting than padded my stats. My 2016 Almanzo 100 ride was showing too much elevation in Strava (tracked with my Garmin 510), so I use a tool in Strava to 'fix' it.... it over corrected and the ride stands with 2,000 ft less elevation gain than is reported by the race organizers. Oh well.

Coming home from the 2015 Westside Dirty Benjamin, I was a few miles short of 150 miles and I wanted to brag about my 150-mile day. So I biked past the house and round the neighborhood to hit the round number. Funny part, Lisa was sitting on the deck and saw me go past and couldn't figure out why I rode past the house. She quickly guessed, she knows that I'm a stats-geek.

Most people I've encountered that exaggerate their stats are using non-GPS devices (ie Cateye), and haven't put in the correct wheel diameter. So they don't believe they are exaggerating, they just don't know they have bad data.

Beyond that, why would anybody want exaggerate their stats? You think you'll get a sponsor to pay to ride

Ask a silly question, get a silly response. He only has himself to blame.

hot mess
nounUSinformal

noun: hot mess; plural noun: hot messes

1. a person or thing that is spectacularly unsuccessful or disordered.
   "this outfit is definitely a hot mess"
   
   
   
   

I'm not going to lie because I don't have anything to prove to anybody. I'm just a guy who enjoys riding a bike, and it's not like I'm going to break any speed records on my hybrid, anyway. As far as distance and endurance, I'm basically just starting out from last August so I'm not going to impress anybody with the distances I've ridden. I just have to be better than myself.

I'm happy with a 17-18 mph average on the flats with a steel hybrid rolling on 28's. Forget a balloon tire bike lol

Do you mean are riders like people?

I could tell you I lie when I post my speeds and distances. But then I might be lying.

On how reliable Strava is; wasn't there some threads on impossible mileages logged on Strava a few months ago? A few years ago I was tracking a hike on Endomondo. Forgot to turn it off when done. Got in the car and drove off. I was hiking 60mph for a few minutes.

only been at this for a couple of weeks not sure why i would lie about a 14.6 mph over 20 miles but i was really happy with myself for doing it on my first 20 mile ride, i've been riding this week without the bike computer just trying to learn to pedal properly so i have no idea of my speed or time. i'm in this for fun and fitness and there is a bit of a learning process to proper technique, so i'm not proud and you guys encourage me to get better.
no need for fish stories as i have nothing to prove to anyone but myself.

rob

I'm happy to get there.

The only times I lie about performance, especially on the internet, is when I'm trying to appear modest.

Average mph speeds:
- 13 smelling the roses
- 14 normal daily
- 15 laying it on

Normally 10-15 miles/day

Everyone pumps up their avg speed. It's so common in cycling that it's like saying we have to have air in our tyres or we have to have water in our bottles.

I looked up the definition of cheating and the definition is "to gain an advantage on a rival or foe". I do not view inflating my avg speed that way. I view it as a level playing field.

What a shame the efforts of all those people who did amazing, and not-so-amazing things on bikes since the bicycle was invented just don't exist... because they didn't post it on Strava.

Of course, Strava can never be doped, can it?

This. And it's a moving target depending on the type of riding, and terrain, and weather. Nominating an average speed using the conditions available is useful for things such as a day's touring, or commuting to and from work, or fitting in a ride at lunchtime.

For mine, the only average that I have to worry about is 15km/h, not even a paltry 10mph. That's the minimum average speed to complete a randonnee or brevet on sealed roads up to 600km. Anything faster than that is a bonus.

Sadly, digitalepo.com is no longer. It was awesome while it lasted though.

Silly question? More like intriguing.

Holier-than-thou type, are ya?

No, he is the unholier banned type. I'm surprised it took 30 hours and 14 or so post with all the name calling and arguments he tried to start.
I won't miss trolls like that and glad our moderators throw out the trash when need be.

I track my distance, average speed, and heart rate just to see if there is a trend over a specific period of of time and to satisfy my need to know how I'm doing. I doubt I will ever share the information with others and if I do, it will be with complete honesty as I could care less what others think about me...

The truth? Since when does anyone in America care about the truth?