Average speed for average riders?
08-15-06 | 06:04 PM
#51
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From: Southeast USA
Originally Posted by Brillig
You were riding alone?
It all depends on the "hilliness" but it seems like you're in the upper half of recreational riders if you did that alone and you were spending a fair amount of time climbing. (Also, is your average including any stops or does your computer exclude those?)
I usually average in the 17s on my flat route for that kind of mileage. And then hilly routes can get as low as the 14s for the ones with a lot of long hard climbing.
It all depends on the "hilliness" but it seems like you're in the upper half of recreational riders if you did that alone and you were spending a fair amount of time climbing. (Also, is your average including any stops or does your computer exclude those?)
I usually average in the 17s on my flat route for that kind of mileage. And then hilly routes can get as low as the 14s for the ones with a lot of long hard climbing.
Also, I do stop the computer when I refill my water or stop to eat.
08-15-06 | 06:05 PM
#52
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From: rockford, il
Bikes: Trek 7700, C'dale R2000
I ride every day. Depending on available time and location I do this:
1) On a CycleOps FL 2 trainer for one hour at 17 MPH, sprint at >18 MPH.
2) Go around a Park Road. Undulating at an average speed of <20 MPH.
3) Go on limestone trails for 50 miles at least twice/week. Average speed >17 MPH.
4) Go every month back to back centuries on limestone. 100 miles <7 hours riding time.
All of this is done to train for a fast across the country tour. (3000 miles in 25 days)
1) On a CycleOps FL 2 trainer for one hour at 17 MPH, sprint at >18 MPH.
2) Go around a Park Road. Undulating at an average speed of <20 MPH.
3) Go on limestone trails for 50 miles at least twice/week. Average speed >17 MPH.
4) Go every month back to back centuries on limestone. 100 miles <7 hours riding time.
All of this is done to train for a fast across the country tour. (3000 miles in 25 days)
08-15-06 | 06:05 PM
#53
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From: Southeast USA
Originally Posted by my58vw
Define "Average Rider" - ?
At RBC we have 4 groups, A, B, C, D - A and B are above average - they ride 17+ AVG, lots of paceline work, etc - I would not consider them average at any level. The C group I find to be average - most riders are riding for fun, longer distance, etc - and they average 13 - 15 MPH over 30 - 40 miles on mixed routes. The D group rides 12 - 13 MPH average - beginners, and returning, recovering cyclists (I am in that group right now). Anyone who can average 17 MPH solo is not an average cyclist IMO - but an above average - or enthusist - and can not be in this category.
Jchen (Jason) is an above average cyclist - no cyclist who is average rides up baldy all the time, or does 110 mile hilly rides. If you can average 19+ MPH solo then you are even above that - racer, etc.
In all, does it really matter? Didn't someone a while back say - it does not get easier, you only go faster? (Some unknown cyclist - Lemond something?
) Right now I am riding 12 - 14 MPH average - does that make me less than another cyclist - no - once I could hold 21 MPH average solo... who really cares though.
Average speed means little anyway! - You could climb say Baldy at 10 MPH ave and be an elite cyclist for example!
Just ride - Mandy
At RBC we have 4 groups, A, B, C, D - A and B are above average - they ride 17+ AVG, lots of paceline work, etc - I would not consider them average at any level. The C group I find to be average - most riders are riding for fun, longer distance, etc - and they average 13 - 15 MPH over 30 - 40 miles on mixed routes. The D group rides 12 - 13 MPH average - beginners, and returning, recovering cyclists (I am in that group right now). Anyone who can average 17 MPH solo is not an average cyclist IMO - but an above average - or enthusist - and can not be in this category.
Jchen (Jason) is an above average cyclist - no cyclist who is average rides up baldy all the time, or does 110 mile hilly rides. If you can average 19+ MPH solo then you are even above that - racer, etc.
In all, does it really matter? Didn't someone a while back say - it does not get easier, you only go faster? (Some unknown cyclist - Lemond something?
) Right now I am riding 12 - 14 MPH average - does that make me less than another cyclist - no - once I could hold 21 MPH average solo... who really cares though. Average speed means little anyway! - You could climb say Baldy at 10 MPH ave and be an elite cyclist for example!
Just ride - Mandy
08-15-06 | 06:07 PM
#54
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From: Southeast USA
Originally Posted by oilman_15106
Couple of questions to the OP: Ht, weight, age, how long riding? I have been shooting for 100 miles a week and not worried about average speed.
08-15-06 | 06:08 PM
#55
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From: Southeast USA
Originally Posted by caligurl
you can't compare riders and averages... unless you are on the SAME course.... cuz i may have more or less elevation than you....
these "average speed" threads irk me
but then.... i'm slow... and know it!
these "average speed" threads irk me
but then.... i'm slow... and know it!
08-15-06 | 06:11 PM
#56
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From: Southeast USA
Originally Posted by biker7
You are likely looking for the straight scoop so here it is....you are a A to B+ rider...anywhere from a solid A to a B+. We ride about the same speed and why I know. I may even be a bit slower then you. If you can maintain 21 mph solo on the flats for 10 miles and not go anaerobic you are an A rider. I can typically maintain 19-20 on the flats and not go anaerobic. I am a decent recreational rider who can outride many but will get beat by some.
HTH,
George
HTH,
George
Define an A and B+ rider. Is that a cycling category like Cat5, Cat4 etc?
08-15-06 | 08:03 PM
#58
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Syracuse, NY (and dreamin' of warmer climes...)
Bikes: 2003 Giant TCR Elite; early-1980's vintage Peugeot CP12 ALU touring bike
Originally Posted by recursive
I find that the freeway is the only place I can get a good workout in for a couple of reasons:
- It's the only place I don't get speeding tickets.
- I usually melt my rims slowing down for 90 degree corners. Freeways have none!
- It's not near residential areas, so the sonic boom doesn't draw as many complaints.
- When I do have to outrun the cops, usually freeways are the only roads that cross state lines, which can be beneficial.
... and you've got the bike on eBay that you rode to victory doing the 80-90 mph down the freeway for the low, low price of...
Oops! We dropped that thread a couple months ago
Ride on, my friend, ride on
Johnny
08-15-06 | 08:46 PM
#59
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From: Kaysville, Utah
Bikes: 2006 Giant OCR 3 Composite
I wonder if the pro's are reading this and laughing at our times. My personal best that I actually timed was 22 miles at 18.9mph. I average from 17-18 mph on that same route depending on conditions. There's only about 8 miles of that that I would consider flat. I'm still overweight so I am in the process of increasing those averages. LOTOJA 2007 HERE I COME!!
My personal best that I actually timed was 22 miles at 18.9mph. I average from 17-18 mph on that same route depending on conditions. There's only about 8 miles of that that I would consider flat. I'm still overweight so I am in the process of increasing those averages. LOTOJA 2007 HERE I COME!!
08-15-06 | 09:09 PM
#60
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As a very recreational rider, I do 10 mi which is 25% downtown minneapolis at 15 mi/hr. I do that twice daily without cycling clothes on a 30 year old bike carrying about 10 lbs on my back. I've biked for about 3 weeks. I hope to increase this speed once I get pedals figured out. Presently I just use skateboard style shoes with flat pedals (no clips)
