I'm from the MTB side of things and I'm curious to know what speed do regular people (not TDF contenders) usually go at on their road bikes. What speed on flat ground and what speed downhill ?

on flat ground, I try and stay at around 20. Uphill your speed will vary greatly depending on how steep the grade is. Same with downhill, but you can get up in the 40s w/ the right descent!

It all depends obviously. I am pretty new to cycling but on the road i usually average between 18-20, on a bike path where it is a bit more smooth and clear about 20-22. If you go downhill or sprint you get up in the 30's pretty easily.

It's not hard to hit the high 50's and low 60's as well depending on the descent.

20mph is what I try to stay at on the flats.
My 2-year average speed was 12.5 or so. It made me feel slow, so no more bike computers for me!
My last solo century took 6.5 hours, actual miles 105, so 16.15mph.

Oh, fastest recorded downhill for me was 52 mph.

Uphill, I try to stay in the double digits if I can.

On the flats, I like to cruise around 23.

flat: 30-40 km/h (not forever tho)

downhill: 50-87 km/h

A lot of threads about speed lately.

Here is an example speed distribution from a recent solo ~65 mile ride. A lot of time in the mid-20s and a fair amount of time ~10 climbing...

From 5 mph -45 mph depending on the grade and which direction I am going.

All of them.

best post

cruise at like 22ish downhill really depends on the grade/length/road surface etc.

on flat ground here in florida with no head or tail wind I'm typically in the 15-17mph range. I'm not fast, don't try to be, I am working on a base for distance.

About 17mph, so feel safe in knowing that you aren't the slowest person on the road.

I can't answer your question 'cause I'm on a mtb too. But I'm riding it on the road more and more. On a 20 mile loop with about 1,000 ft of ascent, the computer says I average 16 mph, including stop signs.

It's a squishy 29er. I'm looking at getting a road bike and hope it will be good for an extra couple mph, but we'll see. Anybody have experience going from a decent mtb (30 lbs) to a good road bike?

15-17 mph average. i also live in the mountains.

Damn, I just finished 60 mies ride. A lot of up hill and a lot of downhill. My computer shows 13 mph. I feel very slow compare to all of you. But I am tired!!!!!!

I fly at the speed of birth.

I did a club ride today 1/2 Century (50.4 mi actually) and averaged 18.4 mph.

High was 29.2, and did a lot at 20 - 22. Can't hold anything above 22 in a pace line for more than 20 mi.

This old 1948 2 cylinder engine just ain't got the carburetion to keep up with the newer models.

In So. Fla. we don't do much climbing hence not much downhill. Did some great rides in Upstate NY in the Mts. Have to admit, didn't have the guts to let it out above 35mph. Just can't get the fear of potholes in the shade. Call me chicken. Balk, balk.

I usually average around 17 - 17.5 mph on my relatively flat 30 -60 mile solo rides. Pushing 50, that seems about right for me.

ludicrous speed

i've gone to plaid

been averaging about 16mph on my rides, but i'm still new, and that includes some pretty steep inclines and downhills as well...

usually in the 18-20mph range on the flats...

mph, i dont like doing the conversion of kmph in my head...

klages - reference to plaid is awesome, thanks!

I started when I switched from MTB to road at 14 or so average, now I run about 17. I ride in Michigan, some say hills, some say flat and I usually only ride for an hour or so at a time - it's what works... Oh and all solo rides thus far.

Flat ground 20 to 23