3rd week now, does it get easier?

[Fab Foodie]

Oh... I have never managed a 20mph average

My ride-buddy and me can just do this over our local club's 22 mile flat training circuit on regular road bikes, but it's balls to the wall all the way from the off .... easier with Tri-bars solo over a club 10!

 

[MikeW-71]

We are getting 45mph gusts up here and lashing down, which keeps me indoors.

I've never been even close to a 20mph average over a ride, though I have done it over a few short Strava segments... it's a big effort. I do have a 28mph average on a 2.5 mile segment, but that was with a favourable wind (and it's all gently downhill )

 

[midliferider]

I am a recreational cyclists. I cycle primarily for pleasure. It is a very enjoyable activity. It makes me feel free. Get to see the country and etc.
It invariably has health benefits. That is another reason why I cycle.
I am not pro cyclists and never going to win the Tour or an Olympic medal. Therefore I am not interested in speed, cadence etc. Speed is only important for me to work out how long it will take me to come home.
So my advice, as others have said, forget the computer. If I were you, I will actually take it out from my bike. Just ride and enjoy. The rest will follow.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks a lot all, and reading this back does seem a bit ambitious. That will make me feel better in the morning if I'm still hovering around 11 mph. Expecting wind again in the morning and if it's much worse than today's stiff breeze, I may give it a miss. The wind nearly had me over on a couple of wide open areas today, as it whipped across the fields into me side-on.

Welcome!
Maybe if you decide to go out tomorrow, choose a slightly longer loop and do it without rate-worries. Don't fight the wind, just relax into it, but give it the beans when it's behind you! Just concentrate on a good comfortable pedaling-rate, using the gears to maintain effort and momentum and concentrating on your road-craft. But do warm-up and down properly!

 

[annedonnelly]

Oh... I have never managed a 20mph average

I manage a 20 mph top speed only a couple of times a year - and usually that's downhill

 

[MikeW-71]

If you are going into a headwind, get down on the drops. It helps a bit.

 

[midliferider]

Honestly, I did not have a computer even when I started riding 30 mile leisure ride with the local club. The group leader will let us know how far we have cycled and what was his/her average speed. Since I followed the group I assumed that I have done the same.
I bought a computer from Tesco for £7 when I decided to do 50 mile sportive. I just wanted to know how far I have gone. When I realised that signs along the route give that info, I took the computer out and put it to my back pocket. I just enjoyed the rest of the ride.

 

[SLIMKIM]

Hey mate, don't knock yourself. your getting out on your bike, and thats what it's all about. it doesnt matter if you cycle 70miles or 5 miles, it's about enjoying yourself. It can be a bit of a science, obviously the fitter you become, they easier it feels. but not always. make sure you fuel up in the right way etc. keep at it mate.

 

[ColinJ]

I'm still waiting for it to get easier, saying that it's only been 4 years

You are telling porkies ... I remember doing a winter ride with you and bromptonfb where you almost collapsed mid-ride. We had to give you extra clothing and get you to a cafe for emergency refuelling. In less than a year, you were riding away from me on the climbs!

 

[vickster]

Don't fight the wind, just relax into it, but give it the beans when it's behind you! !

What is this fabled tailwind of which you speak?

20mph average, I'm happy with 15 over any distance! Just too much traffic and lights round here

 

[buggi]

It doesn't get easier you just go further and faster.

what he means by this is, you always put in the same effort... Like climbing hills, they will always seem hard bcoz the fitter you get, the more effort you put in... But you get up them quicker. But it does get easier the way you mean... don't worry... Its never as bad as the first 3 weeks, you recover quicker and enjoy it more. And when you do 60 miles, then your 20 mile rides will be easy peasy. You also get used to your routes and start to ride them strategically, which makes a difference

 

[Fab Foodie]

What is this fabled tailwind of which you speak?

20mph average, I'm happy with 15 over any distance! Just too much traffic and lights round here

It's the one generated by the beans .....

 

[Doc333]

The loop I did today seemed to be into a headwind there and back ...... how does that work On one slight downhill section I actually felt the wind behind me for a change and reached 27mph, which sort of made a change from 9mph which seemed to be the norm.

 

[midliferider]

Do you know that average speed at Tour De France is about 25 miles an hour. Here is a link. Now we can make up our mind what we should be aiming for

http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2011/07/25/tour-de-france-stats-winners-and-average-speeds

 

[vickster]

They are elite male professional athletes in their 20s who weigh about 60kgs...I am none of the above!