Average Speed!

[HLaB]

Well i am new to cycling although I would see myself as quite fit. After purchasing the new bike getting Strava App and having a onboard computer I have started clocking up the miles. I have done just short of 80 in the last week but for the life of me can't get my average above 17.5mph. Any tips or is it just perseverance and I will get quicker?

The biggest tip is not to worry about it speed will come natrually with increased distances.
Edit: Group riding will bring you on too

 

[steve52]

theres no hope for me then, y average is 15 ish unless im doing a ten when its 22 mph,but on proper rides thats 25 to 100 miles 15 or under,and if i do 150 + its down to about ten

 

[Rob3rt]

like I said it has been at times pretty painful. I think there is the mental aspect that some people enjoy the pain of pushing up that long slow incline when your body is telling you to back off and some people do as their brain tells them.

I have been searching Dr Google to find an interesting research paper I read which was basically when you first start exercise after a long lay off the brain senses all this new exertion and caps off how far it will let you go by as much of a limit as 25% from max. It is self protecting and will gradually raise this limit as the new exertion become the norm. I just cannot remember where I read it or how long it takes to raise the limits.

Something to do with central governor theory?

 

[Andrew_P]

Something to go with central governor theory?

Yes it looks very similar the research I read was just applying it to new exertion that the brain had not experienced recently or for a long while and it was there to protect the muscles and heart. Bit disappointed that it just a theory! It did/does make some sense to me in new exertion on the body less so in established athletes/ amateurs

 

[on the road]

Well i am new to cycling although I would see myself as quite fit. After purchasing the new bike getting Strava App and having a onboard computer I have started clocking up the miles. I have done just short of 80 in the last week but for the life of me can't get my average above 17.5mph.

You obviously have very high standards

 

[hopless500]

Crikey - I'm useless.

80 miles a week is "not a lot" and 17.5mph av' needs improving on!

Are you chaps young by any chance?

I was thinking along similar lines and thinking, 'I wish...'

 

[Rob3rt]

Yes it looks very similar the research I read was just applying it to new exertion that the brain had not experienced recently or for a long while and it was there to protect the muscles and heart. Bit disappointed that it just a theory! It did/does make some sense to me in new exertion on the body less so in established athletes/ amateurs

It is discussed in Matt Fitzgerald's book "Brain Training for Runners". He is (IMO) one of the better writers on endurance sports, nutrition and sports science (for the layman) even if his focus is on running and triathlon and not specifically cycling.

 

[thegravestoneman]

I tend to average 17.5 to 18.5 on most rides (I think), but at the moment I am still trying to break 21mph for a ten. I am 48 in about a week and have been back on a bike since February after a 25 year lay off. I hope to improve over the summer but we shall see.

 

[hopless500]

I tend to average 17.5 to 18.5 on most rides (I think), but at the moment I am still trying to break 21mph for a ten. I am 48 in about a week and have been back on a bike since February after a 25 year lay off. I hope to improve over the summer but we shall see.

do you eat 3 weetabix??

 

[Widge]

Well.....all I can say is 'Good Lord!

I have been road-biking for about 8 months and loving it.
I live on the edge of Dartmoor (pretty damn hilly) and am trying to keep my averages in double figures.
I am a weedy wheezy stressed 55 yr-old...but reading all this talk of 17.5 tp 20 mph just makes me want to give up!? I thought it was just about getting out there and riding yer bike.

I think I must be the most pathetic cyclist on the planet!

 

[Andrew_P]

Well.....all I can say is 'Good Lord!

I have been road-biking for about 8 months and loving it.
I live on the edge of Dartmoor (pretty damn hilly) and am trying to keep my averages in double figures.
I am a weedy wheezy stressed 55 yr-old...but reading all this talk of 17.5 tp 20 mph just makes me want to give up!? I thought it was just about getting out there and riding yer bike.

I think I must be the most pathetic cyclist on the planet!

Might help if you move up from 3 x 4" Wheels?!

Seriously though you nailed it with the hills, and just getting out there. I was GUTTED after two years and what I thought was monster miles on my Hybrid, I shelled out £1500 on a shiny carbon bike and averaged 12.5mph on my commute. I thought the bike was going get me to the then magical 15mph avg overnight the only thing it taught me is whatever the bike you still need a decent engine to get it going. Miles, miles and more miles + effort + effort + sensible rest = improvement.

 

[AndyPeace]

Well.....all I can say is 'Good Lord!

reading all this talk of 17.5 to 20 mph just makes me want to give up!? I thought it was just about getting out there and riding yer bike.
!

To me those speeds are intermediate level, not beginner! I think your spot on, it's all about getting out there and enjoying it. Don't let this cock waving thread put you off

 

[hopless500]

Well.....all I can say is 'Good Lord!

I have been road-biking for about 8 months and loving it.
I live on the edge of Dartmoor (pretty damn hilly) and am trying to keep my averages in double figures.
I am a weedy wheezy stressed 55 yr-old...but reading all this talk of 17.5 tp 20 mph just makes me want to give up!? I thought it was just about getting out there and riding yer bike.

I think I must be the most pathetic cyclist on the planet!

No you're not - I claim that accolade

 

[Sittingduck]

I thought the bike was going get me to the then magical 15mph avg overnight the only thing it taught me is whatever the bike you still need a decent engine to get it going. Miles, miles and more miles + effort + effort + sensible rest = improvement.

The most sensible bit of advice on the thread, so far
Forget about other people's quoted avg speeds, especially if you're a beginner. Just concentrate on getting the regular rides in and building up distances and duration. If you really want to improve speed significantly you need to ride hard and often, imho.

 

[Fubar]

Have they by any chance been cycling for years though? I am certainly struggling to make all that much progress. Sometimes gets a bit disheartening.

I feel the same sometimes (Especially seeing some averages on here!) but there is always someone faster than you so really the only person you should compete against is yourself - no-one else really matters. Regards, Mark