Commuting times, average speeds and PBs

[Twanger]

I made it home from Baker street to where I live in Crystal palace (the more expansive estate agents say Upper Norwood) in just under 55 minutes today. A personal best. This involves climbing a long hill and generally going "upwards" from Brixton onwards. In the morning my PB is 45 minutes, but then it's all downhill or flat.

An average of about 12 mph. I'm 50, only three months back into cycling, an ex smoker and generally unfit. Probably still 85 kilos, down from 95.

And an average of 12 mph. Not 16, not 18, not even 14. 12.

Yet I pass everyone else on the road other than the roadies. I lose time at the lights, coz I actually stop. but other than that, I pass the knobbly tyres bunch. I pass the Pashley princesses. I (now) pass the Bromptons and the tourers. I pass more people than pass me.

So where are all those sub 12 mph averages on this chat room? Don't they post?

 

[rusky]

So where are all those sub 12 mph averages on this chat room? Don't they post?

Apparently not!

I average 12mph on a 10 mile round trip but it's very hilly!

 

[sticky sherbert]

You lucky bugger! I average 16 - 18 mph and pass only small children, Ive been beating myself up for the past couple of months because I keep getting passed all the time


I need to find a route with less roadies untill I build up leg strength!

 

[cyberknight]

I live in a hilly area so it sucks my speed down a bit , over 10.5 miles both ways i average 16.9 mph 20 + on the flat down to 10 ish on the bad hills .

On a 26" wheeled hybrid with slicks

I am 10 years younger though and to into sports for a long time off and on so dont try and compare , mind you i still get overtakne by the real boys so no matter what your gonna get scalped

Good luck and keep up the good work

 

[gaz]

I also go from baker street, but travel to croydon.. PB inbound: 49mins 26secs for 13.4miles an average of 16.2mph..

Outboud: 52mins 0secs for 13.80 miles at average of 15.92mph

also scalped a moped who was scalping 3 cyclists lol!

 

[jimboalee]

Commuting is NOT a timetrial.

Trying to achieve Personal Bests is why so many cycle commuters take undue risk and end up under trucks.

They RLJ and skip round left handers, dodge in and out a line of motorists and ride across zebras and pelicans on red.

They ride down the centre line and filter into the line of cars accelerating away from TLs.

They pass at speed on the kerbside.

Is it any wonder motorists dislike cyclists?

 

[joolsybools]

I do 6 miles in 40-50 minutes depending on how slow/fast I feel like going and whether outbound or return journey. I have no idea what that makes my average speed*. I'm a lady(!), ex-smoker of just over a year, been back into cycling for approx 6 months and stop at red lights 99% of the time.

*shuffles off to find calculator*

 

[beanzontoast]

Commuting is NOT a timetrial.

Trying to achieve Personal Bests is why so many cycle commuters take undue risk and end up under trucks.

They RLJ and skip round left handers, dodge in and out a line of motorists and ride across zebras and pelicans on red.

They ride down the centre line and filter into the line of cars accelerating away from TLs.

They pass at speed on the kerbside.

Is it any wonder motorists dislike cyclists?

There's a ring of truth about this, except that you don't have to be racing to cycle dangerously. Nevertheless I would agree that adding PB's into a commute does encourage risk taking. Personally, I see the object of cycle commuting being to arrive safely in one piece and not in a ball of sweat either.

 

[Bristol Dave]

I had my bike serviced on Wednesday and it is like riding a new bike now. This morning I decided to see if I could beat my PB of around 27 minutes for my commute (it's only about 5 miles so my average speed is 10mph ish).

As jimboalee writes, I found myself getting annoyed by things that usually don't bother me, like red lights. Stupid really, as my PB is unimportant in the grand scheme. I didn't break any rules this morning as a near death experience a few weeks ago has changed my outlook.

Still managed a sub 24 minutes commute this morning and I'm smugly pleased with myself, being a fat smoker.

BD

p.s. The near death experience: What happened was I got annoyed by thoughtless riding from another cyclist, whizzed past him and started undertaking a flat bed lorry when the lorry was forced to move left to avoid an oncoming bus. Parked cars left me nowhere to go and I was starting to be pulled under the flatbed (it was a little builders type lorry with no side bar thingys to stop you going under). I had to hop off the bike and onto the flatbed and pull the bike up after me. What a numpty! I've got the message.

 

[Twanger]

The point of my original post was that despite the fact I average 12mph, I am still passing a lot of people. But reading this forum, I get the impression that a mere 12mph is snail-like. I don't take risks, never ever RLJ, and I am not really interested in arriving at work in a lather. My use of terms like PB was meant to be slightly ironic. I doubt my PB will change significantly.

 

[Twanger]

I had my bike serviced on Wednesday and it is like riding a new bike now. This morning I decided to see if I could beat my PB of around 27 minutes for my commute (it's only about 5 miles so my average speed is 10mph ish).

10 mph...you are guy I have been looking for!

 

[Bristol Dave]

I'm like you Twanger. I'm just having a pootle to or from work and not trying to break any land speed records. I still get passed by old ladies with wicker baskets (there is one old girl who goes like stink!).

I don't have any cycle computer doodads to work things out so it's very much ish on my calculations.

BD

 

[Prasad]

Commuting is different experience for everyone. Varies depend on your start location and end location.

I commute just over 11 miles each way from Osterly to Battersea. 2 mile of which is cycle path(which reduce my speed).
And takes about 55 mins. yes, I stop at every signal. sometimes annoying, eats your momentum, but thats the way it is. After first few days, I give up seeing computer after commute. Even at my best, I could not go beyond 53 min.

 

[Banjo]

I made it home from Baker street to where I live in Crystal palace (the more expansive estate agents say Upper Norwood) in just under 55 minutes today. A personal best. This involves climbing a long hill and generally going "upwards" from Brixton onwards. In the morning my PB is 45 minutes, but then it's all downhill or flat.

An average of about 12 mph. I'm 50, only three months back into cycling, an ex smoker and generally unfit. Probably still 85 kilos, down from 95.

And an average of 12 mph. Not 16, not 18, not even 14. 12.

Yet I pass everyone else on the road other than the roadies. I lose time at the lights, coz I actually stop. but other than that, I pass the knobbly tyres bunch. I pass the Pashley princesses. I (now) pass the Bromptons and the tourers. I pass more people than pass me.

So where are all those sub 12 mph averages on this chat room? Don't they post?

Youve cheered me up I thought I was the only sub 13mph commuter

Age and fitness levels are probably similar to yours.

On a leisure ride of about 12 miles I have averaged 14.9 once .Next time Im feeling good I'm going to try and break the 15 barrier.Usually Im not that interested in speed just like riding taking in the views and feeling good.

I have some doubts about "averages" posted on forums .There cant be that many Lance Armstrongs

 

[BSA]

Im 29 relatively fit and I averaged 13.66 this month. I do live in Sheffield which is quite hilly. I do stop for all red lights and I dont take silly risks (undertaking lorries etc.).

I do genuinely try and beat my PB most journeys though because I want to push my body and improve fitness during my commute, for me its not about just getting to and from work.