Do you want to be able to cycle faster?

[ColinJ]

 I'd like to get back to the fitness level I was at in 2001. Then, I was averaging about 15 mph on my solo hilly rides round here and could do 20+ mph for long distances on the flat, no problem. (I'm now struggling to average 10 mph on the hills and 16 mph on the flat).

I liked being able to ride uphill quickly and I always descend quickly, but I don't mind pootling along on the flat if I've got slower riders to chat to. When I'm by myself, I always try to go as fast as I can without busting a gut to do it.

 

[CopperBrompton]

Nope, I'm quite content pootling along, and am utterly bemused by the whole roadbike peleton 'stare at the rear wheel of the bike in front of you' thing I see from time to time.

 

[guitarpete247]

I seem to be getting around 14.5 mph average and don't seem to be getting any faster or slower whether I do a short 10 miles or a longer 30. The cheap bike computer from Aldi has a little triangle that shows if you are above, below or at your average. I have been trying to get my speed up just to give me a harder workout but have only gone from 14 mph up to 14.5 over the last 6 months since I got this computer and started cycling seriously again.

 

[annedonnelly]

The average speeds you guys are talking about are nearer my max speed! Generally I'm happy if I'm in double figures. I'm not in a rush to get anywhere.

But I'd like to be able to be faster when cycling in traffic as I think it's easier to be assertive when you're travelling at a respectable speed.

 

[gaz]

I wish i could slow down. not for commuting but for weekend rides. i'm just go go go all the time and my energey depleates after only 30miles.

 

[palinurus]

Yes.

And I'm working on it. I don't see the point in doing things slow. I do everything as fast as I can. I always finish my lunch before most of my colleagues have got a couple of mouthfuls down, and I always get to the canteen first because they walk too slow.

 

[Fiona N]

Sadly I'm on the downward slope of old age - I was very fast in my pomp (early '80s to mid '90s) so there's not much hope of ever getting back to that level so I'm learning to live with going slower

The good news is that I reckon 'the long tail' applies....so you lose speed faster just after you were at your peak and after that the rate of decrease slows so, if you live to a ripe old age, you'll get to a quasi-steady state

 

[ColinJ]

Sadly I'm on the downward slope of old age - I was very fast in my pomp (early '80s to mid '90s) so there's not much hope of ever getting back to that level so I'm learning to live with going slower

The good news is that I reckon 'the long tail' applies....so you lose speed faster just after you were at your peak and after that the rate of decrease slows so, if you live to a ripe old age, you'll get to a quasi-steady state

Since I've never been really fit and fast, I reckon I can still get fit enough to be faster than I've ever been before even though I'm on the slippery slope age-wise too. I've seen riders 20 years older than me who are faster than I've ever been so it is at least theoretically possible.  

I'd settle for being able to ride a very hilly 200 in 10 hours aged 75 and gradually slowing down after that!

 

[Hover Fly]

If I set off to walk somewhere I don't put trainers on and run all the way, why should I turn every bike ride into a timetrial? I set off in good time to reach the destination without rushing. If you want to pass me do so, see if I care.

 

[gavintc]

Sadly I'm on the downward slope of old age - I was very fast in my pomp (early '80s to mid '90s) so there's not much hope of ever getting back to that level so I'm learning to live with going slower

The good news is that I reckon 'the long tail' applies....so you lose speed faster just after you were at your peak and after that the rate of decrease slows so, if you live to a ripe old age, you'll get to a quasi-steady state

It is all relative. I am 53, been a road cyclist for about 5 yrs, and have started racing with a local club. My speeds have improved year on year and am keen to improve still further. I am competitive, but still struggle on the steeper climbs.

 

[CopperBrompton]

I've never been really fit and fast

That's because you're not old enough yet.

Cyclists and racing drivers alike: the older you get, the faster you were.

 

[ColinJ]

That's because you're not old enough yet.

Cyclists and racing drivers alike: the older you get, the faster you were.

I'm getting there (54)! I'm afraid I've got into the habit on forum rides of saying "Thanks for waiting at the top of the hill - if only I was as fit as I was in 2001 or 2006!"   

The fact is, there is no reason why I couldn't be if I lost some weight and got back into riding regularly. 

 

[marinyork]

A long term average, even a great proportions of rides averaging 12mph would be very nice indeed. Other than that not really that bothered. I don't think it's very likely to happen though.

 

[iAmiAdam]

I was surprised when people laughed at me when I said my clubs social ride was a pootling 15mph, I thought it was average, none of us are hardly putting any effort into it, last sunday we were doing 18mph average.

I'd still like to go faster though

 

[marinyork]

I was surprised when people laughed at me when I said my clubs social ride was a pootling 15mph, I thought it was average, none of us are hardly putting any effort into it, last sunday we were doing 18mph average.

That's basically why I'll probably never join a club summed up in one paragraph and why they are totally unsuitable for huge numbers of cyclists.