lets talk speed here!

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runner

runner

Guru
Location
Bristol
It strikes me that i must be slow on my bike...:biggrin: Whils't watching the latest paris-nice race on tv i am amazed that most riders can keep going at 30mph for a seemingly long time! On my bike ride most evenings ( which i also use as a training run ) I average about 10-12mph....am i slow? Of course i can up the speed to 20mph but i can't keep it there...am i unfit? what is your average speed? should i be concerned?:ohmy:
 
Downward

Downward

Guru
Location
West Midlands
10-12mph
Depends on hills and traffic
 
ianrauk

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
Remember these guys are professionals, racking up hundreds of miles every day most of the year
They also have all the latest top notch equipment and back up they need.

They also ride in a huge peleton most of the time on closed roads.

My average speed is between 12.4-14mph on my 13 mile commute.
You have cars, pedestrians, traffic lights and probrably a far cheaper and heavier bike then these guys.
 
G

Goffins

New Member
Location
West Sussex
What sort of distance are you averaging that speed at?

My commute is 6 miles each way and I average 18mph but this is only after 4 days of riding after being out of the pedal power scene for almost two years. {used to MTB}

I suspect I'll be able to average 23-25 after a few weeks but I'm only 65KG with long legs and a short torso.

Also the bikes they are using are tremendously efficient, I don't know what you ride but comparing an off the shelf entry bike to a comp bike is like comparing a Ford Focus with an Enzo.

Edit:- Without trying to sound like a dork, are you sure your bike computer is correctly configured, perhaps you're riding faster than you think.
 
OP
OP
runner

runner

Guru
Location
Bristol
at present i am riding a genesis day 01...in approx 10 days i will be riding a giant defy 1 through the BTW scheme...can't wait:smile: I do expect my times to improve. I am essentially a runner who came to cycling having been made redundant i took a job that did not involve car travel hence my daily commute. At the age of almost 53 i can do a half marathon in approx 1 hr 35 mins the bike is my main source of training now as i have developed a runners injury known a plantar faciitis so most of my future training will be on the defy which should take some of the pressure of my feet/arches so that i can run the odd half/10mile race/10k. I shall put a new computer on the new bike and set it up myself
 
G

Goffins

New Member
Location
West Sussex
runner said:
at present i am riding a genesis day 01...in approx 10 days i will be riding a giant defy 1 through the BTW scheme...can't wait:smile: I do expect my times to improve. I am essentially a runner who came to cycling having been made redundant i took a job that did not involve car travel hence my daily commute. At the age of almost 53 i can do a half marathon in approx 1 hr 35 mins the bike is my main source of training now as i have developed a runners injury known a plantar faciitis so most of my future training will be on the defy which should take some of the pressure of my feet/arches so that i can run the odd half/10mile race/10k. I shall put a new computer on the new bike and set it up myself
Click to expand...

Dont need a new comp, just download a manual online, reset to factory settings and use the wheel size chart to determine the settings.

For instance, I have a very basic Mity 8 yet it still defaults to 700C x 23 wheels, so if you're using smaller wheels and used the default settings you'd be under reading by quite a margin.
 
gavintc

gavintc

Guru
Location
Southsea
I did a Cat 4 race at the weekend and got blown out the back by the end of the first lap. The course was lumpy and had a good headwind on one of the legs. I averaged 19 mph. The winner managed 21 mph over a 40 mile course. So, low level amateur riding needs a pace of at least 20+ mph.

On my commute of 16-22 miles (dependant on route), I generally hitting around 20 mph average but this is affected by stopping at lights etc.
 
fossyant

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Training runs can be 20 mph ave over 60 miles (flat) - usually 18 mph on hilly stuff..at weekends..... with traffic and lights and stuff but on a road bike...

Commute, urban with traffic, is usually 17mph average on a slick MTB.... I do ride at between 19 and 23 mph on the MTB in between.....

....but I used to race from the age of 18 until 30, and still can't switch off....now 39.. only because I've been back to commuting every day for the last 18 months has my speed got back to the above rate.... took about 6 months to get back to speed.

If you want to get fit, ride as hard and fast as you can, rest at traffic lights, start again....it's a killer, but you get used to it.........not. (But bear in mind traffic, so ease off if busy......)

PS Goffins...it's the engine that counts, a £500 road bike isn't massively slower than a £5000 road bike...the diff with a Focus and an Enzo is the engine....... and some flash bits. I'd say less than 1mph...... I own an Ultegra level bike and a dura ace bike..... both are very similar in speed, just the better bike rides more fluidly and climbs better.....
 
G

Goffins

New Member
Location
West Sussex
fossyant said:
Training runs can be 20 mph ave over 60 miles (flat) - usually 18 mph on hilly stuff..at weekends..... with traffic and lights and stuff but on a road bike...

Commute, urban with traffic, is usually 17mph average on a slick MTB.... I do ride at between 19 and 23 mph on the MTB in between.....

....but I used to race from the age of 18 until 30, and still can't switch off....now 39.. only because I've been back to commuting every day for the last 18 months has my speed got back to the above rate.... took about 6 months to get back to speed.

If you want to get fit, ride as hard and fast as you can, rest at traffic lights, start again....it's a killer, but you get used to it.........not. (But bear in mind traffic, so ease off if busy......)

PS Goffins...it's the engine that counts, a £500 road bike isn't massively slower than a £5000 road bike...the diff with a Focus and an Enzo is the engine....... and some flash bits. I'd say less than 1mph...... I own an Ultegra level bike and a dura ace bike..... both are very similar in speed, just the better bike rides more fluidly and climbs better.....
Click to expand...

I would never have believed the difference was so minimal, especially considering the bearing components, aerodynamics ect.

Edit:- I mean 1mph average speed difference is not much but if this also comes at reduced effort it would allow for longer periods at maximum workrate and an overall higher average.
 
gavintc

gavintc

Guru
Location
Southsea
It is the hills that I can notice the difference between my winter bike and my summer carbon one. The carbon one accelerates more quickly and is a more sprightly ride. But, I can push my old Ribble along at a good pace.
 
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