Relative speeds on varying distances

[Markymark]

This is all relative so it would be good to get an idea of % rather than figures....

If you go for what you consider a long ride, say 60+ miles ,what is your avergae speed decrease compared to a short ride, say 15 miles, if the environment is the same? Or do you keep it fairly constant?

 

[Dragonwight]

My average speed increases over longer distances generally. Anywhere up to 20%

 

[sidevalve]

It's all relatively down to Einstein.

 

[HLaB]

Sometimes you can get a better average over a longer distance if the route takes you away from town but there there's multiple other factors to consider it's not just length.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

my 5 mile commute to work can average anything between 12 Mph to 18 Mph moving ive hit 16 Mph average over 30 miles before and hit both 15 and 12 mph over 60 so no rhyme or reason behind it!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Sometimes you can get a better average over a longer distance if the route takes you away from town but there there's multiple other factors to consider it's not just length.

This. The weather has a bigger part to play in my average speed than the distance

 

[ChrisEyles]

I seem to get (relatively consistently, overlaid on a slooooow upward trend)

10 miles ~ 15 mph average
20 miles ~ 17 mph average
30 miles ~ 16 mph average
40+ miles ~ 15 mph (moving) average

So not that much variation, all things considered. The only other factor can be a serious headwind on the sections I'd normally make up time on, but mostly this tends to average out on a circular route.

These averages are taken over my favourite cycling routes i.e. all reasonably similar good roads with little traffic, and minimal start/stop cycling. If I timed a route through town, I expect the values would be much more variable (and would probably also plummet!).

After recording times, evaluating average speeds, times of each leg etc etc (wattage in terminal cases ) and searching the web to see how this compares with others, you eventually realise the numbers don't really matter at all - there are loads of other factors which are more important in determining what makes a good, enjoyable ride!

 

[Cyclopathic]

So if one went on a long enough bike ride one could get up to some amazing average speeds. If it were long enough one could push the average speed beyond light speed and actually get home before you set out.

 

[ChrisEyles]

alas it's still all relative - photons would still be shooting past me at light speed on their little photon-bicycles.... whoops, physics based thread derailment in progress, sorry!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

So if one went on a long enough bike ride one could get up to some amazing average speeds. If it were long enough one could push the average speed beyond light speed and actually get home before you set out.

That's as good a way to get N+1 as any! When you arrive, store the extra bike, then repeat the whole exercise .

 

[Soup890]

My average speed is now 15mph for a 12 mile commute it use to be 12mph.

But I need to push myself harder and harder. Also I carry a rucksack.

 

[Rob3rt]

My 25 mile TT PB is about 1mph slower than my 10 mile TT PB. 27mph vs 28mph

 

[uclown2002]

My 25 mile TT PB is about 1mph slower than my 10 mile TT PB. 27mph vs 28mph

What about longer TT's?

 

[Peter Armstrong]

10 miles ~ 20 mph average
20 miles ~ 19 mph average
30 miles ~ 18 mph average
40+ miles ~ 17 mph average

Work that shizzle out in %

 

[ColinJ]

I don't bother with speed on most of my rides, though I do have a few speed goals that I want to achieve when I am fitter.

I basically plod along at the same speed on most rides, no matter what the length.

I am more interested in how I feel going up the local hills. I make an effort on them and then ride fairly slowly the rest of the time to recover. At the moment, that leads to average speeds of 9-11 mph. When fitter, years back, it was more like 15-18 mph.