Speed & distance

[EnPassant]

Enpassant touched on something which thinking about it partly drove the question with regard to club rides. I would like to get involved but im always concerned I wont be able to keep up the pace. I guess the answer is if I dont do it I will never know.

I did, and either I was quick enough (with a slower average than your 17). Or they took it easy on me.
I actually found the distance a bit more daunting than the speed in the end. This clubs chilled group does around 40 miles usually and I have 5 miles to get to the start point so it winds up around 50 total. Of course I can go whatever speed I like for my solo 10, I think it was about 3 mph for the return . I enjoyed it though and am practicing on distances now to go again. So yeah, do it, it's fun.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If you are not racing and you don't aspire to do so then speed and distance are not important. Enjoy riding your bike, don't be a slave to meaningless statistics.

 

[smutchin]

I would like to get involved but im always concerned I wont be able to keep up the pace. I guess the answer is if I dont do it I will never know.

Depends on your club, but most will offer a choice of rides at different speeds. As you say, there is only one way to find out...

You'll need to be able to up your distance as well but riding in a group makes it easier to go further and faster, so I'm sure you'll be fine, as long as you don't try to tag along with the club racing team out on a fast training ride - most clubs usually have a more sociably paced group as well (I ride with our club's 'steady' group on a Sunday, around 40 miles at 15mph - I'm sure you'd be able to keep up with us, no problem).

 

[Dogtrousers]

If you are not racing and you don't aspire to do so then speed and distance are not important. Enjoy riding your bike, don't be a slave to meaningless statistics.

I'm not sure I agree about the distance bit. I have no aspirations to racing or going quick. But I'm a real slave to meaningless distance statistics.

To the point that I end up saying "phew, I've done my entries for the imperial century a month and the metric century a month, I can actually go out and have a fun ride. Oh no! It's next month already". Next year's resolution: fewer silly resolutions and challenges.

So listen to @Smokin Joe Don't be a slave to meaningless statistics!

 

[booze and cake]

Hah! It's slower than me! (If I happen to be going downhill ... goes off to search for seven mile long hill to go down)

With a bit of searching they can be found in the UK so no need to trek to the Alps, here's a ride I did last year that had 2 x 7 mile descents,....unfortunately there's no ski lifts in Powys so you have to cycle to the top yourself
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/4753728

 

[Tin Pot]

So 7 miles in just over 24 mins, is that any good ?

Running? Absolutely.

:P

 

[Deleted member 1258]

As a young fella my average used to be between 16.5 and 17mph, now I'm a pensioner its between 13-14mph, unless you are racing and training hard speed is unimportant, just get out there and enjoy your cycling, enjoying your cycling is whats important.

 

[Dirk]

So 7 miles in just over 24 mins, is that any good?............

Insufficient information to make an objective opinion.
There are so many variables.
How old are you?
What was the terrain?
Was there a tail wind or a headwind?
Were you riding alone or in a group?
Etc, etc.

 

[macp]

Insufficient information to make an objective opinion.
There are so many variables.
How old are you?
What was the terrain?
Was there a tail wind or a headwind?
Were you riding alone or in a group?
Etc, etc.

Thanks
How old are you? 50 tomorrow
What was the terrain? as mentioned some short inclines some long but gradual inclines and flat elsewhere
Was there a tail wind or a headwind? light headwind
Were you riding alone or in a group? alone

 

[Dirk]

@macp - Happy Birthday!

 

[Kajjal]

Rider weight also affects speed, i am 2m tall and 100kg. Good for mountain biking but carry too much weight to be fast up hills etc. on road. Also i am a human wind break to make things slower. A short, lighter weight rider would tend to be faster. Also riding in a group is much faster.

 

[Milkfloat]

I think the most important statistic for by far the majority of cyclists is: 'smiles per hour (sph)'. This morning on my 1.5m mile commute extended to 32 miles, I think I averaged about 9 sph, unfortunately the one stat that Strava does not record.

 

[classic33]

I think the most important statistic for by far the majority of cyclists is: 'smiles per hour (sph)'. This morning on my 1.5m mile commute extended to 32 miles, I think I averaged about 9 sph, unfortunately the one stat that Strava does not record.

Cycle slower!

 

[si_c]

I think the most important statistic for by far the majority of cyclists is: 'smiles per hour (sph)'. This morning on my 1.5m mile commute extended to 32 miles, I think I averaged about 9 sph, unfortunately the one stat that Strava does not record.

Unfortunately on some commutes sph could also be skidmarks per hour, a less friendly statistic.

 

[classic33]

Unfortunately on some commutes sph could also be skidmarks per hour, a less friendly statistic.

They'd be BTM's!