Timed my 3 mile ride today...

[jonny jeez]

This is why disc brakes have become so popular on road bikes - it allows Strava junkies to brake sharply at the end of segments to make their times look better. That the discs scream like a banshee in the slightest presence of moisture also allows them to bellow out their presence as they pull up behind you at traffic lights.

That sounds cool, thanks for the recommendation, I gotta get me some screaming disks.

 

[cyberknight]

I wouldn't try and set any personal bests on a 3 mile ride. The first 5 - 10 miles should just be a warm up and then you can nail it after that if you choose.

Indeed , takes me 3 miles just to get the legs going .
On the flat once i got going maybe 8 minutes ?

 

[cyberknight]

That sounds cool, thanks for the recommendation, I gotta get me some screaming disks.

 

[jonny jeez]

Just a tad over 20 minutes. That seems kinda slow at approximately 9 MPH (including stop signs).

Rubbish, that's an excellent time.

Well done, no go and have some cake...it's the law.

Welcome by the way.

 

[Sim2003]

20 mins is great.Just enjoy the ride. Some days you will be fast without realizing it and other days you wont care and be quite happy just pondering a long.

 

[Steppylud]

It's 9 mph faster than sitting on the sofa. Good effort.

 

[Cannondale Lady]

I agree with that. Any exercise is better than couchpotatoness!

 

[leedsmick]

I was out this dinnertime and got overtaken by a bloke on a road bike on a long stretch, i was tempted to try keep up but then realised i was biking for pleasure, his bike was faster than mine and soon i was turning off into the woods to get muddy so i just smiled and let him disappear out of sight

 

[NorthernDave]

Average speed can depend on your bike too - my average speed on my hybrid is nearly 4mph slower than when I'm on my road bike.

As has been said, enjoy yourself first.

 

[mjr]

Average speed can depend on your bike too - my average speed on my hybrid is nearly 4mph slower than when I'm on my road bike.

They should be closer than that over the same terrain. Have you considered pumping the tyres up and taking the bricks off of the pannier rack?

 

[blamelouis]

Had my first ride today in years 12.45 miles in 1 hour 40 on my new Giant Defy 1.
Tough going at times ....didn't help I kept getting lost near the end lol.

 

[Markymark]

When starting out go for distance not time. Speed will come later.

 

[bozmandb9]

You'll be amazed at how quickly your average speed will increase, if you want it to. Otherwise, just enjoy the ride!

 

[Citius]

When starting out go for distance not time

I would suggest the exact opposite, but I think I know what you meant. I would target rides of a certain duration, not rides of a certain distance. So target a 30 min ride, a 1hr ride, 2hr ride, etc. The actual distance covered during that time (as a beginner) is not important.

 

[Pope]

I would suggest the exact opposite, but I think I know what you meant. I would target rides of a certain duration, not rides of a certain distance. So target a 30 min ride, a 1hr ride, 2hr ride, etc. The actual distance covered during that time (as a beginner) is not important.

But how would a target a specific time for a ride you've never done before? You don't know how long it will take until you've actually done it.