Why is my average speed so low?

[RichardB]

I'm only gradually getting back into cycling, so while I am fitter than I was, I am still a long way from 'fit'. However, I am a bit disappointed with my average speeds. I live in Pembrokeshire and, while it is not the Lake District, it's certainly bumpy and my routes have a lot of gentle to moderate hills in them. My average for a circular run is between 10 and 11 mph usually. I'm happy to accept that this is a pretty miserable performance, but what surprises me is that, on a level bit of road, I can maintain 15-17 mph without much difficulty and I feel I could keep going all day. Do hills affect your average speed as much as this? (I understand that mathematically you can never regain the energy you put in going up a hill because of the need for braking and losses from wind resistance on the way down, but I'm surprised it is as much as this.)

 

[cyberknight]

Yup hills and stop/start at junctions and lights eat your average speed.

 

[Globalti]

When we go to the track for a blast around it takes a huge effort or a disciplined group to average even 18mph. And that's a completely flat circuit with no potholes, fast bends and no traffic or wind. Trying very hard indeed on the summer evening hooligan ride we can achieve 17mph on a road circuit with over 900 feet of climb. Solo and not trying too hard I usually manage about 14.5 mph average in hilly Lancashire.

 

[kiwifruit]

I struggle the same my average speed has plummeted to avg 13.5 compare to 16. See what's going to be like this morning, going for my 1st ride of 2016. Looks damp, cold and wet outside.

 

[Oldbloke]

It's the hills that make the difference, I usually average 15 to 17 mph here on hills and undulating terrain, mostly climbing around 1,000 ft per hour. A mate of mine from the flatter parts of Wiltshire averages 18 mph there but can't get near that here.

Just keep riding, it gets easier and/or faster!

 

[screenman]

Have you got any weight you could lose?

 

[helston90]

Definitely the hills- we have plenty of gradients here and sometimes your average speed can be determined more by the route you take than the weather you are doing it in.
Keep an eye on your speedo as you crawl up a hill at 8-9 mph and think how much time you have to spend above 22-23 mph in order to balance this out- it's a lot, especially if you climb a hill in 6 minutes and descend it in 1 minute.

Also at this time of year your average will always be down a bit as covered by this article in Cycling Weekly

 

[DWiggy]

I do seem to slow down during the winter but it is dark, wet, cold and windy also the traffic is quite a bit slower/congested (around here anyway)

 

[Erudin]

Looking at strava flyby after my ride (pictured left) yesterday another rider on a harder 40 mile course averaged 18mph.



Youtube: Budget Road Bike Review $500 VS $15000

 

[Mugshot]

I'm only gradually getting back into cycling, so while I am fitter than I was, I am still a long way from 'fit'. However, I am a bit disappointed with my average speeds. I live in Pembrokeshire and, while it is not the Lake District, it's certainly bumpy and my routes have a lot of gentle to moderate hills in them. My average for a circular run is between 10 and 11 mph usually. I'm happy to accept that this is a pretty miserable performance, but what surprises me is that, on a level bit of road, I can maintain 15-17 mph without much difficulty and I feel I could keep going all day. Do hills affect your average speed as much as this? (I understand that mathematically you can never regain the energy you put in going up a hill because of the need for braking and losses from wind resistance on the way down, but I'm surprised it is as much as this.)

As has been pointed out already the weather is a massive factor at the moment, the cold and rain and particulalry headwinds can all knock your averages, mine is down by around 4-5mph from what I would expect it to be in the summer.
Also don't underestimate the Pembrokeshire terrain, there are more steep bits than you can shake a stick at if you want them and you don't have to look very hard, but even if you think you've planned a flat one it's very rolling round here, stuff you would never even notice in a car becomes a drag on the bike, and it's pretty relentlessly rolling too, you're either going up or you're going down, I can't think of too many sections where you could ride for even two miles without going up something and that relentlessness very quickly screws your average up.
If you're out and riding in what we've had recently give yourself a pat on the back, don't beat yourself up over your average,

 

[Mugshot]

And try not to compare yourself to others, that way madness lies.

 

[Sharky]

My loops around the North Downs in Kent are surprisingly hilly and I never achieve more than 15mph, even in the summer when conditions are good. At the moment achieving around 13mph. But when it comes to our evening 10's, on a decent time trial course, rarely drop below 20mph. just shows the difference the terrain can make. Have you got your bike computer set to auto pause? I feel it is fair to eliminate any stops from punctures, traffic lights etc. from the calculation.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I take a mental note of the times i have to stop or slow down for traffic, pot holed roads, muddy roads and slower riders in front of me. Then when i get home i'll look at my computer saying av'13.4(for example) and write down 13.8 in my ride diary, as this is how much it would've been if it wasn't for those obstacles. If it's a nearly obstacle free ride i'll leave it as it is. From my experience i've found that a strong wind can drop your average down to say 12.5 mph after you've been cruising at 13.5 for most of the ride. Your recorded average speed tells you as much about the conditions of the ride as it does about your performance that day.

 

[Wightdragon]

Nothing wrong with those figures. Traffic wrecks any averages, mine plummet riding through Portsmouth on the way to work, and are 5 mph quicker in the countryside.

 

[Osprey]

Pembrokeshire is tougher terràin than your'e given it credit for. Plus you always seem to be against the prevailing winds. Your Dawes isn't particularly a machine to rush, so ignore your average speed and enjoy being out there. That's all its about.