Average speed

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Mark Randlesome 28 Aug 15:45  

Joined: 18 Jul 2009

Posts: 7

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My Profile 		Hi all, I've just got back into cycling and posted a few routes on this site that I find really enjoyable.

I live in hilly Dorset and the routes i've posted get me 12.5 average mph, i'm doing 25-30mph downhill and 4-6mph uphill. I'm wondering if this is a 'normal' average speed for cyclists or if i'm not pushing myself enough??

Thoughts would be appreciated!!



My Latest Route: Aug 2010 Corfe Mullen to Verwood Loop
happy 28 Aug 15:53  

Joined: 15 Mar 2006

Posts: 302

Bike: Orange P7 with Rock Shox, Michelin Wildgripper Lites, XTR Chainset

My Profile 		Hi Mark,

Yeah I would say that could be considered average. It also depends on what type of cyclist you are. Pure roadies will probably average a bit higher but then they are always on a good rolling surface with low rolling resistance tyres. If you are a mountain biker on the other hand, your average would be much lower.

Sometimes I feel like I can spend most of the cycle doing above 20mph, but my average is much much lower.

You also need to make sure that you reset your speedo every cycle so it isn't taking the all time average.


My Latest Route: Oct 2010 Livingston to Ayr Avoiding A71

Russ Boy 29 Aug 20:42  

Joined: 11 Aug 2009

Posts: 20

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My Profile 		Hi Mark,

I don't always look at the computer that much (other than for the clock),but when i do look ,my speed,mostly seems to be around 14-15 Mph.
On my most frequent journeys (12 mile commute),my journey average when i have checked is around 12 mph,what with stopping at lights (most of the time! ).
This is on a Road bike,entirely on ok'ish roads.I have been told that for the purposes of improving fitness,losing weight etc,that on a road bike,you should try and maintain a speed of 18 mph for 30 mins or so,although i don't know how accurate this info is,as i would think different people have different aerobic threshold levels.
Your average seems, well.... average to me,and what with all the hills etc,you're probably underestimating yourself,as a lot of people are averse to hills.
Someone once said 'Cycling,it never gets easier,you just get Faster!".

Regards,
Russ.


Russ Boy 29 Aug 20:45  

Joined: 11 Aug 2009

Posts: 20

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My Profile 		Hi Mark,

I should have qualified my last post by stating that my average is mostly on flat'ish London roads (no real challenging hills),so you're working harder than me anyway.

Russ.


jp 30 Aug 21:40  

Joined: 13 Jan 2009

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My Profile 		Mark,

i average around 15mph, but im not sure there is an average, is there? i look at my speeds and try to judge if the conditions are similar and see if i can raise the bar.

There will always days where you are faster, slower and there are a spectrum of variables.

try riding with a club and this may help with any suggestions

All the best, Jason

My Latest Route: Jul 2009 Eggleston Circular via West Auckland and Frosterley Loop

dudley 31 Aug 07:41  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

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My Profile 		traffic and junctions will play havoc with any average speeds


My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

Mark Randlesome 04 Sep 13:47  

Joined: 18 Jul 2009

Posts: 7

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My Profile 		Thanks everybody for your input......really helps.

I think I'm happy with my 12.5mph average now and will look to joining a club to get that higher!!!!!

Thanks again

Mark

My Latest Route: Aug 2010 Corfe Mullen to Verwood Loop

epa611 07 Sep 08:14  

Joined: 03 Aug 2009

Posts: 16

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My Profile 		Why care about speed unless you want to race.

Just get out and enoy yourself.


simonannitsford 09 Sep 12:05  

Joined: 27 Jun 2008

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My Profile 		I've just got back from a 250 miles tour with a group starting and finishing in Edinburgh, doing about 50 miles a day. The average overall was a smidge over 10 mph, but never more than 11 mph on any individual day.

However, when I'm doing shorter rides from home of a couple of hours or so, my average is usually around 13-15 mph depending on hills.

Simon

My Latest Route: Jun 2008 Mitford To Bolam Lake

Mark Randlesome 14 Sep 02:13  

Joined: 18 Jul 2009

Posts: 7

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My Profile 		Cheers all,
Today I did the 23mile Meningitis charity bike ride in Dorset with a few mates and we averaged 13.5mph....lot's of hills!!!!

Really does make a difference riding in a team, get's the competitive juices flowing and is more of a laugh.

Looking forward to the BHF bike ride in dorset next year!!!

Thanks

Mark

My Latest Route: Aug 2010 Corfe Mullen to Verwood Loop

Stargazer 15 Sep 12:03  

Joined: 08 Aug 2009

Posts: 18

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My Profile 		I average about 13 -14 mph, but that's with just me. It is a measure to see how You improve, or more generally don't!

As You mentioned above riding in a group You will go quicker, just look at the peloton in the TdF when they catch the breakaways!

My Latest Route: Aug 2011 Chester Circular Via Kelsal Hill

pdrep 19 Sep 23:23  

Joined: 19 Sep 2009

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I am just pleased that I can ride at all. I figure if my heart rate is where it needs to be , that is the most important thing of all. I love cycling! I fight depression and cycling helps alot! I love cyclists too. We're a fun bunch, huh?


pdrep 19 Sep 23:25  

Joined: 19 Sep 2009

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I just graduated(?) to a road bike from a hybrid and LOVE it. I am averaging 15MPH. Once I lose 20-25 lbs. I expect that speed will increase.
25 miler in the AM!


dudley 21 Sep 12:49  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

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My Profile 		it will increase!

i have lost 7 of the 25lbs i'm trying to lose, and the speed is increasing.

average around 14 / 15 on the 13 mile commute to work, but shocked myself with a 20mph average over 14 miles in a Sprint triathlon a few weeks ago. Nothing like a few hundred other bikes to get the blood up!

i found the biggest speed increase was when i was less knackered / out of breath getting up the hills, i pedalled more on the downhills rather than cruised along, and the average jumped up a fair bit for not a massive effort.

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

mlh 22 Sep 23:20  

Joined: 20 Sep 2009

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There are many of us that do average under this famous 12 mph or so. I've seen it described as a comfortable rate .... I think I'm doing well if I manage 10 mph over not particularly hilly terrain.


robbie 24 Sep 00:15  

Joined: 11 Sep 2009

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My Profile 		I wondered this myself, just started riding and on the road get overtaken by hardened riders so i was wondering if I was really THAT slow. I do a 10 mile up hill ride to work and average 13mph but coming home (the fun part) it reaches 19mph so about 15mph average. so maybe im doing ok???


dudley 24 Sep 08:57  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

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My Profile 		i'd say you're doing ok!

average 13 over a 10 mile uphill is pretty good. I'm sure it saps the strength after that haul!

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

Demon 25 Sep 16:07  

Joined: 23 Aug 2009

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My Profile 		On my 10 mile ride into work this morning, I averaged 13mph on my Scott hybrid, I live and work in Sheffield and I have one climb on my route followed by a downhill and then a long 3 mile flat road along the Don vally with the wind in my face. I'm pleased with that, but it should be even quicker going home with the wind on my back. I'll let you know.

At the end of August me and my mate did a ride all the way round the Isle of Anglesey 62 miles and an average of 14mph.

My Latest Route: May 2010 Circular round Isle Of Anglesey

Demon 25 Sep 17:05  

Joined: 23 Aug 2009

Posts: 29

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My Profile 		Just done the ride home, average speed 14.5.

My Latest Route: May 2010 Circular round Isle Of Anglesey

Shortbusdriver1969 27 Sep 17:37  

Joined: 16 Sep 2009

Posts: 19

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My Profile 		I guess a average speed would be dependent on what type of bike you have, and type of tyres you have on, I have a mountain bike but with
road tyers on. and my average was around 10Mph.
but with these road tyers its getting up to 15Mph. ( though I am getting better at riding I supose that helps ).
and at the end of the day ( It's midnight). it all depends with you have your computer set up right and its dependable :-)
10.10


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