Average miles per hour for 100 mile ride?

[PaulSB]

So long as you enjoy the ride and set a comfortable pace how long the ride or day doesn't matter.

My best time for a century is Ride London Essex which is 103 miles. I rode this in 5h 02m so just sub five hours for the century.

We have two or three local centuries which are rolling. For these we would plan a ride time of 6h 15m to 7h 0m. That's 14 - 16mph. The actual time is influenced by conditions, the group, etc. Three of us did once ride one of our local centuries at 19 average. That was an astonishing day when everything worked really well.

How long we stop for is entirely dependent on how we feel.

I rarely ride solo. I think I would average 14 for a century on a solo ride.

 

[PeteXXX]

In just over 20 Imperial Centuries my times have varied from 12/13 hours on my LEJOG to 6¼ to 8 hours if 'unladen' & out with mates.
I always wanted to crack 6 hours but never quite made it!
But, as said upthread, as long as you enjoy the ride 👍

 

[Baldy]

How old are you, as that will have a big effect on the time taken?

Depending on age, bike type etc 12 hours should be do-able.

The bike is a Genesis CDA 10, It's got nobly off road tyres on at the moment I'll have to change them I think. I'm a mere youth only 67.

 

[Baldy]

Factor in if it's hilly as well.

I live in Scotland, hard to avoid them.

 

[HLaB]

When I started out cycling in Fife/ Clackmannan, etc on a hybrid with road tyres, I always planned things on 10mph including cafe stops (mainly because it was simple) = 10hours. I still roughly use that guide for gravel bike rides. Since you are giving yourself an extra 2h you'll be fine, especially if you change your tyres

 

[steveindenmark]

It really is how long is a piece of string as there as so many variable. Just go and enjoy it.

 

[Gillstay]

I cannot see how you can do 100 miles in 12 hours ! By the time you have stopped for coffee and croissants, then tea and cake at 10.30, plus a proper lunch of 3 courses and tea and cake at three, there is not enough time left before the pub opens. Sprinting to the pub would just not set you up for drinking, never mind the evening meal. 60 miles is a possibility though. 80 as long as your not in France.

 

[Baldy]

Coffee and croissant? You'll get none of that fancy health food up here, It's deep fried marsbars or nothing.

 

[Ian H]

A popular distance/time for club reliability rides is 'a hundred in eight'. An average tester will be striving for under four (the current record is 3:12:58). But, as above, it depends.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

A popular distance/time for club reliability rides is 'a hundred in eight'. An average tester will be striving for under four (the current record is 3:12:58). But, as above, it depends.

I can't even do 100km in 3:12:58

 

[Baldy]

(the current record is 3:12:58).

I'll try not to break it.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

The bike is a Genesis CDA 10, It's got nobly off road tyres on at the moment I'll have to change them I think. I'm a mere youth only 67.

Definitely change those. Something like Schwalbe Marathon Greenguard would be a good reliable tyre for a century but you could go for something quicker. A few members like Schwalbe Durano tyres for faster rolling with decent puncture protection.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Oh, just to add; I rode a Genesis CDA a while ago as a hire bike. A good companion for a century ride IMO.👍

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I'll try not to break it.

12:03:48 seems like a good target

 

[lazybloke]

Most of my rides are in the 30-60 mile range, and I rarely average more than 13mph, usually on a chunky Croix de Fer.
I did some longer rides, and in June did 100 miles at 11.8 mph.

When I did RideLondon in 2022, I used the faster Allez, and managed about 19 mph. Had very little training but was lighter. Don't think I could do that now.

(Both speeds are based on moving time, not elapsed).


Will be trying a 250mile audax in May. Haven't ever attempted such a distance before. Not sure if I'll finish within the time limit!