Average speed?? how many miles??

[supermac]

Have been cycling 3-4 months now and just wondering how many miles or what average speed i should be doing?
I have a gt gtr series 4 2010 road bike and would like to know if this bike would be good enough to start racing on?
Doing about 25-30 miles 5 days a week and have no problem going 16-17 mph average,just like some advice from
more expierienced riders to see were am going wrong!

Thanks

 

[tyred]

That sounds absolutely fine by me but a lot depends on the terrain, prevailing road conditions, the type of bike, weather conditions (especially wind), your weight, age and general health and also exactly what your longterm aims are. I can't advise on what speeds you need to achieve to race competitively as I am as far removed from a racing cyclist as you'll get.

 

[colly]

I suppose it would depend on how old you are, how fit, and the type of roads you ride on. 17mph is a fair average speed.
If you live in an area that is full of long steep hills and 17mph is averaged up and down them I would think it's pretty good, but if it is all pan flat where you ride then maybe it doesn't sound so good.

I've never raced so can't help with that but I would imagine if you are wanting to get into racing then a local club might be the best route to take. I'm sure there will be one local to you. Someone on here might even be a member.

 

[cyberknight]

As other have said there are so many factors what with your age,fitness, what sort of terrain you ride etc etc that it is pointless to try and compare your average on a like for like basis.

Yesterday i went out for a 37 mile solo blast as i missed the club run and i averaged 19 mph.

Did a sportive a few weeks ago and i did 73 miles at an average on the road speed of 17 mph .

TBH i hurt more from yesterdays ride as it was a solo ride, if you ride with a group you can take turns at the front and draft the lead rider , this can save a lot of energy as long as you all take turns at the front you can really motor.

On the long run you would see a big group of full on club racers go past like you were standing still, it does not matter how fast you are as there will always be soem oen faster, as long as you enjoy it and can see an improvement do not worry about your speed.

 

[marinyork]

Have been cycling 3-4 months now and just wondering how many miles or what average speed i should be doing?
I have a gt gtr series 4 2010 road bike and would like to know if this bike would be good enough to start racing on?
Doing about 25-30 miles 5 days a week and have no problem going 16-17 mph average,just like some advice from
more expierienced riders to see were am going wrong!

Thanks

That sort of speed is very fast for a beginner. It should be you giving everyone else tips! Just join a club and do chaingangs at 20mph+. And/or do TTs. They'll sort you out.

 

[Bman]

Have been cycling 3-4 months now and just wondering how many miles or what average speed i should be doing?
I have a gt gtr series 4 2010 road bike and would like to know if this bike would be good enough to start racing on?
Doing about 25-30 miles 5 days a week and have no problem going 16-17 mph average,just like some advice from
more expierienced riders to see were am going wrong!

Thanks

Good choice

 

[cyberknight]

That sort of speed is very fast for a beginner. Get a rack and some heavy panniers They'll sort you out.

 

[Garz]

As cyberknight has mentioned and colly. I must admit I would be impressed with cyberknights stats, 19mph over thirty odd miles is something good - I can only manage this on shorter twenty's solo.

I seen the most improvement between about 6 months to a year. I have only been road cycling for nearly two years but I hit the plateau within that time frame. If I want to get faster then I would have to focus or make more sacrifices, something which I don't want to do yet as I am really enjoying the cycling and do not want it to become a secondary job - potentially killing the excitement.

Try not to get too engrossed in averages as highlighted by tyred there are too many factors to simplify it. Anything over 16mph for a newcomer is admirable and to get exposed to the next level it is best done through a club if your into competitive stuff.

Good luck and most of all enjoy it!

 

[davehann]

forget road speed! get a heart rate monitor and ride to your zones for a while

then when you get used to that start riding with high cadence.

after a couple of months you should find that you can sustain 80+ on the crank and of course you will get the feel for fater riding by doing so

if i am riding hevy traffic i always spin like crazy (110+) because it allows you to accelerate past cars who would othrwise wallow around in the way of a slower cyclist.

+ its good fun.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm a fairly new convert to road cycling - as part of a whole new lifestyle, and becoming faster has driven me more than anything else.

You said you have no problem with a 16-17 mph average - what you need to do is find where you do have a problem and spend some of your time there if you want to improve.

I have a regular route of just under 30 miles that I do about once a month or so as a test. I thought I was pushing myself with my own training - exclusively solo. Then 2 weeks or so ago I did my first club TT and realised I hadn't been pushing myself quite as hard as I thought!