How does my time stack up?

[Xiorell]

I just got back from a 20 mile loop (googles maps says 19.5 but trip-comp says 20.34) and I am wondering how my time shapes up with other people, given the route I took, the bike I was on, the headwind I've just been cursing etc etc.



This is the route

http://maps.google.c...1,0.220757&z=12



Took me 77mins including a couple of waits at junctions and a couple of stops for a waz.

I worked it out to be an average of about 15.8mph

Cycle used was my Raleigh Cruz Hybrid




Basically I am curious how this stacks up because I "feel" pretty strong when I am riding and I'm trying to decide if it's time to get a bit more serious.

 

[lulubel]

What's the terrain like? That's one of the biggest factors that influences speed.

 

[Xiorell]

What's the terrain like? That's one of the biggest factors that influences speed.

First 8 or 9 miles was almost entirely uphill, not friendly little hills either (in my mind at least). then about 4 miles of flat with steepish but short hills thrown in. The rest of the route was more or less flat with a gradual incline most of the way so not to bad. Only one fast downhill on the return leg in the last 1.5mile run. Which also exits into another uphill lol.

 

[numbnuts]

the faster you are the quicker you get home, sit back spin and enjoy the ride

 

[lulubel]

First 8 or 9 miles was almost entirely uphill, not friendly little hills either (in my mind at least). then about 4 miles of flat with steepish but short hills thrown in. The rest of the route was more or less flat with a gradual incline most of the way so not to bad. Only one fast downhill on the return leg in the last 1.5mile run. Which also exits into another uphill lol.

It sounds like a pretty good speed to me, then. I'm not familiar with the bike, but you're on a hybrid and I'm on a road bike, and you're faster than me.

 

[Xiorell]

I'll take a pic of the bike, the ones google return do not look quite like mine

 

[Xiorell]

this be my chariot !

 

[numbnuts]

I think you should loose some weight as your bending the frame

 

[Xiorell]

I think you should loose some weight as your bending the frame

I like my bendy bars!

 

[Globalti]

That bike doesn't look particularly lightweight so for a course with lots of climbing I'd say that's a very respectable average. If I'm pootling solo I will usually average 15.5 - 16 and if I'm with my cycling buddy, 16 - 17.

 

[VamP]

Comparing against other people riding different routes in different conditions, is always tricky. Entering a Sportive would give you an idea, same route, same wind, everybody with the same focus.

Not sure if this helps you, but I did a 30 mile circuit yesterday with 1100 ft of climbing and average of 17.8 mph. I have been cycling for about 6 weeks now, long enough to see some fitness improvements.


This is on a road bike.

 

[Xiorell]

That bike doesn't look particularly lightweight so for a course with lots of climbing I'd say that's a very respectable average. If I'm pootling solo I will usually average 15.5 - 16 and if I'm with my cycling buddy, 16 - 17.

I won't lie, it's no whippet to say the least but it's not "as bad" as you'd think. When I saw it in the shop I thought it looked funky but expected it to weigh far to much but I took a look anyway, it didn't feel to different from the other options that had been in the running (had been looking mainly at some offerings from Dawes) and it had better shifters and stuff, so it came home with me

 

[lulubel]

I think it's a nice looking bike. Different without being weird.

Entering a sportive is a good idea. It would give you a truer idea of how your speed compares, in an environment that isn't really competitive.

 

[Xiorell]

I think it's a nice looking bike. Different without being weird.

Entering a sportive is a good idea. It would give you a truer idea of how your speed compares, in an environment that isn't really competitive.

Thanks, it's definately a keeper for me, can just be the work horse once I get my racey number, but it's gotten me into the cycling thing so it's gotta stay for the duration