How fast?

[jonesie]

Hello all,

I have recently started cycling again mainly to get fit and lose weight I am 35, 5'11" and 14.3 stone so could do with a little weight loss! I am in reasonable shape though and after three weeks I am now riding approx 20 miles per outing 3 times a week. The only thing I don't know is how fast I should be going? I currently do 20 miles at between 14 and 15 mph according to the clock.

Is this about right? What should I be aiming for?

Cheers

Jonesie

 

[Hacienda71]

That sounds ok. It will depend on the terrain and what type of bike you are riding. If you go on cyclogs.org it gives you an idea of how fast other people ride and what distance. The main thing is to enjoy getting out and riding. three times a week is a good start. Don't get too obsessed with the speed you go at, I recently happily reduced my average speed but rode much more challenging hilly routes in the Pennines. I got a lot fitter and lost more weight despite being a couple of MPH slower.

 

[Moodyman]

It depends on your terrain, fitness level, the type bike you're riding and whether you have a lot of traffic lights and junctions to navigate.

14/15 mph in a hilly area is pretty good. In a flattish area, strong riders will cruise at 20mph or above.

The important thing thing is to enjoy your rides. Don't get worked up about average speed. Speeds improves as you cycle more.

 

[jonesie]

cheers guys sounds like good advice! I tend to ride on fairly average roads I suppose, there are a couple of good hills and down hills as well as long flats. Hills scare the sh1t out of me at the moment so I am just trying to put as many base miles on as possible and build fitness gradually.

I am riding a road bike a Bianchi Via Nirone which I love although the comfort and stiffnes factor needs to be gotten used to as I haven't ridden for a few years.

Cheers

Jonesie

 

[david1701]

I averaged 24mph over 4 miles downhill today (well I did it in 10 mins-record) but I get 10mph on the way home which is the same route but all up hill so speed can be very terrain dependent I'm in a similar boat weight/fitness wise

 

[zoxed]

As others say speed also depends on the bike your ride, the terrain etc. Did you consider measuring your training against, say, heart-rate ? This will give you a better idea of the *quality* of the training than measuring speed.