Is my performance good?

[TheSoulReaver03]

Today, I did a 8-8 miles bike ride, and an hour or so after that, I did 37 miles in a little bit less than 3 hours (A to B and B to A). The wind was okay, not really in my favour or against me.

Well, as the title says, was I fast, or at least at acceptable speed?

 

[vickster]

Acceptable speed in what sense? It won't get you a pro contract, but if you were happy with how long it took and how you felt that's the important thing

I'm not sure what an 8-8 miles ride is?

 

[TheSoulReaver03]

Acceptable speed in what sense? It won't get you a pro contract, but if you were happy with how long it took and how you felt that's the important thing

I'm not sure what an 8-8 miles ride is?

Acceptable speed as a regular cyclist (with fancy clothes, helmet, and a modern road bike). So what I meant was, would this speed make me able to keep up with some cyclists?
What I have is a vintage bike, cycling shorts (groin still going numb and doesn't feel really good), and that's abut it. I reckon I don't "look the part".
As for me, I really thought I was going faster, so it's a bit of a disappointment, but this is the first time I ever rode this kind of distance.

 

[vickster]

I'm sure you could keep up with some cyclists with a 13 mph average , yes. Maybe a CTC group for example.
Could you keep up with a fast club ride, probably not as they might ride a 20mph average

If you want to ride with others, join a club or group, see how you enjoy it most have a group to suit different abilities, wants and needs

 

[TheSoulReaver03]

I'm sure you could keep up with some cyclists with a 13 mph average , yes. Maybe a CTC group for example.
Could you keep up with a fast club ride, probably not as they might ride a 20mph average

If you want to ride with others, join a club or group, see how you enjoy it most have a group to suit different abilities, wants and needs

I see. And would adding straps to the pedals increase my performance? I don't have the money for cliples pedals or shoes.

 

[vickster]

It might make pedalling more efficient as you can pull up as well as push down

 

[Bobby Mhor]

You are certainly faster than the Mhor...

Are you happy with your run?
If so, just do what YOU want...
I stop and take in the views, sit and enjoy a bite (something to eat, you saddos) and dawdle at my own pace..
Enjoy it for what it is..
a fun pastime

 

[sidevalve]

Ok by me [and a lot of others I suspect] - plus who cares what you look like anyhow ?

 

[TheSoulReaver03]

Ok by me [and a lot of others I suspect] - plus who cares what you look like anyhow ?

Well, I don't know. When I go behind fully dressed up cyclists with new bikes - maybe even carbon framed (like it makes a difference to be a few pounds lighter AT BEST) - I get the urge to either keep up with them or overtaking them. I guess it's just that. I don't really mind people on MTBs or commuter bikes with regular clothing. I take them over with no problems whatsoever.

 

[outlash]

Got a smartphone? DL Strava and log your rides. It'll work out all the average speed, top speed type stats and you can analyse to your hearts content.

 

[TheSoulReaver03]

Got a smartphone? DL Strava and log your rides. It'll work out all the average speed, top speed type stats and you can analyse to your hearts content.

The only thing my phone is good for is using it as a music player. That being said I think you can figure out the rest

 

[outlash]

Or get a cheap cycling computer. You can get one for a few quid. The only way you can compare yourself to others is by measuring/logging your rides. Doing an average of 20mph would be considered quick by most people's standards but not for others. Saying you did 37 miles in a little bit less than 3 hours is pretty vague.

 

[TheSoulReaver03]

Or get a cheap cycling computer. You can get one for a few quid. The only way you can compare yourself to others is by measuring/logging your rides. Doing an average of 20mph would be considered quick by most people's standards but not for others. Saying you did 37 miles in a little bit less than 3 hours is pretty vague.

I'm using Google Maps to measure the distance. As for the time it takes, I just look at the time at the beginning of a ride, then look at the time at the end of it.

 

[gavroche]

Well, I don't know. When I go behind fully dressed up cyclists with new bikes - maybe even carbon framed (like it makes a difference to be a few pounds lighter AT BEST) - I get the urge to either keep up with them or overtaking them. I guess it's just that. I don't really mind people on MTBs or commuter bikes with regular clothing. I take them over with no problems whatsoever.

How old are you?

 

[TheSoulReaver03]

How old are you?

18 and a half. Got my first road bike just about a week ago. It's a retro bike. That's all I can afford at the moment but I really like it.