Just can't get above 16mph average :-(

[Easytigers]

Well I did it...(albeit on my commute home...which has more downhill sections!). I set off and didn't allow myself the first trundling mile to 'warm up' then focused on keeping the pedals turning and not 'coasting' on the flat and slight downhill sections. Pushed all the way home and averaged 18.2mph.
Chuffed = slightly (would be happier if I'd managed it on the ride into work!)
Enjoyed the ride = not in the slightest...was mostly head down thinking about what my body was telling me...then ignoring it!
Think I'll take sage advice from IanG1...ride to enjoy...at least for the rest of this week

Next week 18.3 here I come

 

[hopless500]

"16mph average" .... only in my dreams

Mine too. I only just manage a tad under 12.....on a good day.

 

[User19783]

Hi Easytiger,
Is there any chance for a update on your average speed, as it's been a while.
I've enjoy this thread, some good points we're made,
Was any of them helpfully?

 

[gbb]

When I was fit and going for it maybe ten years ago...I averaged 16 over 20, 30 50 miles, the distance didnt matter, on rolling terrain at about 45 years old.
I'd worked hard to increase the average and thought perhaps a change in tactics would help.
Bearing in mind the hills here are rolling and not very long or steep, I honked up them, out the saddle, working hard then easing off once id topped them, maintaining a steady but easier pace for maybe a mile, being careful not to lose too much speed.
The idea is not to spend too long going slow up hills..
Also, dont set off too hard. I used to ride the first 5 miles steady. Dont ease back too much but you gain later on in the ride.
Another thing...if my average was 16, I'd set out into the wind and ride as close to 16 average as I could for as long as I could, then inevitably ride the tailwind faster and increase the average overall.
Over that spring and summer (yes, it took that long even with good regular rides) I increaaed my average up to 18 over 50 mile rides.
Truth is, I loved getting there, but didnt like the thought of never ending hard hard work...and slipped bqck to 16 average the next spring.

 

[gbb]

And the truth is easytigers, 16 average is very respectable. At that average , not too many riders overtook me, rather it was the other way round.

 

[Cuchilo]

I used to get hung up on the times but a few minor injuries have put me on a go slow . Walking into my workshop vice while carrying a cabinet has given me a dead leg for the last two days is the latest
I still get the Strava devil on my shoulder when I know there is a TT but soon notice im not making a good time so slow up and kick myself for bothering .
Ive started taking the longer way around rather than my long way around when I have the time to build myself up . As soon as I stop walking into things I will be really fast on my bike

 

[rovers1875]

You need to plan your route better (just go downhill, never go up hill) your average will improve dramatically.

 

[HLaB]

You need to plan your route better (just go downhill, never go up hill) your average will improve dramatically.

Thats a beer advert IIRC

 

[Milzy]

Loose weight improve your diet & do some hill repeats. Or just be happy as you are.

 

[DooDah]

And the truth is easytigers, 16 average is very respectable. At that average , not too many riders overtook me, rather it was the other way round.

I agree totally. I am 41 and have been cycling (once a week, it is all I can fit in) for 18 months. My average speed has plateaued at 22-23kmh, but this does vary depending on the route I take, distance cycled (it is very hilly in my area). A couple of rides have been up to 26kmh but that is it. I do still push myself sometimes, but that is normally to get up that hill a bit quicker etc. I have learnt to just enjoy the rides and I guess the fitness and speed will come more easily. 16mph is a very good average speed

 

[bozmandb9]

I think really the only relevance of average speed is to compare how you did last time on the same route.

Even then it can be irrelevant if conditions are very different. I managed to get my average up to 18.7 mph on my circuit today, but Friday struggled to do 18.1, not sure if it was down to conditions or tiredness. But it's not very hilly, and I'm on a carbon road bike.

The main thing for me is to see that average climbing, when I first started riding it was more like 16.5.

 

[Easytigers]

Thank you for all of the wise (and wise cracking) advice!!! It's been great hearing about other people's experiences (painful and not). I guess I've looked at what I really want to get out of it and come the following conclusions:
1. I can average above 16mph but I have to really think about it and I don't really enjoy the experience as I can't just relax, which is the main reason for cycling
2. At my age (although I'm not past it yet!), I'm never going to race...and don't really ever want to so I'm not sure why I got so hung-up about it
3. I'm still getting some PBs on Strava, so I must be improving (slightly), the month I don't get any...I might do something about it!!!

 

[gbb]

I think really the only relevance of average speed is to compare how you did last time on the same route.

Even then it can be irrelevant if conditions are very different. I managed to get my average up to 18.7 mph on my circuit today, but Friday struggled to do 18.1, not sure if it was down to conditions or tiredness. But it's not very hilly, and I'm on a carbon road bike.

The main thing for me is to see that average climbing, when I first started riding it was more like 16.5.

But even then, things average out pretty much anyway (in my case anyway)
I have four directions I can go out in.
South, pretty flat, a little lumpy, pretty well sheltered.
East, flat as a pancake, into the fens, very little cover, almost always windy.
North, pretty much the same conditions as going south.
West, really quite hilly in places (for round here).
Hilly or flat, my times don't change very much over say 40 miles...a few minutes.

Weather...wind particually of course, doesn't make any difference on a round trip.
Windy and slow on the outrun, get a real nice tailwind back...and travel faster than normal of course.
No wind, pretty much the same speed there and back.
Windy or not, my times don't change very much over say 40 miles...a few minutes.

I used to be quite obsessed about my times...my average didn't change by very much on the open road, windy or not, hilly or not.

I suspect your observation re tiredness is probably very right...get on a bike and ride hard, it soon finds any weakness you may be carrying such as tiredness, a virus etc etc. I always knew....better still were those days when you were just zinging...flying along feeling like nothing could stop you. Shame it only happens once in a while

 

[SpokeyDokey]

....better still were those days when you were just zinging...flying along feeling like nothing could stop you. Shame it only happens once in a while

Yes, does not happen often at all for me - only once this year on a 27-miler.

At about 15/16 miles my little legs gained a life of their own and just started quietly whirring away of their own accord: it was like nothing could stop them and in truth it was a shame to finish the ride.

Is there a physiological explanation to this anybody?

 

[Easytigers]

But even then, things average out pretty much anyway (in my case anyway)
I have four directions I can go out in.
South, pretty flat, a little lumpy, pretty well sheltered.
East, flat as a pancake, into the fens, very little cover, almost always windy.
North, pretty much the same conditions as going south.
West, really quite hilly in places (for round here).
Hilly or flat, my times don't change very much over say 40 miles...a few minutes.

Weather...wind particually of course, doesn't make any difference on a round trip.
Windy and slow on the outrun, get a real nice tailwind back...and travel faster than normal of course.
No wind, pretty much the same speed there and back.
Windy or not, my times don't change very much over say 40 miles...a few minutes.

I used to be quite obsessed about my times...my average didn't change by very much on the open road, windy or not, hilly or not.

I suspect your observation re tiredness is probably very right...get on a bike and ride hard, it soon finds any weakness you may be carrying such as tiredness, a virus etc etc. I always knew....better still were those days when you were just zinging...flying along feeling like nothing could stop you. Shame it only happens once in a while

Funny what you said about those days when you're zinging...I was talking to a guy at work who used to race. He always says he can tell when he's about to come down with the lurgy as his performance improves...he says that it's his body getting ready to fight the infection and so is on overdrive! Anyone got any thoughts on this? Old wives tale?..although...someone once told me that if you hang a piece of bacon close to your arse, if you have a tape work it will come out and you can then pull it out! Spent many an hour checking that one...never caught anything though...and it did remind me of crabbing on my summer holiday (oh..that sounds even worse!!!!)