Ride pace

[velovoice]

Isn't the whole point of a benchmark specific to the individual?

A benchmark is the standard you set, which you don't want to fall below. It's not the same as a goal or target.

Go do your usual route every week and work out an average over 3-5 rides. That's your benchmark. Then try and improve on that. At regular intervals (not too soon), measure and re-calculate to see if you've improved on that benchmark, consider making the new data your new benchmark. Comparisons with others is meaningless, at least in terms of "benchmarking".

 

[mick1836]

There is no single good average speed. As long as you are enjoying your cycling then that's all that matters. Everyone has different expectations, speeds and averages. What is your benchmark is not necessarily someone elses.

It only really matters If you join a local club and get into a chain gangs or TT's

Ian, I know what a peloton is but what's a chain gang or TT's ?

 

[spen666]

I did a lengthy 300miler yesterday, but as it was we t my average speed was only about 60mph



We are talking driving aren't we?

 

[vickster]

Ian, I know what a peloton is but what's a chain gang or TT's ? View attachment 341057

1) Fast group of cycling club that goes hell for leather for a couple of hours, don't wait for those who can't keep up
2) time trial

 

[Ajax Bay]

what's a chain gang

jgi

 

[nickyboy]

jgi

You're suggesting we should be "getting jiggy with it"?

Good heavens

 

[PK99]

There is a school of thought that suggests that you get less of a wallop when falling at speed, but I can't quite see how that would be.


!

Straightforward physics.

Force = rate of change of momentum

Vertical stationary fall = momentum absorbed virtually instantly

Fall at speed = glancing impact + skid/bounce/roll = longer for momentum to be absobed

 

[Ajax Bay]

Straightforward physics.

Now resolve the momentum into vertical and horizontal components. How does the loss of the vertical element of momentum differ in the two scenarios (vertical drop and trajectory drop (from same height)? If the thrown item 'bounces' isn't the momentum change even greater?

 

[Cycle99]

Pale Rider posted exactly what I was typing so not much point in me posting it!

I would suggest that you time yourself on your favourite loop and just keep trying to improve on that time.

If you ever get to the point where you are averaging 20+ mph for 20-30 miles then you would be fitter than most of us! If you could average 25+ mph then you would be very fit.

ColinJ, your comment regarding 20mph was what I was looking for. I have no Idea if 15mph or 20mph would be considered average, fast, or slow. I improve during each month and where I was averaging around 14.5 mph 6 months ago, I now do the same loops at between 15.4 and 16.7 mph depending on headwind, and what I did the evening before.
Because I have not cycled with many other more regular cyclists, I have no comparison as to whether I am average, slow or half way ok pace.
Just want to get some idea of an average sort of ride speed for a small group of regular riders.

 

[PK99]

Now resolve the momentum into vertical and horizontal components. How does the loss of the vertical element of momentum differ in the two scenarios (vertical drop and trajectory drop (from same height)? If the thrown item 'bounces' isn't the momentum change even greater?

thinking out loud....

We are a long way from the idealised elastic and inelastic collisions of mechanics problems...

In a vertical fall, the body stops almost instantly and all the kinetic energy is transferred to the body as crush and deformity
in the oblique fall the impact takes longer and the kinetic energy reappears as crush and deformity and in linear motion and rotational motion.

try slapping the desk infront of you now. vertically down and then at an oblique angle - does which hurts more?

 

[ColinJ]

Straightforward physics.

Force = rate of change of momentum

Vertical stationary fall = momentum absorbed virtually instantly

Fall at speed = glancing impact + skid/bounce/roll = longer for momentum to be absobed

In order for you to go from falling down to bouncing up then you must have momentarily gone through (vertically) stationary!

The skidding and rolling is definitely scrubbing off the horizontal momentum.

thinking out loud....

We are a long way from the idealised elastic and inelastic collisions of mechanics problems...

In a vertical fall, the body stops almost instantly and all the kinetic energy is transferred to the body as crush and deformity
in the oblique fall the impact takes longer and the kinetic energy reappears as crush and deformity and in linear motion and rotational motion.

try slapping the desk infront of you now. vertically down and then at an oblique angle - does which hurts more?

I can't tell - I slapped the desk at an angle and it hurt so much that I couldn't tell if it hurt more when I then slapped it vertically!

Here's a test which would be cheaper than chucking phones about at different angles ... Buy a few boxes of eggs. Drop eggs onto a hard surface from different heights and come up with some idea of what average drop it takes to break an egg. Then start throwing eggs sideways from that height. I would be extremely surprised if eggs are less likely to break in the second case!

That would actually be quite an interesting experiment. The problem would be getting consistent-strength eggs and getting them to land consistently.

How about putting a ruggedised phone inside a ball and using the phone's accelerometer to measure impacts?

------------

Oops ... Ha ha ha - I have just realised how far off topic we have gone!

 

[Shortandcrisp]

Straightforward physics.

Force = rate of change of momentum

Vertical stationary fall = momentum absorbed virtually instantly

Fall at speed = glancing impact + skid/bounce/roll = longer for momentum to be absobed

Hmmm.... I fell off just through the finishing line of a TT, so at my maximum speed probably circa 27-8mph. The outcome was not good!

 

[Ajax Bay]

Because I have not cycled with many other more regular cyclists, I have no comparison as to whether I am average, slow or half way ok pace.
Just want to get some idea of an average sort of ride speed for a small group of regular riders.

@jonny jeez didn't you say something about this vis a vis coping with LEJOG in an organised group?

 

[S-Express]

Because I have not cycled with many other more regular cyclists, I have no comparison as to whether I am average, slow or half way ok pace.
Just want to get some idea of an average sort of ride speed for a small group of regular riders.

Some groups ride faster than others. The reason people are telling you there is no real 'average' speed of a typical group...........is because there isn't one. A group average is not comparable to an individual average speed anyway.

 

[jonny jeez]

@jonny jeez didn't you say something about this vis a vis coping with LEJOG in an organised group?

I did yes.

But as the op has Ridden lejog I suspect they know as much as me already.

If it helps though, I find 10-13mph to be considers slow. 13-16 average and 16-20 fast. The clubs I've ridden with suggest the slow group is the 13-16 but then you probably wouldn't ride in a "club" environment if you were riding at the 10mph mark. (although my club, to which else have 5 members) averages this consistently when we take into account cake and coffee stops!!