Road Bike Speed

[Garz]

Damn I wonder who this Mr Blair is, if only he used these forums..

 

[MacB]

I log all my miles and the averages vary wildly from pootling with the kids to my own personal training runs. They're differentiated by ride type on cyclogs so I can view my averages splits by social, training, commute and pootling, I don't bother. Initially it mattered a lot to me but that was mainly due to wanting to be able to ride with others, only socially mind you. Next year I'd like to try some of the local club runs with the slower group. Again I will use cyclogs tracking to make sure that I'm fast enough to be able to keep up. Apart from that I only use my stats to see if I'm improving.

I'd also agree with those that feel hills are immaterial as the descent averages against the climb. But only to a point as other factors can make hilly rides slower on average. Not all descents can be taken at speed and there are people, like myself, who descend slowly no matter what.

 

[jimboalee]

More Jimbo mumbo-jumbo.

On a journey of 10 miles, there are thirty instances where I might be forced to stop. I call them 'Stop Junctions'. Traffic lights, T, Islands etc.
There are twenty 10m contours which are uphill. These are 'Slow spots'.

My cruising speed is a steady 20 mph round a cycle track with no stopping.

That means I COULD ride the 10 miles in 30 minutes ( in perfect conditions where I am not required to stop ).

For every 'Stop junction' and 'Slow spot', add on 1% to the time.

So for the 10 mile trip with fifty 'Stop junctions' + 'Slow spots', I would expect to finish in 45mins at an overall average of 13.33 mph.


Puts tin hat on and waits for the sirens.

This is quite good for commuting. For countryside rides, there's another 'frig-factor' that can be used.

When marching, it is generally accepted to be a 20 minute mile, but add on 1 minute for every contour you cross UP OR DOWN.

In cycling, the speed is faster (x5) so add on 12 seconds for every contour UP ONLY.

The time saved going fast downhills is counteracted by when you have to stop at junctions.

It's not exact, but you can plan a reasonable ETA at the cafe.

 

[BentMikey]

It's easy enough to do those sorts of speeds for long periods if, and it's a big IF, the conditions are right. Thing is about the hour record is it's in a velodrome, there's no head wind or tail wind, it's man v's the lowest drag levels possible without any aids or hinderance. In some ways it's a bit of a fantasy world & averaging around 30mph for 1h is something I know I can't do.

I know someone who's done just over 35mph for a whole hour. No, it's absolute truth, and it's not Boardman either.

 

[a_n_t]

Damn I wonder who this Mr Blair is, if only he used these forums..

if only

 

[Garz]

There were rumours he was a catologue model for cycle-wear!

 

[Ian H]

I know someone who's done just over 35mph for a whole hour. No, it's absolute truth, and it's not Boardman either.

Yes, but did they do it lying down?

 

[yenrod]

Hope this is in the right forum. Having got into cycling this year to increase my fitness levels, I seem to becoming a little obsessive about recording my miles and speed, but riding on my own in general i wonder about other peoples speeds. I see a lot of posts from people saying that they do bursts at thirty mph or the high twenties and on 10 mile time trials people are clearly averaging well over twenty, but on cyclelogs there don't seem to be many people over 18 mph let alone 20, so is all the chat just banter and bravado or do the really competitive riders not bother with cyclogs. by the way i am not implying i will ever be a quick cyclist just wondered what the reality is and what club riders do.

If anyone can ride at 20mph....for a long time; they're either a seasoned roady / racer... OR talking out of their ARSE !

 

[BentMikey]

Yes, but did they do it lying down?

Well of course! In a streamliner too, it was LeeW. I seem to recall he did 35.1 miles in the hour, this was outdoors. I forget where, some track I think.

 

[BentMikey]

If anyone can ride at 20mph....for a long time; they're either a seasoned roady / racer... OR talking out of their ARSE !

I'm no racing snake, and I can do rather more than 20 on the flat for a couple of miles. Admittedly I'm cheating, mind.

 

[Ian H]

If anyone can ride at 20mph....for a long time; they're either a seasoned roady / racer... OR talking out of their ARSE !

Hmm. Well, as an old fart (56 if you must know), who tried time-trialling for the first time in around fifteen years, I managed a fraction over 23mph for my first 50 of the year - not good enough to get in the prizes, but not too bad.

(Admittedly, two hours and a bit is not really a long time.)

 

[a_n_t]

If anyone can ride at 20mph....for a long time; they're either a seasoned roady / racer... OR talking out of their ARSE !

really? Averaging over 20mph for 10 miles isn't that hard! But then whats "a long time"?

 

[gaz]

really? Averaging over 20mph for 10 miles isn't that hard! But then whats "a long time"?

Depends on the route, no way i could maintain that without going 10 miles in the first place. too many traffic lights near me.

 

[jeltz]

Most of the social rides I go on average about 13-15mph and I live in a hilly area.

I can only sustain 20 mph+ on the flat (or down hill) for a few miles, before I get to the next hill.

 

[marzjennings]

If anyone can ride at 20mph....for a long time; they're either a seasoned roady / racer... OR talking out of their ARSE !

Not a seasoned roadie, not even cat 3, but I average 20mph on most of my rides.