Speed and effort

[Wednesday]

Has anyone else ever had an average of speed of 10mph-ish? This is what I've heard as a beginner's speed elsewhere, but here it seems unheard of to go that slow even if you've just bought your first bike. Anyway, that's where I am, 10 point something. Maybe 11 if I was recording moving time only.

When I started riding 2x 13.5 miles once a week (at the beginning of spring) I thought I'd get faster, but I didn't really, only about 5 minutes. It got easier very quickly though, so I tried to remember to push harder on days when I didn't have plans in the evening, and that made... about 5 minutes difference. If there's a headwind one way and a tailwind the other, there's about 10 minutes difference between journeys. Nothing really changes my speed!

I think my natural effort for cycling is about a 4 (I'd rate walking 2), and when I try to push harder it's still only about 6 (and only when I remember), so maybe I need to push harder? It doesn't sound like fun to sustain effort like that for hours at a time though. And then there's things about being able to comfortably have a conversation, which sounds like you shouldn't be pushing too hard. I don't have anyone to talk to but I can't sing more than a few lines unless I'm going downhill. I suppose that takes more breath though.

Sorry this is quite disjointed. I'd like to know how much effort you put in when you ride, and does it become natural to go faster? Should I be trying to work on speed somehow, or just keep doing miles and hope it works out?

 

[snorri]

Has anyone else ever had an average of speed of 10mph-ish? This is what I've heard as a beginner's speed elsewhere, but here it seems unheard of to go that slow

It's only the fast guys on here that tell of their speeds, and I'm sure none of them hold lengthy conversations or sing as they go.

You don't say if you cycle for exercise or leisure, or if your bicycle is your main mode of transport. People cycle for a variety of reasons, and there is no need for everyone to feel they have to be capable of achieving certain speeds. Unless you have some particular cycling target in mind, just enjoy your cycling at your own pace, although you should get more cycle fit and cover greater distances for the same effort as time goes on .

 

[summerdays]

I've never managed to go fast (apart from down hill ), and by the time I stop for traffic lights, on coming cars etc it just gets lower. I still enjoy cycling but like you I suspect I am cruising rather that putting the effort in quiet a bit (apart from when I'm late and then I have to try a little harder). I still enjoy cycling though what ever speed I'm going at.

 

[2Loose]

I think people that can get a fastish speed up and live on in the flat land are very proud of their '18mph average' or whatever. People will only post their greatest achievement, so although 10mph average happens, don't expect to see people announce it.

It really does depend on the terrain, experience, bike, fitness and so many other things though - enjoying the ride is the main thing.

I certainly wouldn't shout about my 12 mph average speed while coming home, but I may about my 18mph journey to work.

Ignore other people's speed and just monitor your own - only you know if you are improving or even trying to improve

 

[kishin]

I think my natural effort for cycling is about a 4 (I'd rate walking 2), and when I try to push harder it's still only about 6 (and only when I remember), so maybe I need to push harder? It doesn't sound like fun to sustain effort like that for hours at a time though.

What is your motivation for cycling? If you cycle for the sheer enjoyment of it then there's absolutely no need to worry about how fast you are in relation to others or about if you're working hard enough. Personally, I'd rather be doing 10mph and enjoying myself than pushing myself just because I believe others think I should.

 

[MattL]

There is also the fitness element. I'm not a whippet by any means but it's not hard to see improvements in your own cycling. This year was the start of my health drive and the first part of it was starting off with my own park-and-ride where I park far enough from work to get free parking and then ride the rest. The ride to the office is about a mile and all uphill. The first time I did it, I was doing 7-8mph and I thought I was going to keel over and die as well as sweating like a nun at a Chippendales' concert for ages when I got to work.

I persevered and with other rides to get me into a little bit of shape I can now do the park-and-ride trip happily at 12-13mph and arrive barely puffing.

Yes, other people would do it faster or get there without a bead of sweat on their brow but I don't care. Cycling is and individual pursuit (no-one else pedals for you) so the only person who needs to worry is you! As long as you are happy with what you are doing and feel motivated then do as you please.

 

[lukesdad]

The enjoyment of cycling Is a personal thing. some enjoy going fast and some dont.

 

[coffeejo]

I've got an average of 10-12mph. Sometimes (when my legs are in a good mood) I manage an average of 15mph or so into town but it's always back down to "normal" by the time I get home, thanks to living at a higher gradient! I guess I could turn every ride into a training session but back in the real world, I'm finding that my endurance is increasing, even if my speed isn't.

My wireless computer clocked me at 65.9mph last week. I was stationary at a red light at the time...

 

[biggs682]

there are too many things that can govern speed , so dont worry just enjoy the riding at your pace .

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The best thing to do is just enjoy the cycling, we are all different, some people are faster than others.

 

[apollo179]

I know what you mean - seeing all the posts saying "yesterday i did blah blah miles at an average speed of blah blah mph" does make you question the inadequacy of your own performance. For me its just an interesting eye opener that has opened the door to me wanting to improve - as like it has done for you - so kindof a good thing.
The tdf guys rattle along at 30mph so clearly fast speeds are possible.

 

[Alien8]

Unless you're into TTs or road-racing there's no relevance in comparing yourself against others.

The relevance is your enjoyment of your cycling.

If you want to work harder to go faster fine - if you don't, that's also fine.

Have fun.

 

[vickster]

On my hybrid, I do about 14-20mph on the flat/slight descent, up to around 25mph down hills and around 6-8mph up the hills (well slopes) around here. There is also LOTS of traffic and lights, so my computer shows around a 12mph average over ~750 miles. I note distance cycled rather than speed, simply as weight control is my aim and actually the speed makes little difference to calories burnt from what I have read (around 40 a mile is my estimate)

Can't comment on the road bike yet!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Has anyone else ever had an average of speed of 10mph-ish? This is what I've heard as a beginner's speed elsewhere, but here it seems unheard of to go that slow even if you've just bought your first bike. Anyway, that's where I am, 10 point something. Maybe 11 if I was recording moving time only.

When I started riding 2x 13.5 miles once a week (at the beginning of spring) I thought I'd get faster, but I didn't really, only about 5 minutes. It got easier very quickly though, so I tried to remember to push harder on days when I didn't have plans in the evening, and that made... about 5 minutes difference. If there's a headwind one way and a tailwind the other, there's about 10 minutes difference between journeys. Nothing really changes my speed!

I think my natural effort for cycling is about a 4 (I'd rate walking 2), and when I try to push harder it's still only about 6 (and only when I remember), so maybe I need to push harder? It doesn't sound like fun to sustain effort like that for hours at a time though. And then there's things about being able to comfortably have a conversation, which sounds like you shouldn't be pushing too hard. I don't have anyone to talk to but I can't sing more than a few lines unless I'm going downhill. I suppose that takes more breath though.

Sorry this is quite disjointed. I'd like to know how much effort you put in when you ride, and does it become natural to go faster? Should I be trying to work on speed somehow, or just keep doing miles and hope it works out?

When on my MTB I hope for an average speed of 10mph - That is on or off roads.

A few things to think about if you want to go faster. If your tyre pressure is too low it will hold you back. Min 50psi for a MTB on road, Min 100psi for a road bike.

Look at the gears you are in. Pushing a large gear is not always the way to go faster. The gears are there so use them. You are the engine so don't strange yourself

Fuel. What are you eating?

How long have you been riding for?

What are you riding? The difference between a MTB and a Road bike is huge. Tyre type allso makes a huge difference. Knobbly tyres on roads are a killer.

 

[the snail]

sweating like a nun at a Chippendales' concert

what a delightful image

I think your body adjusts to the level of effort, so if you keep cycling the same speed/distance then it gets easier, if you keep pushing yourself to go faster then you will get faster (I'm speaking hypothetically here, not from experience)