whats your average speeds and distances?

[craven2354]

hello i am quite new to cycling i used to ride from m mums to dads when i was 14 but got back into it about a month ago (i am 18) i have done 3 rides since mostly flat into manchester my first ride i didnt have a computer and worked out i did about 18 miles in 1 hour 45 i then got a bike computer fitted and did a ride last week with an average speed of 13.5 and did 25.6 miles only slight hills but am just wondering if this is any good? as i havent rideen with anybody (dont know any clubs in my area) and just ride solo atm am intrested to see feedback on how to improve

 

[adam23]

yeah its a good start and you can use it to build on and try and set some personal bests, as long as you stick at it

you should get your 18mile trip done in around an hour or just over.

 

[craven2354]

yeah its a good start and you can use it to build on and try and set some personal bests, as long as you stick at it

you should get your 18mile trip done in around an hour or just over.

i plan on trying to beat the time i did my 25mile trip in i read in a magazine you should try cycling hard for 20 mins then just steady for 10 then push again for 20 and repeat dont know if this is a good techique tho

 

[adam23]

you need to find what works for you, i feel like crap for the first few miles till i get my rythum, its alll about

feel.

as you do more and more miles your speed will pick up as well.

 

[craven2354]

also does anybody on here feel more motivated to ride with others than on there own? as do they ride better on there own or with groups?

 

[Hacienda71]

The repeat hard gentle tehcnique is known as "intervals" it is a well known training method. Oh and yes riding in a group makes you ride faster because the riders get sucked along in the slip stream of the riders in front. You do need people riding hard at the front though.

 

[superbadger]

I do loads of solo training and tours... i am comfortable with others but am not a member of a club or anything. I like the solo stuff though. Adam's right just keep going out on the bike and you will soon find what your comfort zone is with regards to pace/speed and distance. I wouldn't try and over-complicate what you are doing right now.. Set yourself some goals and stuff yea but i wouldn't go all gung-ho.. Sounds promising start to me and you got age on your side too...... Damn you

 

[HLaB]

also does anybody on here feel more motivated to ride with others than on there own? as do they ride better on there own or with groups?

On my own unless I am really motivated rides are usually sub 16.5mph ish but with groups and drafting/ motivation averages come up a fair bit for me. The Saturday club run usually varies from 17-18mph and a hardly even notice it and my last club run it was 19.5mph although I did feel that but the group motivation (even though there was only 5 of us) for me kept me going.

 

[craven2354]

thank you for the feedback really helpful do you guys use the energy gels? and stuff?

 

[ianrauk]

also does anybody on here feel more motivated to ride with others than on there own? as do they ride better on there own or with groups?

I much prefer riding with others. I'm boring company when on my own.
If you want to see other CycleChatters speeds, Distances and averages then check out MyCyclingLog's Cycle Chat team. And feel free to join and log your mileage. HERE

 

[HLaB]

thank you for the feedback really helpful do you guys use the energy gels? and stuff?

I tend to put sugar and salt in my drinks as per this recipe and carry cereal bars or bananas and save gels for events where I'm after a good time.

 

[craven2354]

I tend to put sugar and salt in my drinks as per this recipe and carry cereal bars or bananas and save gels for events where I'm after a good time.

and is this effective?

 

[HLaB]

and is this effective?

It works for me, and psychologically, I have the boost of the the gels when I do need them.

 

[gaz]

Comparing average speeds is pretty pointless in my opinion.
Too many factors that slow you down which come in totally different quantities in different areas.

 

[User16625]

14.63 miles in about 43 mins according to my speedo. Very little stopping or slowing down for traffic which helps a lot.

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/speed_distance_time_calc.html

Works out about 20mph average but this ride is pretty much my personal limit (speed wise, not distance) if im honest. Its fairly hilly so I had a few 30+ mph sprints and some 15 mph or less struggles although nothing really bad. On a strait with little or no wind I can easily maintain a little over 20mph. This is on a race bike in skin tight clothing. I manage little over half this speed on my mountain bike. To OP, what were the circumstances of your ride? bicycle type, hilly or flat route, much stopping etc.