Am I incredibly un-fit? No laughing!

freddymercurystwin

Okay, been back in the saddle for around a month now after 20 years or thats my excuse! Anyhow I've been done the same route about 5/6 times now. Now try not to laugh but as I've not got a computer just yet I pulled up Bike Route Toaster and tapped the route in. Its only a distance of 16.4miles and it tuns out today that I had an average time of 12mph :oops: but it did have an total ascent/descent of 1942 feet. Should I just hang up me boots now or is that not so bad considering the ascent/descent?

redddraggon

An average speed of 12mph isn't the end of the world. Seems like there's plenty of climbing - any traffic lights etc to otherwise slow you down?

hodsgod

Are you on a Toys R Us mountain bike? the bike can make a lot of difference I am sure you know.

You will be up to 15mph soon dont worry.

freddymercurystwin

redddraggon wrote:

An average speed of 12mph isn't the end of the world. Seems like there's plenty of climbing - any traffic lights etc to otherwise slow you down?

No lights I'm afraid twas on Dartmoor, a few sheep and ponies though!

freddymercurystwin

hodsgod wrote:

Are you on a Toys R Us mountain bike? the bike can make a lot of difference I am sure you know.

You will be up to 15mph soon dont worry.

Maybe I should take the stabilzers off?

a_n_t

freddymercurystwin wrote:

Maybe I should take the stabilzers off?

or shave the 'tache off? there's 2mph right there!!

lilactime

try bib shorts instead of that white leotard .

Pirahna

Keep riding and re-ride the route in a months time, then report back.

hodsgod

freddymercurystwin wrote:

hodsgod wrote:

Are you on a Toys R Us mountain bike? the bike can make a lot of difference I am sure you know.

You will be up to 15mph soon dont worry.

Maybe I should take the stabilzers off?

and the barbie basket on the front!!

Slow Downcp

Try not to get caught up in "how fast can I go" mode - just enjoy it and things will rapidly improve - 12mph isn't as bad it may seem after a 20 year lay off.

redvee

Go up to the prison gates and shout afew choice words in and then ride away very quickly that will up your speed plus it's DH from the prison for 1/2 mile.

ademort

Its a start,you will only get better.If you have a bike which is correctly set up for you and carry on doing the same route, you must improve, dont be discouraged by people who tell you to give it up, twenty years is a long time to be off the bike and if you persevere i,m sure you average will go up. Good luck mate, greetings Ademort

CyclingBantam

I think you look to be doing ok. I have been riding for about 6 months and decided to plot my route and compare with your figures. I wish I hadn't!

My average speed is 14.5mph over a 12.7 mile course that has an accent of 1335 ft and decsent of 1060 ft.

Mettan

freddymercurystwin wrote:

Okay, been back in the saddle for around a month now after 20 years or thats my excuse! Anyhow I've been done the same route about 5/6 times now. Now try not to laugh but as I've not got a computer just yet I pulled up Bike Route Toaster and tapped the route in. Its only a distance of 16.4miles and it tuns out today that I had an average time of 12mph :oops: but it did have an total ascent/descent of 1942 feet. Should I just hang up me boots now or is that not so bad considering the ascent/descent?

It's a perfectly good avg considering you've only been riding for 1 month - 1942 ft is alot of climbing for a 16.4 mile route. Hilly rides often end up in the 13.5 to 16.5 mph avg region (for a non-competitive rider).

CrookedCucumber

Unless you're planning on cycling competitively, why does it matter how fast you go? Don't you have enough worries in your life already? If not, I can send you some of mine

Belv

1 month cycling after 20 years off isn't long for your body to adapt - give yourself a chance!

Nuggs

CrookedCucumber wrote:

Unless you're planning on cycling competitively, why does it matter how fast you go? Don't you have enough worries in your life already? If not, I can send you some of mine

Totally agree. You're only racing yourself anyway, so why not keep a log book of all your rides and see how much faster you get just through putting the miles in?

I did no exercise from March 07-March 08 as I punctured a disc. I just completed a 26 mile run yesterday and averaged 11.5MPH. I was just pleased to have completed 26 miles, even if it was slow-as-you-like. I'll do the same route in a month or so's time and see if I'm any quicker. If not - no biggie - getting out there's the most important thing.

meagain

Sounds pretty fair to me. But then I am old and slow....and tho' I haven't got any slower over last 5 years it's simply that the extra miles is balancing the extra years! Sort of years/mph equilibrium.

AND what CrookedC said!

geoff_ss

CTC standard rides are 50 miles in 4 hours and 100 in 8. So 12.5 mph is perfectly OK. My usual time for audax rides was around 10 hours for 200k and 20 for 400k which is also more or less 12 mph.

Why rush if you're riding in beautiful countryside? Cycling isn't only about speed; it's about enjoyment. Over a day ride ride, I suspect our average is well below 10mph if you include all the stops for lunch, coffee, looking at something interesting etc. We usually do around 45/50 miles over 6/7 hours.

Geoff

krakow

I'm with CrookedCucumber; if you're enjoying the ride, then it really shouldn't matter how fast you go. Don't worry about it. Unless you want to and have spare worrying capacity lying around, of course.

There's always going to be someone faster, and someone slower too.

Rich Hcp

I wouldn't worry, as long as you get fitter.

Don't get hung up on other peoples average speeds.

They might be economic with the truth