Average Speed?

Notnormal

Just invested in a cycle computer for the first time. Over my 24 mile (each way commute) I've been averaging about 13.5 mph. I was a bit disappointed with that, even when I allow myself a bit for stopping at lights etc. Am I being overly harsh? Its quite an up and down route with a couple of big hills where I only manage 7 or 8 mph. On the flats I'm knocking around the 20mph mark. (Specialized sirrus hybrid bike).

will3

Averaged 18.1 today (1/2 urban 1/2 rural) over 17miles total there and back.
It was flat and on a CX bike with knobblies.
The hills always slow you down as does stopping much more than you'd think.
For a base line get out at 1am one morning and do it with no stops

prj45

My crusing speed is circa 20mph, going up to 25 on long stretches, but over my 14 miles journey across London I average a bit above 14mph.

Sort of 1 hour 10 total travel time, including 10 minutes stopped (at lights, junctions etc...)

snooks

13.5 sounds about right for an urban commute....I do 13 miles in 50 mins along the flat from Twickenham to Central London, stopping at lights and junctions etc.

Just been out on a 20 mile loop, and I averaged 18 mph (well I did 18 miles in 1 hour), also on the flat, but I chose the loop for it's lack of lights and stops. That's on an old slicked mtb, with a few tweaks

ris

my short (3miles) daily commute averages around 12-13, but that is with traffic and various juncitons and roundabouts.

if i take the longer route (12.5 miles) then i normally average around 17mph, with a bit of a hill in the middle. i'm normally spinning at 10mph up the hill but have hit 41 going down a little drop into chippenham.

makes the eyes water a bit.

Notnormal

I think part of the problem is I try to cycle like I drive. ie looking far ahead and planning for whats coming. My cycle comp automatically stops and starts recording when I stop and start but it can't account for me slowing early for red lights etc. If I can see I'm approaching a red I'll stop pedalling early and gently slow hoping they will change by the time I get there and I can continue without unclipping. Continually doing that (for heavy traffic as well as lights etc) must be having an impact on my average speed. If I cycled hard up to the stop line then braked hard the comp would perhaps give a more accurate reading but I'd be knackered!! Glad my 13.5 mph seems average ish for a London commute. Always room for improvement though.

Beeblebrox

I get about 15mph avg for 4-5 miles along main roads into town, then through town into the countryside that drops to 12mph avg (big old hills), then back into the city .... overall (and this is over several journeys now) I get between 12mph-12.5mph.

Gr.uB

Notnormal wrote:

Just invested in a cycle computer for the first time. Over my 24 mile (each way commute) I've been averaging about 13.5 mph. I was a bit disappointed with that, even when I allow myself a bit for stopping at lights etc. Am I being overly harsh? Its quite an up and down route with a couple of big hills where I only manage 7 or 8 mph. On the flats I'm knocking around the 20mph mark. (Specialized sirrus hybrid bike).

How hilly is it?

I do 23 miles each way. I climb more on the way home - but none of it is really every flat. I climb 500m worth in total - so not a great amount.

On the Thorn I manage 16 to 17 mph average. On the TCR I am pushing 18 - 20 mph average.

steve_pushbiker

If you asked this question over on the training forum, they will say: it's impossible for anyone to say without riding your route. You've told us your bike but we don't know how much weight you are carrying (on you or on bike), age, fitness etc. Do you want to pootle to work or get there as a sweating heap? Given all these factors, I don't think anyone can say whether your average is good or not. Equally, other peoples averages are unlikely to tell you much about your commute. Having said all that, my average for a quite hilly 19 mile (one way) commute is about 19.5 on a road bike and 18.5 on a tourer. That's on the way in, when there is little traffic, it's about .5 mph less coming back.

thesmellyone

I average 11 mph according to my computer. So some of you peeps are going twice as fast as me for the entire duration of the trip!!!

hucking_fell

Average 11.9 MPH just now. 4 miles uphill to work, 4 miles downhill home. I do push the kids to and from school on the bike though, which will bring the average down a bit. Think I'll take the computer off for that now I've thought about it.
When comuting and meeting another cyclist going the same way I've got to go faster than them, get past, not look back 'cos that's uncool, so keep going flatout. That's when I get my quickest time to work.

_Brun_

Notnormal wrote:

If I cycled hard up to the stop line then braked hard the comp would perhaps give a more accurate reading but I'd be knackered!!

With the sensor on the back wheel you could raise yer average speed even more by locking it up and skidding to a halt. Obviously the same applies to the front wheel, but good luck trying to stay the right side of the handle bars

Surf-Matt

I get 13.5 mph if I really hammer it! But then I have three VERY steep hills to climbs (do about 5mph up them!) and lots of obstacles over my 10 mile ride.

Ride an XC MTB with fairly "robust" tyres.

Surf-Matt

I get 13.5 mph if I really hammer it! But then I have three VERY steep hills to climbs (do about 5mph up them!) and lots of obstacles over my 10 mile ride. Max speed is 28mph for a short stretch.

Ride an XC MTB with fairly "robust" tyres.

My magnet pinged off two days ago though so waiting for another one. Current average speed in this dreadful weather seems rather pitiful.

dav1

till my speedo packed in I was managing about 16.25 in norwich over my 5.5 mile extended loop.

Im on a 16 speed road bike.

Tobiwan

Funnily enough I'm also on a Sirrus (Elite), and my average speed today was exactly 13.5mph! Top speed a rather unimpressive 22.5mph, but there aren't any hills as such.

I go through London from Balham to the City (about 7 miles each way), lots of traffic lights / junctions etc where I tend to slow down if the light ahead is red, and try (without much success!) to stay in the pedals as long as I can before I fall to one side. I'm early 30s, 10 stone and not very fit (only just started cycling). On the plus side the rain today combined with a late start meant the roads were a lot clearer - other days my average can drop nearer 12.5mph.

As others have said it depends on so much - hills, traffic, road surface, bike, weight, wind etc etc - I really notice the wind when it's against me (normally going home, or maybe my legs are just more tired then!)

secretsam

Around 16-17 mph on my Sirrus (fairly flat, usually windy, 2.25 miles) - in the evening
Morning time doesn't count, it's too early and no brekkie yet!!

In London, on my old 531, it takes about 20 mins to do 3 miles, so 9mph, but then I'm a conscientious non-RLJ type and there's some hideous junctions - I think there's at least 7 sets of lights on the route...hang on...no, 10 sets...

2wheelzgood

not sure I it's classed as hilly here but not much flat.. put it this way.. one way is 15 mins and 18-18.8 mph avg.
return is 20 mins and 14-14.4 mph.

as said, its defo the lights. cos going I cruise for a long stretch at 25+ slightly downhill and it has very littl eimpact, unlike the red light at the bottom and the short sharp climb.

having the poota on avg speed is abad thing tho- I end up looking at it too much or caning it and risking death to try to up it! :roll:

Clever Pun

I'm generally between high 16s and 19mph over 13 miles with traffic and lights etc getting in my way...

Now is it faster to coast to the lights in time (obviously not if it's still red when you get there) for them to change or brake right at the last minute and kick off again when green