Speed

Stumpy Ade

Although not new to Road biking I've never really taken too much notice of average speeds, but as I'm geting more involved, espcially with Tri's, I was wondering what a decent average speed might be over 20 or 40km for a club cyclist.

I realise there are a few variables like wind but they are usually flat courses with no drafting allowed.

Any help much appreciated.

Frank the tank

Mate of mine said you can call yourself a proper cyclist when you crack the hour. 25 M.P.H.

I've never done it yet, but I consider myself a cyclist.

Stumpy Ade

Cheers Frank

25mph ok doesn't look like I will be a proper cyclist for quite some time then. It gives me something to aim for though.

Does that mean I would be totally outclassed at say 21mph or are there different ability groups?

GeorgeShaw

Usually the first target quoted for a TT is "evens". = 30 minutes for 10 miles.

stabilised

Sub 1 hour for 25 is pretty quick. 1 hour 10 would be a decent performance that wouldn't see you bottom of the time sheets on a club TT, I think. Sub 30 minutes for 10 miles is the usual benchmark for respectability, I think, assuming a reasonably level course and not too much wind. With a number on your back and the incentive of competition sub-28 isn't too difficult (my first ever 10 was 28.10) and sub-26 can come with a bit of practice and experience of knowing how hard you can go and arrive at the finish just the right side of exhaustion. Then you start buying specialist bikes and the like!

CyclingBantam

stabilised wrote:

Sub 1 hour for 25 is pretty quick. 1 hour 10 would be a decent performance that wouldn't see you bottom of the time sheets on a club TT, I think. Sub 30 minutes for 10 miles is the usual benchmark for respectability, I think, assuming a reasonably level course and not too much wind. With a number on your back and the incentive of competition sub-28 isn't too difficult (my first ever 10 was 28.10) and sub-26 can come with a bit of practice and experience of knowing how hard you can go and arrive at the finish just the right side of exhaustion. Then you start buying specialist bikes and the like!

When you talk about these sort of times for TT courses for the 10 are you looking at a pretty flat course? I often see these times mentioned but based on my commute (Road bike, nothing carried with me) which I think is quite hilly (1043 ft Ascent, 1302 ft Descent) along with a bit of traffic I would be nowhere near these times. I do the route in about 45 minutes (Sorry, its 12.36 miles) which woule leave me well behind these TT times.

stabilised

Yes, those times assume a reasonably flat course. Most TT courses aim to avoid major climbs because they make for slow times. Your commute would come close to 'very hilly' in sportive terms. TT courses are sometimes labelled 'hilly' or 'sporting' or 'hard-rider' or occasionally 'mountain' courses to show that they aren't flat and you are probably going to be much slower. One near where I live is about 42 miles but I'm told that the way to estimate your time is to start with your time for a flat 50 mile course and then add ten minutes. My usual ride when I am pushed for time and can only find an hour is 16 miles, but packs in 1600 feet of climbing - my best time in five years riding it is 55.45.

julietp

Agree and also time trials will tend to be organised on routes with a view to avoiding traffic as much as possible so again you can't really compare them to a commute.

Stumpy Ade

stabilised wrote:

Sub 1 hour for 25 is pretty quick. 1 hour 10 would be a decent performance that wouldn't see you bottom of the time sheets on a club TT, I think. Sub 30 minutes for 10 miles is the usual benchmark for respectability, I think, assuming a reasonably level course and not too much wind. With a number on your back and the incentive of competition sub-28 isn't too difficult (my first ever 10 was 28.10) and sub-26 can come with a bit of practice and experience of knowing how hard you can go and arrive at the finish just the right side of exhaustion. Then you start buying specialist bikes and the like!

Perfect thanks.

kingrollo

My average speed on a road bike - sometimes goes as low as 13.5 mph over 25 miles. However I can generally keep up on the second string club runs.

25 for the hour - is a serious speed IMO !

nicky_7751

On 30 miles+ rides I can normally average around 16 but have just managed a 17.3 average over 16.5 miles on a fairly hilly route, just want to try a flat 10 miles to see if I can crack 20 mph.

Fifer

Just managed 17.4 over 31 miles this morning. Went hell for leather and now I am feeling it in the legs.