Why have I slowed down.

Hi all
Bit of advice needed into why my average speed has slowed down.been cycling since march and progressed quite quickly (well I thought it was )to doing a 30 mile loop ride a couple times a week.did a few longer rides (up to 60 ish miles at the weekend when I had more time,shattered after 45 miles mind but have to get home)but still kept up the same loop at least once and often twice a week.I progressed up to 16mph average but recently gone down to about 14ish mph.is there a reason for this my thoughts are maybe wet roads so a bit more caucious or wearing more clothes.a chap told me today that mudguards slow you down.it seems very strange as I've lost loads of weight also so surely I should be continuing to speed up.
Any help or advice much appreciated
Bit of advice needed into why my average speed has slowed down.been cycling since march and progressed quite quickly (well I thought it was )to doing a 30 mile loop ride a couple times a week.did a few longer rides (up to 60 ish miles at the weekend when I had more time,shattered after 45 miles mind but have to get home)but still kept up the same loop at least once and often twice a week.I progressed up to 16mph average but recently gone down to about 14ish mph.is there a reason for this my thoughts are maybe wet roads so a bit more caucious or wearing more clothes.a chap told me today that mudguards slow you down.it seems very strange as I've lost loads of weight also so surely I should be continuing to speed up.
Any help or advice much appreciated
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Normally I find that I am much faster over the summer (kids not in school) and winter especially it is very slow.
So two combinations. Traffic makes yous lower and also in winter everything is a drag including extra clothing, lights etc etc.
Ridley Fenix SL Ultegra Di2 - 2020 (Summer Bike)
Carrera Virtuoso - 2015 (Winter Bike)
Carrera Zelos - (Turbo Bike)
ex Focus Cayo Ultegra Di2 - 2016
ex Giant Defy 1 - 2015
Or then again maybe you've just been eating too many mince pies...
Fixed TT 2015-2016
Interestingly went up to the cat and fiddle today and was a few minutes quicker than a the last time I went up there about a month ago.
My speed drops every year as soon as I get into long bibs. This year I've gone from 15.5 or a bit more over the summer to about 14.5 now. And as most of my riding in the last year has been exactly the same route, clothing and colder weather are pretty much the only variables.
I wouldn't be surprised if mudflaps did add some drag. There was a wind tunnel study a few years ago, which basically found that the front one acted as a fairing, whilst the rear added as much drag as the front cancelled out - but I can't remember if they used mudflaps.
Fixed TT 2015-2016
I never thought when I started earlier this year as an overweight 50 year old I would be concerned about slowing down. You've put my mind to rest.
oh ..... I naturally assumed they have it hot so the people that have to sit there and watch a cyclist go round and round in circles for an hour didn't get cold
That'll be the weight loss, at that speed aerodynamics and thick air don't really come into it.
I've discounted the effect of winter vs summer bike, despite the weight difference and mudguards; when I did the same route on the 2 bikes back to back I posted identical times!
Ahh but you are failing to consider that thicker winter air doesnt flow as well through your viens so it doesnt reach your muscle's lungs as fast as that thin fluidic summer air. You can buy tanks of thin air to breath but the weight of those can outweigh the airoh benefits.
But if you balance the weight of the oxygen tank with a second tank filled with helium then you're breaking even. Of course they need to be aerodynamically shaped tanks to get the full advantage.
Reduces friction between tyres and road though which slows you down even more and you are also prone to being attacked by WW1 flying aces who mistake you for a zeppelin. Only solution is to train for this by fitting front wheel to rear of bike and riding backwards on a turbo.
Well you are the special one aren't you.
Look, some people can cycle at average speeds of 20mph. The results of the local club TTs suggest it's happening quite regularly past the end of my drive in the summer. I suspect the fast riders do an awful lot of training to reach and maintain those times though, so I wouldn't be too dismissive of anyone who posts stuff like this.
I've never been very fast on a bike. These days as I approach 60 I think I've done well if I return an average of 14mph for a ride. It's the reason I decided I didn't like sportives; it's quite demoralisisng spending an entire day being overtaken. I know I'm slow, but a sportive is a bit like having my nose rubbed in it. All my riding is at my own pace and in glorious isolation
I have no problem at all with people who can maintain that pace and good luck (although I doubt luck has much to do with it) to them but don't sound so uppety about the fact.
10 minute later edit...
Hey impressive ! Though I'm intuiting that the return journey is by cable-car