Mick F wrote:I tend to get about 13mph average speed on my rides round here, and sometimes it's up as high as 14mph/nearly 15mph. The fastest times are always without mudguards. I have GPS accurate records going back to 2007 though I've not made any notes on mudguards on/off.
I've just started a 25km commute, 22 km along a canal tow path, 1.5km along a straight road, the rest on segregated tarmac cycle path. my fastest times are without a doubt when I spot a roadie ahead of me (I'm on a mountain bike with a pannier). Summer and a bit of warmth would surely get the speed-juices flowing, so I don't doubt there will be faster times.
I think you're absolutely spot on when you say it's about 'feel'. feel good, go faster. sun is shining, go faster. target ahead, go faster. mudguards, pretty irrelevent.