Average Speeds over Long Distances

[Annoying Twit]

Depends greatly on what type of riding I'm doing.
Touring with camping gear average of about 10 mph.
Touring staying in B & B s about 12 mph
Riding with Mrs Whoof about 13 mph
On my own about 15 mph.
In a group about 16 mph.
When I used to put some real effort in sometimes 25 mph+

25mph over 62 miles?

[thirdcrank]

... 25mph over 62 miles?

To save you waiting for a reply, I think that's a reference to time trialling, where good riders manage 25mph + for greater distances than that.

[Mick F]

I managed a 25mile ride on the A82 Lomondside in 65mins back in 1983 when we lived there. It was easy enough, and I could have done double that at that speed.
I picked that route because it was flat-ish!

Also, the bike I used was just a cheapo mail order bike gas pipe 5sp double ................ no doubt I would have been much faster on a TT bike.

[pwa]

My experience of "Long Distances" is mostly confined to Audaxes, though I have done solo rides upto about 180 miles in a day. On Audaxes you see a wide range of cyclists, varying in age from late teens to seventies. The usual minimum average speed is 15km/ph but most manage a bit faster than that. Maybe 18km/ph. That includes stops. Actual cycling speed for those who are not actually athletic might be a bit under 20km/ph. Obviously there are usually fitter whippets who race off at a much faster pace, never to be seen again. When touring with some baggage I go all Imperial for some reason and reckon on 10mph average on varied terrain, taking it easy. That would be about 16km/ph.

[Annoying Twit]

I'm doing intervals with the bike. I'm not confident of the actual speed readings as I'm using a second hand bike computer to read speed, and I have been too lazy/busy to get around to setting it properly. Who knows what size wheel the previous owner had.

My typical easy but good speed for trundling along is 20km/hr. That's read during riding, not an average which will be lower. If I do an interval at 32km/hr, then that's enough to get me panting after a short while, requiring slowing down and resting at a slower speed. So, enough to build me up, I would guess.

I typically ride cycle paths and a canal towpath to work. Must say that I find it a bit scary doing that speed on the bumpy paths. I'm tempted to use a route with big roads. But, that would mean: cars!

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
If you want to build yourself up you need to work harder..........for longer.............using a heavier bike helps.

To day a typical training run is 38 miles at 22 km/h with a 50Ib mtb bike, off road is 40 % of the ride, average of max heart rate is 80+%.

Who ever told you that its not painful was lying..................and the old adage goes...............

[Annoying Twit]

I don't understand 'whoever told you it's not painful is lying'. Nobody told me that it's not painful.

What I'm doing is intervals. Getting my body used to going at a higher speed that it's used to I'm already able to cycle at that speed easier, though I can't yet start stretching the distance at that speed.

[arnsider]

In answer to the OP, the average speed is so subjective as to be infinitely variable and not really relevant outside of competition.
If Cycling is to be viewed as more inclusive, then this assumption that everyone needs to maintain a certain speed is frankly divisive.
I cycle once or twice a week, over very hilly terrain.
I am a big guy and although I have reserves of stamina, I am not quick and I make no excuses for this.

[rfryer]

In answer to the OP, the average speed is so subjective as to be infinitely variable and not really relevant outside of competition.

Or when touring, and trying to work out if you have time to reach a campsite. Or cycling to a meeting, or to catch a train, or to any other appointment. Or when joining a group ride, and wanting to know in advance whether you'll be comfortable at the kind of speeds that the others enjoy. Or for working out whether the training you are putting in for next year's grand tour is having any benefit.

In fact, it's very useful to know your average speed for any number of reasons, whether or not you have interest in either increasing it, or comparing it to others.

I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my XT1039 using hovercraft full of eels.

[mjr]

In fact, it's very useful to know your average speed for any number of reasons, whether or not you have interest in either increasing it, or comparing it to others.

Yebbut the useful average speed for those practical reasons given is the whole-journey one, because that's what decides whether you make the train or when you'll reach the overnight stop or if you'll keep roughly up with a tour group.

Whereas most people now quote the higher moving average speed typically given by modern sport-orientated devices unless you force them otherwise, which is affected by road layouts and so on and indeed "so subjective as to be infinitely variable and not really relevant".

I did 5.2 miles at a moving-average of 12mph this morning. That didn't matter. What mattered is that the useful average across that congested junction-infested route was 9mph so I got to my office by 9am.

[meic]

I did 5.2 miles at a moving-average of 12mph this morning. That didn't matter. What mattered is that the useful average across that congested junction-infested route was 9mph so I got to my office by 9am.

That is quite true but some of us can frequently knock out 40 miles without having to uncleat (and no trackstanding needed either). My computer is not bright enough to work out a moving average that included the tiny times spent taking a jacket off or waiting at a stop line, so its moving average is the nearest possible approximation we can have to your "progress average" and we are comparing that to an over all average including "discretionary" stops for cafes, taking on and removing excess water etc.

[Spinners]

Just over 9mph on PBP (766 miles in 84 hours - this includes all stops).

[Annoying Twit]

On Saturday I rode to Lincoln and back. With some extra distance added near the end, the total distance was over 200km, which is considerably further than my previous record distance of about 147km in one day.

In terms of speed, the first 100km or so was a big step up from before. It was a very carefully planned trip, as there were strong winds forecast. I left really early and got within about 20km of Lincoln before they got strong. Then, overall I had a tailwind coming back.

On the way there I was holding good speeds (for me), and making good progress. The last 20km was a bit of a slog against the headwind, but I took a break in Lincoln and recovered. The combination of my moderately recent night-riding experience and better speeds meant that I got to Lincoln well before 9am, leaving plenty of the day to putter back home again at a more moderate speed. Not quite managing 20km/hr average including stops yet. But, close. EDIT: Not as close as I thought: 17.19km/hr. Losing ten minutes with a wrong turn didn't help. (I haven't counted that distance when calculating speed, so in reality my average speed was higher.)

Now I'm planning to do 300km in one day. Oxford return might do this if I find a suitably twisty route.

Having a bike computer has really helped a lot. As I can see my speed and it reminds me to speed up again should my speed drop. It's also useful to see the kilometers tick over, which they do at a fair rate.

[millimole]

Now I'm planning to do 300km in one day. Oxford return might do this if I find a suitably twisty route.
rate.

Here's the route to Leicester I used to use when my daughter lived in a village north of Oxford
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/4392318
Just about 100km one way and not particularly hilly, and no significant traffic, so it could make an alternative to your Lincoln rides. How you'd. Stretch it to 300k? Maybe via Northampton?


I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my iPad using hovercraft full of eels.

[Moss]

I have joint problems these days; and any touring is out! But love riding the bike, I'd say 50, to 70, miles in one day; would be about maximum for me. I did the New-Forest 100 at an average of 16mph, although that was in a group.
My normal average in Summer months would be 16,/17,mph But, in the cold Autumn - Winter - early Spring conditions, my average for most distances drops to 14, / 15, mph. I'll not complain; because I'm very lucky to be able to cycle at any speed; There's no Cartledge left in my left Ankle (bone to bone) and not a lot can be done; according to the health specialists.
at 68, years young, I'm just grateful for small mercies .