So I’m curious. I just got my first road bike and a bike computer. So, for the first time I got to see how fast (or probably slow) I am going. What is “slow?”
Better yet, what is “fast” and how much training does it realistically take to increase your speed by 1 or 2 mph? I’m curious what speed you guys go and over what distance.
totally depends…speed alone doesn’t mean too much; there are just way too many variables.
But doesn’t your average mph determine how quickly you will get to the finish line?
Congratulations! Sometimes just with a new bike you can increase your speed by 1 or 2 mph depending on the upgrade. From a mountain bike to a p3 I guess you could increase by even 4 or 5 mph. Speed varies per person and context, I suppose. In the large scheme of things it comes down to how you feel. If you feel fast, then I guess that is all that matters. I feel fast holding 22-23mph, but I usually don’t hold that in triathlons as I save some for the run.
"But doesn’t your average mph determine how quickly you will get to the finish line? "
Yes, but average speed for a rider who rides in the Arizona heat might be different than for one who rides a similar course in the San Diego breeze or the East Coast humidity. Similar people in the same area will average different speeds over different types of courses. There are a lot of variables, and asking “what is fast?” is a fairly open-ended question.
Well, Im slow, and Fat.
I started this journy in Jan. Was riding my bike - an old Huffy MTB for 6 miles at 10 mph and was done.
Yesterday road 53.5 miles average speed 13.8.
But first 40 was at 14.2 – ya kinda bonked at the end plus it was the hilly part.
Of course kinda dumb to head out for a 4hr bike ride with just 1 bottle of water and nothing else. Thank God I came apun a charity run, or bike, or skate. and at about mile 35 got a coke and a bannana. Hate to think what that last 10 would have looked like otherwise.
Of course I was passed by at least a half dozen true bikers but someday I’ll keep up with 'em
I can offer the best two-minutes of a womans life! 90-seconds if she’s really hott. Oh, you meant how fast on a bike… woops.
On a no wind, completely flat ride, alone I av 21-22. There are way to many variables when it comes to hills. If you want to get faster, ride lots of hills.
I can offer the best two-minutes of a womans life! 90-seconds if she’s really hott. Oh, you meant how fast on a bike… woops.
On a no wind, completely flat ride, alone I av 21-22. There are way to many variables when it comes to hills. If you want to get faster, ride lots of hills.
Dude, you got 2-pump chump problems! 
I guess I asked an extremely general question and was just trying to judge how slow I really am. Hills seem to be the secret to everything…
There are a lot of variables, and asking “what is fast?” is a fairly open-ended question.
So do you have a speeds that you shoot for during certain sections of a race (eg, hills, flats), or do you base everything on your HR (or something else that I don’t know about!)?
“So do you have a speeds that you shoot for during certain sections of a race (eg, hills, flats), or do you base everything on your HR (or something else that I don’t know about!)?”
I think you’ll find as you keep riding that you get a feel for what is fast for you. Keep track of how fast you ride a particular course over time and you’ll see improvements. HR is more a measure of exertion or effort than of speed, and a guy can go really fast with a low heart rate, or really slow with a high heart rate. When I was starting my goal was to be able to average 20mph over an Olympic Tri bike course. As your fitness improves, so will your targets, but unless you have roads where you never have to stop or slow for traffic or lights, avg mph might not be a great way to measure your progress.
Ok, I won’t dodge the question. Last Thursday I did a 10 mile t.t. in 23:17. Not real fast but it works out to 25.8 mph avg I think.
The last mini I did had a 13.2 mile bike segment and I did it in about 32:00 or about 24.7 mph avg.
Keep in mind both of these were “race efforts”, I don’t train anywhere near that fast.
I was starting my goal was to be able to average 20mph over an Olympic Tri bike course.
That’s exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks for the explaination, too - and you are right about the traffic lights…
At least that gives me an idea of speed/distance (for a TT). Thanks!
I won’t dodge the question either.
I started cycling in Jan, 2001. All my rides (other than races) are around Urbana, IL, so there are absolutely, positively no hills. After a few months, I started having some good riding days. I had a standard schtick. If I averaged more than 17.5 mph for a ride, I’d yell, “I’m king of the world!!” when I got home (my girlfriend enjoyed this). All this was on a road bike.
This is now my second season of triathlon, and naturally cycling is my strong discipline. Last month I averaged 23.2 mph for a flat 1/2IM course (tri bike). On training rides I now average 20-22 with moderate effort. Again, everything is flat. IMWIS next month will be a different story.
Give it some time, you will get faster! I remember the first time I broke 20mph for a ride, I was giddy! I’m hoping that the same thing happens with running, because I’m a slow runner, but I’ve only been doing it for two years!
-Colin
I won’t dodge the question either.
Ooops - I guess I asked a touchy question! Thanks for answering.
To help “judge” yourself: I train with a mainly fast roadie group and we can haul at 24-27 mph for 30 miles. Training with a tri group: about 21-22 mph total for 25-40 miles with stop signs, hills, etc. Long rides (50-100 miles) about 18-19 mph.
I usually average 21.3 to 21.7 mph in an Olympic tri with hills. Any faster and my run suffers. I usually try for about 20 mph for a half and whatever my heart rate tells/lets me for an IM distance event. For a Sprint event (which I haven’t done in a while, but would like to), I just let 'er rip (heart rate over 170-180 the whole way) and see what happens on the run.
Oh, and I’m usually in the upper 1/3rd in my age group bike split times (so most are slower, but plenty are faster). Stand along bike races, etc. I’m usually at the front.
Yup, I’m slow (even if I factor in that I’m a chick). Thanks for the scoop - at least I’ve got some goals now! 
Back in Michigan holding 21 on a 40-60 mile ride was perfect. Now I’m in Nevada, struggling just to survive some of the climbs…I took off my computer, didn’t want the data…
I’m dodging the question…because I suck and I’m slow. But I’ll answer this part. “Better yet, what is “fast” and how much training does it realistically take to increase your speed by 1 or 2 mph?”
This is entirely dependant on where your at fitness wise now. If you’re a “newbie” and doing a 15-20 mile ride is a “workout” and doing that once or twice a week is about all you do, then it won’t take much to move upo a couple MPH. If you’re putting in 300 miles a week moving up a couple MPH is a bit more difficult.
~Matt
If you’re a “newbie” and doing a 15-20 mile ride is a “workout” and doing that once or twice a week is about all you do.
I’m doing 15mi x2 week and one 30-40 mi ride (which is a workout) and that’s about it for me right now. Since I asked the question, I’ll ante up - I’m riding at about 16mph, including hills and stops. But I feel so damn fast since I ditched the mntn bike!