How fast are average Junior racers?

sparknote_s said:

I'm 17, and was just wondering what kind of avg speed others my age would average. For the sake of some type of constant, lets say a 20 mi flat loop, with ~10 mph wind that doesn't change direction. What kind of average speed would an alright junior racer get on a course like that? Also, how much faster is cat 5 than junior (the weird gear restrictions with juniors makes me ask)?

Thanks.

40k an hour for a fairly average junior I reckon. Think thats about 25mph. Top junior would be looking at something just under 50k an hour. Roughly 30 mph I think. Just rough guesstamits but would be fairly close. Im not going to insult your intelligence by telling you all the variables but that would be with a disc and tri spoke and aerobars. Take probably 2k an hour off without the flash wheels. Who knows really.

Let's say a 20mi training ride. No aerobars, or disc wheels. The training setup. 20 mile training ride, 10 mph wind. What would a junior average speed be? And they are by themself, not in a group. And it's flat.

Well i got a friend that i ride with every now and then that is 17 also..he races in cat3 level and keeps about a 25-26mph average for 20miles on a flat course on training rides..He is ranked top 10 in the state though. He can also keep around a 20mph average for 3 to 4 hours. The thing is he has only been riding for two years but has been riding every single day. I myself (18yrs old) am a triathlete and dont completly focus on the bike, I can only average around 21mph..REALLY pushin it(just started riding last july) but i would have to say that most junior racers average would be 23-25mph

25-26 by himself, meaning nobody do draft off during the ride?!?!

Dang, that means I'm really slow.

What areyour average speeds on a typical run? Maybe you do not suit flats maybe your abilities lie more in climbing?

quinno121 said:

What areyour average speeds on a typical run? Maybe you do not suit flats maybe your abilities lie more in climbing?

The other day I was riding a course that has rolling hills (nothing really steep). Going up hill into the wind I was at about 16 mph. Coming back up hills, 19-20 mph. Downhill into wind was 18-19 mph. Downhill coming back was 23-24 mph. Flat into wind maybe 17 mph. Flat coming back maybe 19 mph (yeah slower than hills for some reason). Into the wind was gradually declining the whole way, but had small inclines as well. Coming back was gradually inclining but had declines as well.

I weigh 130 lbs, and yeah I think I can climb a lot better than I can ride on the flats. When going up hill, it seems easier to push because there is more resistance. But do juniors race on courses with lots of hills, or do they mostly do criterium style races?

sparknote_s said:

I'm 17, and was just wondering what kind of avg speed others my age would average. For the sake of some type of constant, lets say a 20 mi flat loop, with ~10 mph wind that doesn't change direction. What kind of average speed would an alright junior racer get on a course like that? Also, how much faster is cat 5 than junior (the weird gear restrictions with juniors makes me ask)?

Thanks.

That differs from country to country. In most european countries, they avearage around 42k an hour for a 120 k race. LAthough the get to 45 occasionnaly.

A really top time trialer gets to 50k(31miles) an hour average for 30(almost 20miles)k's, this with time trial equipment.

Most juniors will be able to de a 20k(13miles) TT at 40(25miles)an hour average or more.

I knwo some who were or are among the best off the world. TT average 48(30miles) k an hour for 30(19miles)k's. Sprinting speed above 65k(40miles) an hour flat road no wind. 1k time on the track 65-66 seconds. I Climbing mont ventoux les then 1hour 10 minutes for sure.(the pro record is about 56 minutes)
If you are close you will probabely be close to national top level in one of these events. For the record its not one and the same person that can do that.

Im glad that i found this thread, i am 18 years old and i have rode around town with my dad for the past couple years. Doin the charity tours and what not, however earlier this month i was like.......i should try racing......so...

I live in Pittsburgh, PA so for anyone who has been there it is a city of hills and mountains...

Here are my averages as of right now....

Flat Oval Race Track......10-15 mph wind head on on the right side of the track and to your back on the left side but the left side is also up hill and the is a "bump" thhat is a bout a 20 ft uphill climb at about a 5% grade (don't know why it is there)....

Average Speed: 21mph
Distance: Around 20 miles

Here is my other average, this is on the road, consists of some flats, a few large climbs, and some downhills....

Average Speed: 18.6
Distance: Around 25 miles

The other course is all hills, and one is about 5 miles all up hill with a 11% grade the first 500 m and about a 8% the first mile. The hill comes at the very end of the ride...it is the "climbing ride" though

Average Speed: 12mph
Distance: 36 Miles

I am really wanting to get into cycling and put a name out for myself by next summer, i have rode almost every day since like July 1st....in all honesty i don't think my times and speeds are too bad considering i am a newbie..

But my goal for next spring is to be able to ride on that oval track for 20 miles and average around 30 mph