What is a good average speed for a road bike?

[Gavin Will]

Hello,

What is a good average speed for a road bike over say 15 miles? I have done 200 miles on my
Edinburgh Continental (V good bike BTW) and my computer says that my average is 17.2 mph is this any
good, what averages would you get in a bike part of a triathlon? or on a full on 20 mile cycle? How
can I best improve my times? any help would be appreciated, cheers

gavinwill

 

[Dave Kahn]

On 16 Jun 2003 01:08:23 -0700, [email protected] (Gavin Will) wrote:

>Hello,
>
>What is a good average speed for a road bike over say 15 miles? I have done 200 miles on my
>Edinburgh Continental (V good bike BTW) and my computer says that my average is 17.2 mph is this
>any good, what averages would you get in a bike part of a triathlon? or on a full on 20 mile cycle?

It depends on the terrain, wind and other factors. 17.2 mph is very respectable for a 200 mile ride,
or is that your accumulated mileage and average? Average speed is also reduced hugely by riding in
urban conditions.

As a rough guide, up to about 18 mph is leisurely. 20 mph (known as evens) is where racing speeds
begin, 25 mph (maintained) is a serious racing speed. Good triathletes go just about as fast as good
racing cyclists. Racing cyclists co-operating in a group will go faster than a rider of similar
ability on his own.

--
Dave...

 

[Tony W]

"Gavin Will" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> What is a good average speed for a road bike over say 15 miles? I have done 200 miles on my
> Edinburgh Continental (V good bike BTW) and my computer says that my average is 17.2 mph is this
> any good, what averages would you get in a bike part of a triathlon? or on a full on 20 mile
> cycle? How can I best improve my times? any help would be appreciated, cheers

Its better than me but not as good as Lance Armstrong.

It depends on what you are trying to do. If you are a speed freak it might not be good enough so you
will need to train hard to improve. If you just enjoy cycling for the fun of it who cares what speed
you are doing.

It also depends on what terrain you are cycling. My average in the Fens or in parts of Holland is
significantly higher than 17. In the hills I struggle to do half that.

 

[2LAP]

Whats a good average speed for a road bike?

Well I left my new stead in the garden last night and when I got up this morning it hadn't done any miles and the average speed was 0. Perhaps it doesn't like going out in the dark!

I guess that anything over 0 miles.hour-1 is a good average speed for a road bike. I knew I should have bought a TREK.

____________________
www.cyclingforums.com

 

[Msa]

"2LAP" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Whats a good average speed for a road bike?
>
> Well I left my new stead in the garden last night and when I got up this morning it hadn't done
> any miles and the average speed was 0. Perhaps it doesn't like going out in the dark!
>
> I guess that anything over 0 miles.hour-1 is a good average speed for a road bike. I knew I should
> have bought a TREK.
>
> ____________________
> www.cyclingforums.com
>
>
>
> --
> >--------------------------<
> Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com

Personally speaking..I'm happy when I achieve 38kph over 40 kilometres.

Mark

 

[Phil Bixby]

Well, personal experience, as a 40-something starting "serious" cycling after years just pootling
around town.

When I started last autumn I was averaging about 14-15mph over rides between 15-25 miles. I kept
plodding away through the winter, gradually doing slightly more miles and trying to do somewhere
between 50 and 100 a week. Speeds crept up through 16ish, 18ish to current average of about
20-21mph on 30-50 miles rides depending on hills and wind (meteorological, not personal). Not sure
where this puts me in relation to the local chain gang roadies but it's satisfying progress and
corblimey I feel better for it. Pushing hard now involves less suffering and more feeling of having
a bit in reserve.

So... for more speed, get out there and ride! It's worth it )

Phil Bixby York, UK

"Gavin Will" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> What is a good average speed for a road bike over say 15 miles? I have done 200 miles on my
> Edinburgh Continental (V good bike BTW) and my computer says that my average is 17.2 mph is this
> any good, what averages would you get in a bike part of a triathlon? or on a full on 20 mile
> cycle? How can I best improve my times? any help would be appreciated, cheers
>
> gavinwill

 

[Arthur Clune]

Phil Bixby <[email protected]> wrote:

: Speeds crept up through 16ish, 18ish to current average of about 20-21mph on 30-50 miles rides
: depending on hills and wind (meteorological, not personal). Not sure where this puts me in
: relation to the local chain gang roadies

: Phil Bixby York, UK

Well up with us What sort of bike is this on?

If you fancy coming along on some group rides then get in touch - you'd have no problems.

Arthur (Clifton CC, York. www.cliftoncc.org)

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org Power is delightful. Absolute power is absolutely delightful -
Lord Lester

 

[Dan Gregory]

"Gavin Will" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello,
>
> What is a good average speed for a road bike over say 15 miles? I have done 200 miles on my
> Edinburgh Continental (V good bike BTW) and my computer says that my average is 17.2 mph is this
> any good,
Depends on the route ... how hilly is it? All the best Dan Gregory