New rider...what is a good average speed?
 

I just started riding...I am two rides in, both around 22 miles, so not particularly long. Averaging 19.8mph solo with roughly 1000ft of vertical (up and down given they are loops). Wind hasn't been a big factor on these rides and I've been able to keep moving without more than 1 or 2 stops at a light or something. I know there are no "typical" numbers, but trying to get a sense for how I'd keep up with a group of much more experienced riders...

19.8mph sounds like a good avg speed to me. I'm usually a bit slower than that, although in my area it's almost impossible to ride 20 miles with only 1000ft of elevation.

Not everything is speed though. When I'm doing a long ride, especially if it involves lots of climbing, I prefer to go slower and make sure I don't have to go through innecesary suffering at the end, I also tend to ride slower if I know I'm going to ride several days in a row.

If this is your second bike ride ever and you’re averaging 19.8mph over 22 miles, it’s time to start thinking about a coach and a professional cycling career. Nice pace for a solo beginner. ;)

Please allow for some difference in advertised group speed and actual, particularly in light of what part of the season it is. Almost every group I have ever ridden with was faster than what they "grouped" and def. so late in the season. Make sure when you start looking for a group that it's a NO DROP ride with a sweep.
Riding in a group is easier on you for a couple of different reasons. Drafting is a big part of it...however I would mention to you to mention to the group that you are a NEW rider and will need practice off the back before trying to join a rotation.
Based on what you are saying I would look for a no drop B group to join, probably wouldn't consider more than a 20-25 mile loop to start with. Get teething over with and see where you stand.

There are many variables that come into play with a group ride so it is difficult to make any kind of definitive answer. 20mph over 20-odd miles. Group rides will likely be similar average but over 50-100 miles, depending upon the group. More mileage, more hills to soak up your energy. Drafting will be a huge help as mentioned, but it is a skill to learn and be comfortable with. Hanging off the back will see you likely dropped so best to learn it. If the group is lively and some hard efforts are involved, this will be energy-sapping too in bursts that a steady average won't have allowed for.

In my experience, I'd suggest if you can manage 20mph over 20 miles then you should be ok with weekend group rides. Only way to find out is to try. They are a lot of fun and different groups like different things - some will ride quite easily, not much effort, just out for the social. Others will want to rotate and draft for a decent average - certainly on the way back. Others will see the journey home as a mini-race.

That's as fast as the fastest group ride around here, with roughly the same climbing,

so you would either be leading a group of whippet-thin, high mileage hotheads,

or something about your numbers doesn't add up.

After riding for five years, completing four Centuries in the past year, participating in many club activities, and riding about 3x week, I'm finally able to maintain 20-21 mph, solo, on level ground. If you're getting 19.8 right out of the gate, including hill climbs, then either your an all-star athlete or you're mismeasuring your results.

Small sample set, but my two rides are almost exactly the same stats. One was Strava on my iphone and one was with my new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt. I have been doing indoor cycling for nearly 2 years and since October with a Peloton. My power output on that is pretty much double most of my friends on rides regardless of their size and I am only about 160lbs, so makes sense I'd be able to move at a decent clip on a real bike. Just a totally different experience outdoors.

Appreciate the advice.

:deadhorse:

Anything over 25 is good. Over 28 looks better. But a great speed? Then you're looking at 30 plus.

Hammer group rides/races have little to do with average speed and everything to do with being able to go really, really hard and recover to do it again. Doesn't matter if you can average 23 on your own if you can't hold a wheel at 28 for a couple of minutes when needed.

Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 74

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2nd outdoor ride ever. Had my bike for a week. Been cycling indoors for roughly 2 years...

Double like 50w to 100w?

100 to 200?

200 to 400?

Average around 265 watts for 45 min rides.

Then you're a particularly strong rider and you'll do very well.

I averaged 16.3 for 23 miles last weekend I was proud as $#!^ at myself, you are doing quite well to avg 19.8 on a 22 mile ride. If allowed and you are comfortable find your local club and you are ready for a B pace ride, you'll probably be even faster in a group

I agree. To stay in an aggressive group ride, you need to be able to go into the red zone and stay there for awhile and then recover while still doing 20 plus mph in the pack. I would find a group you can easily ride with and learn pack etiquette first. Slower groups are amenable to teaching new riders things than the faster paced rides.

While he is fit, he has never ridden in a pack. He had a lot to learn before he is ready to ride the faster groups. There is much less tolerance for poor riding skill the faster things get.

You should be shooting for 21-22 mph, then!

haha. Will see. I have a lot to learn about riding position, optimal shifting etc. out on the road. Sometimes I feel like a giant sail out there. Fun to be out though!

​​That should be ok for weekend group rides. Give it a go.

I'm 141lbs, 295 watts and max at around 1200 watts for a second or two in a sprint. I'm 51 so have slowed a bit and only started cycling properly again last June. On my Club rides I'm the strongest overall albeit not the best climber, rather the fastest sprinter, but there are Elite groups locally I would struggle to hang in with for very long. Really depends upon the group you join.

Joining a bike forum 8 years before getting on an indoor bike, and 10 years before riding a bike outdoors is some serious pre-planning. I admire that.

Good to keep a few user names in reserve:rolleyes:

Totally agree.
Should ride with some groups that he can keep up with easily to start with.

I have a 62 km segment around where I work
a loop with 2 lights and 6 stops

in the beginning of the season I average 30kph solo
at the end of the season 36kph solo