New to cycling, 50 mile ride
05-20-18, 05:33 PM
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New to cycling, 50 mile ride
As mentioned I’m new to cycling... I actually just picked up my new Emonda....mostly for commuting to work. I saw this video about people riding miles on end so decided to try it today solo. So i took off and did a fifty mile loop....I’m 31 yrs old, 6ft tall, 220lbs, and don’t usually do too much cardio. I finished in just under 3 hours without stopping...my question is, is a 17.2 mph Avg a little slow for a fifty mile ride? I want to get good enough where I can start riding with people and not slowing them down.
Last edited by Achilles0557; 05-20-18 at 05:35 PM. Reason: misspelled words
05-20-18, 05:50 PM
#2
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I've ridden 3000 miles in the last year and never averaged more than 16mph on a ride. Well done.
05-20-18, 06:14 PM
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You never came to a cross street or traffic light? I have found that it is very hard to maintain that kind of speed over distance when factoring in all the usual stops and starts.
05-20-18, 06:20 PM
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Depends on where you ride. Here in the suburbs you can have long stretches of road without lights, and even when there are lights they are usually in your favour if you are on a main road.
05-20-18, 07:03 PM
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You're flying. How many calories did you lose today?
05-20-18, 08:01 PM
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Tough to judge as it's the OP's first post, but my BF sensor detects a humblebrag, so...
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05-20-18, 08:22 PM
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The Skeptic-o-meter really pinged when the new cyclist bought an Emonda to commute on. A girlfriend of mine bought here very first bike about a year ago, specifically for commuting. It's a hideous white folder she bought off of Craigslist.
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05-20-18, 08:27 PM
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Not unusual to commute on a flashy road bike. I was thinking he was lucky he had a place to store the bike indoors, because you wouldn't want to leave that bike outside...Hmm, maybe I'm just very naive.
05-20-18, 08:29 PM
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That’s great.
05-20-18, 08:36 PM
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You guys are tough. Who cares if the guy is proud of his ride? A 31 year old could absolutely go do that without knowing if it's good, if he's a rook. Why does he have to buy a turd for a first bike? This is why people tend to lurk instead of join.
05-20-18, 08:56 PM
#14
Non omnino gravis
I'm all for the benefit of the doubt, but AFAIC, if someone goes out and buys an Emonda to start, they have ideas not only about their own capabilities, but also those of others. For most club rides, 17mph average puts you in at the very least the B group, but more typically the A group. So 17.2mph over 50 miles? Faster than some, slower than others.
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05-20-18, 09:49 PM
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I understand where everyone is coming from. When I said Cycling, I meant road biking. I have mountain biked before. I currently live in the panhandle of FL so the roads aren’t crazy...and I am fit. I have been out the last few months because I was actually hit by a car on my little fold up bicycle, so I was able to afford a nice bicycle. And yes I did my homework, which is why I went with an Emonda. I am new to road biking which is why I asked if the average was okay. Thanks to those who answered, I apologize if I offended anyone. And this was a Loop in the state and national forests...not one stop light.
05-20-18, 10:01 PM
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I can't maintain a 17mph average for more than about 10 miles, so from my perspective, yeah that's really good.
Then again, there's no such thing as a flat road around here.
Then again, there's no such thing as a flat road around here.
05-20-18, 10:49 PM
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Yes, I am on base and have a cage where I put all my gear. So definitely do not store this bike outside.
05-21-18, 06:26 AM
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05-21-18, 06:58 AM
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05-21-18, 07:09 AM
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Thanks again for the replies, I asked because a guy that I work with told me he is at 20.3 mph on a 20 mile ride. This is why I asked in the first place. I am going to do another loop this weekend and make sure it isn’t a fluke. I am a little upset because I already put a slight mark in the fork. I clipped in and couldn’t unclip...toppled right over. I felt like such an idiot. Haha
05-21-18, 07:17 AM
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05-21-18, 08:04 AM
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17.2 average in the flatlands of Fla would probably make you a B group rider in my club. That B group is actually pretty slow so you would have no problem. Pretty good for starting out. Obviously if you face hills your average will be effected haha. If you want to get stronger do a lot of interval training and aim towards headwinds, don't shy away from them. It's resistance, just like climbing.
05-21-18, 12:22 PM
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What does average speed mean anyways? Watch this: