robertj298 

I am 64 years old and had a bike as a kid but it was just an old single speed with coaster brakes. I never rode a geared bike until about 3 or 4 years ago.
I had bought a 10 year old Specialized Sirrus which I've just ridden casually from time to time. 3 months ago I figured I needed to start riding more to
keep in shape so I bought an old vintage Lotus Unique which I've been riding quite a bit. I used to run quite a bit until my early 50s but the joints don't take that very well now.
I'm not in really bad shape ,I'm 5'11" 180 lbs. Riding has been a struggle but I'm starting to see some progress. I usually ride a 12 mile loop of country roads where I live which
are mostly flat with a few light hills thrown in.At first I could barely average 12 mph but today I was able to average 15.4 mph so I'm making progress and can feel my legs
getting stronger and my endurance gaining.

canerods

Helderberg

Turn 70 this october and am trying to get to your weight. I think you are doing great and hope you can keep at it. I live in an area that is very hilly and it is hard to find a flat road longer than 50 yds. in the village. Keep at it and be safe.
Frank.

DrDyno

I don't know how you guys are making the speeds you do! I'm a young 73, about the same size and weight as robertj298. I got back on my Jamis Commuter-4 (with Nexus 8-speed hub) about six weeks ago and, although I've gone as far as 13 miles with several hills, my best average speed still just under 10 MPH. What kind of bikes are you on?

dynodonn 

I'm the opposite, after bicycle commuting to work for years, I'm enjoying the reduced miles, and in being able to ride much easier routes at non rush hour times.

robertj298 

I like a relaxed pace also especially riding the flat bike trails here in Ohio but I try to push myself a couple times a week to get in shape.

bruce19

I'm 72 and also one of those Strava guys. I do Strava just to keep track of what I'm doing and to see if I can improve with age. In this case "improve" means get faster/stronger. And, this year I've actually been doing that. I have a flat .8 mi. segment near my house that I just did 24.4 mph on and a 6.4 mi. TT that I just did 18.7 mph on. Like so many of us, there are 10 lbs I just can't lose. But, I'm having fun and riding more fluidly. I think I'm doing about 50-60 mi./wk. I ride with a club on Saturdays. FWIW I'm riding a Guru Sidero (steel @ 17+ lbs with just pedals).

talphie

Baldy1953

Congrats on your improvement in riding. I have been riding about 4 years and average around 16-17 mph on a 30 mile ride. I seem to be stuck in that area. Keep at it and you will get faster, if that is your goal. Mine is more a distance oriented goal vs speed. Want to go fast, but the mileage is more important to me as I want to see 6000 miles this year. Have over 3500 already, so I feel I can reach it.

TiHabanero

" I have seen improvement in my speed and endurance, but can’t seem to shed all the weight I’d hoped to lose." Calorie control and effort. High effort rides will start the calorie burn, and controlling what goes in the body will allow the body to lose weight. Just learned this lesson this summer. After all these years one thinks they know most everything! Alas, it is not true!

Helderberg

I have found this to be the key for me. I have stopped eating anything after 8m and have been eating less, smaller portions, of my meals. For me it is carbs so I pay close attention to them as they are also my weakness. Not near my ideal weight but this has helped along with the bike and elliptical on those days I can't ride.
frank.

SpindriftEd

A lot of factors impact speed, bike weight, aerodynamics, bike fit and your strength and technique among others.

Your bike isn't really built for speed and I'm guessing it's fairly heavy and riding in an upright position will become a factor the faster you go as wind resistance becomes higher.

All that said, I wouldn't worry about your speed, it's really not that important. What matters is if you feel yourself getting stronger and having fun while doing it.

DrDyno

Turns out... TIRE PRESSURE was holding me back! I need to add: "Check Tire Pressure!" to my pre-ride duties. This evening I found my tires were down to low 40's PSI and, after filling them to 65, my local neighborhood MPH (3.5 miles) went from the low 9's to the low 11's! Let that be a lesson to me!!

(Hmm... wonder what would happen at 100 PSI!)

SpindriftEd

Yeah, flat tires will definitely slow you down.

The higher the pressure the less rolling resistance is a general rule. Just don't try it with your tires, go with the max on the sidewall plus a few. The downside of higher pressures is more vibrations.

Like I said before, don't be concerned about speed, just have fun.

DrDyno

Thanks, Ed... Good advice!

Greenhil