project15

How fast do you normally cycle? I just started cycling about 2 weeks ago. I have an old 1970's 10-speed and I don't feel like I'm going as fast as I should be going on a "road" bike. I'm usually around 13 mph on average (according to my computer). This usually breaks down to 15-17mph with a tail wind and 12mph with a headwind.

Am I just a fred? I think I need a new bike.

Allen

I average in the 15-16 mph range on both my Salsa La Raza, and my Xtra-Lite. I usually do a 12-18 mile out and back when I'm doing commuting runs.
On the weekends I like to get lunch in a nearby town for a 40 mile out and back. There are few stops and little traffic between my house and the dinner. On those runs I always take my La Raza and average 17-19 mph.

Those speeds go way down in the winds.
Don't sweat being a Fred, I'm in the Fred royal family, if you don't have a bell you're not even close yet.

Nachoman

Mostly commuting to work now, so pretty low key. Don't push much. but I weekends, I sometimes like to haul azz.

iamlucky13

I didn't take the average off my computer, because it always includes a lot of time rolling slowly exploring stuff, etc (shows 13-14 right now, I think). My average sustaining speed though, I would say is around 16-17. This weekend, after warming up and settling into a cadence I was rolling 20.5 comfortably on flat ground until I got into town and hit the lights. This was on a hardtail with slicks.

Ganesha

Leisure: 12-15 mph
Top sustainable average speed for more then 20 minutes: 19-22mph
Fastest I've ever gone (gravity and wind assisted): 39.9 mph (I know this cause I was trying to break 40, but the speedometer just wouldn't pass 39.9, if I only had more gears!)

rha600

I've been averaging 15-16 mph lately.

al-wagner

Riding in the winter with all the ice and snow and studded tires on a mountain bike I average about 10 mph.
When all the crap is gone I average 15-16 on a fully loaded bike going to work.
On longer road rides I average 17-20.

DataJunkie

The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th option depending upon what I am doing, where I am riding, what bike I am riding, and who I am riding with. Average speed is such a subjective measure that it seems pointless to compare.

chevy42083

My averages are about the same as the original post...taken from my computer. That includes rolling to stops, stop signs, lights, and general slowing.

Endox

Don't worry, if you've just started recently your average speed should increase noticably over the first few weeks/months even if you were already fit. Better to just ride a lot and get the miles in for now than worry about specific training or costly upgrades; although if the bike you are talking about is a MTB or hybrid then yes you would notice an immediate improvement with a road bike purely due to aerodynamics.

comet the dog

95% of my riding is commuting. i average between 12 and 15 mph. it all depends on whether im on my way to work(12) or on my way home(15)

Nightshade

What the hell difference does it make how fast you ride
if you get where you're going without walking**********

Falkon 

I'm usually about at 18, but it's hard to say, because I don't have a computer on any of my bikes anymore.

Ritehsedad

When I commute on my mtb with panniers, usually 13-15.

tspoon

On my commute it's normally around low 16 on my hybrid w/ 700x38's (not too hilly, a few smallish rises). It's perpetually windy here, but I'd like to think I could average 18 on a roadie...

fat_bike_nut

Mostly, I average around 15-18 on a 10-speed with 27x1-1/4" tires, judging by destination times and the fact that I do stop for stoplights. Also based on the gear ratio that I normally stick the bike in when I'm at cruising speed.

project15

I'm wondering if I'm just not cycling well enough. Everyone talks about how fast they are on a bike, but my avg 13 mph didn't seem that fast to me.

sswartzl

Commute speed (comfort or hybrid bike) averages around 13-14 mph
Fun rides on the road bike average 15-16 mph

Terrain in both cases includes a collection of those fine Pittsburgh hills.

Jolt

I'd say, based on the time it takes me to make trips of a known distance, about 12 mph average (and most of my trips are 3 miles or less around town). This is on a hybrid with 700x38 tires in a rather hilly area, with the occasional stop at an intersection etc. Sometimes more like 10 mph with a headwind (ugh) or on particularly hilly routes. In other words, I'm not exactly a speed demon. Hopefully as I continue to ride more it will improve some; it would be interesting to see what my average speed would be on a longer trip.

alicestrong

8-12... is that why everyone passes me? ;o)

I'm generally around alot of cars and want to be careful or I'm on some kind of woodsy trail I don't do alot of "roadie" type riding...I suppose that if I did I'd build up some speed.

RussB

I'm just hitting 15mph now on 20 mile rides. Lots of hills. I run around 17-21 mph on the flats whether the grade is up or down 1 degree. I was running 16.5 mph last year on 40 mile rides. I hope I can get back to that soon. Also I'm 5'9" 170lbs and 47 years old.

socal619

Yesterday I did 40 miles averaging 16-17 into the wind and 20-22 with it at my back. But I'm pretty new to road biking, only been at it for 3 weeks. On my heavy arse commuter, who knows? I don't have a computer on that thing.

edp773

Average speed equals distance covered from starting time to finishing time. My average is 10 MPH, no matter what my cyclocometer says. It does not count stoplights, breaks, etc.

bmclaughlin807

I average 14 mph for 'utility' rides (Grocery store, errands, commute, etc)

And about 16-17 on group rides where if I'm really pushing it.

Terrain makes a big difference... Routes around here tend to range from 'hilly' to 'very hilly'. Gotta love the Rockies!

04jtb

+1