How fast do you ride during your commute?
#51
Arizona Dessert
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I haven't been commuting since early March, but have been riding to/from work everyday on my commute route which makes for 22.6 miles total. Lately I've been averaging 22.2mph moving time (not counting time spent waiting at lights) which requires me to push steadily hard as I can for 1hr. It is draining, but feels so good!
#53
Keepin it Wheel
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My commute is between 14 and 21 miles, depending on which route I take. How fast or hard you do your ride depends on what you want out of your commute. Some say "Well why would I hurry up my commute?" To that I ask "Well why don't you just go 5 miles an hour?" You will find out that speed DOES matter to the vast majority of people, even if they don't say it or know it. I think what most people mean is that they ride at a comfortable pace and are ok with it, so why push it? Whatever all that is, it is up to them and I may be way off.
Your approach and effort are up to you and what you can do.
My approach is to listen to my podcasts, while incidentally moving forward.
Looks like 9.8mph (that's moving time, the computer shuts off after a few stationary seconds at red lights) is the thread winner -- nobody is more relaxed than me!
#54
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My commutes are generally 18-20 mph, door to door. Riding home, that is.
Going to work, in recent years it's been much slower, just enjoying the ride, thinking and planning the day, refreshed when I get there.
Going to work, in recent years it's been much slower, just enjoying the ride, thinking and planning the day, refreshed when I get there.
#55
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I do a 20 mile round trip commute, average speed 11 to 13 mph. I take my time enjoy the ride and plan my day.. The ride home just enjoy!!!!!!
#56
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Been working from home for a number of years now. When I commuted by bike I was still riding a BMX and was in city traffic, so I'm sure my average speed wasn't that fast, but I wasn't loafing either. The thing with city biking is that even when you're in no rush, there are plenty of circumstances where you need to go all out. Quick starts at a traffic light to get out of the way of cars turning right. Getting up to match the flow of traffic so you can merge and get around an obstruction in the bike lane. Avoiding the taxi that accelerated to get around you and then pulls in front of you and immediately stops to let out a passenger. All those obstacles mean I'm working pretty hard and would show up to work pretty sweaty no matter how chill I tried to take it.
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#57
Senior Member
Been working from home for a number of years now. When I commuted by bike I was still riding a BMX and was in city traffic, so I'm sure my average speed wasn't that fast, but I wasn't loafing either. The thing with city biking is that even when you're in no rush, there are plenty of circumstances where you need to go all out. Quick starts at a traffic light to get out of the way of cars turning right. Getting up to match the flow of traffic so you can merge and get around an obstruction in the bike lane. Avoiding the taxi that accelerated to get around you and then pulls in front of you and immediately stops to let out a passenger. All those obstacles mean I'm working pretty hard and would show up to work pretty sweaty no matter how chill I tried to take it.
#58
Junior Member
Cruising speed 15-18
Crushing it 20
Average around 13-14
I don't have a lot of long straight stretches in my 6 mile commute. A few, but I have a lot of stop and go, waiting for traffic lights, etc. 25 min overall time for this.
Crushing it 20
Average around 13-14
I don't have a lot of long straight stretches in my 6 mile commute. A few, but I have a lot of stop and go, waiting for traffic lights, etc. 25 min overall time for this.
#60
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I always showered at work so I made it a workout every time.
#62
Senior Member
Went on a 3hr, 36 km ride with my 28 yr old son the other day. He kept telling me to go faster. I later told him that 1) I'm almost 60 yrs old; 2) I'm carrying all the gear ( the bike I scrambled for him didn't have a rack); and 3) normally when I'm riding on my own, I'm not rushing so I coast a lot.
My normal speed would be about 15 to 18 km/hr. But I guess I was doing around 20 or more with my son pushing me.
My normal speed would be about 15 to 18 km/hr. But I guess I was doing around 20 or more with my son pushing me.
#63
Senior Member
17.5 miles one way, with a very slight downgrade the whole way. Inbound usually takes between 55 - 70 minutes so avg. 17.5mph; home bound usually 65 - 80 minutes so slightly slower. Times don’t really change much regardless of what bike I ride be it my old Trek Hybrid or slickified old rigid mountain bike....
#65
Senior Member
I ride about 20 miles each way and tend to average ~17.5.
Considering I am on a MUP (that is mostly empty) I'm pretty happy about it. Still adds about an hour to my day vs the car though so my wife tends to be less thrilled.
I also hate getting up early and dislike riding in the cold, so I'm really only an occasional fair weather commuter.
Considering I am on a MUP (that is mostly empty) I'm pretty happy about it. Still adds about an hour to my day vs the car though so my wife tends to be less thrilled.
I also hate getting up early and dislike riding in the cold, so I'm really only an occasional fair weather commuter.
#66
aka Tom Reingold
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I ride about 20 miles each way and tend to average ~17.5.
Considering I am on a MUP (that is mostly empty) I'm pretty happy about it. Still adds about an hour to my day vs the car though so my wife tends to be less thrilled.
I also hate getting up early and dislike riding in the cold, so I'm really only an occasional fair weather commuter.
Considering I am on a MUP (that is mostly empty) I'm pretty happy about it. Still adds about an hour to my day vs the car though so my wife tends to be less thrilled.
I also hate getting up early and dislike riding in the cold, so I'm really only an occasional fair weather commuter.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.