Speed or how to increase it?
06-11-22, 05:10 AM
#26
Banned.
I can try to hold a speed of up to 28 mph on crowded city commutes for as long as possible but without riding like a jerk, my average speed would only be 15 mph or less, or almost half my maximum sustainable speed!
If you're only averaging 11 mph, double that figure, and you could be hitting >20 mph in some segments. >20 mph is not bad at all on a hybrid bike with pannier. I'd even say you're doing fantastic!
So I'd say you're doing perfectly fine I suppose.....But if you say you're only averaging 11 mph in nearly empty flat roads far away from the city, they yes, you have plenty of room to improve on 11 mph speed.
If you're only averaging 11 mph, double that figure, and you could be hitting >20 mph in some segments. >20 mph is not bad at all on a hybrid bike with pannier. I'd even say you're doing fantastic!
So I'd say you're doing perfectly fine I suppose.....But if you say you're only averaging 11 mph in nearly empty flat roads far away from the city, they yes, you have plenty of room to improve on 11 mph speed.
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06-11-22, 06:14 AM
#27
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Spend some time on google maps and study the area which you're riding through. It's possible that there are side streets, trails, paths and all kinds of other short cuts which you could connect together to make your commute faster.
06-11-22, 06:25 AM
#28
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06-11-22, 07:34 AM
#29
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You may find a different style of pedalling helps, especially if you are fairly old (40 or 50 plus), using your glutes with a push forwards pull back style as explained on this thread. I am 57. I have found I have gone back to speeds I achieved about 10 years ago by using push pull rather than quad-centric stomp stomp. I don't think it would result in increased speed in younger riders though, maybe. I am not sure.
Throw in some variations.
Also try pedalling standing up.
06-11-22, 08:00 AM
#30
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06-11-22, 09:29 PM
#32
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06-11-22, 09:34 PM
#33
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...averaging 10 or 12 MPH, for a city commute, with traffic lights in commuter traffic, is doing pretty good where I live. The only way I could do much better would be to blow a lot of lights.
Is there another route you could take that might be less direct, but have fewer traffic control devices ? For example, I have MUP along the river. It's a little longer distance, but quicker overall to get downtown.
...averaging 10 or 12 MPH, for a city commute, with traffic lights in commuter traffic, is doing pretty good where I live. The only way I could do much better would be to blow a lot of lights.
Is there another route you could take that might be less direct, but have fewer traffic control devices ? For example, I have MUP along the river. It's a little longer distance, but quicker overall to get downtown.
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06-11-22, 10:12 PM
#34
Senior Member
I have a general question on how to bike faster or reach a destination faster while urban riding. I am riding a hybrid marin bike with a rack and usually have a pannier that is full (18L). My destination is 14km one way or 8.669 miles and it takes me around 46 minutes and I average at most 11 mph but can never get more than 12mph. I feel like I can do better but my routes are a mix of dedicated bikes and painted lanes. The maximum elevation gain is usually 269ft. Is there anything I can do as I try to not carry a lot of weight
06-11-22, 10:24 PM
#35
Senior Member
Personally, I find the biggest variable in urban riding speed is how fast I can accelerate off of a traffic stop. I'm a high gear guy, but I suspect that people telling you to increase the gearing might actually be steering you in the wrong direction. My best tip would be to make sure you shift down before the stop so you can spin it fast when the light turns green and then shift up to your cruising gear.
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06-12-22, 05:21 AM
#36
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06-12-22, 06:10 AM
#37
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06-12-22, 06:19 AM
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06-12-22, 08:04 AM
#39
Banned.
Daytime flashing lights and keeping to the center of the roads make it safer. It's unsafe to go that fast on the bike lane.
But my average speed would only be 15 mph. It's not often I get empty segments to hit 28 or even 30 mph. At most, I only get three opportunities to do this on commutes.
