How fast do you ride during your commute?
#26
Virgo
My average over 2 years on a 25 mile R/T commute was 13.5 mph, usually cruised at 15-17mph depending on wind.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I rode 4 miles to work this morning in 20 minutes, which works out to 12mph exactly. I wasn't exactly in a rush.
Likes For caloso:
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Toronto, CANADA
Posts: 6,204
Bikes: ...a few.
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2012 Post(s)
Liked 409 Times
in
235 Posts
To work it's pretty chill as I try to get there without sweating much, so like 12 mph or so. Coming home I probably go faster, but not intentionally, just the way it is. There is no focus on trying to breaking any average speed at all. First objective is to get there safely. Second is to get there on time, but I leave myself with plenty of time so that I can achieve the 2nd objectively easily.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
15-25 mph cruising speed when I worked farther than the back room desk, but with traffic lights I usually averaged 13.5-15 mph overall. Here's hoping I get to do that again soon!
#30
jj
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 331
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 110 Times
in
78 Posts
~15 miles one way, mostly flat, road bikes with Paselas 28-32c.
depending on wind, diet, sleep, how hard/soft I rode the day before, mood... many mornings it’s cake to keep the computer reading no lower than 19mph on all but one particularly busted street, some mornings I can’t get it above 17 for more than twenty seconds at a time and my computer tells me that I averaged 13-14mph.
I used to say “it isn’t any fun if you’re not drenched in sweat” and I stand by that.
I just caught a James May (of Top Gear/Grand Tour) bike video (?!) a few days ago which he ended with “it’s a lot more fun if you ride like a twat”.
Obviously I agree, but...
In the afternoon/evening rush when I’m certain I’m sharing the road with people who have a phobia about pooping/peeing at work but like to eat big lunches, I’m stuck with the dilemma of being way more energized than I am at 430am but needing to ride deliberately under 16mph so these redlight racers have time to register me as existing in the paved area of the landscape they’re squeezing their panicked & distracted cheeks through.
There’s a time & place for fun, public roads in rush hour is neither the time nor the place.
depending on wind, diet, sleep, how hard/soft I rode the day before, mood... many mornings it’s cake to keep the computer reading no lower than 19mph on all but one particularly busted street, some mornings I can’t get it above 17 for more than twenty seconds at a time and my computer tells me that I averaged 13-14mph.
I used to say “it isn’t any fun if you’re not drenched in sweat” and I stand by that.
I just caught a James May (of Top Gear/Grand Tour) bike video (?!) a few days ago which he ended with “it’s a lot more fun if you ride like a twat”.
Obviously I agree, but...
In the afternoon/evening rush when I’m certain I’m sharing the road with people who have a phobia about pooping/peeing at work but like to eat big lunches, I’m stuck with the dilemma of being way more energized than I am at 430am but needing to ride deliberately under 16mph so these redlight racers have time to register me as existing in the paved area of the landscape they’re squeezing their panicked & distracted cheeks through.
There’s a time & place for fun, public roads in rush hour is neither the time nor the place.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,843
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 896 Post(s)
Liked 2,064 Times
in
1,081 Posts
My commute is 3 miles in the morning and 5 in the evening, significantly downhill in the morning. If I'm strictly commuting, the morning is coasting and soft pedaling and the evening i give it a moderate effort, basically just to get up the hill.
When I want a workout, I do that on the evening ride, often going up the Gorge.
When I want a workout, I do that on the evening ride, often going up the Gorge.
#32
Senior Member
My 10 mile commute would take 1 hour on most days. If I hit the lights I might be able to do it in 55 minutes, but never any faster. And not for not trying. I could certainly ride faster than the average commuter but it doesn't matter if you stop at lights. I would occasionally take my road bike where I could blast up the bridges but even that didn't really make the ride much faster.
Likes For zacster:
#34
Full Member
@UnderDawgAl: brave of you to start over. Just keep rollin’ and feed the forum once in a while yep.
--
How fast do you ride during your commute?
Something in between. Average about 20 kph (12-13 mph) with a non-racer, but do forget that number. Organic really, safety first always. Me no cheetah, no snail, perhaps ... a wolf ;-)
For me commuting (≠ racing) is a mini adventure that I enjoy. Cycling makes me happy. Freedom.
--
How fast do you ride during your commute?
Something in between. Average about 20 kph (12-13 mph) with a non-racer, but do forget that number. Organic really, safety first always. Me no cheetah, no snail, perhaps ... a wolf ;-)
For me commuting (≠ racing) is a mini adventure that I enjoy. Cycling makes me happy. Freedom.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Puyallup, WA
Posts: 430
Bikes: Tout Terrain, Panamericana
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 196 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
8 Posts
My commute is 6 miles each way, and usually go quite fast. I seem to just have to push myself a little bit at least. The route is all through the city, with 18 traffic lights each way, so that slows me down quite bit overall: my average moving speed is around 13 mph (cruising speed 16-20mph).
#38
Junior Member
My commute is 7 miles door to door, starting on top of one hill and ending on another! 400ft elevation gain getting to work, mostly coming on the climb right before arrival so I'm usually pretty gassed by the time I arrive. Little easier and faster on the way home! Around 14.5mph average speed usually on my Trek Hybrid. Lots of fun!
Likes For MrMoody7:
#40
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times
in
1,579 Posts
My commute only has a couple of small hills, so I max out around 25 MPH and average about 15 MPH due to all of the stops. I ride for fun/endorphins as much as anything, so yeah I'll wind it up!
Likes For ThermionicScott:
#41
Senior Member
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.
I use commutes for a few reasons. First, it's a great way to get some bike time and all that which goes into it for your reasons. Secondly, I use it to get in shape.
Using a commute to help get in shape works for me because I don't commute each day. I would quickly tire of that and the magic of riding would go away. Also training each day would be counter-productive after a while. For these rides, I just do a relaxed ride on the way to work, but really push it on the way back. I'll sometimes race against myself for the commute, or I'll do sprinting intervals when I get closer to home, or just do stretches of increased pace (not quite sprinting). I like to arrive back home knowing I just went through a training session. As far as how FAST I actually went, that's relative so I won't say. Your approach and effort are up to you and what you can do.
If I was a dedicated daily commuter, I would have to do a normal pace, but since I'm not, I can do it to suit my purposes.
I use commutes for a few reasons. First, it's a great way to get some bike time and all that which goes into it for your reasons. Secondly, I use it to get in shape.
Using a commute to help get in shape works for me because I don't commute each day. I would quickly tire of that and the magic of riding would go away. Also training each day would be counter-productive after a while. For these rides, I just do a relaxed ride on the way to work, but really push it on the way back. I'll sometimes race against myself for the commute, or I'll do sprinting intervals when I get closer to home, or just do stretches of increased pace (not quite sprinting). I like to arrive back home knowing I just went through a training session. As far as how FAST I actually went, that's relative so I won't say. Your approach and effort are up to you and what you can do.
If I was a dedicated daily commuter, I would have to do a normal pace, but since I'm not, I can do it to suit my purposes.
Likes For WonderMonkey:
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 527 Times
in
349 Posts
My commute is 20.4 miles each way, 40.4 round trip. Going in I put out the most effort and make it anywhere from 50 (occasionally 48 or 49) minutes to 60 minutes with and average of 52-55. Going home can vary from about 60 to 100 minutes depending on time of year and temp, colder at 3 am takes longer. When riding a Velomobile I need to ride a fast pace because it’s much faster up hills to get good speed going down a hill and let the momentum help me up the next hill. It’s very hard to ride slow, there is a certain groove that is the most efficient and that is not a slow pace.
Likes For Germany_chris:
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Central PA (USA)
Posts: 1,448
Bikes: 2014 Carbon Quest XS (Velomobile), 2014 Catrike Road (Trike), 2013 Easy Motion Max 700+ PCS (E-bike), 2011 Lynskey R340 (Road), 2011 Surly Moonlander (Fatty), 2010 Santa Cruise Tallboy (Full Suspension)
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Liked 15 Times
in
11 Posts
Day time is definitely faster especially coming home, going in is about the same day or night, 52-55 minutes. What really makes the difference is the Velomobile and the aerodynamic advantage of the shell, especially at higher speeds. I ride a QuattroVelo Velomobile (4 wheels) as my main commuter and Quest XS Velomobile 3 wheels (2 in front 1 in the rear) as a backup.
Last edited by Bizman; 09-14-20 at 09:34 PM. Reason: Change Ft of climbing
Likes For Bizman:
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 2,190
Bikes: Ti, Mn Cr Ni Mo Nb, Al, C
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 942 Post(s)
Liked 527 Times
in
349 Posts
It’s a little more down hill going to work but still 1005 ft climbing. Coming back it’s a little more up hill with 1043 ft climbing. I had a record time the other day in and back of 1 hour 50 minutes. What can hinder the time is red lights and traffic I have to hit everything just right for the best time.
Day time is definitely faster especially coming home, going in is about the same day or night, 52-55 minutes. What really makes the difference is the Velomobile and the aerodynamic advantage of the shell, especially at higher speeds. I ride a QuattroVelo Velomobile (4 wheels) as my main commuter and Quest XS Velomobile 3 wheels (2 in front 1 in the rear) as a backup.
Day time is definitely faster especially coming home, going in is about the same day or night, 52-55 minutes. What really makes the difference is the Velomobile and the aerodynamic advantage of the shell, especially at higher speeds. I ride a QuattroVelo Velomobile (4 wheels) as my main commuter and Quest XS Velomobile 3 wheels (2 in front 1 in the rear) as a backup.
Likes For jadocs:
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Layton, UT
Posts: 1,606
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 626 Post(s)
Liked 701 Times
in
418 Posts
My commute is 6 miles in, which is a constant, gradual uphill where I usually average 10-12 mph. I'm still pretty sweaty when I get in, but just wash up and change clothes.
I almost never go straight home. Typically, my ride home is 12-15 miles, but I've found some good routes that are close to 20 miles that I try to do at least once per week. I do track my rides, and haven't been riding as much lately since I'm working from home and my afternoon commute time has been taken up doing work around the house.
I almost never go straight home. Typically, my ride home is 12-15 miles, but I've found some good routes that are close to 20 miles that I try to do at least once per week. I do track my rides, and haven't been riding as much lately since I'm working from home and my afternoon commute time has been taken up doing work around the house.
#49
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,432 Times
in
2,539 Posts
How fast do you ride during your commute?
I think the long-term average on my cyclo-computer might be 8 point something
Likes For RubeRad:
#50
Keepin it Wheel
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 10,245
Bikes: Surly CrossCheck, Krampus
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Liked 3,432 Times
in
2,539 Posts
Correction: I checked my cyclocomputer, and over my last ~100mi my average speed was 9.8mph. I'm burnin it up!
Likes For RubeRad: