Where do I stand?

[suzbyrd]

While out riding today (22.5 miles in 80mins), I was thinking about this site and the other women who ride and post here....my question is....What kind of riding, and at what pace do you ride it at? I live in a very hilly part of Tennessee where there are elevation gains on every ride, even the short ones. I know I try to push it every time I ride and since there are very few (if any other) females who ride around here, I was just thinking about what other folks do and where I stood in regards to all of ya'll (that's southern speak for all you northerners!:)). I read where some of you ride 40-50 miles at a time or at amazing paces. I know that here, a 15 mile ride could take an hour, because of the hills. A 50 mile ride would take a major effort and 3 1/2 hours. So, what kind of miles do you ride and at what pace? How old are you? How long have you been riding? What kind of bike do you train on? Any information you could share with me for comparison's sake would be greatly appreciated.

[maillotpois]

While comparing data from others might be interesting intellectually, there's just no way you're going to get any sort of real comparison because everyone rides vastly different terrain and conditions. I couldn't give you an average pace, climbing or ride, even if I wanted to, because each of my rides is so different.

Ride your bike and have fun. Compare yourself to yourself. Look for improvement in your rides. Set your goals according to your terrain and what you want to do on the bike, not what you think you should be doing because of what others are doing.

Just my 2 cents. :)

[suzbyrd]

Gotcha! I'm just someone who wants to figure out where she stand in regards to others. Most times I feel like I'm slacking and need some motivation

[maillotpois]

Best thing I have found for motivation is a goal - something you want to be able to do. Is there a metric century or century in your area you might train for? Are there any groups in your area you might ride with who have casual paced rides you could join and start to get motivation from riding with others?

You say you have a lot of hills in your area - do you have an altimeter or other way of measuring those hills so you can start to compare one ride to another? If you do a 30 mile ride that has 2500 feet of elevation gain, that should take you a lot longer than a 30 mile ride with 1000 feet of elevation gain. Unless the wind is blowing really hard. Which goes back to my original mention of "conditions".

You can also set goals of trying to improve your time on specific rides, etc. There's plenty of competition you can find with yourself.

[ZenBiker]

I understand your interest in comparing, I wonder the same things and won't be able to resist reading the responses. At the same time, I'm trying not to think too much about how I compare to others. I have a tendency to get too caught up in the numbers and end up feeling bad about myself. For example: I'll be riding in an event this coming weekend with a bunch of friends who are all better cyclists than me and have been stressing over that. So every time I start out on a training ride lately I remind myself, out loud, to have fun. There will always be someone (in my case many someones) who ride further and faster and that's OK. As long as I'm progressing and enjoying it, it's all good. (Of course if I were training for a race it would be different, then the whole point is to compare - but I'm not).

Edited to add: just saw your reply about looking for motivation. Makes sense. I like maillotpois's suggestion about tracking your own stats and working to improve on them, or training for an event to give your rides structure.

[Velocivixen]

I live in a town that's a suburb of Portland, Or with the entire metro area of 1 million or so. There are plenty of flats as well as hills if you want them. I consider myself a leisure rider. I like to go out and see & smell new places. According to my Cateye Strada my average speed ranges from 10-14 mph. I have ridden about 197 miles in the last 4 weeks or so. My max. speed, usually down a hill is about 18-21 mph, although I can go up to about 16 mph on flats if I want. I find that when I ride faster I have to pay more attention, and it takes away from my enjoying the scenery and looking around. I have been riding in the past 6 months my new Trek FX 7.3 FX. I have ridden more in the past 6 months than the entire previous 25 years. This is due to having the appropriate bike, and one that I really enjoy. So, my typical rides involve riding to a destination, maybe 5-10 miles away, having a coffee or lunch, then riding home.
So that's it. Hope that helps. I find that motivation is a fickle friend-it comes and it goes, so I don't rely on it to keep me active. I just do it.

[jobob]

I've stopped bringing my Garmin on my rides. I have no idea what my average pace is anymore. :D

[maillotpois]

I've stopped bringing my Garmin on my rides. I have no idea what my average pace is anymore. :D

I did that for a while last year - after it was stolen. ;) I'm back, but the break was refreshing.

[DarcyInOregon]

One thing I've learned is that cycling as an activity for sports and/or fitness and/or recreation is an individual process and comparisons to other cyclists are not useful. I do understand what you desire to know and that is how do other female cyclists ride. I am 57 years old and I ride a Trek Madone. I belong to three different cycling groups (no clubs), of which two are training groups and one is a recreational group. The weekend training group is mostly males and the focus is on distance and climbing, and my focus is trying to stay up with the lead pack so I don't get lost, and being the only older female, the males get up the steep climbs faster than me and I find myself sprinting on the downside to put them in sight again. The Tuesday a.m. group is about short and fast and bike skills. Members of the recreation group will join with me on event rides, even when there is a lot of elevation gain, and sometimes want to join me when I am out doing a solo ride for distance and/or climbing. I ride with my Garmin and keep track of my stats through the months and years. I now use http://ridewithgps.com to map hilly routes in advance as this site gives me the grade percentage that matches up exactly to the readings on my Garmin when I run the cursor over the route, and matches up to the GPS bike computers of other cyclists in my training groups, so I no longer have surprises like mile-long 20% grade climbs that are beyond my ability and I believe the site to be accurate. What is disconcerting for me though, is that most females my age want to bike the easiest way, slow on bike trails, avoid even the smallest of the hills, and in a group they take the short route options and ride real slow. This means I ride with males that are stronger and faster than me, and/or younger females that are lighter and faster than me. Despite my age, I've made considerable improvement over the past few years, can bike more category climbs and miles of continuous climbs, pull a paceline into a headwind and ride a century if I feel so inclined. I have no desire to do double centuries, brevets or tours as I am active enough and happy with the amount of cycling I do, which totaled about 6500 miles last year.

[Tri Girl]

I live in the flat plains and most of my rides average in the 15-17 range- when I'm on my carbon tri bike. When I'm on my steel commuter I average between 11-13. A hill around here is only about a 200 ft elevation change, but there aren't too many. I've been riding about 6 years, have done more centuries than I can count, more triathlons than I can count, one Ironman, and lots of short bike tours.

Funny how different people can be because I couldn't care less how I compare to others. I mostly ride alone because competition turns me into a green demon who is not pleasant to be around. Numbers mess with my head and make me go crazy with negative self-talk (I'm not fast enough, that ride wasn't long enough, I should have a higher avg., etc). I often will take the computer off the bike and just go ride for the sake of riding. There was a year a few years ago when I hated riding and it was because of the numbers (on the computer, the garmin, the HR monitor). I'm good enough and riding makes me happy- that's mostly what I care about. I'm never going to be as fast as some, and I'm probably faster than a few. Like Popeye says: I am what I am!

[suzbyrd]

I recently bought a Trek Madone after riding a Giant OCR for about 5 years. I have found that I average a higher mph on the better bike. I ride mostly because I can't run much anymore bc of my knees. I just like to know that, as a 44 yr old, that I am doing what others are doing. Motivation, yes, but also I pride myself on staying young and in shape. I ride mostly w/ hubby and have found that I can leave him struggling to keep up (and he's 5 yrs younger!). I also like to try to do things others can't or won't do. Anyways, thanks for the answers everybody!

[DarcyInOregon]

I recently bought a Trek Madone after riding a Giant OCR for about 5 years. I have found that I average a higher mph on the better bike. I ride mostly because I can't run much anymore bc of my knees. I just like to know that, as a 44 yr old, that I am doing what others are doing. Motivation, yes, but also I pride myself on staying young and in shape. I ride mostly w/ hubby and have found that I can leave him struggling to keep up (and he's 5 yrs younger!). I also like to try to do things others can't or won't do. Anyways, thanks for the answers everybody!

Isn't the Madone an awesome bike? It is a pleasure to ride, with great balance, control and acceleration, and makes biking the miles a delight on every ride.

I understand what you are saying about doing the best we can and therefore achieving results, accomplishing what many others in our age range cannot do. At my age, I am horrified at the number of women I meet who are younger than me, who have had bypass heart surgery, who suffer terribly from adult onset diabetes to the point of being in kidney failure, who have had knee or hip replacements/surgeries and who are already in osteoporosis. On the other hand, I meet cyclists who are in their 80s and 90s and they are riding centuries, and my reaction is I want to be like them in my 80s and 90s, not bed-ridden in a nursing home counting the days until I die. The secret I've discovered is as we age, we have to work harder at it, put more time on the bike, put more time in the gym and put more time into other physical activities like hiking, that the aging female has to work harder to maintain and increase fitness than a male her same age. As you get older, you will find fewer and fewer females in your age range who bike as well as you do because it does take a lot of time and commitment and avoiding injury and illness.

My weekend training group has a choice of routes this weekend. I am cycling the 55-mile route with a 5 1/2 mile Category 2 climb. I will be biking with the males and a female 25 years younger than me. The females in my age group will be biking the short flat route, a reasonable choice for them, but not one I would make for myself. I don't want to go through life saying to myself that I can't try something because it is too difficult. I would rather try and fail, than not try at all. When I try and succeed, it is a great joy.

[Crankin]

To the OP, try to remember that you just can't generalize about what others do or what you should do.
There are plenty of super fit people who ride with significant medical "things," and I have found that you can't generalize about them, the same way you can't assume an overweight rider on a beater bike, wearing jeans will be slow... I've been dropped by those types of riders more than once. Quite a few people here have stuff that I think would surprise you. For example, my DH is riding quite nicely with 2 stents and can ride quite fast with people younger than him. His cardiac hx is genetic and it happened despite riding 4k miles a year and being thin. I have osteoporosis; again, nothing probably would have stopped it. I have every risk factor for it, my grandmother and mother had it and it does not stop me from much, except I did think it wise to give up mountain biking (I sucked at it anyway).
I guess what I am trying to say is that the stats you gave are pretty good for a new rider. If you want to improve, than you've got a good base. But, don't be too hard on yourself. I gave up comparing myself to others long ago. It took me a long time to find a group to ride with. They are almost all over 45 and the oldest person I rode with in that group is closing in on 90. He led a ride when he was 85! The group has a variety of people,most of whom have been active for years. A good contingent have run the Boston Marathon and do the PMC. Some are slower now and some are still riding incredibly long miles at a pretty fast speed. It took me a long time to find a group that I was compatible with. On days I feel great, I go out with the "spirited" riders. Other days, I stay with the main group, even though I know I will be riding a bit slower than usual.
Just be kind to yourself. Sure, my "regular" friends think I am crazy and can't even imagine what I do and that's what keeps it all in perspective.

[Grits]

I am 50 years old and have been cycling regularly (recreation only) for 3 or 4 years. I recently did a 50 mile ride with gorgeous weather and very moderate rolling hills and finished at an average pace of 16.1 and was absolutely thrilled. I did another 50 mile ride a few days ago which was hillier and hotter and finished at 14.9, and felt disappointed in myself, which is ridiculous, but there it is :(

It is so easy to get caught up in comparison to the point that riding is no longer fun, but I agree that it is very motivating! I mostly just try to keep up with the riders I'm with and have found that my pace has increased (slowly) over time - especially since the other riders are usually a little faster and I have to push myself.

[jlnc]

Hi Suzbyrd, welcome! I am in NC and there are lots of hills around me, so i feel your pain. I am 40, only started cycling last year and have a Trek 7.5 FX (hybrid). I can do a 14 mile ride in about an hour. I totally slow to a crawl on the hills, but don't let it bother me. I have found some all female beginner groups to ride with, and it really helps push me to do longer rides than i would do alone. If I do ride alone, I usually just do about 8 miles.

[Biciclista]

I would HATE to have to deal with your hills. The fact that you are out there tackling them is very impressive.
Where do you stand?
RIGHT SQUARE in the MIDDLE of the rest of us :D

Where I live we have rain most of the year, some of us have to ride where it is 100 degrees, others have 50 mph winds half the time, you have the most NASTY little hills.
but you're doing it. Good for you. keep riding
ok, i'll answer your questions. I'm going to be 60, I have a road bike. I do a work day commute 2-3 times a week of 9 miles.
I also am working on a 100k challenge, once a month i have to ride about 62 miles. i ride for fun and also for the exercise.
i don't ride very fast, but i do ride efficiently!

[jobob]

Numbers mess with my head and make me go crazy with negative self-talk (I'm not fast enough, that ride wasn't long enough, I should have a higher avg., etc). I often will take the computer off the bike and just go ride for the sake of riding. There was a year a few years ago when I hated riding and it was because of the numbers (on the computer, the garmin, the HR monitor).


Oh, too funny, that's where I've been for the last several months! :o I think I'm finally crawling out of that funk, ditching the Garmin definitely helped.


I'm good enough and riding makes me happy- that's mostly what I care about. I'm never going to be as fast as some, and I'm probably faster than a few. Like Popeye says: I am what I am!


Bingo. Very very well said.

[Bike Chick]

It is so easy to get caught up in comparison to the point that riding is no longer fun, but I agree that it is very motivating!

This is very true! This happened in golf with DH and I and began to in cycling as well. Now we are mixing it up and doing triathlons and some marathons (I do the half--no desire to do a marathon) and that keeps us from getting so focused on one thing. You can get carried away with any activity and lose your perspective. Pretty soon it gets to be work and it's not fun anymore.

[featuretile]

I'm 59 and have been riding a little less than 3 years. Like you, I live in a very hilly place - the Santa Cruz Mountains in CA. There are no flat rides. I usually average between 10 and 13mph. But when I look at my computer on the flats, I am riding between 13-17mph. I can go downhill between 20-30mph. But, going up these hills I am back to 5-7mph and my average is like 11.9 on a good day.

I feel frustrated when the other club members all pass me by on the hills. But, I am getting better. I just finished a bike tour from Santa Cruz to Paso Robles, and even though I was mostly last, I did climb some impressive mountains.

Like Darcy, I have discovered that riding defeats old age. I am in so much better shape now than I was before I started riding. And we have an 82 year old ride leader that I want to be like when I am 82.

I like to ride better with people who are at the same speed/level as I am (or just a little better to push me). It's more fun. My DH rides with me sometimes. He started the same time as I and does not ride near as much, but he is tall and thin and a guy, so it is easier for him. He'll wait up for me if necessary.

Anyway, elevation gain makes average speed go down. But, it also makes you stronger. Don't forget to drink enough (and put some electrolytes in your water), and have a bite to eat every once in awhile. You'll get more tired if you try and go a lot faster than what is comfortable for you.

[grey]

I'm 34 and have been riding 5 years, but the past 2 years have been a little rough - first I hurt my back in the Spring of 09 and couldn't wiggle my toes, let alone ride, that killed one year. Last year I rode off and on, when I was home. It was a crazy busy year and I just never had the time to really get into shape.

So this year, things have been great, I have a good schedule and my back seems to be ok. However, you lose a lot in basically 2 years of not riding, so far this year my longest ride is 30 miles. I'm just south of Chattanooga, so I also have KILLER hills. Some days I just do a 17 mile very hilly loop - but I confess, on some of this looooong bad boys I stop in the middle, catch my breath, and then go on - it's much easier than pushing myself to the brink, and shows me just how far I still need to go conditioning-wise.

My goal this year: to do the 60-mile century in August and go up the mountain at least once. :D

You can't compare yourself to others. All you can do is your personal best. Besides - the point is to have FUN!

And in my case, part of the fun comes later, as gastronomy is one of my favorite indulgences, riding lets me pig out! Unfortunately, it means losing weight is a wee bit slower when you're eating fresh bread dipped in homemade pesto, a creamy pasta of whatever sounded good and a glass or two of red the night of a ride... and then top it off with chocolate mousse!

[Grog]

I have recorded pretty much every kilometer I've ridden on my road bikes (not necessarily my commuters) over the past seven years, but I quit recording time about three years ago. Don't miss it one bit!

[suzbyrd]

I go through stages where I record every little thing I ride, and then where I don't record anything. I'm in one of those right now where I want to show myself my progress as summer progresses.

[Catrin]

I do keep an eye on my average speed and miles, also like to see what my avg. cadence is after my ride. I don't worry too much about time - my speed is slow-moderate - I just keep track of speed and cadence as a way to measure my improvement.

I also refuse to refer to my rides as "training", though they are - I have more fun when I think of them as "rides". It is a small distinction but it makes a difference for me as a relative newbie.

[Crankin]

I'm with you on this, Catrin. Even though I might have certain goals on specific rides, I am not training. That sounds like work, and work is a, well, a job. Sure, I do my share of suffering, some intervals, and plenty of climbing. But if i call it training, I know what will happen.
I'll get burned out and stop riding.
This works for me because I don't ride with speedy groups and I am happy seeing improvements on my own schedule. Also, I've been riding long enough to know just about how long and how much I need to do to achieve certain things. For example, I am not very good at getting large numbers of base miles in the early spring, to build up slowly to long rides. I tend to do lots of short rides and then make myself suffer either with a longer ride (like yesterday, 42 miles) or a multi day tour. I just do it, it hurts a bit, but then I am at a new level. Same way I didn't train for the century I did. I did lots of riding, lots of hills and no ride longer than 68 miles. I was more than prepared for a flat century with lots of wind, and although I suffered a bit after mile 85, I think most people do. When I decide to do something, I do it and that's it.

[Catrin]

... When I decide to do something, I do it and that's it.

We are very much alike in this department. When I focus on "training" like I did last year I just burn out and hurt myself :o This year, while I do have some long rides planned for the fall, I have decided an approach very much like yours so it is good to hear that others do this as well.

[Artista]

I have recorded pretty much every kilometer I've ridden on my road bikes (not necessarily my commuters) over the past seven years, but I quit recording time about three years ago. Don't miss it one bit!

I'm quite the opposite. I focus more on time & perceived exertion rather than miles. Some of my rides are a few hours long on flat terrain while others are shorter rides with long hills. I also mountain bike; those miles feel very different than road miles. I don't even have a computer on my mtb.

Perceived exertion is the only constant that I can compare in all of my rides. I kind of keep track of the miles on my road bike just for fun but I know that they aren't fully indicative of what I am accomplishing on the bike.