Average MPH

[ReCYCLE]

Hi Ladies,
I'm trying to gage where I'm at in the grand scheme of things. I'm plus sized and on my hybrid (Trek Navigator) I average 12.5 mph. I got a new road bike (Trek 1.5) and am now averaging 12.1 mph : ( I break all the way down hills. There are several group rides in my area where you have to average at least 16 mph and I'm wondering what speed most people actually go. Commuters, century riders, triathletes, pleasure riders, on whatever bike, head wind, tail wind, plus size, regular size, whatever . . . I want to know what is going on with other people.

[hid558]

Hi: Just keep up with training and practice. When I started I averaged 13mph they were always making fun because that 13 never changed. Now I can keep up at 16 to 18 with the guys. I am still practicing to increase my average, but it is great to know I already left those 13mph.

[Tri Girl]

Welcome to TE. :)
Gosh- so much depends on so many things. Bike, wind, terrain, how heavy the legs are, humidity... Too many variables to accurately compare yourself to others.
The geometry and handling of a hybrid as opposed to a road bike is so different, so don't worry too much about your speed slowing down. Once you get comfortable you'll speed up.


Since you're looking for numbers- just for comparison, here are some of my averages (keep in mind I live in the flats- when I ride hills, it's always slower):
1. Commuter bike (Bianchi steel road bike): I avg. 12 on commutes- when I'm riding for pleasure and fun it's in the 13's.
2. Tri bike (carbon Cervelo): I average 14-16. When I'm racing it's in the 17-18 range.
when I ride centuries on my tri bike I'm somewhere in the 14-15 range.

So much varies. I have a regular ride of 30 miles at the lake near my house. On my tri bike, sometimes I'm averaging 12, sometimes 17. So much factors into those averages, so I really try not comparing my rides to myself, let alone others. Depends on whether it's a recovery ride, intervals, tempo, or just a "make it through" ride. ;)
I'm not fast, I'm not slow, I'm just me. I keep trying to make improvements and I know I'm stronger on the bike than when I first started and that riding long distances is easier on the body- even if my pace hasn't changed much in years.
At first, riding 30 took it out of me, now I can ride 30 and not feel like I've even worked out. Even if my average speed is the same as it was in the beginning, the fact that it's easier lets me know I've come a long way.

Look at things like THAT to gauge your accomplishments- not always just the numbers.

I generally don't ride with others. Definitely not with groups. I know it would probably make me a better rider, but I just prefer to ride alone. Always have- it's my zen time to think and just "be".

[grey]

I switched from a MTB to a road bike a few years ago after riding with a group that averaged about 12 mph for a year on it. I thought for sure, once I got that nice, lightweight, carbon fiber bike I would be FLYING. Well... yes... but not right off. You use different muscles because you are in a new position, you have a new set of gears to learn, so there's this adjustment period. I went from a triple with an amazing cassette that let me climb anything to a standard double. I hit my first steep hill and hit a wall - I couldn't move the bike even in the easiest gear and had to walk!

Personally, I think you are doing great! 12.5 is nothing to be ashamed of. You get faster as you get stronger, and really it's best to ride at your own pace rather than push hard to keep up with people who want to go faster.

MPH really varies with every ride. Today my group averaged 13.5 mph, but there was
2,000 ft of incline over 37 miles for that, and we stopped and caught our breath a few times. I don't have a bike computer anymore, there are three guys who have all the fancy schtuff and could even tell what grade incline we were on. I don't care *much* because I'm out to have fun, and like watching myself improve. Today was cool because I took those same hills over a 17 mile ride 2 months ago, and had to stop and breathe FOUR TIMES mid-hill because I was practically falling off the bike. Today, I didn't need to stop. At all. That's pretty cool.

I prefer to look at those milestones and accomplishments, rather than speed. But when we average higher than before, there is that little "oh, cool!" moment.

I can't join the bigger group in the next large town because they fly along at 18-20+ all the time. But, I did find these guys (and one more girl, but she can't ride often). We have our own pace and our own goals and try to be reasonable about the goal. If someone doesn't feel up to tough hills or wants to go slower one day, that's fine by all of us. So put some feelers out there, find some folks to ride with!

[Eden]

Check the ride carefully - you may find that like our local club that the "average" speed required for the rides is the average on level ground without a head wind - so its not expected that you will average 16mph for the entire ride. If you can hold a steady 16mph on the flats you will be fine.

Example from Cascade:
Pace
Easy: Under 10 mph
Leisurely: 10-12 mph
Steady: 12-14 mph
Moderate: 14-16 mph
Brisk: 16-18 mph
Strenuous: 18-21 mph
Super Strenuous: 22+ mph

Refers to the range of speeds on level ground without breaks. Downhills may be faster, uphills slower. Note: for rides described as HILLY, consider choosing a pace one step down from your usual comfort level

[westtexas]

I second what others have said about average speeds on group rides - it's probably in ideal conditions of flat road and no wind.

One month ago I was averaging 10-12 into the wind (out here it's usually 18mph+) and 14-16 on flat roads with a 21-23 with a tailwind. I ride about 120 miles a week and yesterday when I rode, I was averaging 17-19 on the flats, 28 with a tailwind and 13-16 into the headwind in average conditions for where I live.

I've heard others say the best way to get faster and stronger is to Just Ride Your Bike.

:)

[Becky]

On the flip side, I've been on group rides where "average" is used to describe rolling average (beginning to end), which means that the group is often travelling several mph above average for much of the ride.

When in doubt, call the ride leader in advance.

[indysteel]

Keep in mind, too, that some groups ride are in a paceline formation. In a paceline, you typically ride very closely behind the rider in front of you, either in a long single file line or, if conditions allows, two abreast. Each person takes a turn "pulling" at the front of the line for a short period and then rotates to the end of the line. In a paceline, it's easily easier to go faster than you would otherwise ride on your own. But also keep in mind that it takes some pretty good bike handling skills to ride in a paceline. If you're a new rider, you might stick to rides where people simply ride together in a loose group. It'll get you used to being around other cyclists without some of the dangers that pacelines pose. That's how I started at first. I eventually progressed to paceline riding, which can be a lot of fun (and a little scary).

[Mako]

Hi,

This is my first post, hello everyone! I've been lurking for a good while now....

Nothing to add advice wise - sorry! However I have also been pondering this and trying to improve on my own average of around 15MPH (give or take). It'll be interesting to read the responses!

Cheers,

Mako

[Veronica]

Intervals - speed intervals, hill intervals.

I do my speed intervals inside with my bike in a trainer and use Coach Troy. But you could adapt the same idea to an outside ride.

Find a place where you can ride uninterrupted and relatively flat terrain. After you warm up, ride at an uncomfortable but sustainable pace for 6 minutes. Then soft pedal for two minutes. Repeat this two more times. You should choose gearing that allows you to maintain your optimum cadence for the full six minutes.

Then repeat this process but now up the pace and ride for two minutes with a one minute soft pedal. Repeat this five more times.

Cool down.


Veronica

[blue_angel]

I'm also bigger than average, and after a year off from cycling, my first few rides were in the 13-14 mph range (on the lovely rolling hills of SE Michigan). If you stick with it, your speed will improve. And even though it can be intimidating, riding with faster people will help you get faster too. Others above have advised you to contact the ride leader, and I second that advice. He or she will give you an honest assessment of whether or not you can keep up with the group pace; and if not, hopefully s/he will be able to point you in the direction of a different ride that is more suitable. Ultimately, it's more important that you enjoy your ride than that you feel badly for not being as fast as everybody else (this is what I tell myself every day!).

[Owlie]

To the OP, and to Mako (15 is pretty good! See my snail?)--just keep riding. You'll get faster. My normal pace this year is anywhere from 13-15 (on flats). Last year it was closer to 12-13.

If you want numbers:
For right now, for me, on a somewhat ill-fitting road bike, with clipless pedals:
"Coast" speed is 10-12, normal is 12-16 or 17 (on a good day), actually pushing it I can get up to 20-21 depending on road conditions and winds, but I can't keep that up for very long. In wet weather, I found out today I'm only comfortable doing 14 max. Hills...sometimes I'm lucky to get up them!

[Mako]

Owlie - Thanks for the response and advice, that is just what i keep thinking 'just keep going'

I do agree with the previous posters response about riding with people faster than yourself, when I have done that I have felt myself pushing harder (with less pain!).

It's a little difficult when you know you are too slow for the club rides, I know getting dropped is something you probably have to go through but I think I need a bit more work first......

So I'll just keep pushing it!

Cheers, Mako

P.S Anyone else suffering from the same issues - too slow, but not fast enough?

[Crankin]

Yes, I've always been in the in between group.
When you average around 15, it's hard to find a "group." It took me a couple of years... but it's true, I ride faster with a faster group. On the other hand, I don't do much group riding anymore. Just with 1-5 people, friends, who either ride around my speed or a little bit faster. Or, I ride with friends who are slower, and I end up waiting.

[Owlie]

Hee, a little competition can work wonders! DBF is faster than me, and if I ride with him, he lets me set the pace because he's worried that he'll drop me. (The end result is that I come back and am tired, and he comes back and is perfectly fine because he spent the ride drafting off me!) Next time I ride with him, I'm going to see if I can actually keep up with him.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My average speed is about 9 mph. That's right, 9 mph.

About 4 years ago when i was really cycling regularly for a couple of years, even in winter, and I rode the most ever- 2500 miles in one year, I got pretty strong that year. That year my average speed increased!....to 10 mph. :cool:

My fastest speed ever was 40.2 mph on a descent, but I frequently hit 30 or 35 mph downhill, and regularly hit 2.5 to 3 mph up the steeper hills. Very few flats around here.

I took off my bike computer last year. :D

[loopybunny]

Hi Ladies,
I'm trying to gage where I'm at in the grand scheme of things. I'm plus sized and on my hybrid (Trek Navigator) I average 12.5 mph. I got a new road bike (Trek 1.5) and am now averaging 12.1 mph : ( I break all the way down hills. There are several group rides in my area where you have to average at least 16 mph and I'm wondering what speed most people actually go. Commuters, century riders, triathletes, pleasure riders, on whatever bike, head wind, tail wind, plus size, regular size, whatever . . . I want to know what is going on with other people.

I'm also plus size and on my bike (same as yours!) I average 12.5-14.5 mph when you factor in stopping at lights and signs (or slowing down for signs). On the straights with no stops, I'll average 15-18 mph and about 20-25 when I decide to push myself. I ride almost exclusively flat terrain because it's what we have where I live. These numbers are based on my most recent rides. Usually I try to ride 20-30 miles, but I've actually only had 2 rides that distance since the end of February.

I had an accident at the beginning of March that took me off the bike for about 2 months (I did do one short ride on my mtb after 5 weeks, but I wasn't supposed to). I'm actually about 1 mph faster now because I dropped about 15 lbs while I was recovering. Apparently with a traumatic brain injury, your metabolism may speed up, and I was eating carefully in order to not put on weight so it was a sudden loss. Unfortunately, it doesn't remain high. Fortunately, I didn't get into the habit of chowing down on junk.

I almost exclusively ride solo for several reasons, mostly because I have only one local friend that rides and her bike was stolen. There is also a fear in me about riding with a group since my accident was caused by another cyclist that was careless at an event. (I was descending a hill at about 25-30 mph according to witnesses. Major crash.)

It sounds like you're probably about where the rest of us recreational cyclists are.

Happy riding!

[chosen1]

Intervals - speed intervals, hill intervals.

I do my speed intervals inside with my bike in a trainer and use Coach Troy. But you could adapt the same idea to an outside ride.

Find a place where you can ride uninterrupted and relatively flat terrain. After you warm up, ride at an uncomfortable but sustainable pace for 6 minutes. Then soft pedal for two minutes. Repeat this two more times. You should choose gearing that allows you to maintain your optimum cadence for the full six minutes.

Then repeat this process but now up the pace and ride for two minutes with a one minute soft pedal. Repeat this five more times.

Cool down.


Veronica

+1 for posting this. I had been wondering what "intervals" were and was about to start searching the forum to see if if they had previously been discussed. I'm going to do these this weekend and add em to my regular bike training. It's mainly flat here but I "think" I know where I can ride that will have a hill too.

[KnottedYet]

I took off my bike computer last year. :D

I took mine off all my bikes. Too distracting.

Ride lots.

[TxDoc]

I agree with Eden. Most larger clubs have several speed groups.
Just pick a slower ride for the first time, learn, observe, do your best to ride safely and try to hang on with the group. If you get dropped, keep going and go back the next time. Keep going back until you can easily hang on with the others and you are safe riding with the group. At that point try taking some pulls and doing your share of work in the paceline.
Go back, learn more, do more work, repeat.
If/when the group becomes too slow for you, find a faster group and repeat all of the above. Speed will come with time and training.

On a different topic - what makes you brake all the way downhill??? That is definitely not a safe thing to do... Maybe some bike handling skills would help, and they are way more important than speed. There are several coaches and organizations that teach bike handling skills - and you can practice on your own too. It's very important, especially if you plan to ride with a group.

Oh, and just in case y'all were wondering... I'm slow too :rolleyes: except on TT day :cool:

[goldfinch]

I averaged 9.6 mph on my 20 miles ride today. That was good for me. I have only had one ride, 6 miles, where I averaged more than 10mph.

A few weeks ago my average was in the 8.5 range. So I might be pokey but I'm getting better.

[Orange utopia]

My average on my hybrid on my long ride last week was 12.2mph over 31 miles. On my road bike today I averaged 12.8 mph over 33 miles. Now today had way more hills so there really was some improvement by going with the lighter and faster bike but I'm still not breaking any records.

[KatzPajamas]

Today did 24miles with average speed of 14 and max of 18. Began riding in early May of this year. Speed is not so much my concern as distance. Once I hit 18miles, I am out of steam. Strange, my legs aren't tired, but but the engine is out of gas. On the days that I have done more than 18... I am out of commission for the rest of the day! I mean totally wiped out. All I can do the rest of the day is eat and nap. Extremely fatigued.What up with that?

[laura*]

Several years ago I averaged 8 MPH riding in the mountains hereabouts: I could ride a 32 mile loop in 4 hours, or extend it to a 40 mile loop in 5 hours.

More recently, the bike computer shows an 8.5MPH average when riding to and returning from a grocery store in the next mountain town over.

And some commute type riding in a flat urban area: I've covered just under 14 miles in an elapsed time of right on an hour. (Start the ride at 4:59PM, walk into a restaurant at 6:01PM.) I've ridden a different route, same endpoints, that's 16 miles but with some longer uninterrupted stretches also in the same hour. Note that this is urban riding complete with waiting at red lights. I leave it as an exercise for the reader to figure out what my cruising speed must be to compensate for the lost time.

[Catrin]

Today did 24miles with average speed of 14 and max of 18. Began riding in early May of this year. Speed is not so much my concern as distance. Once I hit 18miles, I am out of steam. Strange, my legs aren't tired, but but the engine is out of gas. On the days that I have done more than 18... I am out of commission for the rest of the day! I mean totally wiped out. All I can do the rest of the day is eat and nap. Extremely fatigued.What up with that?

It takes time to build cardiovascular endurance, were you doing other activities prior to starting to ride? Look into your nutrition and hydration both on and off the bike and made certain you are taking rest days. I remember last year, which was my first season riding, it seemed to take forever to get past that 25 mile mark... There are a lot of good threads here on hydration and nutrition, I have to leave for work in a couple of minutes so I can't search for them but use the search function to find them.

[blue_angel]

Yesterday I made an mph breakthrough: 30 miles in 1:51, for an average pace of 16 mph over the whole ride! That's a full 9 minute improvement over my previous 30 mile benchmark. It sounds crazy, but I had changed my cleat position the day before, and I think that actually affected my pace! I like to spin between 95-105 rpm, so it makes sense that improved efficiency in that cadence would result in speed gains.

[Geonz]

I second what others have said about average speeds on group rides - it's probably in ideal conditions of flat road and no wind.


:)

I would NIX that proclamation about the average. Around here, if they tell me they'll average 16, then I'd better be able to hold 18 for most of the ride. YMMV of course, but bike culture I've mixed with has a very, very strong tendency to "aw shucks, we don't go that fast" and then have that adrenaline/competition thing happen.

This happens a *little* bit less on our slower-paced rides, but every year we battle "mid season pace creep."

What's it mean? Don't be discouraged- keep riding.

I got a lot stronger with intervals, but I didn't have a recipe. I added 1 mph or 2 mph to my speed and tried to hold onto it until it was hard for a while (I'd try to do 100 x my waltz count that comes from doing bilateral breathing in swimming... somehow it's less boring if I have a rhythm with a dominant beat... ONE two three...) and then relax for ... 'til I almost got my breath back. We have roads on the grid, so I'd kinda keep an eye on how fast I went for each mile -- but I don't really compare one day or one mile to the next seriously. Just "go a little harder for a while... okay, for ten seconds longer than you want to, get to breathing hard!"

[suzbyrd]

I usually average around 17mph on hilly terrain. Went to the beach on vacation and averaged 18.5. It is so much easier to go fast when on flat ground. Rode 135 miles in 5 rides.

[amb]

I think riding with a group or in an organized ride makes you go faster. I just did the MS150 this past weekend. Prior to the ride, I usually averaged 14-14.5 mph on my training rides (~24-50 mile distance). On the Saturday leg of our ride, we averaged 16.5 mph - the fastest (and farthest) I have ever gone. I think all the excitement and adrenaline just kicked it into high gear. Our Sunday leg of the ride slowed down - 14.5 mph. Sunday started with hills from miles 8-16 or so and it got VERY hot - in the 90's. I think those factors along with the fact that we had just rode 75 miles the day before slowed us down. I still think 14.5 was pretty good all things considered.

All that said, I don't think it matters how fast you go. If you're on the bike - good for you! You're out there riding which is all that really matters. My co-workers like to ride at 18-22+ and I am totally ok bringing up the rear when I ride with them. My Dad rides at about 12.5 mph and sometimes I really enjoy a slower, less strenuous ride with him. Riding is riding and if you're having fun - more power to you!!

[ivorygorgon]

I am struggling with the whole speed issue. I have only been riding for about 1.5 years now. I would really like to do some club rides, but I am pretty intimidated. I agree with the poster who said something about "pace creep," ( I love that expression BTW). The posted speed of the rides, is not really the actual average speed of the rides.

The first time I tried to ride with a group I was dropped like a hot potato, in a 'no-one is left behind" ride! I was left behind. It was pretty demoralizing, and because the ride leader was condescending about it, I have had a hard time getting myself to go back.

Around here, there are not many places to go for a flat ride. Most of the rides DH and I do involve at least 4,000 feet or more of climbing, and we do anywhere from 40 - 70 mile rides. I am a pretty slow climber, so my average pace falls off pretty quickly once we hit the hills. With all of that said, my average pace for the the first 6 months of my riding history was 9.8 MPH. Over the last month I averaged 11.8. I know on the flats I can go quite a bit faster, but I can't hang on the hills.

I don't think I will ever be a speed demon, but I am definitely improving. Our club just started a new "moderately paced," Sunday ride that I want to try out, but I am pretty sure it won't end up really being moderately paced. But I am willing to try. It is fun to ride with other people, and really, when all is said and done, I just love to ride my bike. That is all it is really about.

[Veronica]

Funny I don't much like riding with other people. Folks around here don't believe in stopping at stop signs. We have a lot of 4 way stops and they will just roll right thorough. Yes I know you can see that there is no traffic. But you are a vehicle and you are suppose to stop. Now I'll admit that I don't come to a full stop, foot down, but I also don't blow through at 18 mph. And they'll get upset if I don't call "Clear" so they can roll through. If that's what you're suppose to do in a group ride, no thanks.

And I really don't like riding in a pace line. If I am going to go hard, I want to go hard at my pace and recover where I want to recover. And I can't look around in a pace line.

Plus drafting is illegal in tris. :eek:

Veronica

[Becky]

Funny I don't much like riding with other people. Folks around here don't believe in stopping at stop signs. We have a lot of 4 way stops and they will just roll right thorough. Yes I know you can see that there is no traffic. But you are a vehicle and you are suppose to stop. Now I'll admit that I don't come to a full stop, foot down, but I also don't blow through at 18 mph. And they'll get upset if I don't call "Clear" so they can roll through. If that's what you're suppose to do in a group ride, no thanks.

And I really don't like riding in a pace line. If I am going to go hard, I want to go hard at my pace and recover where I want to recover. And I can't look around in a pace line.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I'll take the mph hit in order to actually enjoy my ride...

[wackyjacky1]

My average speed is about 9 mph. That's right, 9 mph.
...
I took off my bike computer last year. :D
Same here!

Just lately I had an epiphany: I'm simply never gonna be fast, and all of the sudden I realized I didn't care about speed. Perhaps it's an age thing; when I was younger I worried -- a lot -- about my lack of speed, and really berated myself for it. Now I'm content to poke along, rubbernecking at the scenery, pausing to take the occasional picture, or even stopping to have a nice latte and a scone at a cafe! Yeah, it takes me two hours to ride twenty miles, but I'm ok with that now.

But...I do avoid group rides because I know I'll be miles behind them when they've already finished their ride.

That being said, I'm finding that the more I ride, the stronger I'm getting. I've been commuting nearly every day this year, which has really increased my saddle time, and while I can't quantify it, I can feel that I've gotten a wee bit faster and better on hills.

[PamNY]

I'm quite happy going slowly. Don't even know my average speed, but it's not very high. I have great stamina, and for what I do on a bike, that matters a lot more.

I do a lot of bird-watching and general observing. If I were going fast, I wouldn't have photos of a cormorant trying to swallow a large fish.

Now that I have a lighter bike, I might try some group rides. I probably will put the computer back on my bike for a while just so I know what a particular speed feels like. But if the group rides don't work out for me, I certainly don't plan to worry about it.

[solobiker]

When I was in my 30s I used to be pretty focused on my average speed and max speed. There was a time where I could average 18+mph over 50-70 miles riding either solo or with a friend. I was always trying to ride my favorite routes faster. Once I hit my 40s it really was no longer important to me. I now average about 14-15 and just enjoy the ride vs watching the speed on my bike trying to achieve a new pr. However, my average speed on my mtn bike is quite a bit lower then that:) DH has a cycle computer on his mtn bike so we can keep track of the milage to find turns on the trails. I myself do not want one on mine because I have other things I need to pay attention to on the trails.

Average speed really does not matter as long as you are out and enjoying yourself. Everyone is different and has diiferent strengths ( can go fast for short distances, slow but can go forever, great bike handling skills, etc) Additionally many people may have many reasons for why they can't or don't want to increase their speed or ride fast( back pain, leg length discrepency, want to enjoy the scenery, etc) I guess what I am trying to say is no matter what it is all good just to be out on the bike.:D

[Tri Girl]

if I'm going to be dropped (which I have been on every group ride I've ever attended- even "no drop rides") I might as well just ride alone in the first place. Getting dropped is demoralizing. Plus, it doesn't help my tri training to ride in groups, and I don't like most big group mentalities I've seen.
I'd rather be alone. Looking around, enjoying myself, going at my speed.

As long as we're having fun, that's all that matters!

[mardeebo]

I am 38 and carrying around a few more pounds than I should. Bike is full carbon and calls to me to go riding as often as possible, which is maybe 3 times/week. I'm relatively new at this cycling habit, but love it.

Anyway..I average 16-17 mph alone, either on the flats (with 15-20 winds) or the rolling hills around my home.

Riding with a group brings me up to an easy 20mph.

I was on one group ride when I first started (had no idea what I was getting myself into), got dropped, but then one of the older fellas dropped back and taught me how to draft and ride a paceline. I'm happy I overcame my fear and happier I learned a new skill.

I usually ride alone, but when on the MUP, if I get passed, I try to catch that person which pushes me to ride harder. I'm improving, slowly but surely.

12.5 mph on Navigator is flying...wow. I had one and went MUCH slower than that! Way to go OP!!

[colorisnt]

I'll say my MPH for the 15 and 20 milers I am doing on rolling terrain and with minimal wind: consistently between 14 and 17 MPH. Sometimes I can keep up 18-21 MPH on a straightaway - usually only for a few miles.

When I ride by myself, I am always in a hurry and I like to be on a higher gear than I probably have to be. I do a good job of pushing myself - perhaps I do so too much. But I am kinda between groups - between people who are generally lovely but slow and people (ie men who cycle daily) who will drop me but are more my speed for probably 3/4 of the ride. I'm hoping that I can keep up in the future but I am embarrassed to hold the "race team" back. There are a few women who ride those rides, but they come less consistently and it kinda bothers me because it's not fair that I should keep up with those very accomplished guys!

I hear you. I have been riding really seriously for a year and a half and in that year and a half, I have had to stop riding many times because I was hospitalized, had surgeries,etc.

I wish I could find a good riding partner! Blargh.

I don't think my MPH's are to be scoffed at, but they are not out of this world! My goal is to be a better rider and keep trying.

[Catrin]

I've been avoiding club rides this year because of my experiences last year. There were some nice rides, but in the end I got dropped so fast by everyone that I rode solo anyway...It is a good way to meet other cyclists, but for me I have to meet them at the start of the ride or chances I won't see anyone after the first SAG stop.

This is not about the people I rode with last year, but about my slowness. I've been encouraged to not give up on group rides just yet, and they do allow me to ride places I probably wouldn't otherwise which is nice. There was also the ride I went on last June where I wound up about 45 minutes behind everyone else, so the very kind volunteers at the SAG stops waited for me. I know they didn't mind, but it did bother me they had to wait so long for me - but I didn't let bother me too much - it was a very nice ride!

I did go on one ride last year that was SO huge (2k+ cyclists) that meant I never rolled up to a SAG to find myself the only rider there, and that was nice (the Hope ride).

Of course this year I've a lighter bike, a little more experience and am a little faster, so perhaps I can keep up a little better or find a couple of other people who ride at my speed. I will never know if I don't try it out! There is a club ride I'm considering this weekend, so we will see ;)

[Mako]

Was really chuffed today when I broke my record of average speed over one of my regular 23 mile loops. Clocked in at 16.2.....

I even managed to pass someone....alright it was a commuter and he was probably enjoying his ride home, but he was pegging it a bit.

Just feels good to make a bit of progress.

[indysteel]

I've been avoiding club rides this year because of my experiences last year. There were some nice rides, but in the end I got dropped so fast by everyone that I rode solo anyway...It is a good way to meet other cyclists, but for me I have to meet them at the start of the ride or chances I won't see anyone after the first SAG stop.

This is not about the people I rode with last year, but about my slowness. I've been encouraged to not give up on group rides just yet, and they do allow me to ride places I probably wouldn't otherwise which is nice. There was also the ride I went on last June where I wound up about 45 minutes behind everyone else, so the very kind volunteers at the SAG stops waited for me. I know they didn't mind, but it did bother me they had to wait so long for me - but I didn't let bother me too much - it was a very nice ride!

I did go on one ride last year that was SO huge (2k+ cyclists) that meant I never rolled up to a SAG to find myself the only rider there, and that was nice (the Hope ride).

Of course this year I've a lighter bike, a little more experience and am a little faster, so perhaps I can keep up a little better or find a couple of other people who ride at my speed. I will never know if I don't try it out! There is a club ride I'm considering this weekend, so we will see ;)

Which one are you thinking about?

If it makes you feel any better, I've done a lot CIBA rides where I rode alone and it had nothing to do with my pace. It just happens. Sometimes you end up in a group and sometimes you don't. Sometimes you find a group at the first stop. But thanks to CIBA, I've met a lot of nice people and have done rides in places I likely never would have on my own.

I should mention that our local club's group rides are not like some. There's a mass start and a marked course, so there's no expectation that you ride at any given pace or with other people. The SAG stops are manned long enough to account for riders riding 10 mph, which is doably for most people, and offer food and water. There are typcially sweep vehicles that make sure nobody's stranded on the course.

If you don't want to do club rides, Catrin, don't do them, but I'd hate for you to avoid them just because of pace. It seems to me that you'd enjoy meeting some more cyclists and/or riding in new areas, and you have gotten stronger since last year. Having done it myself, riding mostly on the NW side does get dull after a while. I've gone through phases where I wanted to ride along more often than not or with a small group of friends, but it's always nice to know CIBA is out there helping cyclists in Indiana have a fun time on the road.

[Orange utopia]

You all are making me really appreciate my club! They break rides down into several groups from casual which is usually under 10mph average all the way up to 20+ mph and those are almost all hilly rides because that is all we have around here except on the eastern shore.

I have been riding with the 10-12mph group the past few weeks and they have been wonderful. Their is always a sweeper that stays back with the slowest rider and so far there has always been 1 main ride leader and then some others that are ride leaders of other rides but they help keep track of everyone in the group. W don't ride in pace lines in this group it is a more social type ride but some people go faster, more 13-14mph and some slower but we all regroup along the way.

I have been averaging 12+ mph on these rides and feel pretty good about that. I will never be a speed demon but I am hoping that my 12+ mph on all of these hills will translate into a much higher average when I do some longer rides I am planning for in the fall, hopefully a century that is fairly flat compared to where i ride now.

[Catrin]

I must say that these aren't training or shop rides. CIBA is quite good about scheduling rides across the region most weekends that head out across the countryside with nice long loops :) They do a lot of nice things for cyclists in the region - and the non-repeating weekend/holiday rides are just a small part of what they do.

Thanks for the encouragement Indy, there are certainly good points about the CIBA rides, and I really enjoyed the one you helped organize last year. There is one in NW Indy I will ride Saturday - basically because I can "ride to the ride" I do appreciate the chance to meet other cyclists, and it is true that I am stronger than last year - yippeee!

Frankly, I think a part of me is more nervous about meeting another war dog or two in areas I am unfamiliar with than I've recognized, and I just need to get over that. The odds of a similar situation happening is quite slim - and my invisible purple chainmail leggings will help prevent a repeat :D I just need to get out there and do a club ride outside of my usual riding grounds once, I think that is what is really going on here. hmmmmm My pace hasn't bothered me before...

[indysteel]

Your fear of dogs is completely understandable. I've not even been attacked, and they scare me. Remember that more often then not, you will just be chased. Remember to yell at them to go home or get back. Stop your bike if you must until they retreat. You can do this!!! Just keep your eyes peeled. Have fun on Saturday. I haven't done that one before. Sadly, I haven't done a CIBA ride since last July. :(

Here's another tip: keep the maps from the rides and note what color/shape Dan Henry's it used. Then you can go back and do the route on your own if you like it.

[gabriellesca]

Great to read this thread - I'm a super slow-poke but I don't ride as often as I would like thanks to a bum ankle. Today was only my second ride of this year and boy did those first 6 or 7 miles kill me. In the end I did 21 miles in about 1 hour 39 minutes - and I typically average 11 or 12 mph.

I have trained with a team for a century with Team in Training. I was 50 pounds overweight on a hybrid and had never ridden in my life - I upgraded to a great Trek road bike but in the 17 weeks of training for that century I think I finished last of a team of 25 each week. That helped me to not worry about being dropped and not really care how slow I was. I would get so excited just to finish, speed never seemed to be a thing for me. On the actual century I averaged 14 mph for the first 50 and literally like 10 for the last 50. It took me 9:47 (with stops) but I was so happy I finished I didn't care.

Riding with a group is very tough - I enjoy riding alone now except I get very nervous about mileage getting too high (being in remote areas) and riding roads I don't know. But I do find when I have riders around me and when I was on the team it did push me at times when I wouldn't have. And my coach HAMMERED into me to put myself in my biggest gear and push push down the hills - sure does push your average up - but I don't think it counts as much.

[owlice]

gabriellesca, thanks very much for your post! I, too, am a slow rider, and am working on getting faster so I can do a century. You give me hope!