Boy, this whole getting hybrids to go faster issue has been driving me crazy! I know that a chunky person on a chunky bike will quite naturally go slower than a sleek person on a sleek bike, and I had been quite contented to average about 12.5 mph riding at a more or less comfortable pace with hubby snapping at the heels a bit, but the discontent of the OP with an average speed of 14 mph got me thinking (and discontented too)...

well, to cut a long story short, I had been trying everything in my power (without going to skinny tires) to even touch an AVERAGE speed of 14 mph; flatter course, shorter distance, bigger gears, greater effort, and the best I could do was 13.33 mph over 20 miles of the flattest trail in the state. And that was giving it all I had. I was so wiped out after my last attempt I felt my driving skills were a bit impared as I navagated home in the car. Hubby was alarmed. I've been told just to drop the issue and my knees have warned me not to try that again. So I'll just have to be satisfied with the knowledge that I'm doing the best that I can as I watch the parade of sleek behinds on sleek bikes cruising effortlessly past me and disappearing in the far distance ahead. Humph!