What's a good time to complete 22 miles?

[Jiffer]

Do you have a bike computer? I'm sort of a stat freak. I have to know how far I went, how fast I did it, how much I climbed, etc. I keep track of it all and it's fun to go back and see how I've improved. My best comparison is myself, cause it can get down right depressing if I compare to, say, my husband, who is the second fastest cyclist in our club.

However, I have a riding buddy that is just about my level. We ride together all the time and 98% of the time, she beats me up the hills. But she helps me with hills, cause my goal is always to stay with her if I can. I get on her wheel and just try to hang on as long as I can. She's my carrot. Lately I'm staying with her more and more and, every now and then, I actually pass her. Of course, she's 20 pounds lighter than me, cause I'm so tall (5.9"). I'm sure if were carrying 20 pounds less up those hills, I'd be so much faster! (I did lose 5 lbs lately, so I'm working on it! And I do see improvement in my climbing since losing those pounds. Yay!)

But I digress. Regarding times, I started riding tandem at the end of 2006 before I got my own bike in the summer of 2007. I don't have a record of stats for 2007, but my first 22 miler in 2008, with 1000 feet of climbing was a 13.1 average pace, 1:42 in time, not counting stops. At the end of that year, I did the same ride at a 17.1 pace, 1:18 time. This is a huge improvement, which just goes to show what can be accomplished ... if speed is a goal, anyway. For me, I just wanted to keep up with other club members and my riding buddy and I are both competitive and try to improve our time when we can. Having a riding buddy, especially one that pushes you a little, can really help your own riding, plus ensure that you actually get out there and ride!

As everyone said, it doesn't matter how fast you went as long as you had fun. But having said that, I usually have more fun and feel better about my ride if I know I did it at what I feel is a "respectable" pace for me and one that will help me stay with my cycling buddies when I ride with them. So, it just depends on what your goals are and what a "respectable" pace is for you.

[sundial]

I do 20 miles in 1:13. That's with winds of 6-8 mph.

[papaver]

I do 20 miles in 1:13. That's with winds of 6-8 mph.

I do pretty much the same...

[solobiker]

It depends on which bike I take out. It is my Mtn bike then I typically average 15mph. On my road or cross bike I average 16-17. Of course it also depends upon how windy or hilly it is. As everyone else has stated as long as you are having fun it does not matter.

[indigoiis]

I live in a very hilly area and the last two weekends rode two different hilly 20 milers averaging about 13.5 mph (about an hour and thirty five minutes.) I consider myself to be pretty fit, too. Both rides I was riding a road bike with cross tires. I'm sure I could have pushed it and gone faster (on some of the downhills we were doing like, 36 mph, and on the flats about 19/20 mph, but those looooooong "false flats" get me every time.)

[Melalvai]

For me, I'd plan on a couple hours, but it would take longer because I'd stop and talk or eat or whatever.

No matter how long I plan a trip to be, it ALWAYS takes longer. Sometimes I underestimate the distance. Sometimes I underestimate my speed. Or how long I'll talk. Or how many times I'll stop. Or getting lost. My family and I are slowing resigning ourselves to the fact that when I go on a ride, I'll never get back when I thought I would.

[rebecca_f]

Thank you for all your nice comments, very motivational I do try not to focus on time but I'm a bit of a competitive freak
I did come back smiling when I took my helmet off and really did enjoy seeing the things you would usually miss in your car, so that is the most important factor, to just enjoy the ride.

Thanks guys

[uforgot]

For me, it depends on how many Kodak moments there are. I like to stop and take pictures and then I may want to charge a hill and go as fast as I can for awhile. Then there is the Katy Trail, if I do 22 miles, I have to stop for lunch at Hartsburg in the middle.

[Zen]

Do you have a bike computer? I'm sort of a stat freak.

I'm not.
The important part of a ride for me is greeting the sheep and cows and feeling my knees in the breeze.

If you finish your ride smiling it was a good ride and a good speed no matter how far or how fast.