Slow......

[Medianox]

I feel the same way! I think your Huffy has my W**mart MTB beat for sure...
I hope to get a new bike next month and I know it will make a huge difference.

[GulfCoastAmy]

My Huffy (also an MTB) is probably from Walmart too. I try to tell myself that dorky is the new cool!

[PscyclePath]

Gals:

Think of the bright side... It's a whole lot faster than if you had to walk!!!

And no, despite what Bicycling Magazine and RoadBikeRider.com might want you to think, it ain't a sin to ride slow.

... but it's a sin not to ride!

Y'all have fun...

[Blueberry]

Amy -

No worries on that speed - shoot, I still average that sometimes (and my bikes are way lighter and *should* be way faster than yours...). It's all about getting exercise and enjoying yourself. As long as you're doing that, it's all good And you'll fly when you get a new bike...

CA

[solobiker]

I wouldn't worry too much about your speed as long as you are enjoying yourself. I used to have a faster average speed a few years back and was always pushing myself as fast/hard as I could. For some reason this year is diffrent for me. I am riding more slowly and taking time to enjoy my surroundings. Riding 9mph vs 15+ has many great positive aspects...1) Gives you more time to react if you need to in a vairety of situations 2)Have more time to enjoy the "flowers" 3) No pressure to beat your time from last time or to try to catch up to the person ahead of you. The list could on and on. Have fun out there!!

[BeeLady]

The good news is that 9 mph on a Huffy is probably 12 or 15 mph on a top quality bike if you are putting in the same or less effort! One of my bikes is a lightweight touring bike and the other is a Big Dummy utility bike that easily tops out at least 75 lbs and then I add groceries, charcoal, dog food, etc. I would guess your Huffy is probably somewhere around 45 lbs or so.

My comfortable speed on my Dummy is 10 - 12 mph and due to the high weight, I can easily hit 22 mph or better on any kind of downhill.

Have fun and keep pedaling!

[Medianox]

I try to keep some perspective on things like speed and distance-when I first started riding regularly (in May) I barely made it around the block the first day. Literally. I was hurting so much I had to get off my bike and I pretended to look at my brakes as I crouched down gasping for air.
Now 6-10 miles 4 days a week (40-ish miles /week total roughly) is what I'm up to so I can see improvement. I have to remind myself that my base goal is to take a year (at least) to get in shape enough to do long multi-day rides.
At this stage I go by a weekly average more than daily, and I tell myself that in time I will be going further-I just have to be patient. I don't gain anything if I get injured and at my age, it might not take a big injury to set me back.
I'm also looking forward to getting a better bike and I hope that will make a difference.
Thats why I'm glad I found this forum-its a great place to learn and share!

[Ana]

I wouldn't worry too much about your speed as long as you are enjoying yourself.....Have fun out there!!

+1

If I didn't enjoy cycling, I would stop doing it I just get out there and enjoy it

[GulfCoastAmy]

You guys are so awesome. I am seriously sitting here grinning ear to ear after reading all these responses. My husband thinks I'm a loon!