Quote Originally Posted by Veronica
Don't compare yourself to others. We've all got different responsibilities, priorities, goals. The terrain we all ride on is vastly different.

I do keep a spreadsheet to track my monthly mileage. I try to ride more each month than I did for the same month last year. This is the second year that I've set that as my goal. My intent is to ride more each year and keeping a monthly focus made that more managable for me. I try really hard to only compare myself to me. It's hard though. I look at other people's average speeds and think How do people have an an average speed of 18 - 20 mph on long ride?

V.
That is SO true about the priorities, goals, etc.!!

tjodit - Compete with yourself, if at all! (Okay, I admit, I compete a little with my husband - but in a good way!) Set a manageable goal for yourself and maybe you'll surprise yourself. I had to up my mileage goal 3 times last year when I decided to start doing some doubles and the training that went with them.

And as for the terrain - you answered your own question, Veronica - about how people can average 18 - 20 mph: It's terrain (i.e., flat and rollers) and working in groups. I like to look back and see how terrain and who I was riding with affected my mph for a ride. For Death Ride last year (130 miles practially all climbing), my mph was 11.22. For the Davis Double (200 flat/rollery and a couple climbs) it was over 17. For the race I do in Tucson (the years I didn't crash!) it's over 20 mph for 111 miles (flat/rollery and aggressive group riding).

Terrain! (Location, location, location!)