Avg mph for road cycling?

[kristinkeeley]

I'm fairly new to road cycling. Really started riding quite a bit more last spring. So I'm about a year in, although didn't do a ton over the winter. I did do some trainer stuff, but not as much as I should have. I'm currently averaging around 15mph when I'm by myself, including hills. For those who race, what is the average speed for women? Any clue? I'm doing my first race in less than 2 weeks!

[kristinkeeley]

Thank you. I'm not overly concerned about it... the race is a smallish one with very few women, from what I understand. And there is a group of us from our team that average close to the same, so hoping we can stick together and finish the race with a little bit faster average! I just like to know what I'm up against!

[roo4]

Can you look online for last year's results? Or a similar race?

[ny biker]

Can you look online for last year's results? Or a similar race?

I don't race, but I was going to suggest this. I know with marathons and triathlons, the results are posted online.

Good luck and have fun!!

[kristinkeeley]

Yes, I was able to look up some past results. Appears that there were a few fairly fast women (like 2) and then a few on the "slower" side, and none in the middle of the pack!

[Eden]

This is one of the top questions that novice racers ask, but there really is no simple answer. The thing is, in road racing (not triathlon, not time trialing) it's about way more than simply average speed. It's about tactics, recovery, ability to respond to accelerations, bike handling - lots and lots of things. Unless you are that person who can easily just ride away from everyone else, there really is no predicting how well you'll do in a race by trying to compare it with a training ride, so don't worry about it, just get out there and experience it.

[TigerMom]

This is one of the top questions that novice racers ask, but there really is no simple answer. The thing is, in road racing (not triathlon, not time trialing) it's about way more than simply average speed. It's about tactics, recovery, ability to respond to accelerations, bike handling - lots and lots of things. Unless you are that person who can easily just ride away from everyone else, there really is no predicting how well you'll do in a race by trying to compare it with a training ride, so don't worry about it, just get out there and experience it.

I completely agree with Eden.

I ride in the recreation group, which is on the fast side for a biking recreation group. We average 14-17mph in 34miles 2500 feet elevation usually. I am not anywhere near as good as our beginner racers who are in the Intermediate group and they average 17-20 mph over the same course.

Good luck with your racing!

[SheFly]

Ditto to what Eden said. I have been in races where we roll around in circles at 15 mph (and I am angry and chomping at the bit, but tactically can't go faster) and other races where we average over 21 mph (these are actually from the same course, but different years!). There are too many factors to consider to give you an average speed for a race - what't the terrain, who is racing, what's the weather, etc.

Just go out and give it a try, and most importantly, have fun!

SheFly