how slow am I?

[Lenusik]

Nancy,

Thanks for the nice reply. I live in Phoenix and it is REALLy hot here. I just had to adjust to the heat. If I go early enough it is still around 88 - 90 F. Elevation here varies quite a bit. We have a lot of so-called rolly-pollies. If I get out in the afternoon when it is 110F outside, I am bonk in 5 miles and will not be able to go faster than 14 mph. But I don't want to take these days in consideration. I just want to work harder and go faster. I realize that I will never be faster than some other riders who I know, but it does not mean that I will not push myself.
Thanks again.

[pikato]

I realize that I will never be faster than some other riders who I know, but it does not mean that I will not push myself.
Thanks again.

I agree that pushing yourself is a great thing to do, but at the same time for a lot of people, just getting on the bike is pushing themselves. I lost 48 pounds before I'd even allow myself to walk into a LBS to look at bikes, because I was afraid of what others would think.

My first group ride I did an an average of 14.8 mph & was told by some of the 'A' group riders(who I kept up with for 1/2 way through the 40 mile ride) that I kicked arse for my first time out. I plan on increasing speed in the future, but right now my focus is more on distance, than on speed.

Just please remember that different people push themselves in different ways.