Quote Originally Posted by Lenusik
This is a good article that speaks of some designated cycling fascilities. I am lucky to have a very long stretch of the road that does not have any intesections. Maybe that what helps me. I can go at least for 10 miles or more at a time without stopping unless I chose to do that. And I have a several hills on the way that are about 1-2 miles long. So, maybe we should start talking about average speed per certain distance.
You are still really missing the point here. The only thing you can tell from watching your average speed over your familiar route is whether or not you personally are improving. As far as how competitive you would be against others it doesn't mean diddly. You still seem rather intent on putting down those gals here who ride much longer distances at slower speeds than you can achieve over 10 miles. Your devotion to this is almost comical. You might be quite surprised to find that many of these women that you are putting down for riding slowly are twice as strong as you when put on a short flat course. They have the base miles and are strong - they just do different types of rides than you do.

Also,in the end what you can do over 10 miles is just that - even if you had everyone there with you and we all rode the same course and you won all you would prove is that you have a good 10 mile TT. Could you complete a 400KM brevet? Could you do a week long self supported tour carrying all of your gear? Could you keep up with an agressive pack in a road race? Could you take a good corner in a crit? Maybe you could do all of these things, but maybe you might just find that even if you could beat everyone here in a 10 mile TT, that Nanci could tear the legs off of you over 400KM, Denise could run you ragged on a tour, and Caligurl could kick your butt on a day with 10,000 feet of climbing.

If you really think you are that great I encourage you to go and try racing. You'll find out very quick that its not about average speed at all. Its about tactics and bike handling and team work and a myriad of other things, with speed being just a part of it. Being the stongest helps,but it's not always what wins the day.