Road Cycling Average MPH

[Sicob]

I am trying to gauge as to what constitutes a decent average mph, so I can consider when it would be worth me competing in a moderate 40 mile local road race. My Garmin has me at:
20 miles : 18.4mph
30 miles : 18.1mph
40 miles : 17.7mph

These values aren't absolutely exhaustive, just general training, hilly mix with equal up's and down's.

How does that compare generally with others, what do I need to be aiming for a good time? I am expecting 19mph average but I cannot find a clear indication anywhere.

[coupeboy]

Over the winter when doing longer endurance rides my average is around 17mph-20mph. Once the season gets close I cut back on the volume and increase intensity.

Rode a 2/3/4 cat race at weekend, 120km and the average was 24.6mph.

Edited by coupeboy on Tuesday 13th April 15:30

[Ghisallo]

Your average times are pretty respectable for someone riding alone. Riding in a bunch on a club run would easily see 3-4mph increase in average speed. Local club races are a different kettle of fish though, expect average speeds of 25mph+ for most distances. But don't let that put you off, it's the best way to build your speed up, and being shelled out the back of every hill builds character!

[anonymous-user]

Sicob said:

I am trying to gauge as to what constitutes a decent average mph, so I can consider when it would be worth me competing in a moderate 40 mile local road race. My Garmin has me at:
20 miles : 18.4mph
30 miles : 18.1mph
40 miles : 17.7mph

These values aren't absolutely exhaustive, just general training, hilly mix with equal up's and down's.

How does that compare generally with others, what do I need to be aiming for a good time? I am expecting 19mph average but I cannot find a clear indication anywhere.

from a time trial perspective, a "30-10" (sub 30 minute 10 miler!) is good, so 19mph average is enough to be finding a few local time trials too. trust me you will find a minute or two from being in a race frame of mind too!...

as said, your times for solo riding offer a base indication of your level of fitness and of course you should enter, you may not finish high but its just a lot of fun and you will learn a lot from racing in a group regardles sof whether you are at the front or the back......
road racing is very tactical, the more experienced racers may have studied the route to find the critical points to try and launch an attack. that said a 40 miler will not leave much room for tactics so it will be quite fast and frantic from the off....

[dubbs]

I competed in the White Oak duathon a couple of week ago and the course was pretty hilly 20km, managed that in 38minutes, first of the season and no bike training yet so a looong way to go over next ocuple of months

L2B was 2h54m last time I rode it and I'm aiming to trash that time.....

I'm going to get on some group rides in the next few weeks so will report back on averages then...

[boolay]

dubbs said:

L2B was 2h54m last time I rode it and I'm aiming to trash that time.....

Ouch! I'm aiming for 3.5 hours, as my average is around 15mph (aiming for 16mph) on the road. But then I am riding a clumsy moutain bike!

[NitroNick]

Short races typically don't slow down for small to medium hills. When you are training you need to train to get over a hill not just up it. If you get to the top and you are wrecked you will get dropped.
Practice powering up and over short climbs before you go racing, it won't take much to get you to that level as you are obviously quite fit.
Do some interval training so that you can react to changes in speed.

[superlightr]

Im up to about 16mph average solo for general road mix of hills and straights for a 1 hour ride. general flatish about 17 -21 but im new to road riding and getting my fitness up.

[CooperS]

I'm 200 miles (3 weeks) back into riding again and i'm averaging over an hour 16.5 round edinburgh so not great but i'm hoping to keep it there or there abouts over two hours apposed to pushing for quicker 1 hour rides.

Really want to get to a good enough state to ride in a group and get into 3 - 4 hour rides.

[Marcellus]

Riding alone I am disappointed if i drop my average below 20mph on rolling roads on any rides less than an hour... if riding for 2 hours then 17.5mph but that's usually because to ride for that long I'm getting into some more serious climbs.

[b2hbm]

Sicob said:

I am trying to gauge as to what constitutes a decent average mph, so I can consider when it would be worth me competing in a moderate 40 mile local road race. My Garmin has me at:
20 miles : 18.4mph
30 miles : 18.1mph
40 miles : 17.7mph

These values aren't absolutely exhaustive, just general training, hilly mix with equal up's and down's.

How does that compare generally with others, what do I need to be aiming for a good time? I am expecting 19mph average but I cannot find a clear indication anywhere.

Hard to compare without knowing what you call "a hill"

When we lived in Yorkshire I'd aim for 18+ up to 35-40miles over hills, now we're in Lincs with no hills at all I'm getting 19-20mph at this time of year. Not as good as I expected but I found I've swapped hills for headwinds !

I'd say at 18mph you're ready for the next stage, either a short TT or maybe the local chain-gang training ride ? I don't think I'd jump into a 40mile RR just yet, if that's your goal then search out the local chain-gang and grab a few rides. Riding in a bunch takes some getting used to IMO and you don't want to be bumping into the others. (it will get very vocal ! )

Back to speeds though. It's much easier to go hard when you're riding with someone else, it's not just the drafting it's the incentive to beat the other guy coming out as well. Solo riding, unless you're in a TT and chasing someone, is harder to keep concentration on the job in hand.

[Roman]

b2hbm said:

Sicob said:

I am trying to gauge as to what constitutes a decent average mph, so I can consider when it would be worth me competing in a moderate 40 mile local road race. My Garmin has me at:
20 miles : 18.4mph
30 miles : 18.1mph
40 miles : 17.7mph

These values aren't absolutely exhaustive, just general training, hilly mix with equal up's and down's.

How does that compare generally with others, what do I need to be aiming for a good time? I am expecting 19mph average but I cannot find a clear indication anywhere.

Hard to compare without knowing what you call "a hill"

When we lived in Yorkshire I'd aim for 18+ up to 35-40miles over hills, now we're in Lincs with no hills at all I'm getting 19-20mph at this time of year. Not as good as I expected but I found I've swapped hills for headwinds !

I'd say at 18mph you're ready for the next stage, either a short TT or maybe the local chain-gang training ride ? I don't think I'd jump into a 40mile RR just yet, if that's your goal then search out the local chain-gang and grab a few rides. Riding in a bunch takes some getting used to IMO and you don't want to be bumping into the others. (it will get very vocal ! )

Back to speeds though. It's much easier to go hard when you're riding with someone else, it's not just the drafting it's the incentive to beat the other guy coming out as well. Solo riding, unless you're in a TT and chasing someone, is harder to keep concentration on the job in hand.

Yes, as well as some interval training you need to join a club to get some group rides in (go to www.britishcycling.org for a list of your local clubs).

Training solo is fine for time trialing but for road racing you need to get used to somebody else dictating the pace and having to hold on when you at a time and pace which you find uncomfortable.

When training solo it is all too easy to get used to simulating your own attack when you feel good - you need to get used to forcing your body and mind to suffer and respond to someone elses attack when what they want to do is ease back and recover.

[Chris71]

I averaging about 18mph (including stops) on my commute. That's on a hybrid bike with baggy clothing and some decent hills I hasten to add.

[Sicob]

To add to that some serious hills in lowest gear where down to 7mph in there and some lesser gradients. Going to pick some less hilly routes as on absolute flat easy 21-22mph seems sustainable and consistent, so maybe able to get a better feel for my proper average. But will look to do some competitive cycling or at least club level to move things on. Thanks!

[superlightr]

Chris71 said:

I averaging about 18mph (including stops) on my commute. That's on a hybrid bike with baggy clothing and some decent hills I hasten to add.

strong thighs.....

[Parsnip]

Average doesn't ean much in a race.

Our fast club run does about 22-23 steady avg for 45 miles, which a lot of guys can hang with. In a race, there will be times when you are doing 18 and times when you are hanging on at 30+

Crits (which I am horrible at) highlight this even more - you will be flat out sprinting from every corner, yet your average wont be that much faster than a quick road ride.

EDIT - Also, if you have never been in a group before, DO NOT enter a race - you will be a danger to everyone (including yourself) - cat 4 racing is dangerous at the best of times without adding people who can't ride in a bunch into the equation. Get along to a local club ride and get used to riding next to people before you go near a race.

Edited by Parsnip on Friday 16th April 11:43