How to rate myself

pprendeville

Hi all,

Just back from a spin to Dalkey beach. Left McKee Avenue, Finglas at 7:25pm. Total time on the cyclometer was 2hrs 10mins and that included a short stop in Sandycove to have a gawk at the swimmers as I hadn't been down there before and twas lovely. Anyway, I clocked up 56km in that time (allowing for traffic lights and all that I'd say I should shave off 20mins so 1hr 50mins). Average speed was 25.7km/hr.

Just want to find out from the more experienced cyclists out there if this is any way half decent or just average.

Spiritoftheseventies

pprendeville wrote: »

Hi all,

Just back from a spin to Dalkey beach. Left McKee Avenue, Finglas at 7:25pm. Total time on the cyclometer was 2hrs 10mins and that included a short stop in Sandycove to have a gawk at the swimmers as I hadn't been down there before and twas lovely. Anyway, I clocked up 56km in that time (allowing for traffic lights and all that I'd say I should shave off 20mins so 1hr 50mins). Average speed was 25.7km/hr.

Just want to find out from the more experienced cyclists out there if this is any way half decent or just average.

good going mate. I did a 100k charity race a few years ago so you are not quite in my league yet but keep it up!

kincsem

pprendeville wrote: »

Hi all,
Anyway, I clocked up 56km in that time (allowing for traffic lights and all that I'd say I should shave off 20mins so 1hr 50mins). Average speed was 25.7km/hr.

Agreed. If you ignore red lights you could save time.

I would rate you as a Cycling Giant, but then my speed is faster than a slug but slower than a snail.

victorcarrera

pprendeville wrote: »

Hi all,
Just want to find out from the more experienced cyclists out there if this is any way half decent or just average.

Too many variables there to make a comment.
Next time record a non stop spin up the N2 to Ashbourne and back.

It may take years to achieve your potential.
As a general rule of thumb for experienced/amateur competitive cyclists.
25Km/hr is a casual leisure spin, flat road on a road bike.
32 to 40 Km/hr = time trial no drafting on a road bike.
40 to 45 Km/hr = Race pace riding in a group with drafting flat course.

Beasty

You also need to consider other factors which can affect your speed or performance. Clearly as you get older you will generally slow down (although I would say at 48 I am fitter and faster than I have ever been in my life, this is simply bcause I am training harder and more effectively). Even if you start and stop at the same point, the hillier your route, the slower you will be. I personally find the wind influences my speed most. If it is strong I will lose more time in the headwind than I can recover with the equivalent tailwind. You will therefore find you can ride faster when the route is generally flat, and windspeeds are low.

Spiritoftheseventies

kincsem wrote: »

Agreed. If you ignore red lights you could save time.

I would rate you as a Cycling Giant, but then my speed is faster than a slug but slower than a snail.

ignore red lights. safety first. some mad cyclists out there!

pprendeville

victorcarrera wrote: »

Too many variables there to make a comment.
Next time record a non stop spin up the N2 to Ashbourne and back.

It may take years to achieve your potential.
As a general rule of thumb for experienced/amateur competitive cyclists.
25Km/hr is a casual leisure spin, flat road on a road bike.
32 to 40 Km/hr = time trial no drafting on a road bike.
40 to 45 Km/hr = Race pace riding in a group with drafting flat course.

Which route should I take to Ashbourne - the main road or the back roads via Coldwinters? What time do you do it in from the Lidl roundabout near Finglas? Want to set myself a time to come close to/beat.

victorcarrera

pprendeville wrote: »

Which route should I take to Ashbourne - the main road or the back roads via Coldwinters? What time do you do it in from the Lidl roundabout near Finglas? Want to set myself a time to come close to/beat.

I recommended the N2 as it is close to you, is straight, flat and only one set of traffic lights.

If you want a rough comparative rating of how fit you are right now can you supply the following.
1. Distance and time or average speed of suggested or any flat route of approximately one hour.
2. Your age height and weight.
3. Type and weight of bike and any other aerodynamic factors such as type of handlebar/helmet/clothing.
4. Weather/wind/temperature at time of test.

Here is a tip that helped me: Go out steady approx 80% increase intensity on the return until the tank is empty at the finish. Dont try and push a higher gear that hurts your legs except in the last few Km.

Ant

victorcarrera wrote: »

Here is a tip that helped me: Go out steady approx 80% increase intensity on the return until the tank is empty at the finish. Dont try and push a higher gear that hurts your legs except in the last few Km.

Good tip from Senor Carrera. I'd just add that for the last kilometer or so, you should be warming down (cycling on a low gear without stressing your muscles) as it'll greatly help your recovery.

Acoustic

finglas village to 9mile roundabout in ashbourne and back in 50 mins

Vélo

pprendeville wrote: »

Which route should I take to Ashbourne - the main road or the back roads via Coldwinters? What time do you do it in from the Lidl roundabout near Finglas? Want to set myself a time to come close to/beat.

I live in Ratoath and commute to Finglas.

If you head up to the M50 rounabout you can get onto Coldwinters without having to get on to the dual carriageway. There's a cycle track you can get on to at the lights that'll bring you on to the old N2.

pprendeville

victorcarrera wrote: »

I recommended the N2 as it is close to you, is straight, flat and only one set of traffic lights.

If you want a rough comparative rating of how fit you are right now can you supply the following.
1. Distance and time or average speed of suggested or any flat route of approximately one hour.
2. Your age height and weight.
3. Type and weight of bike and any other aerodynamic factors such as type of handlebar/helmet/clothing.
4. Weather/wind/temperature at time of test.

Here is a tip that helped me: Go out steady approx 80% increase intensity on the return until the tank is empty at the finish. Dont try and push a higher gear that hurts your legs except in the last few Km.

Gosh, thanks for the great tip. I'll get out tomorrow so and post up my results. I feel like I'm going to do the time trial in Monaco although I'll hardly se many yachts out there. Thanks.

pprendeville

Acoustic wrote: »

finglas village to 9mile roundabout in ashbourne and back in 50 mins

Right, will be aiming for a time in and around that. Sound. Any tips on what I should be eating before going out for a spin?

victorcarrera

pprendeville wrote: »

Any tips on what I should be eating before going out for a spin?

Everybody differs to some degree but the fundamentals are the same carbohydrate and water.
This works for me.
eg: Breakfast: Pint of water, wolemeal cereal, banana, bread and jam.
Lunch: Pasta, potatoes, rice with meat and veg + milk.
I don't eat within 2 hours of time trial.
For 1 hour Time Trial I put 2 spoons of sugar in half a bottle of water and drink it at the halfway point.
PS: Do a 15min warm up on a low gear and away you go.
Best of luck with it and let us know how you get on.