Average cycle speed?

Schecter01

What is the average cycle speed that leisure groups would do compared to race groups? I'm on 20km at the moment but I'm only starting off

ted1

Orwell wheelers break down speeds here : http://www.orwellwheelers.org/sunday-spins/spins-which-group

iwillhtfu

<snip>

Leisure groups usually average 20-23km/h and any stragglers are usually towed back into the group. You'll be more than capable of the speed it's the distance might catch you out. A lot of leisure spins are 40km+

nilhg

Schecter01 wrote: »

What is the average cycle speed that leisure groups would do compared to race groups? I'm on 20km at the moment but I'm only starting off

If it's the Headstrong leisure group you're wondering about it'll be between 22 and 24km/hr, there's plenty of new folk coming along at the moment so now's the time to give it a go if you're interested. if you're able to do 25-30km at 20km/hr solo than you should be fine, just explain to the lads that you are new to group riding and building up your fitness.

Schecter01

Well Basicly don't want to go alone to my first group Ride and make a holy show by not even making the first 20km with other novices, I'd say it will be the distance that will catch me alright, my biggest problem is climbing, it kills me!

Schecter01

Along not alone

JK.BMC

funnights74 wrote: »

I would put it at Beginners up to 25 Kph. Experienced up to 35 Kph. Expert groups up to 50 Kph. Of course terrain and weather conditions should be taken into consideration as well as fitness and natural ability.

Yes indeed. Sign me up for the expert group - looking forward to a 50kmh average speed. Sounds deadly.

funnights74

Schecter01 wrote: »

Well Basicly don't want to go alone to my first group Ride and make a holy show by not even making the first 20km with other novices, I'd say it will be the distance that will catch me alright, my biggest problem is climbing, it kills me!

Everyone is nervous on their first group ride but chat with the others as you travel along, this will build up your confidence. Just by being in a group your speed will increase mainly due to drafting, but funnily enough you use up less energy so over time you can travel longer distances. Check out YouTube for hints and tips but in the end the only way is just to get out and do it yourself.

Beasty

OP asked a perfectly reasonable question. Totally unhelpful replies removed

Schecter01

funnights74 wrote: »

Everyone is nervous on their first group ride but chat with the others as you travel along, this will build up your confidence. Just by being in a group your speed will increase mainly due to drafting, but funnily enough you use up less energy so over time you can travel longer distances. Check out YouTube for hints and tips but in the end the only way is just to get out and do it yourself.

Thanks for all the replies guys much appreciated, I hear drafting makes a huge difference, I would never have thought so, is it really that much of a benefit??

Cee-Jay-Cee

Schecter01 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys much appreciated, I hear drafting makes a huge difference, I would never have thought so, is it really that much of a benefit??

Yes a huge benefit. On my own, balls out I manage approx 30kmph over 40-50km distances. I done Sligo to Letterkenny last year in a group and averaged 32kmph over 112kms and while doing Mizen to Malin last September I averaged 34kmph over 64km distance while in a chain hang of about 14 on one of the days and averaged roughly 30kmph for the entire distance (665kms over 5 days)

Hani Kosti

I led a beginner spin today, just barely hit average of 20km/h.
During intermediate spins, the average would be 23-25km/h.
(Tri club, not a cycling club)

Doc07

Schecter01 wrote: »

What is the average cycle speed that leisure groups would do compared to race groups? I'm on 20km at the moment but I'm only starting off

You will be fine, I only avg 20k/HR on my own before I ever did any group rides when I started off a year ago. By the end of the year managed 30k/HR for 90 in a group.Enjoy catching the bug like I did.

My main issue now is not avg speed but descending. I'm a 'scaredy cat ' and have to hang at the back of the group as I'm afraid of slowing everyone up. That's a whole other thread though.

Schecter01

Great stuff thanks!

Iwannahurl

I thought average speeds of 20-30 km/h sounded low, until I realised the distances were 50-120 km!

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/sunday-spins/spins-which-group

Now I'm wondering whether I could manage even a beginner's group...

Iwannahurl

Doc07 wrote: »

My main issue now is not avg speed but descending. I'm a 'scaredy cat ' and have to hang at the back of the group as I'm afraid of slowing everyone up. That's a whole other thread though.

What kind of maximum speeds are being achieved?