Cyclists often focus on their average speed, and many of us are guilty of riding as hard as we can to keep it as high as possible, such as shortening the ride record before the speed-sapping final hill.
While average speed isn’t the best, there are several reasons why you should pay attention to it.
Here are five reasons why average speed matters.
Read more: Average speed challenge: How hard is it to go 30 km/h?
It provides a scale
According to Strava, cyclists on rides move at an average of 17-20 km/h. This number is affected by many variables, whether it’s terrain or weather, so it will vary significantly from rider to rider.
However, by looking back at past rides, you should be able to get a good idea of ​​the general average speed you tend to fall into, and the kind of speeds you achieve on different terrains.
These speeds will then act as a useful benchmark or tool that can be used for multiple things, starting with route planning.
Read more: 8 Strava Features Everyone Should Know About
You can use the average speed to plan your routes
If you are planning routes on unfamiliar roads or driving a set distance and want to get an idea of ​​how long it will take, your average speed will give you a good estimate.
You can of course compare your average speed from other routes that cover similar terrain and distances, or you can make your life easier with an app. For example, when planning a route on Strava, it will give you an estimated average time based on your previously recorded rides.
So you’ll be able to set off safe in the knowledge that you’ll be back in time to watch a stage of the latest Grand Tour.
You can gain confidence before group rides
It’s natural to feel a little nervous when joining a new cycling club. After all, no one wants to end up on a group ride that is beyond their level and become a straggler in a fast-moving pack.
Most clubs categorize group rides by their average speed, so you’ll need a good idea of ​​what speeds you typically average to find the right group.
Similarly, some races, sportives or gran fondos ask for an estimated finish time when you sign up. This helps organizers stagger the starts and place riders with a similar pace in the starting blocks together. If you have a good idea of ​​your average speed, it will make estimating this completion time much easier.
Average speed can help gauge your fitness
There are plenty of ways to track fitness, such as the dreaded FTP test.
These tests should only be completed at staggered intervals, with the average speed providing a good measure of fitness between tests. Most cyclists ride similar routes, so they should have a good idea of ​​the speed they can usually maintain. If it’s higher than usual at a similar effort, you’ve probably made some improvements in fitness.
Other factors like traffic and wild headwinds can affect this speed, so don’t rely too much on it.
For a more scientific approach, you can create short loops that you do every so often and record your average speed each time.
Read more: 10 ways to improve your average speed on the road bike
It can help you focus on improvement
Average speed can also be a good indication of any of your weaknesses. For example, if your speed starts to drop after a certain distance, it’s a good sign that your aerobic fitness needs some work. Or you may have trouble maintaining a higher speed with a shorter effort.
Test yourself over many different terrains and distances to get a picture of what average speed you’re capable of and use that to inform your training.
Of course, if you’re happy to simply enjoy the ride without worrying about average speed, go ahead. If it’s something you care about, these steps should help you maximize its use, though you should avoid getting too fixated on it.
Explore more cycling training tips on the GCN website.