Cycling - how fast is fast?

admin · #1 21-12-06, 01:38 PM

I was wondering... what is a good race pace on a bike? From my estimates I reckon an average speed of 20 miles an hour to be a good target... is that achievable under triathlon conditions?

ed_m · #2 21-12-06, 01:46 PM

the winner of hawaii ironman this year averaged 26mph over the 112miles.
as far as i know there is no one in the UK who could come close to that.

sub 30mins over 10miles is a reasonable time for an ameteur, the big boys get down toward 20mins.

i'd be happy with 20mph up to olympic distance..... and ecstatic beyond that, ;-)

admin · #3 21-12-06, 01:56 PM

Cheers Ed, thats good to know... will help when out training.

ed_m · #4 21-12-06, 02:23 PM

my current 19mile commute on clunky old MTB (with slicks) and loaded panniers takes on average 1:15 to 1:30 (depending who i'm riding with) .... the record is somewhere short of 1:09 (would have been faster but the traffic holds me up in town).

Hollywood · #5 02-01-07, 03:45 PM

At Windsor tri I managed 1:12 for 42 km (so just under 22mph) - and that's a mid-pack time for a bloke... the leaders were well under an hour - see full results here - http://www.humanrace.co.uk/results06/w06age.html

At Almere I did 3:50 for 120km (so just under 20mph - but that did include a pee stop and a snog stop?!)

But please bear in mind that just like with running, the speeds you cycle at in training are generally much less than you do when racing - I think most local chain gangs seem to head out for 16-18mph rides - and I'm lucky to average 15mph on my local solo routes.

team-lewis.co.uk · #6 27-01-08, 12:10 AM

Laurence harding is a strong cyclist, but just look what the bike did to his run. I'd average 27mph for 40km at the moment in a Triathlon but it would have to be a flat and fast course. 20mph is alright for a beginner triathlete as long as you can run strong off the bike.

If you can run within 1min30 of your PB for 10km off the bike then you're about right.

Al