Updated on June 1, 2022
Most riders can maintain a speed of 15 mph throughout a one-hour ride. It’s recommended that you start out at 10 miles per hour and work your way up to 15 miles per hour with some practise and dedication on your part.. Training once a few months can raise your average speed to 18mph, but if you stay with it, your average speed can rise to 22mph over time.
What is a good average speed?
At least 25mph/40kph or more are the norm for Tour de France competitors.
A common question from riders is whether or not they should bring a helmet. Generally speaking, what’s a reasonable average speed to drive at? As always, there are a number of variables at play here.
Even your bicycle is covered. A road bike with drop handlebars and skinny tyres will typically go faster than a hybrid bike with wide tyres or a mountain bike intended for off-road riding.
If a rider encounters a headwind, wet weather, or challenging conditions, their average speed will decrease.
British tarmac-and-gravel roads are slower for Tour of Britain pros accustomed to racing in continental Europe.
However, your degree of fitness is critical. Beginners may struggle to sustain an average speed of 10mph/16kph for an hour or two on a road bike. Using Strava, you should be able to maintain a speed of 15.5mph/25kph for several hours if you ride consistently and are physically fit.
Most likely, it will take some time and effort to achieve a 20 mph/32 kph average pace on a bike. When you’re travelling at 20mph, you’re putting in eight times as much work as you would at 10mph to overcome air resistance.
Over the course of three weeks, the Tour de France winner travels more than 2,100 miles/3,500 kilometres with the help of others, averaging 25 mph/40 kph. Find out why riding in a group is vital as you continue reading.
BikeRadar’s tips to improve your average speed
1. Pedal more
Ideal for gatherings of ten or more people. However, it is a truth that skilled bicyclists pedal more frequently than novices.. Being able to read the road ahead and having confidence in one’s riding abilities are crucial components of this skill set. That, in part, is due to Coppi’s exhortation to the riders to get out there and bike more.
You must know when and how to press on the pedal. If you want to squander your time and energy by crashing into a red light and then having to stop, put your foot down, and start over, then do it.
2. Brake less
Another blatant case of this. As usual, the key to success is a willingness to take risks and a sharp eye for the smallest of details. There is a learning curve involved in learning how to go downhill faster. The following tips will help ensure a safe descent on a road bike.
You can generate momentum for the following incline by speeding down an uneven route faster. The next hill may not necessitate the use of your tiny chainring or result in an unacceptable speed loss if you time your ascent right. Starting a climb at a leisurely pace is more difficult and takes longer.
As a result of learning how to take corners more swiftly, your average speed will rise. While winging it and hoping for the best is an option, improving your technique is essential. Two examples of this include steering into a corner and using the drops to lower your centre of gravity. Here are some suggestions for taking a confident turn.
3. Ride in a group
Riding in a group or with another rider will help you achieve a higher average speed. Russell Burton of the Immediate Media Group
Joining a group ride is a definite way to improve your overall speed.
You have to keep going even when you’re tired because you’re riding in a group and there’s a sense of urgency. The same is true if you’re in good physical condition and can lead the way.
However, drafting is not the sole advantage of riding in a group. Riding in the back requires up to 40% less effort than riding in the front. To become proficient in draughting safely and effectively, a significant amount of time on the road is required.
Draught allows riders in the back of a pack to maintain their composure while the front-runners are plainly putting in the effort. Because of this, the Tour de France winners are able to maintain such a high speed..
In addition, this is the reason why sprinters use a lead-out train: they conserve their energy by riding behind their teammates for the most of the race.
Joining a cycling club is a great way to meet other riders. It’s easy to pick a group ride that’s right for you because there are so many options.
A few pointers for first-timers who want to ride with a group.
4. Work on your cadence
It’s not only about putting forth extra effort when it comes to speed. Because your muscles aren’t being pushed as much, pedalling faster should be less exhausting. When it comes to cadence, it’s simply the number of pedal strokes per minute that you’ve never heard of before.
Despite the fact that trained amateur riders typically ride between 80 and 90 revolutions per minute, some professional riders may reach speeds as high as 100 revolutions per minute. Even when racing up a hill, Chris Froome is known to pedal at a rate similar to this.
Additionally, it’s important to develop a riding technique known as “souplesse,” in which power is applied evenly and continuously throughout the pedal stroke rather than only while the pedals are being squeezed together.
