Cyclists often fixate on their average speeds, and many of us are guilty of doing our best to maintain them as much as possible, like shortening the ride footage before tackling the last speed-sapping hill.
While average speed isn’t the be-all and end-all, there are a few 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 drive at 30 km/h?
It provides a benchmark
According to Strava, cyclists ride on average around 17-20 km/h. That number is affected by many variables, whether it’s the terrain or the weather, so it will vary significantly by driver.
However, looking back at past rides should give you a good idea of the general average speed you tend to fall into and the kind of speeds you achieve for different terrains.
These speeds will then act as a useful benchmark or tool that can be used for a number of things, starting with route planning.
Read more: 8 Strava Features Everyone Should Know About
You can use average speed to plan routes
If you are planning routes on unfamiliar roads or going a set distance and want to get an idea of how long it will take, your average speed will provide a good estimate.
Of course, you can compare your average speed with other routes that cover similar terrain and distances, or you can make your life easier with the app. When planning a route on Strava, for example, it will provide an estimated average time that is estimated against your previously uploaded 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
When joining a new cycling club, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. After all, no one wants to end up on a group ride that is above their level, falling behind in a fast-moving pack.
Most clubs categorize group rides by their average speeds, so you’ll need a good idea of what your average speed is to find the right group.
Similarly, some races, sports or gran fondos ask for an estimated finish time when you sign up. This helps the organizers to stagger the starts, putting riders of similar pace in the starting blocks together. Having a good idea of your average speed will make estimating your finish time much easier.
Average speed can help gauge your fitness
There are many ways to track fitness, such as the dreaded FTP test.
These tests should only be completed at spread intervals, with an average speed that ensures a good ability score between tests. Most cyclists follow similar routes, so they should have a good idea of the speed they can usually maintain. If it’s higher than normal for a similar amount of effort, you’ve probably made some improvements in fitness.
There will be other factors that can affect this speed, such as traffic and strong headwinds, so don’t rely too much on it.
For a more scientific approach, you can create short loops that you will complete periodically and record your average speed each time.
Read more: 10 ways to improve your average speed on your road bike
It can help you make targeted improvements
Average speed can also provide a strong indicator of any of your weaknesses. If, for example, your speed starts to drop after a certain distance, that’s a good sign that your aerobic fitness needs some work. Or, you may struggle to maintain a higher speed during shorter efforts.
Test yourself on many different terrains and distances to build a picture of the average speeds you can achieve and use them to inform your training.
Of course, if you’re happy to just enjoy the ride without worrying about average speed, go ahead. If it’s something you care about, these steps should help you make the most of it, though you should avoid getting too fixated on it.
Explore more bike training tips on the GCN website.