Average Speed & How it's Calculated, personally and group rides

[DanKMTB@gmail.com]

How do you all calculate your average speed? I've run into a few
riders lately who will tell me their average speed, and then alter
divulge that this is the speed they notice is on their computer on
average. They disregard the “average speed” the computer gives them,
in my opinion because they don’t like the lower # and want to feel or
sounds like they’re going faster than they are. One reason is “the
computers average includes when I slow to go across a parking lot and
stop to get a drink, or slow and stop at a light. That’s not really
my riding speed”.

Personally, I consider my average speed to be whatever my computer
tells me my average speed for a given ride was. For example this
morning my average speed per my computer was 17.7mph. My “cruising
speed” may have been in the low 20s, but some of my climbing was below
that, as was my deceleration for traffic, a red light, and a stop at
the store for iced coffee.

How do you calculate your “average speed”? Do any of you also use the
term “cruising speed”? Finally, when a club ride advertises an
“average speed” of xMPH is x what my computer will tell me the average
speed was at the end of the ride, the speed we’ll cruise on most flats
or the speed we’ll cruise whenever unimpeded, included uphill? I’ve
never done a road group ride and if I ever decide to these
discrepancies will make a difference in what group I try to ride
with. I’m thinking for a first time I’d want to ride with the slowest
group that isn’t comfort bikes with saddle springs, and work my way up
if need be.

Dan

[JeffR]

I personally just use what the computer tells me which is a rolling
average. My computer stops timing after being stopped of 3 seconds and
starts again as soon as I am rolling. So my average includes slowing at
intersections and a couple of seconds at 0 mph, but not any rest stops
or extended time spent stopped at stop signs and traffic lights.


--
JeffR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JeffR's Profile: http://www.trianglecycling.com/member.php?userid=808
View this thread: http://www.trianglecycling.com/showthread.php?t=30774

[Kristian M Zoerhoff]

On 2008-07-29, DanKMTB@gmail.com <DanKMTB@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> How do you calculate your ?average speed??

My GPS [1] breaks down average speed and "moving average", which
excludes stops, so I usually go with the moving average (no that's
it's normally all that different, unless there's a rest stop
involved).

[1] Garmin eTrex Legend Cx

--

Kristian Zoerhoff
kristian.zoerhoff@gmail.com

[JeffR]

It is the speed the group averages over the course of a the ride not the
entire ride.


--
JeffR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
JeffR's Profile: http://www.trianglecycling.com/member.php?userid=808
View this thread: http://www.trianglecycling.com/showthread.php?t=30774

[Edric]

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:10:46 -0700 (PDT), "DanKMTB@gmail.com"
<DanKMTB@gmail.com> wrote:

>How do you all calculate your average speed? I've run into a few
>riders lately who will tell me their average speed, and then alter
>divulge that this is the speed they notice is on their computer on
>average. They disregard the “average speed” the computer gives them,
>in my opinion because they don’t like the lower # and want to feel or
>sounds like they’re going faster than they are. One reason is “the
>computers average includes when I slow to go across a parking lot and
>stop to get a drink, or slow and stop at a light. That’s not really
>my riding speed”.
>
>Personally, I consider my average speed to be whatever my computer
>tells me my average speed for a given ride was. For example this
>morning my average speed per my computer was 17.7mph. My “cruising
>speed” may have been in the low 20s, but some of my climbing was below
>that, as was my deceleration for traffic, a red light, and a stop at
>the store for iced coffee.
>
>How do you calculate your “average speed”? Do any of you also use the
>term “cruising speed”? Finally, when a club ride advertises an
>“average speed” of xMPH is x what my computer will tell me the average
>speed was at the end of the ride, the speed we’ll cruise on most flats
>or the speed we’ll cruise whenever unimpeded, included uphill? I’ve
>never done a road group ride and if I ever decide to these
>discrepancies will make a difference in what group I try to ride
>with. I’m thinking for a first time I’d want to ride with the slowest
>group that isn’t comfort bikes with saddle springs, and work my way up
>if need be.
>
>Dan

Bottom line for me: Distance/total time. It's pretty easy.

[It's Chris]

Average speed on the bikes computer IS riding speed. If that includes
the "slow spots" then they count too, just as in a time trial. If you
slow down to negotiate a tight turn, the officials don't stop the clock,
there are no freebies. It all counts, IMO..

I count what my computer reads as "average riding speed". (time spent on
the bike)

I figure "overall average speed" by taking the total miles and dividing
by the total time, from the start of the ride until it is finished,
including breaks and rest stops.

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

[David L. Johnson]

DanKMTB@gmail.com wrote:
> How do you all calculate your average speed? I've run into a few
> riders lately who will tell me their average speed, and then alter
> divulge that this is the speed they notice is on their computer on
> average.

I amuse myself with the idea of a rider climbing a really, really steep
hill, one mile long, at 1 mile/hour. Then, upon reaching the top, he
heads down at an incredible speed, say 100 miles/hour. His average
speed is, of course, slightly less than 2 miles/hour.

Most of us overestimate our average speed because we discount the time
we spend climbing -- it is hard work, after all --- and think about the
high speeds we log going downhill.

--

David L. Johnson

Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig...
You soon find out the pig likes it!

[Tom Keats]

In article <66e92e92-8c28-4ad2-afe9-674a759d5d06@z66g2000hsc.googlegroups.com>,
"DanKMTB@gmail.com" <DanKMTB@gmail.com> writes:

> How do you calculate your =93average speed=94?

With an anemometer :-)

Actually, for destination-based, "practical" riding,
I'm more interested in trip time.

For recreational riding, I just don't care
about speed.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

[Jeremy Parker]

<DanKMTB@gmail.com> wrote

How do you all calculate your average speed?

[snip]

My bike computer, a Cateye Astrale, lets me choose my kind of
average, so I choose the same kind of average that Audax UK uses, to
encourage myself to get to the control points before everybody has
gone home.

Stops count. They are part of your time. They do slow you down.

Jeremy Parker

[DanKMTB@gmail.com]

On Jul 29, 9:55*am, JeffR <JeffR.3db...@no-
mx.forums.yourdomain.com.au> wrote:
> I personally just use what the computer tells me which is a rolling
> average. My computer stops timing after being stopped of 3 seconds and
> starts again as soon as I am rolling. So my average includes slowing at
> intersections and a couple of seconds at 0 mph, but not any rest stops
> or extended time spent stopped at stop signs and traffic lights.
>
> --
> JeffR
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> JeffR's Profile:http://www.trianglecycling.com/member.php?userid=808
> View this thread:http://www.trianglecycling.com/showthread.php?t=30774

Do you do any group rides? I'm exceptionally curious how they do it.
If a ride advertised at average speed 15MPH actually means the
computer will read 15mph when you get back, you can assume you'll ride
slower up some hills, harder on flats, etc. If they say 15MPH and
mean they're going to be doing 15MPH everywhere, including up the
steepest hills in town, you're in for a bit more of a workout.

[Art Harris]

"DanKMTB wrote:
>
> Do you do any group rides? *I'm exceptionally curious how they do it.
> If a ride advertised at average speed 15MPH actually means the
> computer will read 15mph when you get back, you can assume you'll ride
> slower up some hills, harder on flats, etc. *If they say 15MPH and
> mean they're going to be doing 15MPH everywhere, including up the
> steepest hills in town, you're in for a bit more of a workout.

The "average speed" function on bike computers is the worst thing that
ever happened to cycling. Most folks are so concerned with seeing
"progress" or outdoing their buddies that they become slaves to the
computer, and actually change their riding habits.

It discourages slowing to enjoy the scenery, or stopping and walking
to get a closer look at something or to take a photo.

It encourages pushing ones self to the point of exhaustion, and worse,
to running red lights, blowing through intersections, or taking other
unnecessary risks.

Clubs have various ways of defining "ride speed." One is the average
cruising speed maintained on a flat road with no wind. Others use
maximum or typical cruising speed. But it doesn't matter because most
rides go much faster than advertised anyway (except for the casual/
beginner rides).

I use a computer mostly to know how far I've ridden, and for viewing
current speed. Average speed is somewhat useful, but is dependent on
wind, hills, and whether drafting or not. Hint: If you don't want
walking to adversely affect your average speed, click it the computer
partially out of its holder.

Art Harris

[ZBicyclist]

DanKMTB@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Do you do any group rides? I'm exceptionally curious how they do
> it.
> If a ride advertised at average speed 15MPH actually means the
> computer will read 15mph when you get back, you can assume you'll
> ride
> slower up some hills, harder on flats, etc. If they say 15MPH and
> mean they're going to be doing 15MPH everywhere, including up the
> steepest hills in town, you're in for a bit more of a workout.

Our club defines it it as: " Pace is the nominal riding speed on the
road. The overall average speed will be slower due to stops."

In other words, if you are leading a 15-16 mph ride, that's the
speed you would be going when nothing unusual is going on (up or
down hills, headwind or tailwind).

[It's Chris]

From: n2ah@hotmail.com (Art*Harris)

>The "average speed" function on bike
>computers is the worst thing that ever
>happened to cycling. Most folks are so
>concerned with seeing "progress" or
>outdoing their buddies that they become
>slaves to the computer, and actually
>change their riding habits.

>It discourages slowing to enjoy the
>scenery, or stopping and walking to get a
>closer look at something or to take a
>photo.

I disagree. Sure, misused ANY idea is the worst ever invented, you can
use that to say the bicycle itself is the worst thing ever invented if
you choose your info correctly and word it right.

I find the average speed to be one of the most useful. If I'm training
for a long ride it tells me how well I'm improving. I don't have to go
fast, but if I know that if i'm in shape I should be doing ride ABC at
an average of XX.X mph, and I'm not putting out, it tells me I have to
do more training. XX.X for me has never been more than 16 miles an hour
for a fifty mile ride.

By knowing my average speed over a cxertain type of terrain, say 14-15
for a moderately hilly ride, 13 in the mountains or 12 if I'm carrying
my camping gear (hardy too fast to "smell the flowers"), I can figure
how long XX amount of miles will take. Recently, I've been punching
these numbers into my DeLorme program and it I can use this to late I
can leave and still beat the sultry Southern summer heat.

Hardly a bad idea.

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner

[ZBicyclist]

Art Harris wrote:
>
> The "average speed" function on bike computers is the worst thing
> that
> ever happened to cycling.

Really?

[Brenda Lacey]

"David L. Johnson" <david.johnson@lehigh.edu> wrote in message
news:r4qdnTEZYbCjXhLVnZ2dnUVZ_sednZ2d@rcn.net...
> DanKMTB@gmail.com wrote:
>> How do you all calculate your average speed? I've run into a few
>> riders lately who will tell me their average speed, and then alter
>> divulge that this is the speed they notice is on their computer on
>> average.
>
> I amuse myself with the idea of a rider climbing a really, really steep
> hill, one mile long, at 1 mile/hour. Then, upon reaching the top, he
> heads down at an incredible speed, say 100 miles/hour. His average speed
> is, of course, slightly less than 2 miles/hour.
>
> Most of us overestimate our average speed because we discount the time we
> spend climbing -- it is hard work, after all --- and think about the high
> speeds we log going downhill.

Don't know about that "of course" though.
Took me a lot of effort to realize that as the average speed of the return
journey goes to infinity, the overall average speed only approaches twice
the value of the outgoing journey.

[JeffR]

I personally just use what the computer tells me which is a rolling average. My computer stops timing after being stopped of 3 seconds and starts again as soon as I am rolling. So my average includes slowing at intersections and a couple of seconds at 0 mph, but not any rest stops or extended time spent stopped at stop signs and traffic lights.

[JeffR]

It is the speed the group averages over the course of a the ride not the entire ride.