5 reasons why cyclists should care about average speed

Cyclists often fixate on their average speeds, and many of us are guilty of going out of our way to keep them as high as possible, like cutting a ride recording short before tackling a speed-sapping final 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 ride at 30kph?

It provides a benchmark

According to Strava, cyclists average around 17-20kph on rides. That number is affected by many variables, whether it be terrain or weather, so will vary significantly per rider.

However, by looking back through past rides, you should be able to get a good idea of the general average speed ballpark you usually fall in, 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 multiple 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 taking on a set distance and want to get an idea of how long it will take, your average speed will provide 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 by using an app. When planning a route on Strava, for example, it will provide an estimated average time that is judged against your previously uploaded rides.

So, you’ll be able to head out safe in the knowledge that you’ll be back in time to watch a stage of the latest Grand Tour.

You can gain confidence ahead of group rides

When joining a new cycling club, it’s natural to have a bit of trepidation. After all, no one wants to end up on a group ride that is beyond their level, becoming the straggler in a fast-moving pack.

Most clubs categorise group rides according to their average speeds, so you’ll need a good idea of what speeds you usually average to find the right group.

Similarly, some races, sportives or gran fondos ask for an estimated finishing time when you enter. This helps the organisers to stagger the starts, placing similarly paced riders in starting blocks together. If you have a good idea of your average speed, it’ll make estimating this finishing time much easier.

Average speed can help gauge your fitness

There are plenty of ways to track fitness, like the dreaded FTP test.

These tests should only be completed at spread-out intervals, with average speed providing a good gauge of fitness between tests. Most cyclists follow similar routes, so should have a good idea of the kind of speed they can usually hold. If it is higher than usual for a similar amount of effort, you’ve probably made some fitness gains.

There will be other factors that can affect this speed, like traffic and savage headwinds, so don’t rely on this too much.

For a more scientific approach, you can create short loops that you complete every so often, and record your average speed each time.

Read more: 10 ways to improve your average speed on a road bike

It can help you target improvements

Average speed can provide a strong indication of any of your weaknesses too. If, for example, your speed starts dropping off after a certain distance, it’s a good sign that your aerobic fitness needs some work. Or, you may struggle to hold a higher speed over shorter efforts.

Test yourself across lots of different terrains and distances to build up a picture of the kind of average speeds you’re able to achieve and use these to inform your training.

Of course, if you’re happy to simply enjoy riding without the worries of average speed, carry on. If it is something you care about, these steps should help you maximise its use, although you should avoid fixating on it too much.

Explore more cycling training tips on the GCN website.