Why Average Speed?

The Beaconsfield Cycling Club primarily organizes touring rides over distances from 40 to 160 km. For each ride, we try to match cyclists into speed groups of 6-12 riders based on their individual strength and endurance. We have found that the simple metric of average speed, which can be calculated using any cycle computer or GPS, is a good indicator of these attributes for our purposes.

What Is Average Speed?

The average speed metric, or more accurately average moving speed, is the total distance covered divided by the total amount of time spent riding, excluding any breaks.

How Do I Calculate My Personal Average Speed?

We have found that if you use your own data from a ride you completed by yourself, outdoors, of about 1.5 to 2 hours duration, where you felt like you performed well and had a good day, you should be able to maintain that same average speed when you’re sharing the work in a paceline over a longer duration. You want to avoid using data from a recovery ride, where you were drafting off someone else, or where you were working at someone else’s pace. You also want to avoid virtual cycling data, since these are idealized circumstances without traffic, wind, and stop signs.

The easiest way to find your personal average speed is if you use an activity tracking service like Strava, Garmin Connect, or Ride With GPS. In your history for one of these services, find a 1.5 to 2 hour outdoor ride where you were on your own and you were working at a good pace - at the kind of pace you would enjoy for your club rides. The average speed metric should be listed on that data page.