Considering competitive cyclists<\/a> win their races by tearing through the miles faster<\/a> than their rivals, speed is an area where you might want to gauge your own performance. Or at least, you may want to know how your standard pace<\/a> compares with other people\u2019s average cycling speeds.<\/p>\n To give you the info you need, we gathered stats on average bicycling speeds from Strava. Plus, we chatted with experts to find out how you can find your own fast.<\/p>\n The Average Cycling Speed in the U.S.<\/p>\n Strava<\/a>, the app that makes it easy to track your cycling (and other) activity to store, share, and celebrate your progress with friends<\/a>, has an abundance of information from users across the country and around the world. They specifically pulled data on average cycling speeds and distances for users in the United States, breaking it down farther by leisure rides versus commutes<\/a>, as well as pavement rides versus dirt rides, to help provide a little context for the data.<\/p>\n Keep in mind, this doesn\u2019t provide information on the type of bike<\/a> used or the terrain (for example, flat versus hills<\/a>), which of course would further affect speeds. <\/p>\n In a nutshell, the average cycling speed for leisure rides performed on pavement (in miles per hour) is 14.1 mph, with an average distance of 19.2 miles. Leisure rides on dirt saw an average speed of 8.3 mph, with an average distance of 10.6 miles. <\/p>\n While it\u2019s impossible to know for sure, it\u2019s easy to guess that the leisure rides performed on dirt involve rougher trails<\/a> and terrain than those performed on pavement, which likely contributes to the lower average cycling speeds and distances.<\/p>\n Commutes<\/a>, on the other hand, tended to be shorter, with slightly slower speeds when performed on pavement, but slightly faster speeds<\/a> on dirt, when compared to the leisure ride counterparts. Specifically, commutes on pavement saw an average cycling speed of 12.1 mph (slower than the leisure ride on pavement), with an average distance of 4.7 miles, and commutes on dirt saw an average cycling speed of 9.8 mph (faster than the leisure ride on dirt), with an average distance of 5.1 miles. <\/p>\n When you think of the pavement and dirt conditions that might be encountered during a commute, these discrepancies make sense. For example, a commute<\/a> on pavement is likely to be impacted by traffic<\/a> and stop lights or other commuters, which is likely to slow a person down. Likewise, the type of dirt track that might be used for a commute is more likely to be an urban bike trail that\u2019s well-kept and reasonably flat, making it easier to go faster than on a longer trail ride done for leisure purposes, where the terrain and trail may be trickier. <\/p>\n Average cycling speeds, provided by Strava: Pavement Ride, Leisure, Median Speed: 14.1 mphDirt Ride, Leisure, Median Speed: 8.3 mphPavement Ride, Commute, Median Speed: 12.1 mphDirt Ride, Commute, Median Speed: 9.8 mph Average cycling distances, provided by Strava:Pavement Ride, Leisure, Median Distance: 19.2 milesDirt Ride, Leisure, Median Distance: 10.6 milesPavement Ride, Commute, Median Distance: 4.7 milesDirt Ride, Commute, Median Distance: 5.1 miles Average cycling speed based on age, provided by Strava:Boomers (ages 58-76): 12.6 mphGen X (ages 42-57): 12.8 mphMillennials (ages 27-41): 12.6 mphGen Z (ages 13-26): 12.9 mphAverage cycling distances based on age, provided by Strava: Boomers (ages 58-76): 20.9 milesGen X (ages 42-57): 17.4 milesMillennials (ages 27-41): 13.8 milesGen Z (ages 13-26): 14.0 milesWhat Average Cycling Speeds Don\u2019t Tell You<\/p>\n Of course, these average cycling speed stats are heavily influenced by a wide variety of factors, including terrain, the type of bike<\/a> being used, and the intent of the ride (like leisure versus training<\/a> versus racing). Even the location\u2014like a city commute where you\u2019re subject to traffic, pedestrians, and stop lights will impact your speed more than a ride taking place on a bike trail<\/a> or a quiet country road. And of course, the distance of the ride can\u2019t be overlooked. Someone training for a short race or event is likely to speed through the miles more quickly than someone training for a longer event.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a number of factors that contribute to cycling speed,\u201d says Simone Provenzano<\/a>, avid cyclist and an assistant professor and director of the master of science in exercise physiology program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. \u201cTime-trial or triathlon bikes<\/a> are more aerodynamic<\/a> than road bikes<\/a>, which are more aerodynamic than gravel<\/a>, cyclocross, or mountain bikes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn a flat surface, with all other factors the same, time trial bikes will be faster than others,\u201d Provenzano adds. \u201cPlus, tires<\/a> impact cycling speed\u2014the more grip a tire has, the more it will slow you down. Therefore, smoother tires will be faster. Road surface, bearings, mechanical intricacies\u2014they can all make a difference. Then there is general terrain and environmental factors. Is it windy? Are you going up hill<\/a>? These will make you slower, while going downhill<\/a> or riding with the wind will make you faster.\u201d <\/p>\n It\u2019s not just the bike and the environment that contribute. \u201cCycling speed depends on power<\/a> and cadence<\/a>. The more power and cadence I use, the faster I go. Therefore, cycling speed is highly dependent on an individual\u2019s cardiovascular and muscular fitness<\/a>,\u201d Provenzano says. <\/p>\n Your fitness also depends on where and how you train. If someone regularly goes on long rides<\/a> on flat terrain, they may have developed a good baseline fitness<\/a> for those conditions, but if they switch things up and hit some hills with steep inclines<\/a>? Their muscular fitness is unlikely to be prepared for the challenge, and the power just won\u2019t be there. As a result, their typical speed will suffer.<\/p>\n All of these factors combined help explain why Provenzano says when it comes to coaching, \u201cIt\u2019s simply impossible to prescribe a general cycling speed to anyone.\u201d <\/p>\n While you might want to be conscientious of average cycling speeds for different circumstances, it\u2019s important not to get too caught up in the comparison game. Instead, mentally file away the data as information, and spend more time finding the right speed for you, understanding that it\u2019s likely to vary from ride to ride depending on the aforementioned circumstances. <\/p>\n That said, with training and time, you can work toward gradually increasing your own speeds<\/a> (comparing your personal changes and improvements), as one of several indicators that can help prove all your time on the bike is paying off in improved fitness<\/a> and health. <\/p>\n How to Find the Right Cycling Speed for You <\/p>\n With a few average cycling speeds filed away in your brain for reference, what really matters is your own training<\/a> and improvement over time. That means finding a workout intensity<\/a> that\u2019s going to help you meet your long-term goals, rather than focusing on a specific training speed. \u201cPrescribing intensity by heart rate<\/a> or power<\/a> is a better way to help the general population. Heart rate monitors<\/a> are cheap and available in many formats (like watches, chest straps, or forearm straps). Power meters<\/a>, on the other hand, can be quite expensive,\u201d Provenzano says. <\/p>\n She suggests using a CTS Field Test for heart rate or power<\/a> to help you determine the appropriate cycling intensities you should shoot for during training. You could also opt for an FTP test<\/a>, as it provides a similar range for training intensities. <\/p>\n Based on your test results, you can then use percentage ranges of power or heart rate<\/a> (whichever you tracked during your test) to gauge the appropriate intensity<\/a> levels to shoot for when performing a variety of different workout types<\/a>, like endurance<\/a> miles, tempo<\/a>, or power intervals<\/a>. <\/p>\n \u201cMost time should be spent in the \u2018endurance<\/a>\u2019 zone. All other intensities should only make up about 20 percent of cycling time in a variety of intervals. The harder the intensity, the less time is spent at that intensity,\u201d Provenzano explains. <\/p>\n Tips for Cycling Faster<\/p>\n Cycling speed demons aren\u2019t built in a day, so it\u2019s important to put a reasonable plan in place to develop your cardiovascular and muscular endurance<\/a> over time, which will eventually help improve your speed. <\/p>\n \u201cBeginner cyclists<\/a> should take it slow and give themselves time to adjust to the cycling environment. Start with shorter distances and gradually increase your range by about 10 percent per week. Monitor your progress as you go and take rest days<\/a> when needed so you don\u2019t become fatigued<\/a> over time,\u201d says Caroline Grainger, ISSA-certified personal trainer.<\/p>\n Provenzano also suggests making time for group rides<\/a> on the weekend. Not only do these rides allow you to train in a more social environment, but group rides<\/a> offer training opportunities you might not seek out on your own. \u201cThese rides are usually mixed with a lot of endurance miles, but also some power surges and uphill terrain<\/a>,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n Other than your longer, weekend group rides, Provenzano suggests making time for two to three interval rides<\/a> during the week to help improve muscular fitness and power. After having completed your CTS or FTP test<\/a>, you can use the suggested heart rate or power guidelines to help guide your intensity level. These shorter rides may last up to about an hour, making them easier to fit in during a busy week. <\/p>\n Provenzano offers the following sample ride to follow: <\/p>\n 5 minute easy spin (recovery zone 1)1 minute fast pedal (threshold zone 4; cadence around 100 rpm)1 minute easy spin (recovery zone 1)2 minutes fast pedal (threshold zone 4)1 minute steady state (endurance zone 2; 80-95 rpm)2 minutes easy spin (recovery zone 1)3×10 minutes steady state (endurance zone 2) with 5 minutes easy spinning (recovery zone) in betweenCool down with easy spinning (recovery zone 1)<\/p>\n As you start following a structured cycling plan<\/a> using power or heart rate<\/a> to keep your intensity where you want it, you can also keep track of your average speeds and how they change over time. <\/p>\n This is especially helpful when using an app, like Strava, to track your courses, which allows you to compare apples to apples (rather than trying to compare a 10-mile course on flat pavement to a 10-mile course on hilly trails, for instance). That way, if you know you completed a particular course at a particular speed a month ago while training at a \u201ctempo\u201d intensity, and you complete the same course faster<\/a> the next time you do it, you\u2019ll know your efforts are paying off.<\/p>\n Get Exclusive Training Programs and Digital Issues Laura Williams, M.S., ACSM EP-C holds a master’s degree in exercise and sport science and is a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. She also holds sports nutritionist, youth fitness, sports conditioning, and behavioral change specialist certifications through the American Council on Exercise. She has been writing on health, fitness, and wellness for 12 years, with bylines appearing online and in print for Men’s Health, Healthline, Verywell Fit, The Healthy, Giddy, Thrillist, Men’s Journal, Reader’s Digest, and Runner’s World. After losing her first husband to cancer in 2018, she moved to Costa Rica to use surfing, beach running, and horseback riding as part of her healing process. There, she met her current husband, had her son, and now splits time between Texas and Costa Rica. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Who doesn\u2019t love a little friendly competition? While \u201cfast\u201d means something different to every cyclist, there\u2019s data from…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":153015,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[445],"tags":[80876,80868,80880,80866,80872,49,48,635,80878,80874,80877,80879,80867,80870,80869,80871,80875,80873,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-153014","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-age-and-cycling","9":"tag-age-group-cycling","10":"tag-age-group-performance","11":"tag-average-cycling-speed","12":"tag-biking-age-groups","13":"tag-ca","14":"tag-canada","15":"tag-cycling","16":"tag-cycling-benchmarks","17":"tag-cycling-data","18":"tag-cycling-fitness","19":"tag-cycling-pace","20":"tag-cycling-speed-by-age","21":"tag-cycling-statistics","22":"tag-cyclist-age-groups","23":"tag-cyclist-performance","24":"tag-how-fast-by-age","25":"tag-speed-by-age","26":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Chevron](\"https:\/\/www.bicycling.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/arrow-left-regular.dc4f48a.svg?primary=%2523D4D4D4\"){kind=icon}
![\"Chevron](\"https:\/\/www.bicycling.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/icons\/arrow-right-regular.e879c19.svg?primary=%2523fff\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n