When you get on a bicycle to ride it then the acceleration, power, speed everything is directly dependent on the energy you pedal with! Do you agree with this statement? Do you know there can be other factors too that can affect your average bicycle speed?
Various elements constitute the average bicycle speed like proper oiling of the chain, lubrication of the tyres, rolling resistance, no hindrance from the brakes, and many more. The question also arises: what is a good average bicycle speed? We will provide the answer to this question and the other major factors that affect the speed of the bicycle!
On What Factors Does the Speed Depend?
Following are a few major factors which the speed of your bicycle varies:
- Riding conditions (nature of the roads)
- Equipment (the bicycle, gears, shock absorbers)
- Age of the cyclist (Strength depreciation with your age)
- Distance covered (after a distance, speed decreases)
The Truth about the Average Bicycle Speed Explained!
Taking up the average speed of the cyclists on the grounds of their experience, the average bicycle speed can be classified as:
– The beginner on the pedal can speed up to an approximate speed limit of 7 miles per hour on a course of 10 miles. This is the kick start level of cycling when you do not have pushed the pedal, or you are in the learning phase of your journey with the bicycle. As you gain better balance a bit more knowledge of the skills of riding on the roads, you can move to a better speed!
– The rider with a good balance and a riding experience of a few months can ride the distance of 20 miles at approximately 11 miles per hour. This is when the rider has an efficient grip on the handlebar of the bicycle and knows the way around.
– The professional crew of riders can travel medium or long distances on their bicycles from 40-60 miles at an approximate speed of 18-22 miles per hour. They have much experience over time while riding for long distances. When you have been touring on your bicycle exploring new routes and new types of roads, that’s the time when you enter the club of professional cyclists.
The above-given points determine the average bicycle speed depending upon the experience of the cyclists. You might find yourself in one of the three segments of the riders to know the speed you ride with.
Fact: The highest speed gained over the years on a bicycle is 89.9 miles per hour (144.1 km/h) by Todd Reichert in the year 2016.
Steps for Increasing Average Bicycle Speed
Consistency and practice are very known factors to increase your bicycle speed. Here, we shall learn about some more.
- Have an elbow posture:
Wind plays a great role in decreasing your speed on a bicycle. The direction of the wind can lower your speed. You can overcome this problem by simply bending a bit toward the bars of your bicycle and tucking your elbows. You will immediately feel how much of a difference it creates than sitting straight and pedalling.
- Feed the tyres properly:
A properly inflated tyre will always help you speed up and that too very effortlessly! It is not always necessary to pump up your tyre when it is punctured—checking your tyre’s pressure every time before a ride is a good habit. Temperature changes often cause softness to the tyres.
- Have your riding crew:
Riding in groups is fun as well as advantageous. When you are riding with a group of people, you somewhere start competing with them. This encourages you to increase your speed and beat the wind. You will put more effort here than in riding alone as here you will have an urge to prove yourself.
- Have strong body muscles:
Cycling muscles make the most of your riding time and your speed. These muscles can be strengthened by spending more time on your bicycle. Fast pedalling and moving with big gears help to gain cycling muscles. The fast pedalling increases efficiency by producing more fibres, making it stronger, leading to greater speed while riding the bike.
- Do not press on the brakes often:
Braking always lowers your speed. Braking slows you down and then to get back on the track again you have to pedal harder to get good acceleration. This is both a waste of time and energy, and in addition to this, your speed also gets affected.
- Riding with drop matters:
Riding in the drops might sound like some tricky work, but it plays a great role in your bicycle speed. The drop riding leads to reducing the resistance caused by the wing by twenty per
- Lose some bodyweight:
Losing weight will help you a lot in increasing your speed. Having less weight will help you while going uphill as you will then have less to ride regarding your weight and the weight of the bicycle. Less weight means less input of effort for the same amount of distance.
- A healthy break from riding help:
Riding for long would surely take the stamina from your body which could hinder you in completing your total journey. At these times a small interval helps in relaxing. Interval training is a very efficient way to increase your average bicycle speed.
- Good Music always works:
Having some good music playing works for every activity you require to be calm and concentrated. Keep your ears plugged in with some EDMs which could easily build up your speed or your favourite titles or some soothing tunes.
- Put on some skintight clothing:
The baggy clothes turn out to be the baggage you need to keep while you ride making you slow. Wear tight clothes that keep away the sweat and body heat and keep you moving actively over the course.
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