this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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Today I did my first 20 mile (33km) ride on my hardtail XC bike. I learned how to ride a bike about 1.5 months ago, but I've been riding pretty consistently since I learned. I ride exclusively in the city, it's a very walkable city, but the paths aren't always the best. I did 33km in 2 hours 53 minutes, not including breaks for water or to eat.

I see people saying that 10MP/H (16KM/H) average is a good average to shoot for, but i can't even get my average above 7.1MPH (11.5KM/H), even on shorter rides. What am I doing wrong here? How are people going so freaking fast on bikes in cities?

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[โ€“] Chee_Koala@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (14 children)

Reading the thread and your responses, I thought it might be useful for you to try some other bike types, like a trekking bike and a racing bike. Because you are pretty new to biking in general, this might expand your context window efficiently and effectively. I love the feel of 'fast' bikes because your muscle power gets you so much, giving me a little bit of that same feeling when windsurfing or sailing. I also like the versatility and confidence a mountain bike gives you, but it's like it eats your speed when you're not using it for rougher terrain. Had the same experience when pushing my grandma through the forest in an offroad wheelchair, getting back on the tarmac was actually _ worse_

1.5 months is also basically just starting out, no matter if you are fit or talented, it takes some km/hours to 'attune' or adapt or 'get the feel'. Same with saddle discomfort/monkey butt. Your butt and the saddle take a lot of time to get used to each other, and more time will increase comfort. Your speed will improve with just time, I'm sure. Can we have a pick of your bike?? Have fun pedaling!

[โ€“] ThePiedPooper@discuss.online 1 points 2 days ago (13 children)

The MTB gives me more confidence that I won't break something if I go down a curb too hard or somehow make a wrong move and go into a pothole.

My butt does hurt a bit, mostly because my underwear rides up uncomfortably as I ride, I occasionally have to stop and fix it ๐Ÿ˜…

Here's a pic of my bike :)

[โ€“] Blackout@fedia.io 1 points 2 days ago (2 children)

You can go fast in that bike but it's not really built for it. If you desire speed there are usually good deals on older street bikes. My 40 yr old miyata 910 weighs half of your MTB and that makes a big difference in acceleration and speed. I commuted with this bike for almost 20 years and got my average up to 50 kph. Would pass traffic between lights, it felt great being faster than cars.

[โ€“] Sheldan@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

I doubt the 50 average See this record here https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hour_record

These attempts are in pretty specific circumstances (equipment, track and air residence, training and what not) and were about 50 just ten years ago (they are about 57 right now, but the development has been crazy)

So please excuse me if I slap a bit fat X for doubt on the 50 average.

[โ€“] theskyisfalling@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm sorry but the average speed across all stages in the Tour de France is around 41km/h there is no way that you could average 50kp/h unless your route was entirely downhill. Even then if it was a commute you'd have to return up that hill which would then normalise your average.

[โ€“] Blackout@fedia.io 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The tour de France is very mountainous. 50 is 30 mph here and I averaged up sure. I'd bike with pros on the weekends and they would blow by me. But the space between lights were a sprint and I would overtake traffic each time.

[โ€“] scrion@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

Dude, I'm sure you were and hopefully still are a great and well trained cyclist, but it is very unlikely you averaged 50.

Rohan Dennis, Tour de France record holder for fastest stage in the Grand Tour, managed to break the previous UCI one hour record in an inside hall, on a flat plane and achieved 52.491 km:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/feb/09/rohan-dennis-sets-new-hour-record

If your average was 50, meaning you sometimes surpassed that, you should probably get back on that bike and claim the record.

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