7 Ways To Improve Your Average Speed On A Road Bike

Almost every cyclist wants to go faster at some point. Your average speed is a pretty good measure of your ability, and so a great way to measure your improving fitness. So we've got some tips on how to improve your all-important average speed.

From training at sweet spot, to just not riding up any hills, there are any number of ways to up your average speed when you go riding. Let us know your favourite hacks to get faster when you ride.

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[eightballsidepocket]

I was so happy the first time I was able to cruise at 40km/h... then I turned around towards home and couldn't top 25km/h. Damn wind!

[liamroche]

0:47 Position
1:23 Pacing
2:43 Sweet spot training
3:37 Fuelling
4:34 Weight
5:11 Aero kit
5:57 Route
6:39 Bonus cheat: distance
Nice!

[allangrubb]

Great video fellas your an inspiration for me, I started riding at 64 years old on a mountain bike and just got my first road bike at 67 a Trek Emonda S5 and love it. Got me away from the computer and tv and started living the good life. Riding up to 250- 300ks a week now. Keep up the great vlogs fellas. Would like to see a vlog on older people taking on cycling. Cheers

[jonfoster]

My favourite way is to ride in a group. This makes it much easier to go faster, especially if you sit at the back which I usually do. For some reason this is unpopular with my friends but it does keep me fresh for a sprint finish and they should know their place by now.

[Vinceweekly]

avoid city traffic to improve average speed

[TheWaxChainFanClub]

It was absolutely imperative that Dan and Si flew to Gran Canaria to film this video.

[chiefrocker]

In line with the "Aero" theme, and a previous topic on longer stem you gents covered, I switched to 130mm/17deg stem (changed from 100mm/7deg), slammed the stem and started doing more yoga and daily stretches. This allowed me to ride more comfortably in a aero position, and same power output. Overall, my avg speed increased from 28 to 35-37km/hr on the flats. All of this while getting older. :)

[TriathlonDan]

‘Give us a thumbs up down below’ bit keen Dan 😂😂😂

[nickbotfield]

I'd say that body position actually requires quite a lot of time and effort to get right.  If you're only used to riding on the hoods and tops then riding on the tops or in the drops with bent elbows and a flat back is really hard work (or at least it is for me).  It takes a lot of time and core strength improvement to be able to sustain that position for a decent length of time.

[johnbouttell]

I find that hanging on to the support car saves a few calories

[nuclearbanana]

1. body aerodynamics: get lower, elbows in, slim as possible
2. pacing: dont go super fast at the beginning, keep good pace, even effort throughout
3. sweet spot: train at 90% of maximum power, will increase fitness and strength
4. eat on the go: replaces nutrients and energy, keeps fuel supply
5. weight: lose weight, less mass to carry with you
6. bike aerodynamics: get lighter bike, more aerodynamic gear and clothing
7. plan route: get shorter rides

[zzvcxvz]

The best way to improve your average speed is go faster

[charlesmagtoto]

Personally, I found that the best way to improve my average speed is to ride at 3 am. I went from an average of around 17 to 20 km/h when riding in rush hour traffic to around 23 to 25 km/h when riding out when literally nobody’s on the road.

[Dangarangg]

Could you guys tag or just put in the description where you ride? Would love to add some of these rides to my bucket list, they look amazing

[jonoharper]

I like #3....training at "sweet spot".
Can really put in multiple days of this per week on the turbo indoors during winter.

[markavogler]

I grew up in La Aldea on the west coast of Gran Canaria & am really enjoying watching you guys cycle those roads. I must get back there soon to do some more riding

[marcelknop]

Great tips. You could also mention that time on the bike (base miles) improves average speed. Hill training also works (I weigh 120kg- I do hill training, improves my power on the flats- easy). Last, but not least, you forgot to mention drafting, whether it be a faster cyclist, or a vehicle.

[CaptainRon]

“Plan your route”

I live in south coastal Texas where strong prevailing winds from the SE are an almost daily occurrence. A few days ago we had steady 25mph wind with gusts up to 31mph. I planned my 58 mile route so that most of the open riding had the wind on my back and sheltered roads for the return trip. For about 30 miles I had the wind on my back and according to my Garmin edge 500, I averaged 29mph and topped out at 38.8 going down a overpass. I’ve been cycling for 37 years & my current bike is a Giant OCR-2 upgraded to a Tiagra 4700 2x10 speed group set on a set of Mavic cosmic wheels

[dtshifter]

Also get far into the country where there are few stop signs and traffic lights. No matter how fit you are, you are going to post a slow average speed when you have to stop and wait for traffic at the end of every block.

[smitajky]

Pacing correctly has always given me the biggest improvement in point to point times. As an example dropping 1km/hr along the level, and not powering downhills gives me more reserve sprint power to maintain speed uphill on the various undulations. That can save me 10 minutes or so on a 2 hour ride.