Don’t let your ego ruin road riding, quoted Avg speed is pretty meaningless IMO other than a way to try and make others feel a bit inferior…
I’m not a Roadie, just an MTBer who owns a Road bike (and seems to be riding it more and more), I’d say I average anything form 16 – 18 Mph on a 20 – 30 mile ride.
Having been out solo a lot latetely and on local 20 – 30 mile loops with some more layed back roadie mates, they don’t seem to be cranking out a blisteringly high pace, maybe they’re just being gentle…
I just don’t think all raodies are the same TBH…
I did 33 miles last night, outbound leg into a headwind, bit of a tail wind and slightly heavy legs on the way back, threw in some extra climbs (as climbing is a definate weakness I need to work on) and averaged 16.6Mph, Which I was pretty happy with for the loop…
I’d take that with a pinch of salt, it’s a guide, I’d say I’m in the top 30-40% on most of my popular local segments, and seem to score a new PR every time I go out.
But don’t go expecting to crack a KOM every ride, you can sort of gauge your general speed against others in your area, But I reckon most people in say the top 20 on a segment with 100+ riders are actually bloody quick.
Set incremental achievable goals, if you ride a ~2 mile segment of mixed flat / climbing in ~5:30 and the top fellas are doing it in 4:00 dead, give yourself a couple of weeks to work up to cracking that 5:00 minutes mark, don’t gun straight for a top 10 place.
I have set myself just such a goal at present and took 20 seconds out of my PR with 30 miles in my legs last night, still not quick enough it seems, but I’m happy with the fact that I’ve gotten faster and I know I can get faster still.