DIY Builds
Photo by Petar Avramoski Pexels Logo Photo: Petar Avramoski

What is the average cycling speed by age?

From both tables, one thing is clear, the average pace of the cyclist is directly related to his performance and the power he produces. ... Average Cycling Speeds by Age Comparison. Age Average Speed – km/h Average speed – mph 20 – 25 30 18.6 25 – 30 35 21.7 30 – 35 33.5 20.8 35 – 40 30 18.6 6 more rows •

How much does it cost to build a shed 20 by 20?
How much does it cost to build a shed 20 by 20?

On average, a shed costs between $20 and $175 per square foot to build. ... Cost Estimator by Size. SHED SIZE TYPICAL COST RANGE 12×16 (192 sq. ft)...

Read More »
Can you use 2x4 for shed foundation?
Can you use 2x4 for shed foundation?

If building on a foundation other than a treated wood frame, you will need to acquire 7 units of 10 ft long pressure-treated 2x4s to put under the...

Read More »

Cycling and age are indirectly related to the power a biker produces. With growing age, there is a sudden decrease in power, hence, the decrease in average cycling speed. That’s certainly not the type of answer that will quench your thirst and we know that. Below mentioned is a complete discussion about how different factors could affect the average cycling speed with growing age. In the meanwhile, we will also illustrate the cycling speed vis-à-vis the age compared with the help of tables and graph charts, etc.

Let us get right to the main discussion as follows:

Comparing the Average Cycling Speed from Different Perspectives

FTP (Functional Threshold Power by Age)

The chart below shows how functional threshold power increases from age 18 to age 35 and starts decreasing after that. Age Functional Threshold Power 18 – 20 120w 20 – 25 150w 25 – 30 180w 30 – 35 200w 35 – 40 180w 40 – 45 160w 45 – 50 120w 50 – 55 100w 55 – 60 90w From this, it’s evident that the power threshold directly relates as a biker gets older. Along with that, this threshold also has a direct impact on the average cycling speed. The more it is, the better the speed and vice versa. Keeping FTP in mind along with other factors that could contribute to the average speed of a biker, we formulate a table as follows:

Average Cycling Speeds by Age Comparison

The table below shows the average speed of cyclists from age 18 to age 60. Just like the increase and decrease of FTP in the table mentioned above, we see a gradual increase and decrease in speed as age increases.

Take a look:

Age Average Speed – km/h Average speed – mph 18 – 20 27 16.7 20 – 25 30 18.6 25 – 30 35 21.7 30 – 35 33.5 20.8 35 – 40 30 18.6 40 – 45 28.5 17.7 45 – 50 24 15 50 – 55 22 13.6 55 – 60 20 12.4 60 – 65 18.5 11.5 From both tables, one thing is clear, the average pace of the cyclist is directly related to his performance and the power he produces. The age 25-35 shows a physical peak with an increase in average bike speed accordingly. Power output is a product of the force you pedal with and the cadence you can keep up. As age increases, there is a steady decline in the overall speed because the human body is not producing the same power threshold anymore.

Average Bicycling Speed Graph Chart

Here comes another illustration that shows how the graph goes up gradually and gets a climax at the age of 25-30. Similarly, it starts falling due to an increase in age and a decrease in the FTP. The story, however, does not end here!

How do I keep my wood pile pest free?
How do I keep my wood pile pest free?

Tips for Keeping Pests out of Firewood Keep your firewood at least 20 feet from your home. ... Keep your firewood off the ground. ... Keep your...

Read More »
How do I check my uPVC quality?
How do I check my uPVC quality?

Below are some checks proposed from various aspects of installations which you need to keep an eye on. Overall Aesthetics & Neatness Of The uPVC...

Read More »

There are other resisting factors taking part in calculating the average speed of cycling by age.

Let us discuss those factors one by one as follows:

Resisting Forces and Calculation of Average Bicycle Speed

While calculating the overall formula for getting the average speed, you cannot discard the resisting forces variables. Apart from the direct factor, i.e. power threshold, some indirect factors also contribute to the average pace of cyclists. These factors include;

Gravity,

Aerodynamics, and

The Tire Rolling Resistance.

Have a look at the impact of these forces as follows:

Gravity and Its Impact on Average Speed

Everyone knows that gravity attracts more weight towards it and is a contributing factor while calculating the speed of cycling. That said, gravity resisting force depends upon the total weight and muscle mass. That includes the weight of your body, bike, and equipment. Knowing the impact of the gradient is also necessary while discussing gravity. It increases whenever a cyclist rides uphill and is completely the opposite when the trail is downhill. Nevertheless, gravity is a contributing force as it can impact the overall biker’s riding speed.

Aerodynamics

Another important factor is aerodynamics. Many people don’t think of it as a resisting force, but we cannot discard it especially when it comes to official tournaments.

That said, aerodynamic resisting force mainly impacts your

Frontal area,

The air density,

Drag coefficient, and

Headwind speed.

The drag force increases as the biker get up while pedaling the bike. It can, therefore, impact the average road bike speed to a good extent.

Tire Rolling Resistance

Being in contact with the road surface all the time, the tires rub to create a force that we call rolling resistance. Although the rolling resistance depends more on the type of terrain you ride. A flat terrain could reduce the resistance sufficiently. It can also increase or decrease depending upon different riding conditions. Here is a table explaining how the coefficient of rolling resistance increases when you drive your cycle on different terrains: Terrain Coefficient of rolling resistance wooden track 0.001 tire on concrete 0.002 asphalt road 0.004 roughly paved road 0.008

FTP and Its Calculation

As we talked in detail about the functional threshold power already, we will not repeat it again.

However, you should know how to calculate it!

Functional threshold power is the average power of a cyclist produced with one hour of non-stop cycling. For your ease, we can measure it with 20 minutes of non-stop biking. Calculating it is quite easy. You can use a power meter for that purpose and put values like average power produced with 20-minute shorter rides and multiply it with the coefficient of 0.95. Other methods include calculating it via mobile app, which is more convenient for mountain bikers these days.

Should you screw or nail OSB board?
Should you screw or nail OSB board?

Typically, screws are best for OSB and softwoods due to the heightened chance of splitting and easier removal at a future date. This results in a...

Read More »
How big should a shelter be for one horse?
How big should a shelter be for one horse?

10′ x 12′ As a rule of thumb, experts advise at least 10′ x 12′ for one horse and 12′ x 16′ for two. With an open front, a shed this size will...

Read More »

Impact of Age on Average Bikes Speed

In simple words, age does impact the cycling speed and you will see a decrease in your pace as you grow old. However, it does not mean that once you turn 31, your speed will drop suddenly. It’s a gradual process and if you maintain your stamina and strength the same as the current fitness level, you will be able to maintain a good average speed even when you get old. Moreover, focus on your cardiovascular fitness more if you want longevity in your cycling speed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a good average speed for cycling?

Most beginner riders can achieve a milestone of 10 to 12 mph speed and that too with limited training. Experienced riders can hit 15 to 16 mph in certain conditions. In the meanwhile, professional bikers and cyclists can hit the 16 to 19 mph mark easily.

What’s a good average for a 60-year-old cyclist?

60-year-old senior cyclists should be able to maintain an average speed of 9 to 11 miles per hour easily. But, that’s not a must! Consider your physical strength and stamina first and try to maintain the speed at which you feel comfortable.

Is 30km/hr fast on a bike?

30km/hr is approximately 18.6mph, which is quite fast, especially for a beginner cyclist. But the speed is achievable considering you are one of the professional cyclists and the road you are driving on is smooth with fewer bumps.

Final Takeaways: Average Cycling Speed by Age

As age catches up to you, you cannot expect your body to perform at the same level while bicycling. It’s a no-brainer, in fact, everyone should be okay with the decrease in average cycling speed as they get old. What you can do in this matter is to keep working on increasing your stamina with regular exercise and workouts. This will not only improve your speed, but you can easily outperform your age fellows with each passing day. When it comes to the figures mentioned in this article, it is very challenging to give very accurate statistics. There are many variables when it comes to cycling, such as the rider’s fitness level, the rider’s experience, the type of bike, the terrain the rider is on, the wind speed, and even the elevation profile of the road. Thank you for taking the time to read the article.

What happens if you buy a house that didn t have planning permission?
What happens if you buy a house that didn t have planning permission?

If you cannot provide the necessary planning documents, the buyer's solicitor will raise this with the buyer. As the new owner will inherit the...

Read More »
How much does it cost to wire a tiny house?
How much does it cost to wire a tiny house?

The cost of wiring your tiny house will generally be around $500 in materials and around $1,000-$3,000 in labor if you hire an electrician. This...

Read More »
These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »
At what temperature does Styrofoam become toxic?
At what temperature does Styrofoam become toxic?

If the temperature of the material reaches 210 degrees Fahrenheit or more, the Styrofoam starts to melt and releases toxic chemicals that can leach...

Read More »
Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

Learn More »
What is the best insulator to keep things warm?
What is the best insulator to keep things warm?

Polystyrene and plastic foam are both used as insulators as they have small air bubbles trapped inside them. This makes them very good insulators...

Read More »