Key for interpreting Speed/Distance/Topography:

Shown following the Ride Title is the Ride Category e.g. “Ride to Somewhere (S D T)” – below is the Key to interpret these ride categories:

(S) Speed (moving average *see note 1) 
A: 12-14mph  B: 11-12mph  C: 10-11mph  D: <10mph

(D) Distance (measured back to the starting point *see note 2)
S: 20-35ml  M: 35-50ml  L: 50-65ml  XL: >65ml

(T) Topography (a guide only *see note 3)
F: flat  F/U: flat to undulating  U: undulating  U/H: undulating to hilly  H: hilly  VH: very hilly

 

Typical moving average speeds mph (*see note 4) for a medium length ride over different topography – these are a guide only:

Topography                     Speed:	D	C	B	A
Flat	10.0	11.0	12.0	13.6-14.0
Flat/Undulating	9.8	10.8	11.8	13.2-13.6
Undulating	9.5	10.5	11.5	12.8-13.2
Undulating/Hilly	9.3	10.3	11.3	12.4-12.8
Hilly	9.1	10.1	11.1	12.0-12.4
Typical speed on flat/good surface mph (*see note 5)	12-14	14-16	16-18	18+

* e-bikes max speed 15 mph

 

Supporting notes

 

* 1: Moving Average Speed is the average when the wheels are turning, so discounts any stops etc. It’s considerably faster than the elapsed time average, which will include stops. Ideally, catch-up stops would start coming into play when the terrain starts changing from perfectly flat into undulating & with the need for them progressively increasing the more undulating & then hillier the ride becomes i. e. where the range of abilities becomes more pronounced.

 

Note: The club does have a “no drop” philosophy (to ensure riders aren’t left way off the back by themselves & struggling to keep on the correct route) which means the pace will be slackened or additional catch-up stops included should these be necessary. Ride Leaders will be pretty tolerant & especially so of new riders (plus, we all have off days or breaks off the bike for one reason or another that affects fitness levels). However, if the group is riding to the defined pace & the same rider is needing this “no drop” on multiple rides, or conversely if a rider is always “off the front”, then it maybe an indication that they are on the wrong category of ride. 

 

Note: Riders will be discouraged from unilaterally pushing up the speed on a ride. However, if all riders are happy with a faster moving average, then the Ride Leader may tailor the speed accordingly, although should still be checking periodically & easing the pace again if necessary. 

 

*2: Distance of the ride will be measured back to the starting point for consistency (even though most rides do not actually return to the start).

 

*3: Topography will continue to be an estimate based on the Ride Leader’s knowledge (because not all Ride Leaders use software to plan routes & also the software applications have differing sampling intervals giving variations in the accuracy of ascent figures). If a rider is in any doubt about the more hillier rides, then please contact the Ride Leader beforehand for more information.

 

*4: Typical Moving Average Speeds are speeds we’d expect the group to target under normal conditions for a medium length ride & with the number of catch-up stops appropriate for the topography. Each rider should be aware of these & match their ability accordingly. Obviously, distance also plays a significant part in how easy/hard a ride will be, so this would need to be factored in on top.

 

*5: Typical speed on flat: This is an indication of the likely cruising speed on some parts of the ride where the road is flat & the surface is very good. It can be thought of as the maximum speed attained on the ride, except for any descents where the speed could be significantly quicker.