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Pace Definitions
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Letter
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Ride Type
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Overall Average Speed*
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Description
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Example
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A
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Relaxed
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10-12 MPH
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No one is dropped. Might ride 14-16 mph on the flat but 4 a 8 mph up the climbs. Frequent Regroups.
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<40 miles
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AB
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Moderate
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12.1-14 MPH
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Casual club pace. Usually with coffee stop mid ride. No drop, several regroups at major turns.
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40 miles or more.
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B
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Brisk
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14.1-16 MPH
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Only a few regroups. For experienced riders only who want to ride long, steady distance. Might ride 18- 22 mph on the flats.
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50 miles or more.
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BC
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Fast
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15.1-17 MPH
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For strong riders who want to ride in a fast pace line or tight packs (20-28 mph on the flats) occasional sprints. Must be confident in a group and pace line, no beginners or intermediate riders.
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Long Distances and big climbs.
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C
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Race
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16.1-17+ MPH
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Constant pace lines (24-35 mph) brisk climbs, ONLY for experienced, fast, race oriented cyclists. Check with ride leader if this is your first C ride.
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Race oriented.
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All Levels
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Various
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Various
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Everyone starts at the same location. There may be long, medium and short courses, or everyone will ride one course. Riders disperse on the courses and pace groups form organically. You can start out with faster riders but drop back to a slower pace if you are not keeping up or just want to ride a little slower. The slowest group acts as the sweep with one or two experienced riders riding at the back.
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35 - 65+ milles
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*at the end of the ride your average speed should fall somewhere between this range. Other factors will affect the overall pace, including but not limited to elevation gain, traffic conditions and wind.
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To determine your personal average speed, ride a common club route that has varied terrain, such as this one. Ride at your normal pace and track your ride on a bike computer such as a Garmin or using a phone app like Strava. Be sure to set Garmin or Strava to auto pause so it will stop recording automatically when you are not moving.
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