Cycling speed

See your moving speed and your overall speed including stops, so you can plan rides on the right number.

Your details

25.0 miles (40.2 km) in 1 hr 40 min

15.0 mph

average moving speed

In the other unit24.1 km/h
Including 20 min of stops12.5 mph
Time per mile4:00
100 km at this moving speed4 hr 9 min
10 miles / 100 miles at this moving speed40 min / 6 hr 40 min
Poweradd your weight to see the watts this speed takes on the flat

Moving speed is what your legs did; overall speed is what the clock saw. Cafe stops are part of cycling, so plan routes on the overall figure.

Pace or speed

Cycling pace per mile

Some riders think in pace rather than speed. The result gives the time per mile or kilometre, plus how long 10 miles, 100 km and 100 miles take at your moving speed. 20 miles in 1 hour 20 minutes is 15 mph, or 4 minutes a mile.

The working

25 miles in 1 hr 40 min of riding

25 miles ÷ 1.67 hours = 15.0 mph moving (24.1 km/h). Add 20 minutes of stops and the ride took 2 hours, so the overall speed is 12.5 mph. A 100 km ride at your moving speed takes about 4 hr 9 min.

Moving or overall

Which to use

Figure	Use it for
Moving speed	how fit you are getting, comparing rides
Overall speed	planning when you will get home
Time per mile	pacing a long ride or event

Speeding up

Free speed first

Pump the tyres to the pressure on the sidewall
Clean and oil the chain
Ride on the drops or tuck a little into a headwind
Ride with a slightly quicker group now and then

Goal speed and watts

What a faster average takes

Add a goal average and the page shows how long this ride would take at that speed. Add your weight too and it estimates the power to hold each speed on a flat road in still air, using the Martin model with typical values for a road bike ridden on the hoods.

For 25 miles at 15 mph, a 75 kg rider needs roughly 97 watts; 17 mph needs about 131 watts, over a third more for 2 mph. That is air drag, which rises with the cube of speed. Hills, wind and rough roads all add to these figures.

Read with care

What this cannot tell you

Wind and hillsA windy hilly ride is slower for the same effort.
Auto pauseSome computers pause at lights, some do not.
FitnessSpeed alone does not show effort; heart rate or power do.

Questions

Common questions

What is a good average cycling speed?

Whatever you enjoy. The Compendium of Physical Activities calls 10 to 12 mph leisurely riding, and club rides are often quicker.

How do I work out my average speed?

Divide the distance by the time. 20 miles in 1 hour 30 minutes is 13.3 mph.

Why is my average speed lower than my cruising speed?

Hills, junctions and slowing for corners all pull the average down.

Sources

Last checked 21 October 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we will fix it.

Before you push on

New to exercise, or got a heart, lung or joint condition? Have a word with your GP or practice nurse first. Stop and get help if you feel chest pain, faintness or unusual breathlessness, and call 999 if it is severe.