pace or ave?

[Louis for real]

what is beter to look at as a measure of how fast you are going?

[walkerr]

For training rides - I work off average speed. Generally do similar distances, and do a mental adjustment for weather e.g. how windy or hot.

 

For fun ride/races, I also aim at a target average speed. To compare one year to the previous years I use % of my finish position compared to the field. If I'm finishing higher up the field I take that as progress, even if weather means I got a slower time.

[Minion]

Average what?

 

Do you want to know how fast you're going while you're riding or how fast you went on a ride after it's finished?

 

Pace will tell you how fast you're going, average pace will tell you how fast you've been. Same for speed and average speed.

 

Both can be used to track progress. Pace emphasises changes at low speed (going from 4km/h to 5km/h changes pace from 15min/km to 12min/km), but loses resolution at high speed (going from 31km/h to 34km/h, pace only changes from 1.9min/km to 1.8min/km).

 

You generally use pace to track slower sports, such as running or rowing, while speed is used for faster sports like cycling.

 

Current pace is easy to measure with just a stopwatch and known distances (e.g. mile markers, laps, lampposts etc.). Current speed needs some extra calculation if you're not using a speed/distance sensor.

[Louis for real]

I.M.H.O.

upping your average speed requires more effort than upping your average pace?

or is this wrong according to you?

[Minion]

I.M.H.O.

upping your average speed requires more effort than upping your average pace?

or is this wrong according to you?

Pace = 1/Speed

 

They're different ways of measuring the same thing. Just like fuel consumption can be measured in L/100km or Km/L.

 

Improving your pace requires the same amount of effort as improving your speed.

 

If by upping your average pace, you mean increasing it from 5min/km to 6min/km, then yes, it is easier than increasing your speed. Just slow down and your pace will go up.