this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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It got a lot to do with leg strength and endurance. You mentioned that you started to do it 1.5 month, that's like still very early into that skill so 11.5kmph is really normal, like REALLY normal, and nothing to stress about it.
Another thing affecting your speed is you still getting a hang of it on when to apply power and when not to. Cycling is a whole new thing you need to get your muscle memory used to. Even if you jog regularly before, the difference in muscle use and timing would impact your cycling speed. Keep riding and have your leg tuned to it, there's no technique or theory to read for this one, you just have to keep riding and you will eventually get it.
Also sometimes city riding isn't always the fastest, it depend on your route. Turn will slow you down, junction will slow you down, pot hole or uneven road will slow you down, headwind will slow you down, ascent will slow you down.
Keep it up! I think you did good for 1.5 month of cycling, riding 33km takes a lot of endurance. I did a sightseeing tour at a neighbouring town recently for 26km and my average speed is 13.7kmph. So i'd say ride in your own pace, it's not a competition.
Thank you! I'll just keep doing what I'm doing then - our sidewalks vary from fantastic to potholes everywhere and stupid people standing in the middle of the street with a few massive hills thrown in there for good measure.
My leg strength is good as I go to the gym and I'm a former runner who did a few half marathons, so I'm no stranger to endurance sports, but I gained some weight since the last time I did a half marathon.
I will also say that biking does use muscles in a different way than running, I personally can ride 100km somewhat easily but can’t do a 5k run without having to walk for at least a little bit. But being in good health does mean that you should build up those biking muscles pretty quick