statistics

What do these numbers have in common?

• 20.5
• 20.7
• 21.5
• 21.0
• 21.0
• 23.6
• 21.2
• 24.7
• 23.7
• 22.9

they are average speeds for big rides this year. (i.e. 60 to 100 kms)

For anyone from the Canadian Olympic team who is reading this and about to call us, we should point out that the numbers are kilometres per hour, not miles per hour.

The speedier last three are non-hill rides, the first ones are all substantially hill rides.

Some people have suggested using correction factors to adjust the average, but we don't buy that. Nevertheless, for the kind of people who think reality isn't enough of a good thing, we present the CFM average speed adjustment factor index.

• riding alone +2 km/h (done right, group cycling is much faster)
  
• taking photos +1 km/h (trust us, it slows down the ride a lot)
• hills 1 km/h per 1000 ft climbed
  

And now the numbers are getting respectable. Lyin' cheatin' respectable.

Anyway, we prefer the stark reality of the original numbers. They don't lie, they tell the story of the ride. And for us, the story probably involves a lazy approach to climbing. Minimalist.

The most important thing of any ride is to have fun, because if it's not fun then why are you doing it?

Actually that's a trick question, because cycling is always fun.

Right?

RIGHT!