Cycling is a sport built around speed. Professional racers wear aerodynamic gear, ride the lightest carbon fiber bikes and know the exact place to sit in a pack of riders to achieve the most speed while doing the least amount of work. Many factors affect how many miles per hour you're able to achieve while cycling, therefore making it impossible to define one perfect speed at which to ride. This varies based on a number of factors.
Weight
Most cyclists ride and train so that they are able to ride the fastest possible speed at an effort they are able to sustain and with the least amount of resistance. Weight is a huge factor in riding resistance. The weight of the rider as well as the weight of the equipment you are using will have a large impact on the speeds you're able to achieve. This is especially true when ascending a hill, where gravity works against you. Therefore, a rider's average miles per hour up a hill is usually much lower than on a flat road or going downhill. Removing weight conserves energy and boosts a rider's power to weight ratio.
Aerodynamics
Your average speed while riding alone will almost always be lower than when you are riding with a group and drafting. Drafting behind another rider conserves energy because it reduces air drag and allows you to ride with less effort in another rider's slipstream. Therefore, you can cycle at faster speeds with less effort. Just the opposite is true when you ride alone into a headwind on a windy day. Expect a much lower average speed because your level of energy exertion is higher. If you continually ramp up your effort as soon as speed lowers, it's possible to overtrain or to overload your muscles with too much effort.
Typical Speeds
According to "Transportation Infrastructure and Engineering," by Lester A. Hoel, engineers design bike lanes based on a projected average speed of 15.5 mph. This varies based on the location, but the speed is calculated by considering factors such as the number of lights and intersections as well as the length of the bike lane. Club rides often use average speeds to differentiate their rides. For example, an A ride might average 24 mph, B averages 20 mph and C will be for riders who can maintain 16 mph in a group. In this case speed is used to help cyclists determine which ride best suits fitness levels. It also sets a group goal for that day's workout.
Improve Speed
One of the simplest, albeit expensive ways to increase speed is by reducing bike weight, especially your wheels. Wheel weight increases rotational drag, thus slowing you down. Group rides are a great way to increase your fitness and speed because they force you to stay with the group and follow a faster pace than you might do on your own. Intervals are also a good way to increase the speed you can sustain.
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