Why are Northern Ireland’s cyclists so fast?
Strava data reveals Northern Ireland's riders are the fastest in the United Kingdom. Dave Nash takes a closer look
When Strava published its annual End of Year Insights for 2016, the majority of the stats were easily explained, but there were a couple that left some cyclists in the UK scratching their heads.
How could it be that the three top spots for the highest average speed and highest average ride length were claimed by regions of Northern Ireland?
>>> British cyclists are some of fastest in the world, 2016 Strava stats reveal
The Ards region, to the south-east of Belfast, rode away with the top spot for highest average speed (25.4kph), narrowly beating the Banbridge area, situated a little further to the west, with Coleraine, in the north of the country, rounding off the podium.
Banbridge, however, secured the title for longest average ride, 44.9km, though Ards was again their nearest rival, with neighbouring Newry and Mourne clinching bronze.
>>> 12 of the funniest Strava segment names
It’s actually counter-intuitive to clinch titles for both fastest and longest rides, so is there something in the water that is propelling the cyclists from across the Irish Sea?
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I’d like to say we are just stronger cyclists over here!” says Alastair Martin, long term member of Ards CC, but he concedes that the roads in this quiet corner of Ireland are wonderfully free of traffic, with few towns to negotiate, which makes the riding a little more fluid, facilitating higher average speeds and longer rides.
>>> A Strava add-on will now let you write stories about your rides
That, however, is not the full picture and Martin alludes to the concentration of clubs in the area, all with a healthy, competitive membership and a proactive approach to organising events in all disciplines.
There is also, undoubtedly, a strong pool of talent in the region.
“We have 77 adult competition licence holders out of a total membership of 150” says Paul Hannigan, secretary of Banbridge CC. With many cyclists competing at a very high level and many veterans still smashing the local segments, it’s not surprising that high average speeds are the norm.
Strava stats
UK women’s averages per ride
- 34km long
- 19.8kph
- 287m of climbing
- 1:44 in the saddle
UK men’s averages per ride
- 41km long
- 25.6kph
- 375m of climbing
- 1:53 in the saddle
Philip Dickenson, Secretary of North Down CC, concedes the Ards Peninsula, which hosts several big races, is relatively flat “so even training rides get very, very quick.”
>>> Pro riders to follow on Strava in 2017
So why has this corner of Northern Ireland eclipsed many other UK cycling hotbeds? Dickenson’s suggestion that the benign terrain may have helped to bolster the Irish figures provokes a bullish response from Martin: “I don’t think that’s a big factor. Most roads are rolling all the time and the Mourne Mountains are within striking distance, which encourages longer rides.”
A valid point that may go some way to explaining the long ride lengths.
Apps that can boost your riding
So will the Strava findings introduce a further element of competitiveness into an already feisty club scene?
“I think a lot in the club will want to ensure Ards retains its title next year,” Dickenson says, “So we’ll try and encourage the slower riders not to sign up to Strava just yet!”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
French WorldTour pro cyclist dismissed by team for 'anti-doping violation'
Franck Bonnamour's biological passport is under investigation by the UCI, but he denies wrongdoing
By Adam Becket Published
-
Street lights being turned off leaves female cyclists like me in the dark when it comes to our safety
‘I’m aware of my own mortality everytime I leave the house’ writes journalist Emmie Harrison-West following the news that cash-strapped councils are switching off street lights.
By Emmie Harrison-West Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard’s former team reclaims Coll de Rates KOM from Juan Ayuso
18-year-old Peter Øxenberg Hansen now officially holds Strava title, beating UAE Emirates rider by 11 seconds
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I got the dreaded uh-oh email from Strava... he took my KOM by 15 seconds': Phil Gaimon wins battle over world's hardest segment
American holds 249 watts on gruelling five-hour Mauna Kea effort to reclaim crown
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘Dear tiger': Why do Wout van Aert’s Strava files all have strange names?
The Visma-Lease a Bike rider has been feeling musical on a training camp
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'People aren't as snooty or uptight': gravel boom shows no signs of slowing, and here's why
Gravel bike riding is "one of the fastest-growing sports" on Strava, with 55% more people doing it in 2023
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Strava analyzed all our activities and found that boomers bike, Gen Z likes the party pace and we’re all held back by work
Strava’s Year in Sport takes an analytical deep dive into the habits of 120 million athletes world wide. Here's what they found.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Strava appoints YouTube exec as new CEO hopes to 'take it to the next level'
Michael Martin will lead the exercise app from 2 January 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Strava introduces messaging
The activity-tracking app can now be used to chat to your fellow cyclists and runners
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘I’m in serious danger’ - Alpe d’Huez QOM holder reacts to climb’s Tour de France Femmes inclusion
Illi Gardner has the best time on over 8,000 Strava climb segments
By Tom Davidson Published