Speed change
Also: Average change, Change of average
A point within a test where a new average speed applies. From there you continue with a different speed.
A speed change is a point within a test where a different average speed applies. The organiser sets it at a given distance or at a landmark, such as a village sign.
Why speed changes exist
They make a test harder and match the pace to the road. A low average applies in a village, a higher one on the open road, and a lower one again on a climb.
Worked example
A test in the roadbook:
- 0 to 3.0 km at 36 km/h
- 3.0 to 7.0 km at 45 km/h
The first part takes 3.0 × 100 = 300 seconds. At 45 km/h you need 80 seconds per kilometre, so the second part takes 4.0 × 80 = 320 seconds. The total target time is 620 seconds, or 10:20 minutes.
Important: the clock keeps running through the change. You do not restart it. From the change point you simply calculate with the new speed.
Common mistakes
Most errors come from spotting the change too late or misreading the distance. Mark every change in the roadbook beforehand and have a separate average speed table ready for each part.