18 mph.
OK. Let's call the speed of the slower cyclist X, And since the faster cyclist is 3 times faster, that speed will be 3X. So their combine closing speed will be (X + 3X) and over a period of 4 hours, they travel 96 miles. So the equation becomes:
4(X + 3X) = 96
Now solve for X
4(X + 3X) = 96
4(4X) = 96
16X = 96
X = 6
So the slower cyclist has a speed of 6 mph. And since the faster cyclist is 3 times faster, that speed is 3*6 = 18 mph.