How fast do you ride?
#101
On Your Left
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#102
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I’ll turn 60 in just a couple of weeks. I’ve been riding road bikes since I was in my early 20s. These days I’m lucky to average 14-15mph on my usual 20-50 mile rides. Other than a hand full of triathlons/duathlons every year over the decades, and a mass start road race, or a TT a few times over the years...I’ve never been much of a racer. But just the other day I came upon proof that I once could ride at a pretty good clip. I was looking at my ‘trophy case’ and picked up the 3rd place trophy for a mass start race I participated in while I was in the Navy and stationed in Spain circa 1993. On the bottom I’d written my stats. For the 40k (24.8 miles) race I averaged 24.3mph. The race was actually on the Navy base so there weren’t a ton of riders. Hence no real groups to ride in. As I recall, myself and a friend rode most of the race wheel-to-wheel with no others around us. Sure wish I could achieve speeds like that today.
Dan
Dan
Anyway, back to bikes, I had a nice bike with me then, (late 70s) but it was just for kicking around town. Years later, I was a strong 'B' rider but couldn't keep up with the guys doing 20+ mph. It wasn't until I got into recumbents in the late 90s that I found any speed. Not too many years back I did a relay-type event, with my 45-mile split clocking in at 26.1 mph. I probably won't ever beat that.
#103
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Ex-'R' brancher here. When I was in, I asked for Europe, so of course I got... Anchorage. It was nice but just not the same!
Anyway, back to bikes, I had a nice bike with me then, (late 70s) but it was just for kicking around town. Years later, I was a strong 'B' rider but couldn't keep up with the guys doing 20+ mph. It wasn't until I got into recumbents in the late 90s that I found any speed. Not too many years back I did a relay-type event, with my 45-mile split clocking in at 26.1 mph. I probably won't ever beat that.
Anyway, back to bikes, I had a nice bike with me then, (late 70s) but it was just for kicking around town. Years later, I was a strong 'B' rider but couldn't keep up with the guys doing 20+ mph. It wasn't until I got into recumbents in the late 90s that I found any speed. Not too many years back I did a relay-type event, with my 45-mile split clocking in at 26.1 mph. I probably won't ever beat that.
#104
Grupetto Bob
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66 here and just did my longest ride of the year, 47 miles at an average speed of 17.3 MPH, top speed, 45 MPH. I like to go fast and if I can do 20 MPH for miles I am in heaven. Top speed on a tandem, 62.5. On a single bike, 52. Not really comfortable over 50 MPH in case a deer, squirrel or car crosses my path.
Will keep pushing myself as long as I am able. Besides, its great for weight maintenance.
Will keep pushing myself as long as I am able. Besides, its great for weight maintenance.
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#105
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Fast only has meaning in a race. Other wise it is meaningless. Except for one person in the world there are thousands faster than you are. Enjoy the ride.
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Going fast can be fun. Competing with friends can be fun. Comparing results and bench racing are fun. Lots of people train and work on their speed for fun.
end rant
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#107
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2) It’s not meaningless if you’re trying to make a light, or beat the rain, or get home before dark.
3) Fast is fun.
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#108
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How fast do I ride? Couple of different ways to interpret the question. Today did almost 53 miles with 2300’ climbing with an average speed of 16.2 but its still early in the season. One downhill section did 40 but many cars and stiff side winds. All time top speed on a road bike: 53 MPH. Average 30 mile speed around 18 with hill climbs. Think I covered all the bases.
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#109
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#112
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I don't know how fast I ride, and my speed varies greatly on just about every ride I go on. But I do know that I ride always at just the right speed.
#113
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I weigh 135 lbs soaking wet, and I've reached 55 mph on that section before (chin over bars, no jacket). Bigger folks and tandems have gone considerably faster.
I don't think of descending quickly as an athletic thrill ride, but a way to minimize braking and its wear and tear on my rims. From descending with bigger riders who have an advantage over me, I have picked up some techniques that help me keep up (pick good lines on curves, sprint out of the turns, etc.).
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#114
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#115
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Today’s speed: 18.1 MPH over 50 miles with 1800’ climbing. By the end of the season it should go up or I’ll be crippled. /either way
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#116
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#117
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I like the veloviewer.com infographic for yearly stats. It's not boring:
Their 3D view of routes is pretty slick, also:
Their 3D view of routes is pretty slick, also:
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#118
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About 27mph. https://www.strava.com/activities/5340936095/overview
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
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#119
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Today our group averaged 20+ mph over 67 miles with 3200’ of climbing.
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Ride your Ride!!
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About 27mph. https://www.strava.com/activities/5340936095/overview
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
but sadly in my case, not even "....As I Once Was...." anymore.
#122
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On the Trike, I average 9 mph. On my last two-wheeler, a Giant city bike, I averaged just short of 15. I tell people 30.
I discovered that my single-speed Schwinn Trike goes from zero to 5 in less than 30 minutes.
I discovered that my single-speed Schwinn Trike goes from zero to 5 in less than 30 minutes.
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#123
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#124
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June 2021 update. Did 54 miles in high 80s and low 90s with 2000’ climbing with an average speed of 18 MPH. Top speed 40. Age 66.
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#125
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Pretty much stuck. Solo rides from 20 to 40 miles coming in around 20mph (19 to 21 range) provided not too much wind or vertical. At 64 now, it's definitely a half step off where I was 10 years ago. So be it.