What's your highest speed ever achieved on a descent?
08-26-12, 07:12 AM
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What's your highest speed ever achieved on a descent?
I set my "personal best" on the last day of a seven-day credit card tour (loaded with rear panniers and HB bag) last week. When I dared to take my eyes off the road for a millisecond, I saw 77.2 kilometers per hour (48 mph) on the computer. It was at this point that, with some breeze out there, I started to feel an oscillation in the front end (I think we used to call it a speed wobble in my motorcycling days). I began to gently back the speed down with the rear brake and things calmed down nicely (kept it in the high 50's kph). There wasn't a single car on the road for the entire descent!
Oh yeah, the descent was 3.8 km (2.36 mi) long (straight as an arrow) and 171 m high (561 ft). For those interested it was heading east on County Road 40 towards Georgian Bay (Collingwood/Blue Mountain, Ontario area
Doug
It sure was a "rush" and, yes, a little scary too - it reminded me of my kart racing days.
Oh yeah, the descent was 3.8 km (2.36 mi) long (straight as an arrow) and 171 m high (561 ft). For those interested it was heading east on County Road 40 towards Georgian Bay (Collingwood/Blue Mountain, Ontario area
Doug
It sure was a "rush" and, yes, a little scary too - it reminded me of my kart racing days.
Last edited by forresterace; 08-26-12 at 07:25 AM. Reason: added comment
08-26-12, 07:20 AM
#2
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82km/h
Prior to that my best was 77km/h, but my first taste of over 70km/h was on an MTB converted to a touring bike, down a gravel road. That 72km/h was fun, exhilirating and scary all at the same time.
Prior to that my best was 77km/h, but my first taste of over 70km/h was on an MTB converted to a touring bike, down a gravel road. That 72km/h was fun, exhilirating and scary all at the same time.
08-26-12, 07:27 AM
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My Garmin said 43 mph. I'm not sure I believe it. At 40 mph life comes at you very quickly.
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08-26-12, 07:50 AM
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I'm with you. I'm good to about 40/45 and then its drag brake time to calm things down. I alternate front/rear to try to keep the heat down on long descents. Strangely, I seem more comfortable at speed downhill on the MTB frame than the road framed bikes.
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08-26-12, 08:04 AM
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47mph on my first ride out with a new bike.
I was upstate New York with my son and I ran out of gears at 37mph and just followed him.
Needless to day I needed to "change my shorts" after the ride.
I was upstate New York with my son and I ran out of gears at 37mph and just followed him.
Needless to day I needed to "change my shorts" after the ride.
08-26-12, 09:00 AM
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As a tandem rider, I start hitting the brakes around 35mph due to my inability to stay focused on the road with all that screaming behind me.
08-26-12, 09:10 AM
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08-26-12, 09:11 AM
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37mph is my top speed this year.....because of running out of gearing and our hills here though steep are only about 1 mile long. I run a typical road double of 53/39 rings with a freewheel of 28/14.
08-26-12, 09:24 AM
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53.7 mph
08-26-12, 10:02 AM
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I got just over 51 a couple of times in my youth and hoped I'd break 55 sometime but never did.
I haven't broken 43mph in the past 10 years, though. That's plenty fast for my taste.
I haven't broken 43mph in the past 10 years, though. That's plenty fast for my taste.
08-26-12, 10:09 AM
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53mph without really trying. I was on my upright Cyclocross bike with my hands on the hoods and the road dropped about -15% for about a KM. I was focused on staying smooth and balanced over the bike and did not re-position my hands or drop my head or shoulders to improve my speed. I now start the descents with my hands on the drops and my body in a balanced but aero position.
I hit 47.5 mph two weeks ago while descending a hill while in a peloton. I had to "chat" with another rider and use my brakes to keep him from edging me off the road.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/209913897
I hit 47.5 mph two weeks ago while descending a hill while in a peloton. I had to "chat" with another rider and use my brakes to keep him from edging me off the road.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/209913897
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 08-26-12 at 02:24 PM.
08-26-12, 10:13 AM
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I assume my fastest downhill was over 55 mph. I was stopped by a state trooper who had a really big grin on his face and said, "I clocked you breaking the speed limit." The limit at that time and place was 55. He stopped me, not to ticket me or lecture me, but simply to report that I was really "flying down the hill". In terms of my own bike computer, I've hit the 53 mph mark on it. But I don't know how accurate that is.
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08-26-12, 10:59 AM
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45MPH -- when I was about 15 years old... I started down the longest, steepest hill around on my 3 speed English racer and decided to see what happened without using brakes... Unknown to me, a motorist followed me down and, at the bottom stopped and told me (sounding a little amazed) how fast I had been going...
That old English racer was not all that stable -- even a crazy 15 year old knew that I was basically just a misssle without the ability to turn or stop and one rock or pot hole would get me a pine box. But, it seemed like a good idea when I started down but, about half way even my 15 year old brain knew it was a stupid stunt that could get me killed.
Now, even on far better bikes and with a helmet, even half that speed is too much speed for me...
That old English racer was not all that stable -- even a crazy 15 year old knew that I was basically just a misssle without the ability to turn or stop and one rock or pot hole would get me a pine box. But, it seemed like a good idea when I started down but, about half way even my 15 year old brain knew it was a stupid stunt that could get me killed.
Now, even on far better bikes and with a helmet, even half that speed is too much speed for me...
08-26-12, 11:19 AM
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42.5 mph here. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/1637246. Highest speed on a motor bike was about 120. Similar pucker factor.
08-26-12, 11:37 AM
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55 mph on the descent off Cottonwood past last summer.....and I held back a little not knowing the road.
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08-26-12, 11:50 AM
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I'm giong to assume that the geometry, mass of the bike and gyro action of the larger tires has something to do with that feeling. I seem to remember reading something about a famous downhill extreme race a couple of years ago in which the winner came from an MTB background and used an MTB frame, but I can't pinpoint the event in my 50+ memory.
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08-26-12, 11:51 AM
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08-26-12, 12:31 PM
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Probably because on a motorcycle if you are going 140mph you're wearing full leathers, body armor an other assorted protective gear. On your bicycle you're practically naked except a marginal helmet.
My top speed is 116.77kms/hr on US 163 into Mexican Hat Utah. Fun little descent there.
My top speed is 116.77kms/hr on US 163 into Mexican Hat Utah. Fun little descent there.