What's the fastest you've gone on your bike?
#76
Dirty Heathen
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Posts: 2,182
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 889 Post(s)
Liked 906 Times
in
534 Posts
Motojournalist here. My most recent top speed run was at the Suzuki Hayabusa intro at the Utah Motorsports Complex. I only hit 150mph on the front straight because I then had to brake hard, downshift to third, and then turn left.
Yeah, 35mph is pretty mundane, but 40mph+ is context dependent. Out west without traffic and wide open sightlines? No problem. But back east bombing down a narrow, tree-lined two-laner with tar snakes and potholes and driveways and unseen creatures in the forest? I'm on high alert because my stopping distance is much longer than on a motorcycle thanks to the miniscule contact patches. And my wool jersey isn't abrasion resistant, my helmet doesn't protect my chin (the most common injury location on the head), and I'm not wearing my leather gauntlet gloves, ankle-protecting boots, or airbag vest.
Yeah, 35mph is pretty mundane, but 40mph+ is context dependent. Out west without traffic and wide open sightlines? No problem. But back east bombing down a narrow, tree-lined two-laner with tar snakes and potholes and driveways and unseen creatures in the forest? I'm on high alert because my stopping distance is much longer than on a motorcycle thanks to the miniscule contact patches. And my wool jersey isn't abrasion resistant, my helmet doesn't protect my chin (the most common injury location on the head), and I'm not wearing my leather gauntlet gloves, ankle-protecting boots, or airbag vest.
Fastest I've recorded on the velo was 47mph, on a long, steep descent somewhere outside Mount Airy, NC.
I had another incident a day later on that ride, where I bunny-hopped a nasty looking bridge joint near the bottom of another similarly long, fast descent (IIRC speed was about 30-32 mph) That move seemed like it caught several seconds of hang time; enough for me to reconsider the wisdom of launching a 40-year-old road bike like that, and to figure out the best way of returning it to the pavement on 32mm tires, such that those tires would remain the only thing coming into contact with the pavement.
Likes For Ironfish653:
#77
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,467
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 4,621 Times
in
2,124 Posts
I don't attempt these speeds anymore but I used to routinely hit >50 mph speeds on steep river bluff drops. One hill greater than 20% always yields >50 mph.
A pic of the last time that I "worked" the drop on March 1, 2018:
A pic of the last time that I "worked" the drop on March 1, 2018:
__________________
Keep the chain tight!
Likes For Trsnrtr:
#78
Senior Member
#79
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,767
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 904 Post(s)
Liked 1,899 Times
in
849 Posts
gets pretty close to the edges at times and the bunny hop at 40mph lol. how about the rider who was behind and filming...
Likes For jadmt:
#80
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
The speed demons around here are impressive, but I'm not sure they're helpful to VegasJen (aka OP). Let me offer a few ways to approach the speed fear:
First, don't push yourself. Remember you're riding to have fun.
Second, make sure your bike is in good condition. Tires and brakes have enough rubber, derailers are adjusted, chain's lubed, there's nothing likely to go wrong that will interrupt the fun downhill you're going to ride.
Third, as you approach a hill, relax. Start worrying about what might happen and it'll kill the joy. Instead, go into a downhill with an attitude like, "I earned some fun by climbing that sucker to the top, now it's time to pin my ears back, grin real big, and fly down!"
Fourth, ride appropriately for the conditions. Smooth, straight road, light wind? Let 'er rip. Bumpy pavement and gusting crosswinds? Ease up. Remember #1.
Fifth, take your time (weeks or months). If you're comfortable at 30 mph, ride enough at that speed that you feel like you can try 33, or 35, or 39, and be comfortable at 30 if you need to back off. When you start feeling comfortable with a little more speed, make that your default "slow down to 35 and I'll feel safe" speed.
Finally, take some comfort that you won't automatically die if you exceed some arbitrary speed limit. Go back and read this thread as a series of testimonials -- like all us braggarts, you can learn to ride faster than your current comfort limit and then you get to brag, too. And remember, we're bragging because it was fun!
First, don't push yourself. Remember you're riding to have fun.
Second, make sure your bike is in good condition. Tires and brakes have enough rubber, derailers are adjusted, chain's lubed, there's nothing likely to go wrong that will interrupt the fun downhill you're going to ride.
Third, as you approach a hill, relax. Start worrying about what might happen and it'll kill the joy. Instead, go into a downhill with an attitude like, "I earned some fun by climbing that sucker to the top, now it's time to pin my ears back, grin real big, and fly down!"
Fourth, ride appropriately for the conditions. Smooth, straight road, light wind? Let 'er rip. Bumpy pavement and gusting crosswinds? Ease up. Remember #1.
Fifth, take your time (weeks or months). If you're comfortable at 30 mph, ride enough at that speed that you feel like you can try 33, or 35, or 39, and be comfortable at 30 if you need to back off. When you start feeling comfortable with a little more speed, make that your default "slow down to 35 and I'll feel safe" speed.
Finally, take some comfort that you won't automatically die if you exceed some arbitrary speed limit. Go back and read this thread as a series of testimonials -- like all us braggarts, you can learn to ride faster than your current comfort limit and then you get to brag, too. And remember, we're bragging because it was fun!
Likes For pdlamb:
#82
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, you do get used to it. Once you gain confidence nothing will happen. I hit 35-36 mph regularly on downhill sections of a ride. Now, hitting 50, which I have, was scary!
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,954
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3956 Post(s)
Liked 7,307 Times
in
2,949 Posts
#84
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,663
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1612 Post(s)
Liked 2,594 Times
in
1,225 Posts
gets pretty close to the edges at times and the bunny hop at 40mph lol. how about the rider who was behind and filming...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99wJn5QBvyg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99wJn5QBvyg
#85
Henderson, NV
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Henderson/Las Vegas NV
Posts: 533
Bikes: Trek Alpha 3700, GT STS DH, Raleigh Grand Prix, Fisher Montare, Fisher CR-7, Fisher Aquila, Diamondback Sorrento, The Bike Beat Revolution, KHS XC 504R
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 322 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
288 Posts
I've never had a way to monitor my speeds on a bike.
I can say a friend and I got stopped by an LEO for speeding in a 35 mph zone, downhill on skateboards
He said he clocked over 35 on his speedo behind us. He didn't write us a ticket. Just a long lecture about road safety and the dangers of going so fast with no safety equipment.
I can say a friend and I got stopped by an LEO for speeding in a 35 mph zone, downhill on skateboards
He said he clocked over 35 on his speedo behind us. He didn't write us a ticket. Just a long lecture about road safety and the dangers of going so fast with no safety equipment.
#86
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,767
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 904 Post(s)
Liked 1,899 Times
in
849 Posts
I've never had a way to monitor my speeds on a bike.
I can say a friend and I got stopped by an LEO for speeding in a 35 mph zone, downhill on skateboards
He said he clocked over 35 on his speedo behind us. He didn't write us a ticket. Just a long lecture about road safety and the dangers of going so fast with no safety equipment.
I can say a friend and I got stopped by an LEO for speeding in a 35 mph zone, downhill on skateboards
He said he clocked over 35 on his speedo behind us. He didn't write us a ticket. Just a long lecture about road safety and the dangers of going so fast with no safety equipment.
#87
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,448
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3148 Post(s)
Liked 1,714 Times
in
1,034 Posts
We’ve had Strava for nearly 15 years and Garmin GPS cyclometers for almost 16, but I guess proof has never been prerequisite to a good story so why start now?
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,887
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6972 Post(s)
Liked 10,970 Times
in
4,692 Posts
We’ve had Strava for nearly 15 years and Garmin GPS cyclometers for almost 16, but I guess proof has never been prerequisite to a good story so why start now?
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
Likes For Koyote:
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,954
Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3956 Post(s)
Liked 7,307 Times
in
2,949 Posts
We’ve had Strava for nearly 15 years and Garmin GPS cyclometers for almost 16, but I guess proof has never been prerequisite to a good story so why start now?
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
#91
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,887
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6972 Post(s)
Liked 10,970 Times
in
4,692 Posts
We’ve had Strava for nearly 15 years and Garmin GPS cyclometers for almost 16, but I guess proof has never been prerequisite to a good story so why start now?
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
But, because I live by the credo “put up or shut up,” I’ve got 60.4mph: https://strava.app.link/wO5TyfmBcyb
#92
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 774
Bikes: Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 781 Times
in
377 Posts
The speed demons around here are impressive, but I'm not sure they're helpful to VegasJen (aka OP). Let me offer a few ways to approach the speed fear:
First, don't push yourself. Remember you're riding to have fun.
Second, make sure your bike is in good condition. Tires and brakes have enough rubber, derailers are adjusted, chain's lubed, there's nothing likely to go wrong that will interrupt the fun downhill you're going to ride.
Third, as you approach a hill, relax. Start worrying about what might happen and it'll kill the joy. Instead, go into a downhill with an attitude like, "I earned some fun by climbing that sucker to the top, now it's time to pin my ears back, grin real big, and fly down!"
Fourth, ride appropriately for the conditions. Smooth, straight road, light wind? Let 'er rip. Bumpy pavement and gusting crosswinds? Ease up. Remember #1.
Fifth, take your time (weeks or months). If you're comfortable at 30 mph, ride enough at that speed that you feel like you can try 33, or 35, or 39, and be comfortable at 30 if you need to back off. When you start feeling comfortable with a little more speed, make that your default "slow down to 35 and I'll feel safe" speed.
Finally, take some comfort that you won't automatically die if you exceed some arbitrary speed limit. Go back and read this thread as a series of testimonials -- like all us braggarts, you can learn to ride faster than your current comfort limit and then you get to brag, too. And remember, we're bragging because it was fun!
First, don't push yourself. Remember you're riding to have fun.
Second, make sure your bike is in good condition. Tires and brakes have enough rubber, derailers are adjusted, chain's lubed, there's nothing likely to go wrong that will interrupt the fun downhill you're going to ride.
Third, as you approach a hill, relax. Start worrying about what might happen and it'll kill the joy. Instead, go into a downhill with an attitude like, "I earned some fun by climbing that sucker to the top, now it's time to pin my ears back, grin real big, and fly down!"
Fourth, ride appropriately for the conditions. Smooth, straight road, light wind? Let 'er rip. Bumpy pavement and gusting crosswinds? Ease up. Remember #1.
Fifth, take your time (weeks or months). If you're comfortable at 30 mph, ride enough at that speed that you feel like you can try 33, or 35, or 39, and be comfortable at 30 if you need to back off. When you start feeling comfortable with a little more speed, make that your default "slow down to 35 and I'll feel safe" speed.
Finally, take some comfort that you won't automatically die if you exceed some arbitrary speed limit. Go back and read this thread as a series of testimonials -- like all us braggarts, you can learn to ride faster than your current comfort limit and then you get to brag, too. And remember, we're bragging because it was fun!
#93
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I've never had a way to monitor my speeds on a bike.
I can say a friend and I got stopped by an LEO for speeding in a 35 mph zone, downhill on skateboards
He said he clocked over 35 on his speedo behind us. He didn't write us a ticket. Just a long lecture about road safety and the dangers of going so fast with no safety equipment.
I can say a friend and I got stopped by an LEO for speeding in a 35 mph zone, downhill on skateboards
He said he clocked over 35 on his speedo behind us. He didn't write us a ticket. Just a long lecture about road safety and the dangers of going so fast with no safety equipment.
#94
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,039
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1279 Post(s)
Liked 1,393 Times
in
711 Posts
i’ve gotten tickets on a bike, and don’t generally carry any ID at all on a ride. they asked for my name, license number, address etc and looked me up. i don’t believe you have the right to not share your identity when there’s reasonable suspicion of a crime (like a radar gun, visual observation of running a stop sign etc.)
Likes For mschwett:
#95
Senior Member
Thread Starter
i’ve gotten tickets on a bike, and don’t generally carry any ID at all on a ride. they asked for my name, license number, address etc and looked me up. i don’t believe you have the right to not share your identity when there’s reasonable suspicion of a crime (like a radar gun, visual observation of running a stop sign etc.)
#96
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 2,039
Bikes: addict, aethos, creo, vanmoof, sirrus, public ...
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1279 Post(s)
Liked 1,393 Times
in
711 Posts
Interesting. Have you ever challenged one? What if you don't have a license? I do, but so far as I know, there's no place that requires you to have (or carry) a license to ride a bike. Not saying having a license is a requirement for a citation, just wondering about it. Do they actually write down your bike info? Seems kind of crazy to me, but whatever.
i also once got a citation (an infraction I think) decades ago for urinating on a tree in a park in the middle of the night. it too looked just like a moving violation. I had my license with me that time.
__________________
#97
Cantilever believer
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,568
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 536 Post(s)
Liked 1,839 Times
in
832 Posts
On yesterday's ride, I saw where a vehicle had made a hole in a wall at the end of a dead-end street. When I glanced at it, I thought that someone with some masonry tools and skills could reshape the that hole into the rough outline of a bipedal coyote.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Last edited by RCMoeur; 03-15-23 at 11:43 PM.
Likes For RCMoeur:
#98
Steel is real
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Not far from Paris
Posts: 1,966
Bikes: 1992Giant Tourer,1992MeridaAlbon,1996Scapin,1998KonaKilaueua,1993Peugeot Prestige,1991RaleighTeamZ(to be upgraded),1998 Jamis Dragon,1992CTWallis(to be built),1998VettaTeam(to be built),1995Coppi(to be built),1993Grandis(to be built)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 670 Post(s)
Liked 977 Times
in
648 Posts
In 1998, reached 50mph with my Peugeot race bike on a long flat road during a road bike race and later in 2013 in a long descent with my Kona MTB reached 45mph. After a serious knee injury back in 1999 and a break of biking during some time on the road, I went as an alternative to road bike riding into MTB riding . Being not 20 years old and not 30 years old anymore,25-30mph seems my average speed. Also car drivers being not always carefully driving on the roads, have made me enjoy MTB riding much more, but the feel on riding fast a nice roadbike going is calling me back again to ride on my roadbike. Being alert and vigilant,being the most important things when I ride. One of my friends was badly injured many years ago because of a hit and run driver who overstepped on the bike lane,he was riding at 35mph. When using my townbike for running errands in town,18mph is my speed.
#99
velo-dilettante
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: insane diego, california
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 88 nishiki olympic steel. 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1628 Post(s)
Liked 3,114 Times
in
1,683 Posts
have had a few bikes that experienced speed wobbles on a bangin' downhill, a few that didn't and a few that i just don't wanna know.
Likes For diphthong:
#100
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
My terminal velocity on 12% grade tucked on my upright is around 62 mph but over 80 mph on my recumbent. He might have been in a velomobile, in which case that speed is not so unachievable