How fast do you descend?
04-05-21, 02:35 PM
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Hey guys, I test rode my brothers new bike yesterday and bombed down a hill. I was wearing a helmet so I felt confident to just take the bike to close to its maximum speed, I didn't record it on Strava but ive never gone that fast and was probably approaching 40 mph. It was low-key sketchy as ****, normally I max out at around 33 and even that seems sketchy. I crashed hard on a descent 5 years ago and I think im subconsciously afraid now. How fast do you descend before you start feeling unsafe? Are you more likely to go full send if youre wearing a helmet?
If I'm going further or faster than a slow roll up and down my block, I'm wearing my helmet. Every time. My helmet doesn't make me feel invincible. It makes me feel like my chance of survival is a bit higher if something goes drastically wrong. I still have concerns about potential damage to other parts of my body - more so now than I did 20 years ago.
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04-05-21, 04:05 PM
#52
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Hey guys, I test rode my brothers new bike yesterday and bombed down a hill. I was wearing a helmet so I felt confident to just take the bike to close to its maximum speed, I didn't record it on Strava but ive never gone that fast and was probably approaching 40 mph. It was low-key sketchy as ****, normally I max out at around 33 and even that seems sketchy. I crashed hard on a descent 5 years ago and I think im subconsciously afraid now. How fast do you descend before you start feeling unsafe? Are you more likely to go full send if youre wearing a helmet?
My feeling of safety will be more dependent on how smooth the road is. (I don't have a long enough hill to get but around 40 mph here).
I always wear my helmet. (when I ride)
Last edited by Iride01; 04-05-21 at 04:09 PM.
04-05-21, 04:34 PM
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04-05-21, 04:40 PM
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04-05-21, 05:31 PM
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Well, there's terminal velocity.
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04-05-21, 05:39 PM
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I was going 44mph down a descent when I saw something in the road up ahead. The item was blocking the shoulder and it didn't occur to me to slow down because I was planning on going around the item. As I got closer, I realize it was a railroad tie that had probably fallen off a truck. As I got near to pass the item, a huge truck was passing me on the left. I realize I couldn't go around it, so I bunny hopped it at 44mph. My back wheel hit the top, I wobbled pretty good, I saved it and stuck the landing. My heart was beating so fast after that close call. When I'm going over 40mph, I am always looking for what could possibly kill me.
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04-05-21, 08:17 PM
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I don't think I have ever exceeded 40 mph on my road bike. When Strava or Wahoo apps tell me that I exceeded 35 mph, I suspect momentary GPS glitches; the corresponding peaks on the graph look too sharp.
What is this "grabbing copper"? Will someone please enlighten me?
What is this "grabbing copper"? Will someone please enlighten me?
04-05-21, 10:26 PM
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Its the speed at which you discover your brakes aren't as round, straight and true as they should be, the hubs aren't adjusted as perfectly as they should be or the stem isn't exactly straight or the headset is indexed. All of these impart a maximum speed that you can feel just before you fly.
Top speed ever was 70mph before the winds became too much, had never been on the road before but it was in perfect shape with perfect grading, screwing up meant sailing off into the abyss or smashing into a cliff face but still thrilling. 55 was quite common then and not even a worry. Since moving to long Island nearly 4 years ago I haven't been over 40ish mph so not certain how I'd do at 55 but probably fine.
Top speed ever was 70mph before the winds became too much, had never been on the road before but it was in perfect shape with perfect grading, screwing up meant sailing off into the abyss or smashing into a cliff face but still thrilling. 55 was quite common then and not even a worry. Since moving to long Island nearly 4 years ago I haven't been over 40ish mph so not certain how I'd do at 55 but probably fine.
04-06-21, 05:04 AM
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04-06-21, 08:35 AM
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The difference is on a motorcycle you're (hopefully) wearing a full-face helmet, protective boots and gloves, leather jacket, nylon or leather pants, and maybe some pads.
On a bicycle you're wearing part of a styrofoam beer cooler on your head and sexy underwear on the rest of your body.
On a bicycle you're wearing part of a styrofoam beer cooler on your head and sexy underwear on the rest of your body.
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04-06-21, 09:46 AM
#64
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04-06-21, 10:25 AM
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The difference is on a motorcycle you're (hopefully) wearing a full-face helmet, protective boots and gloves, leather jacket, nylon or leather pants, and maybe some pads.
On a bicycle you're wearing part of a styrofoam beer cooler on your head and sexy underwear on the rest of your body.
On a bicycle you're wearing part of a styrofoam beer cooler on your head and sexy underwear on the rest of your body.
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04-06-21, 03:24 PM
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The difference is on a motorcycle you're (hopefully) wearing a full-face helmet, protective boots and gloves, leather jacket, nylon or leather pants, and maybe some pads.
On a bicycle you're wearing part of a styrofoam beer cooler on your head and sexy underwear on the rest of your body.
On a bicycle you're wearing part of a styrofoam beer cooler on your head and sexy underwear on the rest of your body.
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04-06-21, 07:30 PM
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By max speed I meant I was peddling as fast as I could on max gear, then went into an aerotuck.
In reality you guys are right that I could be peddling faster, my cadence is actually kind of trash so that's a good point.
In reality you guys are right that I could be peddling faster, my cadence is actually kind of trash so that's a good point.
04-06-21, 08:11 PM
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04-06-21, 08:32 PM
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04-06-21, 10:20 PM
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... the joke being that peddler means traveling salesman.
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04-06-21, 11:39 PM
#73
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It was a joke.
ped·dle
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: peddling
try to sell (something, especially small goods) by going from house to house or place to place.
ped·al
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: pedaling
move by working the pedals of a bicycle.
I was peddling as fast as I could
I could be peddling faster
ped·dle
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: peddling
try to sell (something, especially small goods) by going from house to house or place to place.
ped·al
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: pedaling
move by working the pedals of a bicycle.
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04-06-21, 11:48 PM
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It was a joke.
ped·dle
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: peddling
try to sell (something, especially small goods) by going from house to house or place to place.
ped·al
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: pedaling
move by working the pedals of a bicycle.
ped·dle
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: peddling
try to sell (something, especially small goods) by going from house to house or place to place.
ped·al
/ˈpedl/
verb
gerund or present participle: pedaling
move by working the pedals of a bicycle.
04-07-21, 05:57 AM
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