Do you commute at a relaxed pace or go for speed?
02-04-15, 10:35 AM
#76
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"save it for the race" amateur racer pop quiz
Imagine a rider that can climb at 16 mph and descend at 34 mph. What is the average speed of this rider:
a) 10 mph
b) 15 mph
c) 20 mph
d) 25 mph
speak for yourself.
Imagine a rider that can climb at 16 mph and descend at 34 mph. What is the average speed of this rider:
a) 10 mph
b) 15 mph
c) 20 mph
d) 25 mph
speak for yourself.
Last edited by spare_wheel; 02-04-15 at 10:47 AM.
02-04-15, 10:44 AM
#77
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A lot of you have to remember, not all of us are commuting on heavy commuter bikes with full racks and panniers that are geared and fit for a slower ride. I personally ride a fixed gear track bike that weighs a tad over 17 lbs and absolutely flies. My commute is about 8.5 miles in the warmer months, 7.7 miles in the winter on my fat bike. If I time my ride right, I can get most of the green lights and have minimal stop signs. It is not uncommon for me to pass cars or at least ride right with them on the stretch of road that is 3 lanes wide and the speed limit is 25 mph.
I hit 30+ for a few minutes on the way to work and maintain 35+ for a few minutes on the way back.
02-04-15, 11:32 AM
#78
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Cool it, Sparky. I did not say it was Herculean, but I do actually ride bikes fast from time to time, and holding a steady speed of 25 mph or more on flat ground is a much more substantial effort than most people who think they ride that speed in traffic actually realize. As I implied, I think people are glancing at their speedometer on a slight downhill or with a tailwind and thinking that they actually ride that fast in traffic. There's a big gap between "impossible" and "unlikely."
02-04-15, 11:33 AM
#79
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02-04-15, 11:58 AM
#80
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I ride my bike at bike riding speed. Whatever that is. I don't have a bike odometer computer thing.
02-04-15, 12:30 PM
#82
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My morning commute is usually "at tempo" (as my LBS likes to say). Meaning, not racing, but at a good pace (for me anyway). I feel energized when I get to the office. It is a great way to start the day.
Ride home is usually relaxed. Depends on how the day went, how much gas I have left in the tank, which way the wind is blowing.
Ride home is usually relaxed. Depends on how the day went, how much gas I have left in the tank, which way the wind is blowing.
02-04-15, 12:32 PM
#83
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Nice and calm. Rarely do I break 15kph. Riding should be stress relief, not stressful. Plus I want to arrive at work as I left, dry.
02-04-15, 12:51 PM
#84
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I ride so fast that I can't keep up with myself.............................................................................................
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02-04-15, 12:54 PM
#85
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I ride so slowly than I can't keep up with myself................................................................
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02-04-15, 02:07 PM
#87
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In the summer, on my way to work (heading west) I try to outpace that dark, featureless, wheelsucker (aka my shadow) who always seems to be right behind me; of course, on the way home, I'm trying like crazy to catch up to him 
.
In the winter, he must be doing trainer workouts, because I don't see him as much
.
.In the winter, he must be doing trainer workouts, because I don't see him as much
.
Last edited by KenshiBiker; 02-05-15 at 09:12 AM. Reason: Apparently can't tell east from west
02-04-15, 03:22 PM
#88
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I take it easy going to work. Going home, I ride however I feel like riding. I do race, so on days I'm training, it's whatever the plan calls for that day. Otherwise, taking it easy and enjoy the ride home.
02-04-15, 05:25 PM
#89
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On my bicycle, with the distance I usually ride - I'm pacing to make sure I can get there. - I did get an app for my cell phone - and so far my fastest speed with just my panniers loaded was 13 mph on flat ground (unfortunately, most of my way to work is uphill).
02-04-15, 05:27 PM
#90
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02-04-15, 05:35 PM
#91
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My only requirement is if I'm moving I must be peddling. I'm in no hurry to get to work so the peddling is what it is.
02-04-15, 06:32 PM
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Commuting I average about 17mph and my best day averaged 19mph.
I'm not sure a 25mph average commuting is realistic. Yes many riders can do that in a time trial but there aren't nearly as many stop signs and lights on a time trial course as there are on the way from your home to work.
There are things that could make it happen though. I don't generally use it for commuting but a nearby road has lights timed at 30mph. A quick sprint to catch up to a car, let them break the air for me, and 30mph is easy for that mile. A commuter with lots of roads like that could really fly.
I'm not sure a 25mph average commuting is realistic. Yes many riders can do that in a time trial but there aren't nearly as many stop signs and lights on a time trial course as there are on the way from your home to work.
There are things that could make it happen though. I don't generally use it for commuting but a nearby road has lights timed at 30mph. A quick sprint to catch up to a car, let them break the air for me, and 30mph is easy for that mile. A commuter with lots of roads like that could really fly.
02-04-15, 06:38 PM
#93
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I do a little of both
02-04-15, 06:56 PM
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I usually ride at a normal, usually faster pace only because I cannot stand riding slow.
02-04-15, 08:57 PM
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following motorvehicles has a nice draft effect even at 30 feet or more. i suspect that many of those who can't imagine keeping pace with cars simply don't mix it up with urban traffic much.
02-04-15, 10:52 PM
#99
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Exactly. I don't even bring clothes with me when I commute to work, I just leave them there. So if I want to ride my Ridley with nothing but a seatpost bag for my commute I can.
02-04-15, 11:13 PM
#100
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I just go with what feels comfortable. Given that the commute is just over 22Km and I usually arrive in about an hour, I will let you do the math. There are a few lights in there to slow me down but I try to time my arrival so I don't have to stop whenever I can.