Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

How fast do you ride?

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

How fast do you ride?

Old 03-12-21, 02:36 PM
  #101  
GlennR
On Your Left
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Originally Posted by HD3andMe
You're in violation of Rule 25.

Rule #25// The bikes on top of your car should be worth more than the car
GlennR is offline  
Likes For GlennR:
Old 03-12-21, 05:57 PM
  #102  
BlazingPedals
Senior Member
 
BlazingPedals's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,475

Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1511 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times in 454 Posts
Originally Posted by _ForceD_
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
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.
BlazingPedals is offline  
Old 03-13-21, 10:30 AM
  #103  
OldsCOOL
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
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.
Your riding the DALMAC and finishing in the steep hills up here, that is commendable.
OldsCOOL is offline  
Old 03-19-21, 09:45 PM
  #104  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,071

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times in 2,827 Posts
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.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 03-26-21, 09:05 AM
  #105  
rydabent
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924

Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II

Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,055 Times in 635 Posts
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.
rydabent is offline  
Likes For rydabent:
Old 03-26-21, 09:38 AM
  #106  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,112
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8194 Post(s)
Liked 8,870 Times in 4,402 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
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.
How can you say it is meaningless? If it means something to the person doing it, it has meaning. It only has meaning in a race? Does it have to be a world tour race? Does a local race count? How about a structured training race? What if two guys just race each other for the county line?

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
big john is online now  
Likes For big john:
Old 03-26-21, 07:04 PM
  #107  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
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.
1) Some of us on this forum actually race.
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.
caloso is offline  
Likes For caloso:
Old 03-26-21, 08:04 PM
  #108  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,071

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times in 2,827 Posts
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.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 04-21-21, 11:51 AM
  #109  
BlazingPedals
Senior Member
 
BlazingPedals's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,475

Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1511 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times in 454 Posts
Originally Posted by rydabent
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.
Depends. If you're riding with a group, you need to keep up with them or risk being dropped.
BlazingPedals is offline  
Old 04-21-21, 01:17 PM
  #110  
spelger
Senior Member
 
spelger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,276

Bikes: yes, i have one

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1124 Post(s)
Liked 1,171 Times in 682 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
1) Some of us on this forum actually race.
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.
especially on a winding descent that you know really well.
spelger is offline  
Likes For spelger:
Old 04-21-21, 03:54 PM
  #111  
OldsCOOL
Senior Member
 
OldsCOOL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317

Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 313 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
1) Some of us on this forum actually race.
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.
faster is funner.
OldsCOOL is offline  
Likes For OldsCOOL:
Old 05-10-21, 10:22 AM
  #112  
jackb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Missoula, Montana
Posts: 689

Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, Trek Checkpoint SL5, Cannndale Trail SE 4, Specialized Langster

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 69 Posts
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.
jackb is offline  
Old 05-10-21, 03:41 PM
  #113  
terrymorse 
climber has-been
 
terrymorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,009

Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3344 Post(s)
Liked 3,444 Times in 1,742 Posts
Originally Posted by Clyde1820
(about Monitor Pass) What, 6-7% grade for something like 10 miles, and steeper still (but shorter) on the "nasty" stuff?
There's a fairly straight section on the "front" (West) side of Monitor Pass that has a low double-digit grade (10-15%), for about 0.5 miles.

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.).
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse


terrymorse is offline  
Likes For terrymorse:
Old 05-26-21, 11:51 PM
  #114  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,071

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times in 2,827 Posts
Originally Posted by GlennR
Better to be fast... than look fast.





I'll wait for you at the next stop light
Yeah, but don’t you have a 911 turbo? Or is it the anniversary edition?
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 05-26-21, 11:55 PM
  #115  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,071

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times in 2,827 Posts
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
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Likes For rsbob:
Old 05-27-21, 05:44 AM
  #116  
GlennR
On Your Left
 
GlennR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373

Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times in 1,187 Posts
Originally Posted by rsbob
Yeah, but don’t you have a 911 turbo? Or is it the anniversary edition?
But i built it with my own two hands... it's not a store bought car.
GlennR is offline  
Likes For GlennR:
Old 05-27-21, 08:25 AM
  #117  
terrymorse 
climber has-been
 
terrymorse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,009

Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3344 Post(s)
Liked 3,444 Times in 1,742 Posts
I like the veloviewer.com infographic for yearly stats. It's not boring:





Their 3D view of routes is pretty slick, also:


__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse


terrymorse is offline  
Likes For terrymorse:
Old 05-27-21, 10:43 AM
  #118  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
About 27mph. https://www.strava.com/activities/5340936095/overview

Old guys seem to be getting faster:

caloso is offline  
Likes For caloso:
Old 05-29-21, 06:03 PM
  #119  
jppe
Let's do a Century
 
jppe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316

Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra

Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times in 408 Posts
Today our group averaged 20+ mph over 67 miles with 3200’ of climbing.
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
jppe is offline  
Likes For jppe:
Old 05-30-21, 05:29 AM
  #120  
OldTryGuy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SW Fl.
Posts: 5,604

Bikes: Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser

Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1063 Post(s)
Liked 771 Times in 499 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
About 27mph. https://www.strava.com/activities/5340936095/overview

Old guys seem to be getting faster:
Originally Posted by jppe
Today our group averaged 20+ mph over 67 miles with 3200’ of climbing.
Tobi Keith's song can be SO TRUE >>>


but sadly in my case, not even "....As I Once Was...." anymore.
OldTryGuy is offline  
Old 05-31-21, 04:45 PM
  #121  
bargeon
Full Member
 
bargeon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Central NY
Posts: 494

Bikes: Fuji, Focus,Felt. 20 more letters to go.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 124 Post(s)
Liked 42 Times in 22 Posts
I seldom average over 11 mph.
So there.
bargeon is offline  
Likes For bargeon:
Old 06-09-21, 07:41 PM
  #122  
Mark Stone
Tractorlegs
 
Mark Stone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185

Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times in 42 Posts
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.
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Mark Stone is offline  
Old 06-20-21, 03:44 AM
  #123  
maddmaxx 
Boomer
 
maddmaxx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,214

Bikes: Diamondback Clarity II frame homebuilt.

Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16098 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times in 1,064 Posts
Originally Posted by bargeon
I seldom average over 11 mph.
So there.
I stop often, take pictures, chat with people I meet on the trails. At 75, I'll get there when I get there.
__________________
maddmaxx is offline  
Likes For maddmaxx:
Old 06-22-21, 09:52 PM
  #124  
rsbob 
Grupetto Bob
 
rsbob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,071

Bikes: Bikey McBike Face

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2512 Post(s)
Liked 5,431 Times in 2,827 Posts
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.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾‍♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾‍♂️







rsbob is offline  
Old 06-23-21, 07:13 AM
  #125  
tigat
Senior Member
 
tigat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 557

Bikes: 2021 Trek Checkpoint SL (GRX Di2), 2020 Domane SLR 9 (very green), 2016 Trek Emonda SL, 2009 Bianchi 928, 1972 Atala Record Pro

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 85 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 143 Times in 55 Posts
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.
tigat is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.