Fifty Plus (50+) - How fast would I be going?

I read in the paper this morning that at 7PM EST tonight all the atomic clocks would be changed by one second because the rotation of the Earth is slowing down and we need to compensate. So in effect it will take 61 seconds to get from 6:59PM EST to 7:00PM EST.

If I were riding at that time, could I possibly be going really fast for that second? :D

I dunno, but I'd make sure I was wearing my helmet! :D

I read in the paper this morning that at 7PM EST tonight all the atomic clocks would be changed by one second because the rotation of the Earth is slowing down and we need to compensate. So in effect it will take 61 seconds to get from 6:59PM EST to 7:00PM EST.

If I were riding at that time, could I possibly be going really fast for that second? :D

I doubt the time zone has an effect on the duration.

I doubt the time zone has an effect on the duration.

Right. It is 12 midnight GMT when the change is taking place, which just happens to be 7PM EST. I just used EST since that is my time zone and what the paper stated.

Right. It is 12 midnight GMT when the change is taking place, which just happens to be 7PM EST. I just used EST since that is my time zone and what the paper stated.

I'm hoping that by Midnight, I won't be worrying about too much. Just think of it as extra riding time.

If you are going 15 mph
= 79200 feet an hour
= 1320 feet in a minute
= 22 feet a second
for 2 seconds you would travel 44 feet
with 1 free second you would travel 66 feet
66 feet in 2 seconds would be:
=1980 feet in a minute
=118800 feet in an hour
= 22.5 mph for the 2 seconds with 1 free second.

Enough figuring, its time to ride.

If you are going 15 mph
= 79200 feet an hour
= 1320 feet in a minute
= 22 feet a second
for 2 seconds you would travel 44 feet
with 1 free second you would travel 66 feet
66 feet in 2 seconds would be:
=1980 feet in a minute
=118800 feet in an hour
= 22.5 mph for the 2 seconds with 1 free second.

Enough figuring, its time to ride.

If we all face out bicycles west and simultaneously ride at 22.5 mph for two seconds can we speed up the rotation of the earth enough that we won't fall into the Sun?

At the speed of light, you can cover 299 792 km = 186 282 miles during the "leap second." Of course at that speed, you'll be infinitely massive, infinitesimally long in the direction of travel, and ageless.