Fifty Plus (50+) - How fast downhill

A couple years ago I hit my all time top speed of 51.3 mph and was trying any thing I could to go faster. Lately, at about 40 mph I find myself thinking about how much protection the brightly colored underwear we call bicycle kit would offer. If you visualize something, it will probably happen, so I start backing off at about 40 mph.

A couple years ago I hit my all time top speed of 51.3 mph and was trying any thing I could to go faster. Lately, at about 40 mph I find myself thinking about how much protection the brightly colored underwear we call bicycle kit would offer. If you visualize something, it will probably happen, so I start backing off at about 40 mph.

You are getting smarter with age.

I tend to top off about 35 mph. I keep visualizing sand or pebbles on the road, or a blowout.

A couple years ago I hit my all time top speed of 51.3 mph and was trying any thing I could to go faster. Lately, at about 40 mph I find myself thinking about how much protection the brightly colored underwear we call bicycle kit would offer. If you visualize something, it will probably happen, so I start backing off at about 40 mph.


Risk vs. Reward --- Everytime I am tempted to charge downhill or take a corner fast or to move through traffic I keep asking myself what is the Risk vs. the Reward.

The thrill and excitment of hitting 30+ mph downhill or the ability to get home a few minutes sooner is not worth the risk of hitting the pavement or being hit by a car.

When it is all said and done, I want to return to the house in the same condition or better than when I left the house. Yes, tired from the workout but in one piece with all of my skin.

A couple years ago I hit my all time top speed of 51.3 mph and was trying any thing I could to go faster. Lately, at about 40 mph I find myself thinking about how much protection the brightly colored underwear we call bicycle kit would offer. If you visualize something, it will probably happen, so I start backing off at about 40 mph.

I'm sure that 50 years ago I would frequently exceed 50mph downhill with no helmet, but I had no means of measuring speed. Nowadays, at 45mph all those things mentioned here flash through my mind, but it's still exhilarating!

I have to +1 all the above.

About 25 years ago a kid in my neighborhood - about 10 or 12 years old at the time - rode his bike up to the top of a big hill near his house just for the pleasure of a high-speed coast back down. About halfway down the hill there is a moderate right-hand bend. The kid drifted out into the oncoming traffic lane, and met a Jeep coming the other way. He went head-first through the windshield of that Jeep and right out through the back window (soft-top) like a sidewinder missle. Bad head injuries. To this day he has double vision, his right arm is totally paralyzed, right leg partly paralyzed, poor balance, has trouble talking. He's messed up for life!

I think about him every time I get coasting downhill really fast.

Last time I got into the "Fear Zone" I hit 53 mph on a long straight descent with no auto traffic around. I was riding a freshly repainted & restored Raleigh Super Course with all NOS Shimano 600 running gear & hubs. The bike was extemely stable at speed & I was running fat 32 c tires.

I never took my eyes off the road so was unaware of my top speed until I checked the max spd at the bottom of the hill. I now limit my speed to around 40 mph. Don

I've hit 50 a few times, back when I was younger and healed a lot faster. Like you, I start to think too much at around 35-40 now: "OK, everything on this bike was bought off a clearance table and installed by me...."

one hill in a rural area, 55 mph.

Small one lane bridge at bottom, grated, 6 inch platform to cross. last time i slowd down to 40mph. when I saw it had a large pothole. I had to ride the edge, a 2 inch strip. No More. thats all the luck I used on this hill.

I could have posted first earlier, but did not want to be the weenie/scared one who went first. my top speed give or take is about 25 but then I don't keep my bikes in 'tip-top' shape...since...most of my riding is for exercize, speed is not a concern...that is, not something I need.
peace

I could have posted first earlier, but did not want to be the weenie/scared one who went first. my top speed give or take is about 25 but then I don't keep my bikes in 'tip-top' shape...since...most of my riding is for exercize, speed is not a concern...that is, not something I need.
peace

My top speed is about the same, and I can't imagine going over thirty, let alone over forty, and way let alone, over fifty. I'm just too chicken. :D

You are getting smarter with age.

I tend to top off about 35 mph. I keep visualizing sand or pebbles on the road, or a blowout.

+1

Last year I had a rash of flat tires at the beginning of a ride - five flats in 25 miles. As we were on the return route we hit a big downhill and when I saw 32 mph on the computer the only thing I could think of was how much it was going to hurt if I had another flat and crashed:eek: Once I hit the 30 mark I start riding the brakes.

I went down at 25mph on March 28th and I hope it's the last time. My chest is still hurting.

I think the older we get, the more aware we are of our own mortality. At least for me anyway. When I was a kid, during the winter, we use to ride our "buzz bikes" down a dirt road that descended from the highway into the river that was iced over. The idea was to "haul tail' down that dirt road and see how far you could ride across the river before you busted your a$$. None of us kids ever made it completely across, but it was fun trying.

Today, I would'nt dream of pulling such a stupid stunt, but back then we did'nt think about that. To us, everything was based on "I.F." or the "entertainment factor". School did'nt have much of an "I.F.", but riding our bikes across that river did.

35 mph is about max for me, then I get "skeert" and run home crying to the wife.

I hit over 50 regularly and hit 55.0 a couple of weeks ago. I hit 30 daily just riding down my street. Hit 32 today on an easy club ride and I'm sure the other 20 people in the group did also. Hmmmm, maybe I just have the risk gene. :rolleyes:

Don't think I've ever gone more that 30+ on my road bike. I did used to ride motorcycles, and have gone way too fast on them. Luckily, I only ever had one flat, while I had a passenger who had never been on a motorcycle before. Luckily, she just froze, so I was able to get the motorcycle over to the side of the road without wrecking. If she had moved, or tried to "help" me control the bike, we'd have probably crashed. Bicycles are way too small and light for excessive speed, IMHO.

My personal fastest is 48mph. I regularly hit 30+ on downhills. It just doesn't bother me.

They keep telling me that 50 is the new 30. I hate to say it but when I get on a bike- I seem to go back a little further than that to about 16. At 16 you do not know the how much a fall can hurt- plus you bounce quite high at that speed. I see ahill where gravity is acting the right way and I am back to 16. Unfortunatley- as I have found out, I don't bounce quite so high as I used to.

I suppose it is the training I have got into on the Group rides offroad. The only way I can catch the others is to hit the downhills without any thought of the consequences. I only have a hardtail and the front suspension is set up very hard, but when downhill riders on full suspension bikes have trouble staying with you- Then my hardtail works for me. I have transferred that riding ethic to the road bike, but have to admit to using the brakes on the curves at speed. Don't quite have the confidence yet to exceed 50mph but that will come.

Now speed= Highest speed was on the tandem- 53.8 on a mile long smooth Downhill offroad. 52.8 on the road- but the traffic got in the way when they braked. Highest speed on the MTB offroad=42mph and the road bike- 48.6

About three years ago, on a then 13 yo steel "mtn bike" weighing about 30 lbs, I hit 39 mph on a steep downhill in the middle of a decent riding area. I sat up to catch the wind and slow down. That was fast enough. That road has no shoulders & a good bit of the time some or all the white paint at the edge of the road is missing due to crumbling pavement. There is even more traffic now than then. I don't ride that road any more.

I ride everyday and regularly approach 45 mph for half a minute or so on the longer downhills along my route. On weekends, my riding takes me further afield and there are steeper, longer hills to descend (after having climbed them first!!).

It is rare that a weekend goes by that I don't exceed 45 mph on those steeper slopes. I used to ride a bike that included a 63-11 longest gear. I could run down slopes at 45 mph and still be pedalling at less than a frantic cadence. I recently lost that bike during a head-on collision with a car - the car was barely moving, and I was "barrelling" along at perhaps 8-10 mph as I rounded a corner. I applied my disc brakes (rear first) as I always do, but, the back tire broke lose and, before I knew it, I was picking myself and my former bike up off the ground.

My new bike tops out at 56-11 (the large 63T ring could not be accommodated by the new bikes fixed FD setup), so, no more casual pedalling at 45 mph, but I can still tuck, duck, and coast to well over 45 on the new bike.

I have absolutely no disrespect for those who weight the risks and decide not to exceed a certain speed on their bike - but, for me, that is one of the thrills of riding a road bike - that effortless speed at which you can move - and that surprised, disbelieving glance you get from a motorist who actually has to step on the accelerator to get around you.

There is risk everywhere, so, for me, I do not feel any less safe riding at 45 mph than I do at 10.

I have also reached that speed at night on roads with which I am familiar - usually during the return leg on a route that had already travelled earlier that afternoon on the outbound leg. That doesn't guarantee that a brick hasn't fallen off the back of a truck during the interm, or that a deer won't be standing in my path, but, basically, I don't much worry about those things.

The roads where I would run at that speed are in good shape and generally lightly trafficed by motorists.

So, there, you have my spiel and my self-justification.

Interesting thread, by the way.

Caruso

Hit 45 with a full touring load at high altitude. Ideal conditions. The next day I passed a Semi going down the east side of Loveland Pass in Colorado. On a loaded fully faired recumbent trike hit 70 MPH on the I-70 frontage road into Denver. The three little brake pads were turned into smoke in seconds when I tried to stop. I had forgotten KE = MVsquared. My left shoe pressed against a tire stopped me eventually.

I hit 51mph on a long steep downhill somewhere in Geauga County Ohio, years ago. It was scary. It's hard to read the speed on the computer, tucked in, with my nose about an inch away from the numbers. These days, on that same hill, I think I'd be on the brakes sooner.

must .... not .... type .... the .... thought - ah, what the heck.

How many people do you think wear a helmet and yet bomb down a hill at over 30 mph thinking it is actually going to help? Why is it people will go absolutely nuts over the idea of someone riding at low speeds without a helmet but no one will mention that you are risking death and dismemberment going 50 mph?

Perchance that most of the noise about the protection of helmets is merely advertizing? Yes, it might protect my head some, but I have a few other body parts that are near and dear to me too, my neck is one that comes to mind. I don't mind people encouraging others to wear helmets - but be consistent. According to the manufactors, that helmet is not expected to help much at high speeds.

How fast do I go down hill? No more than 25 mph - and I have a very good bike in very good repair. As some of you said - I just imagine what it will feel like if I go down. Speed translates into how many layers of skin I wish to lose. :eek: Worse yet, if you are going beyond certain speed, there is always a chance to start tumbling and I could just image body parts coming loose.

It's hard to read the speed on the computer, tucked in, with my nose about an inch away from the numbers.

Next time, wear your bi-focals! :)

I am far more interested in my speed UPhill than down. 30-35mph/50-60kph is as fast as I ever care to go on a bicycle.

You guys are all over-thinking this issue, therefore you are TOO OLD!

50 MPH+ several times:

One memorable passing of a bus filled with blue hairs coming off Mt. Mitchell. I swear the bus leaned to the left as they shuffled over to see the young whippersnapper on the "ten-speed" passing them. (It might have been just high 40's, but it felt like 50+.)

The other most memorable was on the back of a tandem racing another tandem and several single bikes into the Lynches River valley on Hwy 9 in SC.

Pshaw - I have passed a bus going up hill! That really gets you noticed!

Pshaw - I have passed a bus going up hill! That really gets you noticed!

Did you give them the "look" before you dropped them? :D

Oooh, this thread makes my skin crawl! >shudders<

On my half-bike I've gotten up to 34, egads! Didn't know until after the ride when I checked my computer. Yet on the flats I have no fear of sprinting 30-34, whatever. That gravity thing worries me, y'know?

On the tandem we've gotten up to 48 mph. I just tucked in and barely breathed, I was so scared. My thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie hubby/captain thinks faster is cooler. In my head I see all the stuff you folks have posted, both real & imagined. I just don't need to go that fast to be happy.

If that means I'm old, so be it. As long as I'm alive and unscathed...

Absolutely - and it was full of High School kids. It truly was wonderful. Imagine white haired gringo pounding up the hill, passing a bus full of a bunch of teenagers - priceless. :D

Seinfeld said it best: at that speed "that helmet is wearing YOU for protection".

I took a high-speed fall as a young coyote and have no intention of repeating it 27 years later. I'll share this tho': eating up inertia with one's own dear flesh. . .in slo-mo. . .in highway traffic. . .is for the birds. Tore the devil out of a nice set of wheels, too.

The last time I hit 50 mph, a few weeks ago, I didn't even notice. Data showed up on my Garmin download. Speed is relative. Think about safe - don't think about speed.

I hit 47 on a long downhill last summer, but reading the above posts make me think I'll never do that again!

My theory on downhill speed!

Those that started "bicycling" later in life (in my instance, at 58 - sure I have biked as a kid and during the years, but never what I am doing now) are not as comfortable with higher speeds as those who bike consistenly during their 20's and 30's and earlier.

Wrong or right?

When I first started riding back in the early 80's, I never wore a helmet. I'd just bought my first decent bike, a used Schwinn Paramont. On one of my first rides, going down one of the hills here, I remember looking down at that skinny tire and thinking, "If I crash at this speed, ain't no tellin' what I'm going to break." Next day, I bought a helmet. Now when I go down a hill, at 60 yrs of age, and look down at the computer and it's getting close to 30 mph, I start thinking, "If I crash, how long will it take to be able to ride again???"

You know, Will knew what he was talking about when he said, "Youth is wasted on the young."

I fixed it so I'm not too concerned about going too fast anymore. I don't have speed displayed on the Garmin so I don't now how fast I'm going until I download the data!!! Ignorance is bliss!!

My theory on downhill speed!

Those that started "bicycling" later in life (in my instance, at 58 - sure I have biked as a kid and during the years, but never what I am doing now) are not as comfortable with higher speeds as those who bike consistenly during their 20's and 30's and earlier.

Wrong or right?
Wrong, I think. I have some friends who faint over 22 mph but I like going as fast as I can, under control. Top speed is 34.5. I'd like to go faster but I haven't quite figured out the aerodynamic tuck business. My large ring is 50Tx12T, which might not help that much either.

My Dr says one more head injury will be catastrophic.
(Step away from the edge…)

In 6 months, when I can ride again we will see what the new top speed is.

Mid 30s frequently, 40s every other ride. 52 max… so far…

My Dr says one more head injury will be catastrophic.
(Step away from the edge…)

In 6 months, when I can ride again we will see what the new top speed is.

Mid 30s frequently, 40s every other ride. 52 max… so far…
Fortunately I don't have any dain bramage.

I'm feathering the brakes to keep it under 35 pretty much. At 200# the rig could go a lot faster, but it feels kinda unstable, especially under heavy braking,

Hit 38 on a MUP last summer. Kept thinking about how I would look if a tire blew or an animal ran into my path. I can have a great time and not top 35, and will probably be able to do it many times. The risk of going faster is just not worth it to me.

Hit 45 with a full touring load at high altitude. Ideal conditions. The next day I passed a Semi going down the east side of Loveland Pass in Colorado. On a loaded fully faired recumbent trike hit 70 MPH on the I-70 frontage road into Denver. The three little brake pads were turned into smoke in seconds when I tried to stop. I had forgotten KE = MVsquared. My left shoe pressed against a tire stopped me eventually.

70 mph - amazing! Was the ride bumpy on an intersate (was this interstate roadway?)? Did you need to stop that you applied your brakes and turned them into smoke? Tell us more. Truly amazing.

Caruso

Seinfeld said it best: at that speed "that helmet is wearing YOU for protection".

I took a high-speed fall as a young coyote and have no intention of repeating it 27 years later. I'll share this tho': eating up inertia with one's own dear flesh. . .in slo-mo. . .in highway traffic. . .is for the birds. Tore the devil out of a nice set of wheels, too.

As I mentioned in my initial post in this thread, I won't admonish or belittle anyone who chooses to limit their speed on a bike, downhill or otherwise. OTOH, what with all the media ranting about just about anything, I think we sometimes allow our imaginations (enhanced by the media as they are) to amplify non-danger into danger (and occupy good "processor time" so that real danger gets overlooked) (I love reporters on a snowy day admonishing the rest of us not to venture out unless we absolutely have to be somewhere - while they ride all over the community in sheer delight enjoying the weather.

That said, I'm curious if you (and others who have taken downhill spills) could share with us the specifics of your accident. What caused you to fall? How did you/your bike come out of it?

Just curious.

Caruso

You guys are all over-thinking this issue, therefore you are TOO OLD!

50 MPH+ several times:



I think some truth in this better reiterrated as 'captured knowledge'. If you got hurt as a kid then I think you are 'smarter' as to pain vs mistakes attributed to over-confidence. Thus the 'confidence of Youth' is retained by us who have not experiencd a truly bad fall or seen the consequences of same.

I hit 45 on a curvy down hill by the Kentucky river couple weeks ago, it was when I applied my brakes that I get concerned. Somehow momentum of the body shifts, and confused me for a few moments.

Bottom Line, only go as fast as you are comfortable. To steal a phrase:

There are OLD Cyclists and there are Bold UnScarred (Road Rash, Scars, etc) Cyclists:

But there are No Old & Bold UnScarred Cyclists.
.

I think some truth in this better reiterrated as 'captured knowledge'. If you got hurt as a kid then I think you are 'smarter' as to pain vs mistakes attributed to over-confidence. Thus the 'confidence of Youth' is retained by us who have not experiencd a truly bad fall or seen the consequences of same. ..........................
. [/SIZE][/SIZE]

A few related thoughts on the subject:

The following incidences happened while riding my bike:

*shot at by an impatient motorist, he missed.

*same motorist pointed a gun at an acquaintance and myself two years later. I recognized him, and turned in his license number. By the time the police found him he was dead from a drug deal gone bad.

* I've been hit by a car, and the teenage driver bolted (hit and run). The police caught him before I got out of the emergency room.

*I've had a dog run into my front wheel at 30+ MPH. I broke two ribs and a collarbone.

*While riding no hands in a parking lot adjusting a helmet strap, I hit an unexpected speed bump, fell and broke my collarbone.

*I rounded a corner, hit a painted lane marker, and fell heavily on my hip. Result: Road rash, and a deep bone bruise.

*Snapped my ACL, and had it replaced.

The following happened while not riding my bike:

* I was laying on the floor in front of the fireplace. I decided I could use some chips and a beer. I rolled over, and pushed up off the floor. I felt a twinge in my back. It took my breathe away for a second, but changed my life, possibly forever.

Of all these incidences, only the back injury forced me off the bike for longer than three weeks.

Chit happens, and sometimes it's the simple stuff that kills'ya. Don't leave wishing you'd exceeded 50 MPH and experience the thrill, or the fear of it.

Wrong, I think. I have some friends who faint over 22 mph but I like going as fast as I can, under control. Top speed is 34.5. I'd like to go faster but I haven't quite figured out the aerodynamic tuck business. My large ring is 50Tx12T, which might not help that much either.

Its not the gearing thats at fault- 48/11 on the tandem and 26" wheels with slicks- Its the 400lbs all up weight and steep hills that does it.

Your not eating enough Pie.

Chit happens, and sometimes it's the simple stuff that kills'ya. Don't leave wishing you'd exceeded 50 MPH and experience the thrill, or the fear of it.

You're wasting your breath. We've become a society of pusilanimous people. Look at all of the nanny laws that we now have, if you need further proof.

Bike clothing is going to make a difference in a crash of 30 mph or 50 mph? I don't think there will be much difference. Why climb a steep hill if you can not enjoy the fun of the return trip. If the road is smooth and the gravel absent let it rip.

A few related thoughts on the subject:

The following incidences happened while riding my bike:

*shot at by an impatient motorist, he missed.

*same motorist pointed a gun at an acquaintance and myself two years later. I recognized him, and turned in his license number. By the time the police found him he was dead from a drug deal gone bad.

* I've been hit by a car, and the teenage driver bolted (hit and run). The police caught him before I got out of the emergency room.

*I've had a dog run into my front wheel at 30+ MPH. I broke two ribs and a collarbone.

*While riding no hands in a parking lot adjusting a helmet strap, I hit an unexpected speed bump, fell and broke my collarbone.

*I rounded a corner, hit a painted lane marker, and fell heavily on my hip. Result: Road rash, and a deep bone bruise.

*Snapped my ACL, and had it replaced.

The following happened while not riding my bike:

* I was laying on the floor in front of the fireplace. I decided I could use some chips and a beer. I rolled over, and pushed up off the floor. I felt a twinge in my back. It took my breathe away for a second, but changed my life, possibly forever.

Of all these incidences, only the back injury forced me off the bike for longer than three weeks.

Chit happens, and sometimes it's the simple stuff that kills'ya. Don't leave wishing you'd exceeded 50 MPH and experience the thrill, or the fear of it.

You know, you have been damned lucky so far.

Ask my son in the wheel chair.

Carusoswi asked. . .

>>> share with us the specifics of your accident. What caused you to fall? How did you/your bike come out of it?

Vermont holiday. . .35 years old. . .powering down-mountain with the testosterone crowd [that'll teach me!]. . .Fuji IV tourer. Toward the bottom of the mountain something [a little stone?] jinked my front wheel leftward. The speed was too much and it got me side-wise doing three flips [they told me later] perpendicular to line of travel. . .in traffic. . .[after an eternity] came to rest in the gravel on an outside bend in the road. . .still strapped in. I was once in a rollin', jumpin', gittin'-out-of-the-way-fast line of work so I was fairly sturdy and bendy in those days. . .I was a little bruised, scratched, and stiff in the shoulders next day. Pretty sure it wouldn't go that kindly now. . .I'm no longer sturdy and bendy. Both wheels were bent. . .the rear wheel was a figure "8" as viewed a-stern. Detached the rear brake, got back on, and slowly wobble-wobbled-wobbled on to Manchester.

Odd, the worst spill I ever took was at low speed. That one bounced my helmet three times on the macadam and busted up my shoulder. There's probably a lesson here but dunno' what it might be.