Road Cycling - Professional Cyclists Speed?

At what speed do professional cyclists/Giro Di Italia/TDF riders top out at? I haven't ridden in a while, but I don't remember ever passing 40mph. Even at that speed, pedaling was useless for me. At my lowest gear ratio I'd spin around 115-120rpm and I don't remember being able to catch up to propell the bike any faster. I've read reports of riders doing 50-55mph in the TDF regularly (perhaps a good deal faster?). At that speed are they just traveling on momentum or are they able to keep propelling themselves?

I did a little research earlier. The new Madone 6.9's larger chainring is 53t, the smallest casset sprocket is 12t (on the stock setup). Now, my Ultegra combination allows for 52:11t as opposed to the Madone's 53:11t. I shouldn't assume that is the bike of choice of the Trek sponsored riders, nor should I assume they use the stock cassette option but with that information our ratio's are quite similar.

Are they spinning at a cadence of 120+ rpm on hills, coasting down the steeper hill but carrying into it more momentum than I am, what's going on here?

It's probably a combination of both :rolleyes:

I have seen people do 65mph in like the Rocky Mountains and stuff but no you are not pedaling at that speed. The difference between 53:12 and 53:11 on your top end speed at the same cadence is just a little over 1mph. I don't know where you live but if you go some where that there are real mountains I promise you that you will do more than 40.

Fast. Ridiculously fast. :)

Eh - I've done 60+ mph down a hill here in Austin. That doesn't count. ;)

On the flats a TDF pro could probably hit 50 mph no prob? I remember Greg Lemond saying he knew he was in shape when he could motor pace for a couple of hours at that speed...

On the flats a TDF pro could probably hit 50 mph no prob? I remember Greg Lemond saying he knew he was in shape when he could motor pace for a couple of hours at that speed...

No. Professional Sprinters hit 40 something for a little while...

Nobody motor paces 50mph for a couple hours dude.

I don't know what they do, but I was stil pedaling when I was going 54mph yesterday...

going fast=DIE

going fast=DIE

wtf?

How does one measure their speed on a bicycle. Are there aftermarket speedometers which can be installed?

How does one measure their speed on a bicycle. Are there aftermarket speedometers which can be installed?

On the chance that you are not kidding, look here (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/accessories/powermeters-computers.44.html)

going fast=DIE

Been watching too many of those "speed kills" ads?

I was curious about what pro cyclists average speed is (rather than top speed). And I Googled up this link. The entire Discovery team averaged 57.324 kmh (35.62 mph) in a time trial of 67.5 km at the 2005 TDF!

http://www.letour.fr/2005/TDF/LIVE/us/2100/index.html

I'm a 285 lb "clydesdale", riding to lose weight and get in shape. I just rode my fastest ride in my life today; 16 miles in 57 minutes and 30 seconds, at an average speed of 16.7 MPH. Damn, I got some work to do :p

I live in a small town, and I work in a city 35 miles away. I'd love to get in good enough shape to make that ride, to and from work (in 90 minutes each way or less), five days a week in these dark days of peak-oil and spiraling gas prices! At this point, I could probably survive the ride one way (but it would take me 2-3 hours).

I was curious about what pro cyclists average speed is (rather than top speed). And I Googled up this link. The entire Discovery team averaged 57.324 kmh (35.62 mph) in a time trial of 67.5 km at the 2005 TDF!

http://www.letour.fr/2005/TDF/LIVE/us/2100/index.html

Yes, I think some people get kilometers and miles mixed up. They look at that 57 km/h and think miles.



I live in a small town, and I work in a city 35 miles away. I'd love to get in good enough shape to make that ride, to and from work (in 90 minutes each way or less), five days a week in these dark days of peak-oil and spiraling gas prices! At this point, I could probably survive the ride one way (but it would take me 2-3 hours).


Can you drive partway and ride the rest?

16.7 mph is not bad at all.

Top pro cyclists average about 37-40 kmph (~24 mph) in long road races.

Cycling is all they do every day and are on dope.

>>Top pro cyclists average about 37-40 kmph (~24 mph) in long road races.<<

That's about right.

iirc the TDF UK stage last year averaged 40 odd mph

One BILLION miles per hour.

http://zerotosixty.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/medium_dr_evil_1.jpg

the top sprinters can get up in the low to mid 40mph's for a very short period of time (200 meters or so). all the other high speeds you are seeing are on downhill runs, like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kZSzB4kEE8

Aren't speeds in bike races elevated due to paceline riding?

As a single rider you'd be limited because you can't trade drafting with other riders.

going fast=FUN

Fixed

Aren't speeds in bike races elevated due to paceline riding?

As a single rider you'd be limited because you can't trade drafting with other riders.

Of course. A while back I did a 105 mile road race, and we finished in 4 hours. Never could have done that on my own.

I was curious about what pro cyclists average speed is (rather than top speed). And I Googled up this link. The entire Discovery team averaged 57.324 kmh (35.62 mph) in a time trial of 67.5 km at the 2005 TDF!

http://www.letour.fr/2005/TDF/LIVE/us/2100/index.html

I'm a 285 lb "clydesdale", riding to lose weight and get in shape. I just rode my fastest ride in my life today; 16 miles in 57 minutes and 30 seconds, at an average speed of 16.7 MPH. Damn, I got some work to do :p

I live in a small town, and I work in a city 35 miles away. I'd love to get in good enough shape to make that ride, to and from work (in 90 minutes each way or less), five days a week in these dark days of peak-oil and spiraling gas prices! At this point, I could probably survive the ride one way (but it would take me 2-3 hours).

What you may not realize is team tt speeds are much higher than individual tt speeds becuase the team works ina constant paceline throughout. Those same riders average much less on the individual legs.

The qualifying speeds for say Olympic selection works out to 23-25mph solo. So a century at around 4hrs is expected. In the pro peleton 23-28mph is the norm. On really fast decents 50-60mph is possible on closed roads where you can use the entire road but you're not pedalling at this speed, just getting a few pedal strokes in around the bends. On your own with anticipated traffic, you'll find it very hard to decend on most roads around the world at over 30mph and still be safe.

At some point it is fitness, it is form plus a racing training program to get to speed. Then there is genetics to consider - most folks regardless of training and experience won't handle 20-22mph for 4-6hrs.

I'm a 285 lb "clydesdale", riding to lose weight and get in shape. I just rode my fastest ride in my life today; 16 miles in 57 minutes and 30 seconds, at an average speed of 16.7 MPH. Damn, I got some work to do :p



There's a thread around here somewhere containing a poll of peoples' average speeds. Search for "average speed" and you should find it. Most people said their average speed is between 15 and 18 mph. Your 16.7 is actually pretty good.

The qualifying speeds for say Olympic selection works out to 23-25mph solo. So a century at around 4hrs is expected. In the pro peleton 23-28mph is the norm. On really fast decents 50-60mph is possible on closed roads where you can use the entire road but you're not pedalling at this speed, just getting a few pedal strokes in around the bends. On your own with anticipated traffic, you'll find it very hard to decend on most roads around the world at over 30mph and still be safe.

At some point it is fitness, it is form plus a racing training program to get to speed. Then there is genetics to consider - most folks regardless of training and experience won't handle 20-22mph for 4-6hrs.

With what kind of ascent, descent and wind conditions would these athletes be working at these paces and delivering centuries in these times? Averages are pretty meaningless without intimate knowledge of the conditions underwhich they are formed.

There's a thread around here somewhere containing a poll of peoples' average speeds. Search for "average speed" and you should find it. Most people said their average speed is between 15 and 18 mph. Your 16.7 is actually pretty good.
+1

I think honestly, enthuasiastic riders and maybe cat 5 racers are just around 14-17 average, riding solo and taken over a longer sample of 1 week or so, wind + at least 500 ft elevation climb

If you are starting a clydesdale and you are already hitting 16.7 mph avearge, that is already fast. Stretch that sample to a week or a month and if you are still there, then you are fast I would say.

My general rule is ignore all speeds going downhill and with a tailwind. If I am cruising at 24 miles per hour on the flats, I know my real average speed is 16 mph when the ride is done. 2/3rds of my comforable flat speed.

There is a guy who used to be a part of the Olympic team in the 90's (don't know if he actually competed in the Olympics) who lives in our town. 4 years ago, I got a chance to ride alongside him briefly. I thought I was doing pretty good holding 23 mph on a relatively windless day. But I cannot even talk to him easily anymore and he was still whistling as he dropped me really fast when the road started to just have a bit of an incline. My speed dropped fast to 17 mph.

Once three of us got behind a tandem which dragged us along at 28mph for about three miles. I was doing 115-120 rpm the whole time. Whew!

When the tandem rotated back we dropped down to a decent 21mph for a couple more miles then had to stop at an intersection. Once we got rolling again, nobody seemed to mind the 18mph pace I set up front.

There's a training ride here that runs in the upper 20's, low 30's for the whole ride. They caught my slower group at a turn and I jumped on the back with a couple of others. It was all I could do to stay in the draft and when I looked back to see if anyone else was there, I slipped out of the draft and WHAM! was suddenly dropped like a ton of bricks. Never saw so many carbon wheelsets in my life.

There is a guy who used to be a part of the Olympic team in the 90's (don't know if he actually competed in the Olympics) who lives in our town. 4 years ago, I got a chance to ride alongside him briefly. I thought I was doing pretty good holding 23 mph on a relatively windless day. But I cannot even talk to him easily anymore and he was still whistling as he dropped me really fast when the road started to just have a bit of an incline. My speed dropped fast to 17 mph.


There's a training ride here that runs in the upper 20's, low 30's for the whole ride. They caught my slower group at a turn and I jumped on the back with a couple of others. It was all I could do to stay in the draft and when I looked back to see if anyone else was there, I slipped out of the draft and WHAM! was suddenly dropped like a ton of bricks. Never saw so many carbon wheelsets in my life.

Hehe... I just laugh when I get humbled like that.

Me: *huff...puff...* "Howz' it goin?"
Fast dude: "Mm, doing good. Doo de doo..."
*DROP*
Me: *huff...puff...huff...* "F.....k.."

Hehe... I just laugh when I get humbled like that.

Me: *huff...puff...* "Howz' it goin?"
Fast dude: "Mm, doing good. Doo de doo..."
*DROP*
Me: *huff...puff...huff...* "F.....k.."

i was doing intervals last week and a guy pulled up in the middle of my hard effort and started chatting with me. i wanted to punch him in the teeth. :(

i was doing intervals last week and a guy pulled up in the middle of my hard effort and started chatting with me. i wanted to punch him in the teeth. :(

He wasn't on a downhill FS MTB, was he? ;)

Last July I went to Quebec and competed in the Tour de l'Abitibi. It is only for 17 and 18 year olds and the best in the world where there, including Taylor Phinney, who won. The longest stage was 70.96 miles (114.2 Km), and we averaged 29.14 mph (46.9 Kph). Here is proof (http://cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2007/jul07/abitibi07/abitibi072), now beat that.

Last July I went to Quebec and competed in the Tour de l'Abitibi. It is only for 17 and 18 year olds and the best in the world where there, including Taylor Phinney, who won. The longest stage was 70.96 miles (114.2 Km), and we averaged 29.14 mph (46.9 Kph). Here is proof (http://cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2007/jul07/abitibi07/abitibi072), now beat that.

downhill?

Landis hit 55 mph on the downhill run of his famous comeback ride, but some say that was drug induced.

Landis hit 55 mph on the downhill run of his famous comeback ride, but some say that was drug induced.

I could probably hit 55 on a long enough downhill...

... if I was high. :D

Can you drive partway and ride the rest?


I never thought of that...interesting idea :) I'd have to find some place safe to park my car half-way. I could easily save over $100 a month in gas that way!

No. Professional Sprinters hit 40 something for a little while...

Nobody motor paces 50mph for a couple hours dude.

just quoting Lemond himself. It was in that audio interview Pcad posted a while back. Sounded a bit ridiculous to me but yeah, he said it.

I never thought of that...interesting idea :) I'd have to find some place safe to park my car half-way. I could easily save over $100 a month in gas that way!

It's something I've considered with my commute too.

Go visit the commuter forum ... you'll get lots of interesting ideas like that there. :D

I could probably hit 55 on a long enough downhill...

... if I was high. :D

I've done 80 km/h (50 mph) before ... downhill ... on the back of a tandem. It's not an experience I'd ever wish to repeat.

I remember an interview with Robbie McEwen after one of the stages he won, and he mentioned that he hit 46 mph. That's about as fast as it gets on flat grounds.

How does one measure their speed on a bicycle. Are there aftermarket speedometers which can be installed?

Why?
Just jump in here and say,"I went 45mph today on the flats" like everyone else.

Just jump in here and say,"I went 45mph today on the flats" like everyone else.

Nowhere did anyone claim that. It is not difficult to get to 50mph on a descent if you are not afraid to do so, especially given a sufficiently steep and straight grade.

I remember an interview with Robbie McEwen after one of the stages he won, and he mentioned that he hit 46 mph. That's about as fast as it gets on flat grounds.

Yeah, I'm starting to doubt Greg's claim more and more. They guy was a beast but...

Sprinters hit about 47, a race will average about 25, and I've done 61.3 on a downhill.

guads

Did 49.6 mph on long downhill a few years back.... now I know better and try to keep the max below that..
reached 38+ in a sprint once... and am pretty sure my heart was a few bike lengths behind me..

There is a big difference between 20 mph, 25 mph, and 30 mph...

Some wattage figures... using my weight, road bike weight and stats, aero position... and assuming I am on flat ground with no wind for the sake of comparison.

For me to cruise at 20 mph / 33 kmh I need to sustain an output of 145 watts and can do this all day.

For me to ride at 25 mph / 40 kmh I need to maintain an output of 261 watts.

To ride at 30 mph I need to put out 432 watts.

When I climb that short 12% grade on the way to work at 20 mph I am laying down just over 1000 watts of power.

To sprint at 38 mph / 60 kmh I also need to put out nearly 900 watts.

Professional riders are amazing.

On the chance that you are not kidding, look here (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/accessories/powermeters-computers.44.html)

Hahaha, I wasn't kidding. Thanks for the link :)

On the flats a TDF pro could probably hit 50 mph no prob? I remember Greg Lemond saying he knew he was in shape when he could motor pace for a couple of hours at that speed...

Lemond was dreaming. Maybe if he was being towed.

Lemond was dreaming. Maybe if he was being towed.

I'm going to have to see if I can find that link to the interview PCad posted.

I've read reports of riders doing 50-55mph in the TDF regularly

where?