Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Dropped by a road skater today

My husband and I were dropped by a skater today, during the flattest portion of our 36 mile ride. There were a few hills in this part, but it's not as hilly as the rest of our route was today.

I was using the skater as a carrot, but didn't get close. I maintained 20-21 mph for a little while.

The guy had impressive speed. He wasn't in focusing range very long for me to read roadskater.net on his jersey!

:eek: That's some real skating there. I'm impressed.

I've followed fast recreation skaters at 12-14 mph. 20 mph is really flying.

Back in the early '90's I I learned inline skating shortly before moving to the NW Chicago 'burbs.
Once there, I found Busse Woods, and decided the 4 mile loop was more fun with skates than on bike,
so I did a lot in inline skating.

There was a small group of *really* good skaters, including 4 guys who often skated together drafting
each other. Also in the group was an attractive blonde with legs like a downhill skier who used to
thoroughly humiliate me by passing me with ease, when I was at full speed.:cry:

One day I happened to pick up a copy of a free Chicago-area sports magazine. When I spotted her
picture in it, I discovered she was the top-rated female inline racer in the Chicago area.
Then I didn't feel so bad.:lol:

There is a guy in Jacksonville that routinely skates on organized bike rides. He maintains a 20-22 mph pace and this one ride I know he does is 35-45 miles. It's quite impressive.

That really is some impressive speed. There is a guy that comes to the San Jose Bike Party on a skateboard. The route is typically around 20 miles of city streets with a few rests and averages 10-15mph (I'm guessing). I know he finishes the ride.

Last year in November, I was riding the 4 mile LaCroix trail in Cape Girardeau, MO. Very flat but super curvy. I noticed a girl on roller blades ahead of me. It took me 2 miles to overtake her :giver:. I looked down a couple times and was running a solid 18mph and just could not make any headway.

The best part was when I did finally get past her, I stopped to tell her what a great athlete she was and she just BLEW past me with a huge smile on her face that said "I know" :)

Back in the early '90's I I learned inline skating shortly before moving to the NW Chicago 'burbs.
Once there, I found Busse Woods, and decided the 4 mile loop was more fun with skates than on bike,
so I did a lot in inline skating.

There was a small group of *really* good skaters, including 4 guys who often skated together drafting
each other. Also in the group was an attractive blonde with legs like a downhill skier who used to
thoroughly humiliate me by passing me with ease, when I was at full speed.:cry:

One day I happened to pick up a copy of a free Chicago-area sports magazine. When I spotted her
picture in it, I discovered she was the top-rated female inline racer in the Chicago area.
Then I didn't feel so bad.:lol:

I think I may have encountered that same group last year on the North Branch Trail. They were all wearing matching white and green lycra team bodysuits. It was the first time I saw skaters that fast, and I was totally unprepared for it. They moved ahead of me at a red light and I was thinking, "Why did they do that? They're just getting in my way." Two minutes later they were exceeding 20 MPH leaving me in their wake. I certainly learned something new that day.