Fifty Plus (50+) - Achieved New Goal Before 60 Tomorrow

I completed a 10.4 mi loop with some slow narrow bridges and hairpin turns with a 17.0 MPH average yesterday. I turn 60 tomorrow. I have been riding since I was 5 yr old, but I have never been faster than I am today.

I had a Sirrus Hybrid. I could only manage a 15 mph average on this same loop. I just bought a carbon fiber road bike. It is just as comfortable, but I enjoy it more because I got tired of the upright riding position adding so much wind resistance. If you get a properly sized road bike it will be comfortable. The carbon fiber surely does reduce the vibration.

Congrats on both the fast time and the new bike......and :bday:

And I have never been faster than you are today!

Congrats

And I have never been faster than you are today!

Congrats

Yep. There are two types of cyclists in this world. Those who are faster than me, and me.

Thanks to the nice people in the group with their encouragement.

I wouldn't be suprised if your speed continues to improve!

Keep-up the good work.

Michael

What kind of a road bike did you get? Pics please.

Happy Birthday and congratulations on a PR ride!!

Cheers,
Geary

Using this bike speed calculator (http://bikecalculator.com/veloUS.html), and keeping all the settings the same -- weight, riding on hoods, wind, etc, it takes about 40% more power to go 17 than to go 15.

Road bikes can really help with efficient riding.

What bike did you get?

What kind of a road bike did you get? Pics please.
I bought a 58 cm Roubaix Compact. I see you have an Elite, which is an upgrade from mine. I also see you have a Sirrus. I bought my Sirrus in 2003. It is a good bike and has been trouble free. The only mod that I have made is a 130mm E3 titanium saddle. The 143mm that came with the bike tortured me even though it was a gel saddle. I have a 130 mm E3 gel saddle on the Sirrus; so, I knew what to buy for comfort.

I have never been faster than I am today.

:thumb:

Congrats!

Using this bike speed calculator (http://bikecalculator.com/veloUS.html), and keeping all the settings the same -- weight, riding on hoods, wind, etc, it takes about 40% more power to go 17 than to go 15.

Road bikes can really help with efficient riding.

What bike did you get?
Thanks for the link to the calculator! My roubaix is about 5 lb lighter than the Sirrus that I had been riding. The tires are the same size.

I had a road bike in the past and hated it. I never used the drops. The manager at the lbs was quite patient and good in getting me fitted to the correct size. I now feel comfortable riding in the drops. I also find that I now have three riding positions instead of one with the hybrid.

Congrats on your best ever.:thumb:

Sound like a tricky course you've set out for yourself!

We're never too old to attain goals. Nice going.

I bought a 58 cm Roubaix Compact. I see you have an Elite, which is an upgrade from mine. I also see you have a Sirrus. I bought my Sirrus in 2003. It is a good bike and has been trouble free. The only mod that I have made is a 130mm E3 titanium saddle. The 143mm that came with the bike tortured me even though it was a gel saddle. I have a 130 mm E3 gel saddle on the Sirrus; so, I knew what to buy for comfort.

Now that isn't on. Unless I missed it- you didn't post for advice on a new bike. You didn't even ask what colour to get.:mad:

You deprived us of giving you 30 different bikes to choose from- all the ins and out of how good a full suspension mountain bike is comfortable for century rides and how the 2.3 aggressive knobbly tyres stop you falling asleep when you go up the 3 mile 10% slope- and we couldn't get you conversant with the benefits of buying from your LBS- Wally Mart or mail order.:innocent::innocent:

But you must have been reading a lot on the forum- or gone to a good shop for advice. You got a bike that has proved to be one of the favourites on the forum so well done. (Still no pics of your bike though and no listing of the upgrades planned or the rides you are in training for)

Way to go! Was going to ask what kind of bike but it has been asked and answered.
The Carbon bikes sure are faster and smoother.
Keep on bikin'

Congratulations! That is really a good feeling. If I lived near you I'd buy you a beer and give you that book "Younger Next Year." I just did my semi-hilly 15 mi. "time trial" in 17.4 and that's at least 1 mph better than I could do it last year. Now I'm thinking that next year (when I'm 64) I'll be knocking on the door of 18 mph. Rock on!

I bought a 58 cm Roubaix Compact. I see you have an Elite, which is an upgrade from mine. I also see you have a Sirrus. I bought my Sirrus in 2003. It is a good bike and has been trouble free. The only mod that I have made is a 130mm E3 titanium saddle. The 143mm that came with the bike tortured me even though it was a gel saddle. I have a 130 mm E3 gel saddle on the Sirrus; so, I knew what to buy for comfort.

I still ride my Sirrus and love it, it's like an old friend. It may be my imagination but sometimes I think it rolls better than the Roubaix!

Congratulations! That is really a good feeling. If I lived near you I'd buy you a beer and give you that book "Younger Next Year." I just did my semi-hilly 15 mi. "time trial" in 17.4 and that's at least 1 mph better than I could do it last year. Now I'm thinking that next year (when I'm 64) I'll be knocking on the door of 18 mph. Rock on!

That is really awesome!