Fifty Plus (50+) - What is reasonably possible?

I tried wading through some threads that deal somewhat with my questions, but found a lot of messages that didn't give the specifics I'd like to see, so let me try a new thread.

I started riding just before my 52nd birthday and now it is three years later. I ride year round (live in Hawaii).

What I want to find out is what others around my age and older manage on their rides, especially if they are at least 10 miles long. For me, I can usually average 15 mph at a nice steady cruise (pushing, but not working up a sweat) for 12 miles. I'd like to be able to do that on longer distances as well as go faster, but it would be useful to me to know what others can do when riding ALONE (I rarely get to ride with others).

My best is 26 miles at 15.8, but that was an exception. More commonly I might do those 26 miles closer to 14 mph if winds aren't bad.

So:

What is your age?

How long have you been riding?

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

Thanks, Bob

My best is 26 miles at 15.8, but that was an exception. More commonly I might do those 26 miles closer to 14 mph if winds aren't bad.

So:

What is your age?

How long have you been riding?

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

Thanks, Bob

age = 57 going on 58

experience = probably 10-15 years total broken into 3 time periods, big at 10-12 years of age, raced at 21-23, , last 4 serious (>1500 mikes/year)

last question is HARD. I keep a very good journal. I've averaged some rides 10, some at 18+. last 3 years, if I figure total miles (around 5000) / total time (remember this includes warmup, ride like heck, and cooldown, I average about 15.1.

I'd say an easy ride is 13 to 14 avg, I consider a HARD ride to be 18+ - but Ive had some VERY HARD rides were i only averaged 10 (hills, head wind, etc.)

hope this helps.

last question is HARD. I keep a very good journal. I've averaged some rides 10, some at 18+. last 3 years, if I figure total miles (around 5000) / total time (remember this includes warmup, ride like heck, and cooldown, I average about 15.1.

I'd say an easy ride is 13 to 14 avg, I consider a HARD ride to be 18+ - but Ive had some VERY HARD rides were i only averaged 10 (hills, head wind, etc.)


Well, maybe I should clarify. I guess we all have big variations in our speeds based on route, wind, and just whether we are tired from previous rides or not. My route is pretty much the same (not much in the way of choices on an island with mountains across the middle!). If I am tired, I don't really think of it as a normal ride - though I do note in a general sense whether I'm improving in that aspect too. Likewise with wind - if it is really bad, I just know I'll be slow no matter what. I basically am seriously measuring rides when I'm not tired and the wind isn't too bad (say no more than 10 mph, preferrably no more than 6).

Age: 54
Riding seriously since: Last season
Avg: Varies quite a bit. My neighbor hood has lots of "rollers", some flats. Normal rides are 15-40 miles (15 is the standard quick ride that I can get in on weekdays). I average between 15-20 mph (between 45 min and an hour for that loop). That range reflects "pretty easy" versus "pretty tough" for me. I'm looking forward to this season, as I was really improving when the snow started falling. My goal is to be a better climber and do more long distance (e.g., centuries).

Good luck. Hawaii sounds like a nice place to ride...

What I want to find out is what others around my age and older manage on their rides, especially if they are at least 10 miles long. For me, I can usually average 15 mph at a nice steady cruise (pushing, but not working up a sweat) for 12 miles. I'd like to be able to do that on longer distances as well as go faster, but it would be useful to me to know what others can do when riding ALONE (I rarely get to ride with others).

My best is 26 miles at 15.8, but that was an exception. More commonly I might do those 26 miles closer to 14 mph if winds aren't bad.

So:

What is your age?

How long have you been riding?

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

Thanks, Bob


Age 58 and been riding for 15 years. Only took up cycling as knees shot through running in youth and wanted to retain fitness that I had after my 10 year old beat me over 100yard dash.

I ride a mountain bike and off road I can manage 10mph over a 25 mile ride that takes in about 500metres of climbing, Off road is different as thanks to the set up of the bike, capabilities of the bike and the terrain, you are going to be slower in any case. We do occasionally do road rides, but these are still done on knobbly tyres pumped up to 60 psi and over a 25 to 30 mile ride we can get in an average of 12 mph, but this is not pushing it.
However, We do the odd 65 mile road ride and for that we set the bike up with slicks, and my best time in 2000 was 4 hours and 10 minutes. knock off the 10 minutes for the check in points and we averaged 16mph. for the 65 miles. Funnily enough, this is the same average we did the following year on a 100 miler.

Then in 2001 after a Prostate op, we did the 65 miler in a force 9 gale that always seemed to give a headwind, and in torrential rain for the 5 1/2 it took to do the ride. an average of around 11mph. Last year did the 65 miler at age 57 on a Mountain Tandem set up with slicks in a ride time of 3 hours 45minutes, but we did have to wait a fair time for the rest of the group to collect together about every 10 miles. It actually took 5 hours for the whole of the group to finish.

Sorry its a long answer, but as you are fairly new to riding, Don't worry too much about time. 15mph is not a bad speed for a newbie, even if you are on a road bike(At least I presume you are). What I would do to improve is work up to a regular 25 miles and then find a metric century (65 miles) to do later in the year. That is where you will find out what sweat is.

Sorry its a long answer, but as you are fairly new to riding, Don't worry too much about time. 15mph is not a bad speed for a newbie, even if you are on a road bike(At least I presume you are). What I would do to improve is work up to a regular 25 miles and then find a metric century (65 miles) to do later in the year. That is where you will find out what sweat is.

Yeah, I use a road bike (a Felt F-35 now).

My rides at the very beginning were about 12 miles out, rest for an hour or so at the beach, ride back.

Not long after that, I went slightly further to bring the total distance to 26 miles (still resting in the middle). There were occasional long rides, eventually doing a couple centuries - but with lots of rests!

For several months I have been riding 25-40 before stopping to rest and then finishing up with another 14-20 going back home. Some rides are even further - I did three metric centuries in a week and 9 since early December.

I just want to do those things faster because I enjoy the ride more that way.

It sounds like, from replies so far, that I should be able to get that speed up. One change I think I'll make soon is to cut to 3 rides a week. I dropped to four when I started riding further and I found it much more comfortable to usually be "fresh". By dropping to 3, I can always have a rest day after every ride like I had when I started. If I can do 50 miles each normally, that would actually be better than this year.

I tried wading through some threads that deal somewhat with my questions, but found a lot of messages that didn't give the specifics I'd like to see, so let me try a new thread.

I started riding just before my 52nd birthday and now it is three years later. I ride year round (live in Hawaii).

What I want to find out is what others around my age and older manage on their rides, especially if they are at least 10 miles long. For me, I can usually average 15 mph at a nice steady cruise (pushing, but not working up a sweat) for 12 miles. I'd like to be able to do that on longer distances as well as go faster, but it would be useful to me to know what others can do when riding ALONE (I rarely get to ride with others).

My best is 26 miles at 15.8, but that was an exception. More commonly I might do those 26 miles closer to 14 mph if winds aren't bad.

So:

What is your age?

How long have you been riding?

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

Thanks, Bob

Age 64. Took up cycling last June. Shortest ride in a week is 27 miles. I ride at least 5 days a week. Did just under 200 miles this week. The slowest I ever average on a solo ride is in the high 16's. In group rides I do a lot of the pulls, but they are usually yelling for me to slow down. On our 38 mile group ride today, we averaged 19.28 mph with a rather slow warm-up. Would have been much faster, but had to slow for the group numerous times on my pulls. I hit 35.9 on the flats the other day on a solo ride - that was a real rush.

I seem to have the biomechanics necessary to ride well, and at 5'11", 152 pounds, my current body fat is 5.2%. I love to ride, and have entered my first race one month from today, and intend to qualify for the FL senior games during the event. BTW, I turned 4500 miles total today, and I can't wait to build my base up.

For me, I can usually average 15 mph at a nice steady cruise (pushing, but not working up a sweat) for 12 miles.
Thanks, Bob
I'm the same age (55) and average about the same speed of 15 mph over the season. I only bike 7 months a year and the first few rides after 5 months off are about 12 mph. When I was 25 I averaged about 20 mph. The pace has been slowing down just a wee bit every year since then.

> The slowest I ever average on a solo ride is in the high 16's. <

DANG! And 27 miles is the shortest trip?! I'm assuming you are not going at a pace that would just wear you out - espciallly for that distance. In other words, that would be a good steady cruising speed?

> I hit 35.9 on the flats the other day on a solo ride - that was a real rush. <

Was the wind a big help or is that just how strong you are? I've only hit 30+ on a downhill or a really strong tailwind (pretty rare).

> I seem to have the biomechanics necessary to ride well, and at 5'11", 152 pounds, my current body fat is 5.2%. <

I'm 5'8" and around 150. Don't know the body fat thing.

Guess I need to work on intervals.

I'm the same age (55) and average about the same speed of 15 mph over the season. I only bike 7 months a year and the first few rides after 5 months off are about 12 mph. When I was 25 I averaged about 20 mph. The pace has been slowing down just a wee bit every year since then.

I'm lucky that I don't have to start over after long winter layoffs. I apparently am not slowing down yet, but having only started a few years ago, that is nothing special. One of the reasons for asking what others are doing to get some idea of how far I can go - both in ability and age - before I will have peaked.

I am 65 (or will be next month). When I ride by myself I try to average around 14 for a 25 or 30 mile ride. If I ride with others I ride faster but I dont keep up with the studs, not even the lady studs.

I have been riding forever. I love it, even if I can not go fast anymore.

I am 65 (or will be next month). When I ride by myself I try to average around 14 for a 25 or 30 mile ride. If I ride with others I ride faster but I dont keep up with the studs, not even the lady studs.

I have been riding forever. I love it, even if I can not go fast anymore.

That sounds about my typcial pace if wind isn't an issue, but you are 10 years older. Well, at least I can plan on not getting worse for another decade!

> The slowest I ever average on a solo ride is in the high 16's. <

DANG! And 27 miles is the shortest trip?! I'm assuming you are not going at a pace that would just wear you out - espciallly for that distance. In other words, that would be a good steady cruising speed?

> I hit 35.9 on the flats the other day on a solo ride - that was a real rush. <

Was the wind a big help or is that just how strong you are? I've only hit 30+ on a downhill or a really strong tailwind (pretty rare).

> I seem to have the biomechanics necessary to ride well, and at 5'11", 152 pounds, my current body fat is 5.2%. <

I'm 5'8" and around 150. Don't know the body fat thing.

Guess I need to work on intervals.

My 27 mile ride is my Monday ride which is an easy spin. I can cruise along rather comfortably in the low 20's - assuming zero wind. I have gone for an extended period at 31 mph riding the wheel of a very successful bike racer who I ride with a couple of times a week.

My 35.9 did have a light tail wind, but I have done 33 into a headwind on a club sprint.

As with any aerobic sport, it unfortunately comes down to your parents. Genetics plays such a major role. For example, as a youngster, I entered a track meet that was designed to find new track talent, and I ran a 5:36 mile with no training. That aerobic engine has really enhanced by progress with cycling, and I have kept my legs strong by doing 20 repetition squats for years - a very painful exercise BTW. Also, I am very competitive by nature, and won the national masters 10K cross country championships about a quarter of a century ago.

I never really liked running, but put in about 30,000 miles of running training to simply accomplish an end - win races. Conversely, I love cycling, and rue the fact that I did not discover it sooner than a few months ago.

The way I discovered it was that my triathlete girlfriend showed up at my house with two bikes on the back of her vehicle and announced that we were going riding. I fell immediately in love with it, and can't wait until the next training session. AAMOF, I love it so much that had I discovered it as a youngster, I would have been tempted to pursue pro status. I settled for jockeying around airliners around for a living.

At my age, this is how I look at it. I cannot be better then I could have been last year. I can be better than I was last year.

That's an interesting question and one that I had to refer back to my cycling log to see what the stats showed.

What is your age?
52

How long have you been riding?
3 years (But still spend time working on my golf handicap!)

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

If you added all the miles I rode last year (around 5000) they average 17.3 mph (total miles/time ridden). I typically ride one evening after work (afternoons in the summer) plus a good number of miles on the weekend so I'm averaging about 100 miles per week. I'm in piedmont NC and the area I live in is mostly rollers. The numbers above include those types of rides along with several 100 mile rides with lots of climbing in the NC mountains (like the Assault on Mt Mitchell). The fastest 100k group ride I did last year averaged 23.6 mph which was quite a thrill. I usually feel pretty good about doing a 60+ mile solo ride on the weekend if I average 18 mph. Those usually are done with my heart rate within my target zone for 99% of the ride.

It's really hard to gauge average speed though as wind can really be a big factor. For example, I did a 90 mile ride last weekend and was only able to average 15 mph as I had a headwind of 10-15 mph on the return leg. I was really, really glad to get home on that one....I've been to Hawaii and can only imagine what some of the winds are like out your way. Give me a good hill over a strong headwind any day!!

> My 27 mile ride is my Monday ride which is an easy spin. I can cruise along rather comfortably in the low 20's - assuming zero wind. <

Boy, I'd love to be able to do that! At the 20 mph rate, I could go all the way to the east end of the island and back to my usual eating place in Waikiki (40 miles) in just a bit over two hours (allowing time for some traffic light stops). I could leave home after 3:30 and be done by the time I now have to leave by 2:30 to do!

I do have some significant hills to (at least they are to me). Are you on the flats for your 27 mile ride?

> As with any aerobic sport, it unfortunately comes down to your parents. <

Yeah, that's the ticket - it's all their fault! (grin)

> I have kept my legs strong by doing 20 repetition squats for years - a very painful exercise BTW. <

Can you describe that in some detail? Maybe I should look into it. Or maybe not if it can cause knee damage!

> I love cycling, and rue the fact that I did not discover it sooner than a few months ago. <

Only done it for a few months!? I'm shocked because I would think that even if you are in real good shape it takes awhile to train the muscles for that specific skill, especially at age 64 when things just seem to take longer.

Since you are relatively new to it, but very successful, maybe you can provide some insights into things I have issues with (sometimes more experienced people have different viewpoints than a fellow newbie).

I had a terrible time with bike shorts, though I finally found something that is "okay" (Blackbottoms). None of the others would fit around the leg at the hem so riding up was a real problem. Even the Blackbottoms could proably fit better, but at least they fit okay.

I'm 51 and I've been riding (seriously) since July of 1998. Before that, I had a riding hiatus between college and real-life of approximately 25 years. I rode a lot between ages 5 and 22.

Last year, I rode 8000 miles (and worked full time in high-tech and had a wife and kids, etc.) 2003=6500 miles, 5500 in 2002 and 4200 in 2001. Mid-2000s in the earlier years.

My typical weekend ride (both days) is 40-50 and I average 17-18mph, constrained mainly by the stop and go associated with riding on the street.

My best organized ride was last year's Tour de Tucson on which I rode a 4:57 century and 5:32 for the whole 110 miles.

I don't train, I don't use an HR monitor, I simply go out and ride as fast as I feel like riding. Short hops around my village - 20 miles at 18mph. 5 days a week during DST, 3 days during the winter.

My overall average across the last 6.5 years is 16.72mph, 1101 rides, MTB, road, short hops, long hauls, wind, rain, sun, snow and wonderfully ideal days.

> I usually feel pretty good about doing a 60+ mile solo ride on the weekend if I average 18 mph. Those usually are done with my heart rate within my target zone for 99% of the ride. <

Well, I can do 18 if push really hard - but only for about 12 miles! Boy, I'd love to do it for 60.

> I've been to Hawaii and can only imagine what some of the winds are like out your way. Give me a good hill over a strong headwind any day!! <

winds here in the summer are almost always in the 10 or 15-25 mph range, but I think those forecasts are for daylight hours. I ride around 3:00 AM and it is calmer then, at least sometimes. Generally I would say the mornings typically don't go over 12 or 13 mph (but there are exceptions). As the day moves on, the wind picks up until mid afternoon or so before slacking off some.

Winter is generally less windy on average. But I do wonder about the wind here sometimes. Lots of mountain valleys can channel winds into you and perhaps cause them to be stronger in some locations. Of course, the big buildings on Honolulu can cause strange wind patterns too.

My typical weekend ride (both days) is 40-50 and I average 17-18mph, constrained mainly by the stop and go associated with riding on the street.


I don't know whether to feel good about the potential you folks are showing for riding fast when over 50 or be frustrated that I'm a lot slower! (grin)

Hi Kahuna - which part of Oahu are you on? I live in HI Kai and am 66. I am trying to get in shape for a San Diego to Dallas Solo tour in mid April. Too old to camp - going to motel it and use up my kids inheritance.

I don't worry too much about speeds but just try to slog thru the distance. I ride an old mountain bike with slicks - only major modification.

I've got several routes that I alternate
1)HI Kai to Kailua and return about 30 miles - I go the back way (Kalama Valley to Sandy Beach) across Makapuu

2)HI Kai to downtown and back about 25 miles

3)HI Kai to Kahala Mall and back about 13-14

4)Airport and back using King / Breratania outbound and Nimitz, Waikiki, Diamond Head back - right at 40 miles

5)Don't know the route over the Pali to Kailua, but I know there is one.

As I get into mid march I am going to kick it up a notch and try Kailua to Halaiewa - probably bus back.

If you need a slow plodder give me an email and we can check schedules - if you are looking for speed - I will start with you, but who knows when I will finish.

I always stop in the middle for either a coke or a Starbucks.

Tom Rush
rusht8205@yahoo.com

I don't know whether to feel good about the potential you folks are showing for riding fast when over 50 or be frustrated that I'm a lot slower! (grin)

I made my peace with that long ago.

I ride for pure pleasure - and think others should also. I guess it sort of depends on how you define pleasure. But however one does, be happy with that!

Personally, I compare myself to no one but myself.

Life is full of competition and stress. This is one area where I don't have to worry about that aspect.

Have fun riding.

Like lots of us, I rode a lot as a kid, then 'outgrew' it, then picked it up again at age 30. Now at age 49.5, I'm faster than I was 15 years ago. In fact, I've been getting a little faster every year since I went to recumbents. Last year I got a PR for a 104-miler - 4:31 (that was a one-way ride with a headwind the whole way.) My last club ride of the year was 30 miles at 24.1 mph on a flattish loop. Most of my evening club rides are in the 20-22 mph range, for 25-35 miles. Weekend rides are a little slower, generally 60-80 miles at 19- 21 mph.

Another thought TheRCF-If I lived in Hawaii I'd be very lucky to be averaging 15 mph myself. I'd be checking out the beautiful views and forgetting all about trying to get a decent workout, regardless of the time of day. Keep up the great job!!

> which part of Oahu are you on? I live in HI Kai and am 66. <

I'm in Aiea. When I extended my ride I started going beyond Waikiki by going over Diamond Head and out to Hawaii Kai. On a good day I'll make it to Sandy Beach. I have climbed the big hill up to Hanauma Bay and around sometimes, but now that I ride so early in the morning, I usually cut through Hawaii Kai were the light is better. I split the big climb up Hawaii Kai Drive by turning at Ahukini. That ends up on Hawaii Kai Dr, but near the top. I'm not a good hill climber so splitting it helps me.

> I don't worry too much about speeds but just try to slog thru the distance. <

For me, going slow is just frustrating. I still get worn out, but for less distance - just doesn't seem right!

> 1)HI Kai to Kailua and return about 30 miles - I go the back way (Kalama Valley to Sandy Beach) across Makapuu <

I still don't know the names of the various valleys and such, but I'm guessing that if you hit Sandy Beach you are folliwing a similar route through Hawaii Kai that I do - you come back out on Kalanianaole Hwy at the traffic light at Kealohou St?

> 2)HI Kai to downtown and back about 25 miles <

What route do you follow for that? I guess you get off Kalanianaole Hwy where H-1 starts like I do, but then I go over to the little convenience store where there is a water fountain outside, then follow Kealaolu alongside the country club area to Kahala Ave up to Diamond Head, then down Monssarat to Waikiki since I stop there to eat. I've gone on the roads by H-1, but they seem tougher and traffic is certainly more of an issue. Just wondering if you have a route I haven't tried.

> 3)HI Kai to Kahala Mall and back about 13-14 <

That is a nice ride since usually you have a wide bike lane. Only problem is when heading back,you usually are fighting the wind and there isn't much to block it on that side of Diamond Head.

> 4)Airport and back using King / Breratania outbound and Nimitz, Waikiki, Diamond Head back - right at 40 miles <

I pass by the airport every ride going to Waikiki and back, but I pretty much never get on Beretania - I'm on Nimitz instead, often riding sidewalks if traffic is bad or I just want to minimize risk.

> 5)Don't know the route over the Pali to Kailua, but I know there is one. <

I've been up the Pali to where Nuuanu-Pali Dr goes off. I'm not sure how to get through that area though so I haven't tried. It is a goal of mine to cross the Pali though.

> As I get into mid march I am going to kick it up a notch and try Kailua to Halaiewa - probably bus back. <

Ah yes, the wonderful bus system - makes it nice to be able to ride as far as you want and if too tired to come back, have mechanical problems, etc, just put the bike on the bus! Helped me many times! From Kailua to Haleiwa isn't too bad except for some climbing around Kailua/Kaneohe area. Not sure what the best route is. Going up towards the Pali tunnels and turning off just before is a hard climb for sure. Going through Kailua, etc, is easier, but a bit further and some places have little space for a bike and the roads curve a lot.

> If you need a slow plodder give me an email and we can check schedules - if you are looking for speed - I will start with you, but who knows when I will finish. <

Well, like I said, I ride really early. When I go out to Hawaii Kai, I typically get to Sandy Beach around 5:00 AM or a bit earlier (if I'm later than that, I usually don't go that far since I want to get back and eat at Dukes in Waikiki. When do you usually do your rides?

If you are slower than me, that can be compensated for simply by my riding a good distance before we meet. That would slow me down considerably! It's 23 miles for me to Lunalilo Home Rd.

Hey, if you want to ride early, I could always meet you in the Hawaii Kai area and we can bike back to Waikiki for breakfast - I'll treat the first one!

I even have a table right at the front where the beach is that they always give me.

Bob

> I guess it sort of depends on how you define pleasure. But however one does, be happy with that! <

Exactly - and when I'm slow, it isn't fun. Unfortunately, getting the speed over distance to be happy requires a lot of work!

> Personally, I compare myself to no one but myself. <

The comparisons are to give me an idea of what is reasonable to work for. I mean, if few people over 50 could do much more than I can do, that would let me know that there is little reason to kill myself to accomplish something I probably can't do. But if lots of people are well ahead of me, I know working real hard may payoff - hopefully to the point where I can ride casually and reach 18 instead of 15-16 usually).

If I reach that level, I may try for more (grin).

Like lots of us, I rode a lot as a kid, then 'outgrew' it, then picked it up again at age 30. Now at age 49.5, I'm faster than I was 15 years ago. In fact, I've been getting a little faster every year since I went to recumbents. Last year I got a PR for a 104-miler - 4:31 (that was a one-way ride with a headwind the whole way.) My last club ride of the year was 30 miles at 24.1 mph on a flattish loop. Most of my evening club rides are in the 20-22 mph range, for 25-35 miles. Weekend rides are a little slower, generally 60-80 miles at 19- 21 mph.

I'm just real impressed with the speeds some of you folks have. I mean, you can go 60-80 at 19-21 mph and my RECORD with an all out effort is 19.19 mph for 11 miles!

I had thought about a recumbent. I understand they are better on the flats and are better in wind - and can avoid wearing special shorts!!!. But they are worse up hill (I do have a fair number of them so I'm not sure about the overall gain/loss on my rides) plus I'm a bit concerned about seeing and being seen, especially when riding where cars are parked. Those little pennants don't seem like enough to me.

Bob

Another thought TheRCF-If I lived in Hawaii I'd be very lucky to be averaging 15 mph myself. I'd be checking out the beautiful views and forgetting all about trying to get a decent workout, regardless of the time of day. Keep up the great job!!

I do look at the beautiful views - especially once I get to the beach and get to see all those ladies!

Bob

My 27 mile ride is my Monday ride which is an easy spin.

What kind of cadence do you usually use on that ride? Even though I spent 1000 miles focusing on spinning over 90 rmp, I still find I'm generally falling back to the low 80s.

Bob

I made my peace with that long ago.

I ride for pure pleasure - and think others should also. I guess it sort of depends on how you define pleasure. But however one does, be happy with that!

Personally, I compare myself to no one but myself.

Life is full of competition and stress. This is one area where I don't have to worry about that aspect.

Have fun riding.


I couldn't agree more!

Hi Big Kahuna, Haven't seen you mention riding Ewa from Aiea, do you go that way? That was one of my favorites when I lived in Moanalua Valley, I'd come out of Salt Lake and hit Kam Hwy into Millilani Town, then over to either Dillingham Field or Haleiwa. It may have been my imagination, but the winds didn't seem as bad on that ride as on the HI Kai-Kialua ride. That was a favorite also, leave Salt Lake, HI Kai, WiamanaloKialua and back over Pali. Oh, one last thing, check out all side routes around Pali, Nuuanu Pali is the way to go up or down, then I would take School St Ewa.

I made my peace with that long ago.

I ride for pure pleasure - and think others should also. I guess it sort of depends on how you define pleasure. But however one does, be happy with that!

Personally, I compare myself to no one but myself.

Life is full of competition and stress. This is one area where I don't have to worry about that aspect.

Have fun riding.

Agreed. I discovered that you can get a terrific and pleasurable workout even while being passed up by the racers. The trick is to ride a fixed-gear bike. You have no choice but to work on hills (both up and down as it so happens) and there is no thought of coasting -- ever. I built up an old Centurion about a month ago and it's almost all I've ridden since bringing it "on-line". I don't keep track of time or distance (never did), but I can tell you that when I dismounted yesterday after about an hour and half of riding, my legs were rubber.

Another benefit, it's dead quiet, always. I had a coyote, who apparently never heard me coming, come out of the bushes and brush by my leg on his way back in. Now that's exciting.

Jim

I thought I was an early bird, but not with the hours you keep. I am retired, so I usually wait until morning traffic dies down before I start out. Usually after 8.

My route down town is K-hwy to kahala mall, stay to the right under the freeway instead of turning left just as you go under freeway. If you stay in right lane, as you get to the end of the underpass, by Zippy's, get on the sidewalk and that takes you up to Waiailae Ave. thru Kaimuki. Not a bad climb, but a pretty good downhill past Chaminade. At the bottom of hill, just before you go under freeway, hang a right ( that takes you to either H-1 or King street). You are on King until University and then you are on Breratania. I take that out thru town to Dillingham if I am going to Eki Cyclery or I wind around to right on King to eventually get to Love's Bakery and the bike path on Nimitz, if I am going to airport. King kindof dead ends just before it goes over / around freeway, Not sure waht the street name at Love's bakery is, but that is where you want to hit the Nimitz bike Lane.

I got your email and will keep in touch. I am picking up "stuff" for my xcountry trek and went down to Sports Authority sale this am picked up a good rain jacket and 3 pairs of cargo shorts for the trip. My old fat bottom doesn't work well in the skin tight bike shorts. Needless to say the rest of me wouldn't know what to do with one of the fancy bike shirts.

I am planning bare minimum of gear, - handle bar bag, small bag to sit on back rack, old backpack that fits on the rear pannier rack, and an extra large fanny pack. Spending a good bit on the Kevlar Armadillo tires with "Tuffy" inserts and goop filled tubes, but from everything I hear, the combo works pretty well.

Maybe we can work something out - give me a wave early in the morning when you go thru HI Kai.

Tom

> Haven't seen you mention riding Ewa from Aiea, do you go that way? That was one of my favorites when I lived in Moanalua Valley, I'd come out of Salt Lake and hit Kam Hwy into Millilani Town, then over to either Dillingham Field or Haleiwa. <

When I first saw your reference to riding Ewa, I thought you meant out towards Kapolei - which is a real pain! The roads is worse in any case (Kam Hwy) and once through Waipahu, no matter what route you take that I know of, you have to go 2-3 miles with no shoulder and no street lights. This is VERY dangerous since an oncoming car may blind the car coming up behind you - so the few times I investigated this route, I was always having to stop and pull over into the grass to be safe when cars came like that. Also, since those roads are so poor, I couldn't go very fast even though I have a decent headlight.

I have gone over to Haleiwa from Aiea a couple times, but it is a problem too. I don't know about the lighting situation, but once through Waipio, you have those three big gulches to ride down into and back up. Tough hills that way and, at least on the Kam Hwy route, some very bad roads with minimal shoulders even going into and out of the gulches.

The wind probably is better, at least for awhile. Once you start crossing the mountains to the other side, you are heading more north and the winds are mostly out of the NE or ENE.

I did have two exciting events on one of those rides to Haleiwa, at the same time. I was going down those neat hills just past Dole Plantation to Haleiwa and had just hit a record 42.6 mph! - when a car decided to pull off the road, right into my path. There was nothing there to pull over for (even the pineapple fields were empty). I couldn't stop fast enough and I couldn't go around on the left (I knew there were other cars around, but not exactly where) so, I took the only other option and went off the road to the right into the very rough grassy area.

I fully expected to immediately clash, but I didn't. I also couldn't brake because of all the bouncing around would just lock up my wheels. I ended up passing the car on his right, hoping he wouldn't pull over any quicker. The first he even noticed me was when I passed him. I was definitely ticked off!

> Oh, one last thing, check out all side routes around Pali, Nuuanu Pali is the way to go up or down, then I would take School St Ewa. <

I haven't done the Pali yet, though I understand it is supposed to be better to go from Honolulu over to Kailua area rather than the reverse to avoid going slow or walking through the tunnels I guess.

I have ridden from Aiea to Hawaii Kai to Kailua, etc - once when all the way around that way.

Bob

> I am retired, so I usually wait until morning traffic dies down before I start out. Usually after 8. <

I'm retired, but work part time - usually getting to work around 11:30. As you probably know, traffic from my direction - out around Sand Island - never really lets up. You get there really early or take your chances. I got tired of taking the chances!

> Not sure waht the street name at Love's bakery is, but that is where you want to hit the Nimitz bike Lane. <

Isn't that Middle St, right near the bus Kalihi transit center? I usually don't use the bike lane on Nimitz anymore - and never when starting out since it is so early and traffic is minimal. If traffic is worse than normal when I go home, I'll sometimes use the bike lane then.

> My old fat bottom doesn't work well in the skin tight bike shorts. <

Do you ride a road bike (can't recall who said what here!)? I found when I switched to one, I had to wear bike shorts. I really don't like them though.

> Needless to say the rest of me wouldn't know what to do with one of the fancy bike shirts. <

I have a couple plain bike shirts and they really did make a difference keeping the sweat problem to a minimum. I rode using regular shirts for a long time so I can easily feel the difference.

> Spending a good bit on the Kevlar Armadillo tires with "Tuffy" inserts and goop filled tubes, but from everything I hear, the combo works pretty well. <

If you are using goop - which I assume is much like Slime - I guess you have fat tires because, at least with slime, the pressure is too much for it to hold a seal. I've experience that as well!

As for the Mr Tuffy strips, I've only tried them on road tires and they caused flats. Apparently some people somehow manage to get them to work, but I tried every suggestion they gave me and still it would rub a hole in the tube.

The Island Triathlon And Bike Shop has something from Panaracer like Tuffys which they feel are very effective but which supposedly don't cause flats like the Mr Tuffys.

I did have some kind of strip in my first bike (Trek Navigator 100 with 1.95" tires. When I replaced the tires, I was amazed at how think the things were - much thicker that Tuffys for road bikes anyway. It would likely take a nail to drive through it - glass would have had a tough time.

> Maybe we can work something out - give me a wave early in the morning when you go thru HI Kai. <

I'l wave, at every intersection just in case it is your neighborhood!

I'm not sure when I'll be out there next. I reached all my goals for this year so I'm taking shorter rides. I could have done it today, but decided to push really hard to Waikiki - haven't done that for months - so I figured I might want to limit how far I rode.

I wasn't all that impressive - 17.8 mph for the first 11 mile stretch I use for measuring records. I think all those months I've been spending focusing on distance has hurt me for speed (at least for short distances). Still, I felt fine when I finished that part so I went on out and around Diamond Head, back to Ala Moana SC and back to Dukes (10 extra miles). So I guess those long distances did some good. Usually a major effort like that would have left me wanted to rest as soon as possible.

I am 64
Rode a lot age 14-25, then had 30 year lay-off.
Took up cycling again about 9 yr ago, but only training for one annual MS 150 in GA.
2 yr ago met up w/group who ride regularly here in FL
With group over 20 mi I can av 18 mph
Alone over 100 mi in flat FL I can av 16mph and in hilly GA about 14mph
When 18 I could av 22.7mph in 25mi time trial.
I'm sure I could go faster now if I trained harder, but why? What I do now keeps me in pretty good shape and I enjoy it very much.

I wish I could find time trials in FL.

'04 Trek 2300
'?? Trek 2500 composite
'57 Maclean Featherlight
'96 Cannondale Los Dos tandem

I had thought about a recumbent. I understand they are better on the flats and are better in wind - and can avoid wearing special shorts!!!. But they are worse up hill ...

Your assessment of modern recumbents is flawed. The newer recumbents that utilize exotic materials and designs climb very well. I have no trouble keeping up with my local sport riding club and wannabe middle-age racer buddies. You just have to buy the right bent.

BTW, a friend of mine who is one day older than I am (53) rode 344.1 miles at this year's Sebring 24 hour ultra-marathon event. He did it on a trike with a top gear of only 88 inches. Second place overall went to a 48 y.o. guy on a Bacchetta Aero recumbent, solo with no drafting, at 486.5 miles. That's a 24 hour non-drafting, total time average of over 20 mph.

Bob,
My speeds are for mid-Michigan, which isn't known for its hills. Most of my climbs are in small chunks of 40-80 vertical feet. For instance, the century ride I did had only 3 'major' hills of 150 vertical feet, 8% grade (along with lots and lots of small rolling things.) I've never been to Hawaii, but I've heard that if you get away from the coast, you get to climb - lots. For those kind of climbs, speed averages start becoming relative - you just can't compare them to someone riding on flat land. I know that if there are very many double-digit grades on a ride, my averages will quickly drop into the mid-17 mph range.

As Dennis wrote, some recumbents are better at climbing than others. I surprised a few upright riders this year by keeping up with them on a 20% grade. But the oft-quoted recumbent speed advantage isn't automatic. All recumbents are not created equal, regardless of what anybody might tell you to the contrary. One of my bents is roughly equal to an upright for speed; while the one in my avatar is quite a bit faster on flats and nearly as fast on climbs. Plenty of them are slower, too. One peculiarity of bent riders is that a larger percentage of them become builders. I'm no exception there - I am currently making a frame of my own design. It will have a 24" seat height (compared to 13" seat height on my lowracer) and use dual-700c wheels. I expect it to be almost as fast as my lowracer on flat ground, climb better, and much less likely to be hidden behind a parked car.

Let me cover multiple posts here:

> Alone over 100 mi in flat FL I can av 16mph and in hilly GA about 14mph <

I retired from Georgia so I know parts of it are pretty hilly - or mountanous while others are pretty flat.

Hard to compare with here since the hills would be hard to match up, but I don't know if I could do 16+ for 100 miles even if completely flat. Maybe I could (assuming no wind). After all, I did 15 mph for 53 miles once with the hills here.

> The newer recumbents that utilize exotic materials and designs climb very well. I have no trouble keeping up with my local sport riding club and wannabe middle-age racer buddies. You just have to buy the right bent. <

Interesting. I wouldn't think the materials would be an issue - after all, wouldn't they be available for regular bikes? But I can easily envison improvements in design. What are some of these good bents - I'm almost afraid of what exotic materials will do to the cost though!

> I've heard that if you get away from the coast, you get to climb - lots. <

Oh yeah! But even on the coast, there are places like Diamond Head and beyond it, Koko Head area (2 places). Also, sometimes the coast may be pretty flat, but the road you would normally take is a little way further inland - not necessarily much, but that can be all it takes to be climbing.

I wish I had a GPS to measure altitude at the bottom/top of hills. At least I could make some comparisons with others.

I have climbed Tantalus a handful of times. Not sure how far about sea level it starts, but I do know that less than 3 miles up (out of 5), there is a part which, as I recall, is around 1100-1200 feet up - I met a guy with a GPS unit there! And I still have two miles of climbing to do.

I think the top of Diamond Head is about 760 feet, but that is the rim, not where you ride a bike so that doesn't help much.

Concerning these faster bents, do any of them have a standard wheelbase that would fit on a bus bike rack designed for normal bikes? I guess they have some flexibility, but maybe not for the fast bents.

I wouldn't think the materials would be an issue - after all, wouldn't they be available for regular bikes? But I can easily envison improvements in design. What are some of these good bents - I'm almost afraid of what exotic materials will do to the cost though!
...
Concerning these faster bents, do any of them have a standard wheelbase that would fit on a bus bike rack designed for normal bikes? I guess they have some flexibility, but maybe not for the fast bents.

By 'exotic materials,' I think Dennis meant carbon or Ti, which are already available for uprights. Metallic hydrogen is 'out' for this season, dut to problems with tensile strength and its nasty tendancy to explode. ;) One of the biggest problems with bents and climbing is that the rider has to learn how to climb while seated. A lot of upright riders who really care about climbing prowess, need to stand.

Some of the newer highracers have almost-standard wheelbases. For instance, the RANS Force5 (http://www.ransbikes.com/2005bikes/F5XP.htm) comes in a 43" wheelbase, which is about the same as a touring upright. The RANS is chromo steel, and IMHO still a bit on the heavy side to be a great climber. I'm not entirely happy with any of the current offerings, which is why I'm building one.

By 'exotic materials,' I think Dennis meant carbon or Ti, which are already available for uprights. Metallic hydrogen is 'out' for this season, dut to problems with tensile strength and its nasty tendancy to explode. ;) One of the biggest problems with bents and climbing is that the rider has to learn how to climb while seated. A lot of upright riders who really care about climbing prowess, need to stand.

Some of the newer highracers have almost-standard wheelbases. For instance, the RANS Force5 (http://www.ransbikes.com/2005bikes/F5XP.htm) comes in a 43" wheelbase, which is about the same as a touring upright. The RANS is chromo steel, and IMHO still a bit on the heavy side to be a great climber. I'm not entirely happy with any of the current offerings, which is why I'm building one.

I would agree with the above. My comment about exotic materials was in reference to new recumbents versus the heavier recumbents that many of us were exposed to in the past. Many people still have a picture of a 35-40# recumbent with fat tires in their mind and the current models out there don't reflect that.

-Dennis

Hi Bob,
Answers to your questions
1. I am 61
2. Since I was 43
3. My standard ride is 40 km (25 miles) on fairly flat ground using a light (9.5 kg) racer. I ride mith my hands on the brake levers rather than on the drops. I average 29-30 km/hr (18.1-18.7 mph) provided that there is only a light wind . This is in summer time and since I live in Sweden the season is basically from middle of April to end September. On a more leisurely pace I average around 28 km/hr (17.5 mph) while even if I almost kill myseelf I rarely get above 32 km/hr (20 mph)
Regards Hakan

I think you're in the ballpark. I just turned 60, I live in pretty mountainous territory, and my average speeds run from about 14 early in the season to 16 or so in August (we've been snowed in since Dec. 30; I got on the bike Sunday for the first time in seven weeks). I've been riding off and on for 35 years, and semi-seriously since I had to quit running (knees) in my late 40s.
I see a lot of people faster than I am, but the only ones my age who are consistently faster are the body Nazis (I have a friend who's 58, and last year he rode from Reno, Nev., to Yosemite in one long day, about 150 miles with several 8000-foot passes. But he's nuts--he's retired, and cycling is his whole life).
I keep a bike at work, and my office is right next to a riverfront cycling path where I can go 18 miles on almost dead flat pavement. I've done it in less than an hour (59:57), but that's really rare. A typical time would be about 1:12.
Finally, if you want to go faster longer, the only way to do it is to ride longer. When I'm training for a century (I try to do one a year, just to prove I still can), I'll ride for five or six hours a couple of times a week, and I know people my age who do a lot more.

When I was regularly (well, sort of) commuting, I did 18 miles in exactly one hour on the trail system here. Included about 1.5 miles of city streets (4 lane road), 2 street crossings and 2 traffic lights. Some uphill going to work, downhill coming back, but no real "hills." I was 60 then.

(For Denverites, the route was

Park at Cherry Creek Mall, take CC Trail to PRGW, PRGW north to Clear Creek trail, west to Pecos, North on Pecos under I-70 to next light, turn left and go in on back streets to Clear Lake Middle School).

> I can go 18 miles on almost dead flat pavement. I've done it in less than an hour (59:57), but that's really rare. A typical time would be about 1:12. <

I guess I'm similar - I can go 17.6 miles in 1:02:03 - well, I did that once! But usually it is more like 1:12 or so on a decent day.

> Finally, if you want to go faster longer, the only way to do it is to ride longer. When I'm training for a century (I try to do one a year, just to prove I still can), I'll ride for five or six hours a couple of times a week, and I know people my age who do a lot more. <

Well, I've certainly been riding longer the past 2 months or so since prior to that my typical rides were 26-32 miles and then a "short" ride became 40 miles. I think I mainly need to spend more of my ride pushing harder because my long rides were mostly about distance and not time, so I was taking it easier.

Bob

I'm 52 and ride 7-8000 km. a year. I commute to work in the nice weather 21 km each way. I ride leisurely most days, averaging 24 kms/hr. Lots of stoplights, etc, to slow down the average. I train most of the summer in a very hilly area north of Kingston, ONtario. Last summer I averaged 34 km/hr over a 40 km ride during my triathlon. I was really pleased with this result..... as the top average was only 38, and by pro's no less.
I purchased a new bike this year and hope to go a bit faster. Just riding and being outside and improving and maintaining my overall fitness it the most important factor. I play hockey and ski and find that cycling truly improves the overall aerobic capacity without the hammering I take running and playing active sports.
Hockey

I am 62, will be 63 in May and carrying 60 extra pounds. I have been riding regular since 1999 after a 20 year layoff. I ride a lot of club rides of 60 to 100+ miles. 4,500 club and commute miles last year. Including rest stops I can average 10 -12 mph. On level ground I can maintain 16-18 mph. Headwinds and hills are my downfall. Just completed my first century of the year Saturday with a overall average of just under 10 mph. My daily 5.2 mile commute one way is usually 25 minutes with 14 possible stop lights. A good headwind can make that 45 minutes though.
Phil

So:

What is your age?

How long have you been riding?

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

Thanks, Bob

I just turned 53, have been riding for the last four years, and average only 10 mph. However, I mainly consider myself a touring cyclist. At age 51, I toured for several weeks through all of VA and into part of KY. I am slow, but determined. I rode between 40-56 miles per day with a full load (camping gear, clothing, everything). I rested about every 1-1.5 hours. As the weeks wore on, I felt stronger and stronger, until climbing hills became somewhat easier, but never a piece of cake. As long as I take it easy and rest often, I am glad to report that my age has not stopped me from touring. In fact, if all goes as planned, I'll be doing a coast to coast tour, beginning in May. It's a FANTASTIC way of experiencing life from a unique vantage point. I am so excited about this I'm about ready to burst!!

Wolfy

Age 58.
Bike 100 miles per week.
On-road average speed is 22 to 30 km/hr (I think that's 13 to 18 mph), depending on traffic (I ride in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which is very flat, but can get congested).
36 of the 100 miles is usually on pretty bad dirt roads, loaded with potholes a water buffalo can wallow in, or filled with rubble. Go slower there of course.
Have good days and bad.
Gave up running for biking - easier on the back and knees.

What is your age?

51

How long have you been riding?

This time about 2 years ... rode a lot in my 20's (that was a long time ago!)

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?

10 to 12 miles with some small hills and little wind (+/-) 14MPH

What is your age?
60 years old.

How long have you been riding?
Since 1999.

How fast do you average on a solo ride of 10 miles or more without trying to kill yourself?
About 16-18 mph on a 20 mile ride with a few small hills. On my usual ride of 25-40 miles it drops to 13.8-14.5 with 5-15 miles of big hills. :o

I usually try to "kill myself" on weekend rides. I'm out riding for fitness and to keep the weight off.
I go slower on my commuter, especially in the morning on my way to work. My muscles aren't awake. ;) I ride harder and faster on my way home. :eek: