When were you fastest?
#51
aka Tom Reingold
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I've never been particularly fast, but I'm about as fast as I ever was. But I probably won't get faster, either. I tried racing last summer for my second time and did badly. It doesn't matter, as I had fun. My first time was way back in 1983 or so.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#52
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I also seemed to have a much easier time riding laser straight down the road (without even thinking about or putting any effort to do so) back in the 80's. Now it doesn't seem to come as natural to me anymore. Crap!
#53
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Hawaii, from 1996 to 1999. Hills, heat, humidity and humility all worked together to ensure I stayed at peak fitness. I spent a lot of time in the pool doing laps during that timeframe, too. Wish I could get back to that level of fitness today! Early- to mid-30s.
DD
DD
#55
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Late 20s and early 30s. I just started getting road riding and commuting twenty miles on a 39/16 fixed gear. I had one road bike and one fixed gear. Now I've got bikes for every day of the week and ride only one or two just a few days of the week to the post office.
#56
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I was my fastest just last weekend. I rode with my usual Saturday group up to a market in the foothills & stopped for a snack. After a while I went back to my bike for a water bottle & when I looked at my bars my speedometer read 139.9 mph & the miles were clicking away. The overhead power lines must have caused it to max out. What was about a 50 mile ride showed 155 miles & a 36 mph average speed by the time I got home.
Really, I was my best in the late 70's when I was Cat 1/2 pack filler.
Really, I was my best in the late 70's when I was Cat 1/2 pack filler.
#57
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Hopefully next year. Current focuses are form, heart rate and dropping some weight. MTB, road and rollers this winter. I did notice a good amount of improvement over this past summer, so that's nice.
#58
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Today. Strava doesn't lie. PR'd on North St. Moves me into 5th place for the year (out of 88) and 14th overall (out of 156). 1 (out of 2) in the over 65 set. There's others, but you get the idea. Long uphlls, they're tough, now.
Pre Strava, so no records, I was faster back in 67-68, especially on the downhill side of the Kangamangus (sp?) HiWay.
Pre Strava, so no records, I was faster back in 67-68, especially on the downhill side of the Kangamangus (sp?) HiWay.
#59
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1983
Toured, commuted and raced. Did over 20,000 miles that year.
Just got a dialed in Cannondale Crit bike. White. Campy cranks. Suntour Superb rear derailleur. Campy front derailleur. Mavic GP4 rear with Clement Setas and GL330 front with same. I skimped on brakes (dia compe). Campy dedals. Duegi 101 wooden soled shoes. I used to hit 38.5 MPH on my Avocet cycle meter. Was it a Avocet 20? I might still have it in the attic.
I got a job and that magic ride got stolen in Germany.
Now, I am fat, old, and slow.
Toured, commuted and raced. Did over 20,000 miles that year.
Just got a dialed in Cannondale Crit bike. White. Campy cranks. Suntour Superb rear derailleur. Campy front derailleur. Mavic GP4 rear with Clement Setas and GL330 front with same. I skimped on brakes (dia compe). Campy dedals. Duegi 101 wooden soled shoes. I used to hit 38.5 MPH on my Avocet cycle meter. Was it a Avocet 20? I might still have it in the attic.
I got a job and that magic ride got stolen in Germany.
Now, I am fat, old, and slow.
DUEGI 101 Wooden soled shoes. I loved those shoes. Finally split one right down the middle. Hated parting with those. Fastest times on the bike when I was 33. 1985.. Routinely kicked the crap out of young CAT 2 riders. Fun times. NOW OLD and SLOW and lovin it!
#60
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Thursday night track races at Northbrook velodrome in the mid 70's. Nothing like being thrown into the fray, just before the 200 meter line, on the back stretch, in the end of night 20 mile Madison style team race. Whoosh!
#61
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Commuting 5 years ago in northern Colorado with a 50 lb. rig, most days of the week. In spite of the thin air and hills, I averaged 20+mph, when the wind and/or traffic didn't conspire against me.
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Between the stiff Cannonwhale and those shoes, I went from not being able to contest club race sprints to winning them rather often. I look on e-Bay all the time for a pair of these shoes. Loved them. The would be perfect for my 1972 vintage Masi Gran Crit
#63
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Last year. One answer that never changes.
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jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#64
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Changed my mind. As a Cubs fan the only answer is next year will be the year.
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I've never been much into "fast". Always liked to ride at a good clip in my late 20's, early 30's.
But when I think of the descents I used to do down the canyons of the Rocky Mtns back then,
it makes me quiver with fear now.
But back then I was more concerned with how fast I could go up the canyon, rather than down it.
But when I think of the descents I used to do down the canyons of the Rocky Mtns back then,
it makes me quiver with fear now.
But back then I was more concerned with how fast I could go up the canyon, rather than down it.
#67
The Drive Side is Within
Summer 2010. "Trained" all winter cargo biking, commuting, and picking up kids by bicycle. Rode a local Century on a $40 Panasonic and was first through the 50 mile mark even though I left 20 minutes late and rode out solo almost the whole course. Got passed by the lead group at mile 95 when I bonked, but it was an awesome ride. Was at my fighting weight of 185, too. 20 lbs heavier now...
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The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
#68
aka Tom Reingold
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I have an amended statement. I may be as fast on a bike as I ever was, but my body is not as flexible as it was. Nowadays I don't run while crossing the street, because if I wrench a muscle, I could fall. So age is taking a toll, but I'm coping reasonably well. I need to take up yoga for overall fitness.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#69
1/2 as far in 2x the time
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1975. Racing as a 2nd year jr. Got pneumonia in the fall and was given prednisone to compete. Bad mistake. Got much worse and it reignited my childhood athsma. Tried for another season but wasn't even able to do 85%.
I'm faster now than I was this spring. Not fast, but faster.
Cheers, Eric
I'm faster now than I was this spring. Not fast, but faster.
Cheers, Eric
Last edited by Last ride 76; 11-05-15 at 12:33 PM.
#70
1/2 as far in 2x the time
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1975. Racing as a 2nd year jr. Got pneumonia in fall and was given prednisone to compete. Bad mistake. Got much worse and it reignited my childhood athsma, which came
Cheers, Eric
I'm faster now than I was this spring. Not fast, but faster.
Cheers, Eric
I'm faster now than I was this spring. Not fast, but faster.
#71
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I started racing when I was 13. By 16, I was racing Cat. 3 adults. I think I was in my best form at age 17, (1990) when I put in a solid 3rd place showing at the Southern California (District 3) TT championship and 4th in the districts road race (I think Fast Freddie Rodriguez may have won both). I was consistently good, but never exceptional. Had a lot of top 6 finishes but only one win. Still, those summer months as a teenager were idyllic--few obligations, great roads in all directions from my house, a swimming pool at home for a post-ride cool down, and a lucrative (for a teenager) job 3-4 nights a week delivering pizzas to fund bike parts and race entry fees. Ah, to be young and carefree! Age 18 season went well, but not great, and I think I was starting to burn out. Then I went to college, where I continued to delivery pizzas, but at that point my money was going to tuition, rent, books, beer and other vices. Stopped riding almost entirely in order to focus on school and socializing. Fast forward a couple decades...
Now that I'm in my 40s, I'm riding more than I have since high school. I don't have the top speed I once did, except on a straight downhill. I can still push a decent pace, but lack the explosiveness (and fearlessness) needed to compete in crits and have too much excess weight to hang with fast riders on hilly courses. But I find the biggest difference is the recovery. Not just from day to day, but especially mid-way through rides. I used to try to challenge every sprint and summit on group rides. Now I have to hold something back on longer rides, not try to go all-out for the top of a climb in the middle of a ride for fear that I'll end up limping home. I'm getting faster, but I know I'll probably never be as fast as I once was.
Now that I'm in my 40s, I'm riding more than I have since high school. I don't have the top speed I once did, except on a straight downhill. I can still push a decent pace, but lack the explosiveness (and fearlessness) needed to compete in crits and have too much excess weight to hang with fast riders on hilly courses. But I find the biggest difference is the recovery. Not just from day to day, but especially mid-way through rides. I used to try to challenge every sprint and summit on group rides. Now I have to hold something back on longer rides, not try to go all-out for the top of a climb in the middle of a ride for fear that I'll end up limping home. I'm getting faster, but I know I'll probably never be as fast as I once was.
#72
aka Tom Reingold
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Another addendum: I descend more daringly than anyone I know. Maybe I'll die on a descent.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#73
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#75
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Early-mid 1980s when I was racing cat 2. I didn't feel fast when the 7-11 & Mengoni teams showed up.
1 race, there were about 15 of us in a lead group. Suddenly 1 guy attacks and is out of sight in about 30 seconds. I ask "who was that ??"
Reply: "Steve Bauer" ... he was probably showering when we crossed the line.
Wish I had a power meter then to see what my max power was, compared to now.
1 race, there were about 15 of us in a lead group. Suddenly 1 guy attacks and is out of sight in about 30 seconds. I ask "who was that ??"
Reply: "Steve Bauer" ... he was probably showering when we crossed the line.
Wish I had a power meter then to see what my max power was, compared to now.
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Last edited by Homebrew01; 11-05-15 at 09:11 PM.