For best ave. time.....
06-01-06, 06:18 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Rural Watkins Iowa
Posts: 141
Bikes: 06 Bacchetta Giro 20
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For best ave. time.....
Since I'm in training for a 500 mile ride, I'm a bit of a fanatic about keeping track of my ave. speed. I always consider all the conditions when evaluating my performance and now I'm curious...What is the optimum for best ave speed? Flat road out and back with no wind? (I'd actually have not had the pleasure of no wind yet this spring) It would seem you'd gain going down hills what you lost going up but that hasn't really been my experience yet. I suppose that last 10 lbs I need to lose might remedy that? Also, it just doesn't seem I'm able to gain with the wind what I lost against it. Anyone have the facts on these issues?
06-01-06, 06:32 AM
#2
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
You are fighting the laws of physics here.
And your perception is exactly right.
Wind drag increases in a logarithmic fashion. Twice the speed, 4 times more drag.
Please see this excellent article, a portion of which is excerpted here:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/wind.html
Therefore, when you descend you are relatively less efficient as a greater portion of your slowing comes from the wind resistance which has greatly increased at a higher speed.
Likewise, a tail wind does not make up for fighting against a head wind.
And your perception is exactly right.
Wind drag increases in a logarithmic fashion. Twice the speed, 4 times more drag.
Please see this excellent article, a portion of which is excerpted here:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/wind.html
Wind drag is a nonlinear function of the relative wind. That is, drag does not increase in proportion (linearly) to wind but rather with the square of its speed relative to the rider. Relative wind-speed is the sum of wind and rider speed, which in still air is equal to rider speed. Direct head- and tailwinds can be combined by addition with rider speed to give relative wind-speed.
Likewise, a tail wind does not make up for fighting against a head wind.
The graphs show how both headwinds and crosswinds affect performance, and that, in an out-and-back time trial, a tailwind does not makes up for time lost riding into a headwind of the same speed. The effect of crosswinds is probably the most interesting because it has been the subject of much controversial conjecture. Although analytical, these curves accurately show the effect on bicyclists.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 06-01-06 at 07:01 AM.
06-01-06, 06:53 AM
#3
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,379
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
I haven't done a scientific study, but by how I "feel" I think that occasional gently rolling hills are best for average speed. I think the extra exertion of getting up the hill is made up for by the rest dueing the descents.
I have come to this conclusion by comparing rail trails and/or exercycles to the local roads. There may be other factors, but I have formed a hypothesis with no real way to test it.
However, as a little evidence, I got off the exercycle last night to refill my water bottle, and when I got back on, I had to check the resistance bcase it felt like it had been lowered... I think periodic rest may help muscles last longer. Of course, if you are doing a 10K timetrial, then your muscles should be burning when you are done.
I have come to this conclusion by comparing rail trails and/or exercycles to the local roads. There may be other factors, but I have formed a hypothesis with no real way to test it.
However, as a little evidence, I got off the exercycle last night to refill my water bottle, and when I got back on, I had to check the resistance bcase it felt like it had been lowered... I think periodic rest may help muscles last longer. Of course, if you are doing a 10K timetrial, then your muscles should be burning when you are done.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
06-01-06, 01:47 PM
#4
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
If I want to judge myself for average speed- top speed or any other speed - it would be over the same route in similar conditions. When I do occasionally ride on the road- we have a few set routes and all are different. One route is relatively flat with only one long drag in it but lots of tight corners that have to be braked for and accellerated from. Then another couple of routes take in some severe hills and a few fast downhills- then once again if I start out wanting and easy ride- we take to the Marshes with no hills steeper than 2% and no longer than 200yards and relatively long straights.
My average speed over these rides will vary from 12mph to 18mph- then take in the weather- cold rain or frost does slow me down and a 35mph headwind is not nice. Then realise that it is on a mountain bike and I may still have knobblies on and you can see taht I cannot even think about an average for one ride is good or bad.
Then there is the distance involved- I take it slower on a 50 mile ride than I would for a 30miler. Then there is how fit I am.
I can see why you have have asked the question but only one person can tell you the answer.
My average speed over these rides will vary from 12mph to 18mph- then take in the weather- cold rain or frost does slow me down and a 35mph headwind is not nice. Then realise that it is on a mountain bike and I may still have knobblies on and you can see taht I cannot even think about an average for one ride is good or bad.
Then there is the distance involved- I take it slower on a 50 mile ride than I would for a 30miler. Then there is how fit I am.
I can see why you have have asked the question but only one person can tell you the answer.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
06-01-06, 05:18 PM
#5
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have been satisfied with gradual increases in my average speed over a variety of rides over time. Four years ago, I got excited at average speeds over 11 mph. Today, regardless of conditions (other than the most extreme) I seldom fall below an average speed of 15 mph, unless intentionally recovering or riding with the spouse. Four years ago a distance over 10 miles also thrilled me. Today my daily ride is a monimum of 20. Gradual positive progress, to me anyway, is quite gratifying.
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
06-01-06, 06:08 PM
#6
Let's do a Century
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times
in
408 Posts
I agree with dgreg...at least for my riding style. I'd favor rolling hills with no wind to maximize speed related to overall effort. I'll take hills over a head wind anyday. I assume the physics would support that the optimum for overall speed is flat......
06-01-06, 08:16 PM
#7
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,798
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,325 Times
in
837 Posts
Originally Posted by jppe
I ... I assume the physics would support that the optimum for overall speed is flat......
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-01-06, 08:56 PM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For me, and it's personal, on a mainly flat course with turns and some rolls I can average 16.5 mph for a 20 mile ride. When I go 40 to 60 miles my average drops to around 15.
06-02-06, 07:26 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rural Wyoming
Posts: 295
Bikes: '73 Schwinn Varsity, 1964 Schwinn Racer, 1954 Schwinn Jaguar, 1950's Puch Bergmeister, 1980 Schwinn High Plains, 1973 Flandria, 1980's Diamondback Sorrento, 2001 Jamis Aurora
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
50mph tailwind the entire way makes my average jump a bit...
