hipster_doofus

I never could break 30mph, and today I only got to 32. Is this a reasonable limit? I still ride with my bars pretty high. Before today I thought it was a technical limit of my wireless computer. I'm paranoid the thing is always lying to me.

Also, when I ride with a helmet (which is always of course ) the wind noise is insanely loud. I'm used to driving with the windows down, even on the interstate highways, but I know it's bad for my hearing. Am I doing it wrong? Do you guys wear music in your ears or earplugs or just ignore it?

Finally don't feel obligated to read this unless you drive a BMW and you yelled a bunch of stuff I couldn't understand except for the word "sidewalk" -- you really shouldn't have a license. Furthermore if you're one of the two people who turned left on a green across my lane, I hope next time I break your windshield and crush the life out of you with my chubby physique.

botto 

insightful login choice.

hipster_doofus

I know right?

This guy was riding to class today on a skateboard Bart Simpson style (pushing off goofy or whatever) and a some d-bag says, in a really demeaning voice, "You're using the wrong foot." That made me feel a lot better.

furiousferret

32 isn't that great, if that's your sprinting top speed. I never use earplugs, but then again, I dont ride on busy freeways either.

I drive a Mercedes, so this thread is below me. Reading it makes me feel like a commoner though.

mista_chewey

maybe your computer is lying to you in a bad way (making you think you're faster than you really are). mine says i got 34.6, but according to the gps unit i had in my pocket my max was only 33.5. so which one is more trust worthy?
i usually ignore wind noise, cuz i rarely get up to the 30s only during sprints

veggie_lover

Unless your speedometer is calibrated with a simple roll-out, it is mostly likely reporting speeds 5-10% too high.

mista_chewey

i think i did that measurement when i first got the bike. maybe my weight on the wheels affected it?

127.0.0.1

u should be able to sprint to 36 mph pretty much with a stomach made from Oreos and Beer

u should hit 40 mph if you call yerself a biker. that's Boonen level. 36 is joe-shmoe, sorta- pretty
fit, alley-cat, no real direction, junk type level

hipster_doofus

Okay. Wow. I'm really slow then. I was talking about going down hills. I'm going to get off the internet, sulk momentarily, and then come back after I can do 35 on flat ground.

As for the computer, I have a cheaper one and I was thinking it had an upper bound limit or something .. turns out I'm just fat.

SKYLAB

hmmm could ye be riding a single speed? that might explain it. Or maybe those are shallow hills?
As long as you're riding often enough you'll be getting stronger. Speed will come.
NEVER to ear plugs. I need to be able to hear cars on the road around me. As well as hot chicks when the compliment me on my stylish arm warmers.
Nice vented at the finish.

Creakyknees

a simple way to check your computer accuracy:

find a high school running track. they are almost always 4 laps to a mile. ride 4 laps. look at your computer, does it say 1 mile?

if not, fix it.

HastyDeparture

It's not a mile, it's 1600m. If you got exactly one mile, your computer is off. This also assumes, of course, that you're sticking to the inside of lane 1.

127.0.0.1

oh then downhills and I am guessing hipster doofus so fixie right ?/ then 40 downhill is not unreasonable
with a good high cadence on some standard hipster track gearing

Crast

Not everyone can sprint at 35. When I sprint, it's rare to pass 26. I don't like going more than 30-32 downhill because chances are some car will pass me on the downhill, then turn into a shopping plaza and I'll just splat right into their side. Just go at whatever speed you can manage / you feel safe at.

f4rrest

Ride a motorcycle. Then the wind noise on your bicycle will seem quiet.

fordmanvt

I second the no ear plugs.

I can coast down hill at 45mph, but I suppose you have to climb a hill to coast down one...

Geewhiz

This post makes me want to kill myself. I ride everyday, am in the best shape of my life, and have never hit 40mph--even going downhill while spinning my big chain ring. Seriously, is this a joke, or should I drown my sorrows in oreos and beer (they probably can't make me any slower).

I can't ride w/out earplugs. All the BMW drivers who yell at me would make me deaf.

umd

40mph downhill should not be too difficult. Check all the "your top speed" threads for specifics. As for me, I've sprinted to just under 40 on flat ground and I've hit 55 downhill. I averaged over 37mph for nearly 10 miles in my race on Sunday, barely pedaling (green line is cadence)



The white line is at the max speed, just under 50.

Duration: 15:50
Work: 31 kJ
Distance: 9.861 mi
Elevation Gain: 36 ft
Elevation Loss: 3644 ft
Grade: -6.9 % (-3608 ft)
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 373 33 watts
Heart Rate: 97 142 114 bpm
Cadence: 1 112 80 rpm
Speed: 4.2 47.8 37.5 mph

hipster_doofus

Okay--that's the thing. I've been on hills, and no matter how steep they are I cannot coast over 29. Maybe I'm dragging a parachute. I'll check out said "top speed" threads.

umd

that article didn't describe the grade of those "hills", or the terrain except to say the typical height was about 400 feet. I can coast to 40 on a 6% grade and 50+ on a 10% given a straight enough run. If you can't get over 30 you either have too much drag, aren't on a steep enough or long enough hill.

uke

I use earphones as earplugs. Adds the benefit of music to the ride.