Originally Posted by Zouf
Ok, just one last number to compare - TTT at the Tour. 67.5 km (42.2 miles), winning team (Disco, of course) did 1:10.39, for 57.3 km/h (35.8 mph). Last team (AG2R) did 53.6 km/h (33.5 mph). Aero bikes, the whole thing. The first 40 kms on the flat, with a tailwind; last 20 kms a bit more technical, some rollers, crosswind. So if your mid-week rides maintain 33 mph no sweat on 40 miles runs, there are a lot of pro teams waiting to sign your group on.
Mind you, from what I read here, a lot of the "group rides" being mentioned in the thread actually seem like high-level amateur/semi-pro training sessions, and that kind of pace is quite possible at that level - perhaps not over 40 miles, but certainly over some extended periods. Not quite what one would expect of the local bike shop "let's get together on Wednesday night" ride, though.
Those TTT speeds are nothing compared to the finishes on flat stages. With six or seven teams throwing there domestiques into the front to fend off attackes, the field will be turning an 53/12 or 11 for miles and miles at speeds of 40 MPH
before the sprint.
And I don't know what kind of riding you do, but lots of training ride in these parts consist of high level amateurs, semi-pros and retired pros.