Originally Posted by Wheels4
Sawtooth... you're right. when i'm on flats and taking it easy... 15-18mph and when i'm moving at my good pace... 21-25 if i'm not mistaken. i have two big hills that i climb at roughly 5-7mph(it's slow, but they are rough hills and i'm just happy to not stop) on the back side of one of the two big hills.. my top speed is roughly 40-44mph(today was 39mph). there are also 2 more long hills with less angle, than the two big hills, that i climb at roughly 10-14mph(these are the leg burners).
and to be honest... i can't remember the last time i rode and wind wasn't a factor. it seems to be always blowing against me(although i know it's not).
Rich
edit: the 15-18 is when i'm feeling comfortable, not taking it easy. easy would obviously be less than 15mph. just had to clarify.
In that case, you are moving along pretty fast. I am a club member with some very fast racers and most of our zone 2 rides (able maintain enough breath to talk to each other) are about 17-22 mph. So alone and on a long commute like that the speeds you describe are quite fast.
There are all kinds of commuters. Some like to smell the flowers, others think that if they are not hurting they are not working hard enough. It just depends on what your goals and personality are. Personally, I HATE to be passed and I hunt down cyclists ahead of me like prey even if they are only cruising along at 10 mph. That is the way I like it. I know they aren't racing me, but I am racing them in my mind and its fun. Its not about overtaking them, its about overtaking them within a given distance.
Have fun out there.
Troy