Originally Posted by
surak
I'm new to Strava and noticed some absurd speeds (120 mi/h) on a segment of my commute that led to me discovering a lot of logged segments crossing the SR-520 bridge that predate the opening of the trail that made it even possible to ride across (outside of sanctioned events) -- everyone would have had to get on a bus or other vehicle. The fastest "riders" were hitting north of 50 mi/h across so I started flagging them, including the history of the bridge in the explanation field. Am I being over-zealous? It's not like I'm even close to KOM anything, so there's no skin in it for me, and some of these segments have been around for over a year so seems that no one else bothered.
Probably better when those are flagged by someone who doesn't have a stake in the game, as you've said.
I'd bet many unusually fast KOMs are unintentionally the result of people forgetting to turn off Strava before driving home, and not knowing how to crop. No harm in flagging those.
But some KOMs that may seem impossible at a glance may be legit. Under the right conditions a strong rider can get up some incredible speed on tailwind assisted downhills. On a nearby segment with only a 0.7 mile continuous downhill of 2%-4%, some local riders have managed 44 mph with 50 mph peaks, with a decent tailwind. My best on that segment is 33 mph with 40 mph peaks. Even with a tailwind I don't have the legs or bike to do much better. An aero bike and skinsuit might gain me a little speed, but I'd need better legs and tailwind to come close to those 40+ mph speeds.
But my mundane effort indicates a really strong pro could average 50 mph on that slope, given the right conditions. Although nowadays they'd need to run a four way stop sign to get up enough steam before the segment start. There were no stop signs hindering cyclists or drivers when those top ten records were set. The stop signs went up late last year and I've watched too many cars fly through without slowing, so I don't take chances now.
Ditto some seemingly incredible speeds on local climbs. Those are usually a combination of strong riders in peak condition and a healthy tailwind -- virtually all local KOMs on north/sound segments are wind assisted, including my own personal bests.
Normally I'm a mediocre climber, very middle of the pack on Strava. But this week I managed to snag the number 2 spot with a 17-20 mph tailwind, an unusual eastbound wind which we seldom get. Anyone who saw my usual 16-18 mph average on that segment might assume my 26-30 mph speeds this week were cheating, using an e-bike or something else. Nope. Just a healthy tailwind and unusually good legs and lungs that day -- less asthma induced airway constriction, legs felt fresh.
Personally I think Strava should adopt a "real effort" system of some kind to reflect wind conditions. By that system a local woman pro would hold the KOM, not just the QOM. Adjusted for the head wind she was facing her real effort was far more impressive. Let's be serious. I'm 60 years old with asthma and toothpick legs. On my best day in equal conditions I couldn't even draft her for long. She'd drop me on the first set of climbs.