Originally Posted by
dscohen
For reference, I recently completed a one mile-ish segment at an average of 22.2 mph with some kind of tailwind and “only” averaged 160 watts.
With an additional 125 watts at my disposal, I’d likely be averaging 26-27 mph with a similar tailwind…I suspect.
My last ride - 2 dead flat segments, smooth surface. On my new bike, way more aero setup than my typical bike. This is with a tailwind of 5-10 mph
19:15, 20.3 MPH @ 209w
13:28, 19.8 @ 203w
Bike calculator example of the same conditions with a 5 mph tailwind = 24.19 MPH.
KOM for the segment is 27.1 MPH at 213w. Probably a wicked tailwind and a TT bike - but I've hammered the segment at 250+ with a tailwind and come nowhere close to that speed.
Some people are simply more efficient than others.