When were you fastest?
11-04-15, 01:41 AM
#1
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When were you fastest?
Assuming it's the past, but maybe it's now. For me, I'd guess summer 1990, age 17, before I was corrupted, but I'd love a chance to give 17-year-old-me a run for his money now that I have few years under my belt. Same bike, same course, no holds barred. Who's your doppelganger nemesis?
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-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
11-04-15, 02:17 AM
#2
verktyg
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In 2011 at age 67! 
verktyg
Chas.
verktyg
Chas.
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
11-04-15, 03:39 AM
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September 12, 2015
11-04-15, 04:31 AM
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1978-1982 for sure.
I was putting on 6,500 miles a year.
After that the siren song of dirt bikes like my Elsinores became too strong.....
I was putting on 6,500 miles a year.
After that the siren song of dirt bikes like my Elsinores became too strong.....
11-04-15, 04:54 AM
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summer 1972
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Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Last edited by SJX426; 11-04-15 at 04:58 AM.
11-04-15, 04:58 AM
#6
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2007-2010, my triathlon days. I had to make up time for my horrible swimming.
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Semper fi
Semper fi
11-04-15, 05:12 AM
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Running, 1985 - 1988. More mileage/week than I do on the bike, averaged 70-100 miles/week based on the next race.
Cycling was not my big thing, but I regularly went on 21mph rides with a couple of friends, rarely more than 30 miles, though.
Trek 510 was my only bike, and I thought it was quite expensive. Toe clips, running shoes, Bell white helmet with the red stripe.
Last summer, a bike leg in a tri - 40K at 24.5, on a road bike, at 55 years old, felt like Lance, not for the same reason.
I'll never match that, I'm quite sure. I think it was just a good day. Even the tri-boys were impressed.
This summer, same general route, same bike, same triathlon, struggled to 21.5
Cycling was not my big thing, but I regularly went on 21mph rides with a couple of friends, rarely more than 30 miles, though.
Trek 510 was my only bike, and I thought it was quite expensive. Toe clips, running shoes, Bell white helmet with the red stripe.
Last summer, a bike leg in a tri - 40K at 24.5, on a road bike, at 55 years old, felt like Lance, not for the same reason.
I'll never match that, I'm quite sure. I think it was just a good day. Even the tri-boys were impressed.
This summer, same general route, same bike, same triathlon, struggled to 21.5
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 11-04-15 at 05:15 AM.
11-04-15, 06:02 AM
#8
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There is a certain satisfaction and enjoyment to those snapshot memories our minds gather from epic rides. I had one about 2 months ago on a wild 3/4mi sprint segment on a Strava 13.5mi ride. The segment is on a large boardwalk that absorbs energy and rattles your body and stamina. I placed 5th on the year and 10th overall among some fast riders. That is what will keep me going when spring seems a long way off.
Ok, it wasnt a long time ago but then who knows how much longer a 58yr old can do this.
Ok, it wasnt a long time ago but then who knows how much longer a 58yr old can do this.
Last edited by OldsCOOL; 11-04-15 at 06:09 AM.
11-04-15, 06:40 AM
#9
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Heavier objects roll faster down hill.
11-04-15, 06:46 AM
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When was I fastest? Never! I have always been slow...and steady...so...I REALLY like Aesop's fable...Tortoise and Hare!
11-04-15, 06:46 AM
#11
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My fitness level and power to weight was ridiculous in 1979. I weighed 120 pounds, considered myself a runner, and was oblivious to cycling competition or strategies, and never went on a group ride. I rode everywhere in 52-14 except for hills, where I would drop to 52-16. I thought that Super Course was the best bike ever made. Oh to be 20 again, and to be able to hop on the bike without a 2nd thought (or spare tube, or tools) and ride 200 miles.
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11-04-15, 06:56 AM
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There was a stiff wind behind me and it was downhill all the way.
Coincidentally, it was when I was riding alone. It seems whenever I ride with someone, I have a lot of reasons to be slow. whodathunkit.
Coincidentally, it was when I was riding alone. It seems whenever I ride with someone, I have a lot of reasons to be slow. whodathunkit.
11-04-15, 07:04 AM
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1983
Toured, commuted and raced. Did over 20,000 miles that year.
Just got a dialed in Cannondale Crit bike. White. Campy cranks. Suntour Superb rear derailleur. Campy front derailleur. Mavic GP4 rear with Clement Setas and GL330 front with same. I skimped on brakes (dia compe). Campy dedals. Duegi 101 wooden soled shoes. I used to hit 38.5 MPH on my Avocet cycle meter. Was it a Avocet 20? I might still have it in the attic.
I got a job and that magic ride got stolen in Germany.
Now, I am fat, old, and slow.
Toured, commuted and raced. Did over 20,000 miles that year.
Just got a dialed in Cannondale Crit bike. White. Campy cranks. Suntour Superb rear derailleur. Campy front derailleur. Mavic GP4 rear with Clement Setas and GL330 front with same. I skimped on brakes (dia compe). Campy dedals. Duegi 101 wooden soled shoes. I used to hit 38.5 MPH on my Avocet cycle meter. Was it a Avocet 20? I might still have it in the attic.
I got a job and that magic ride got stolen in Germany.
Now, I am fat, old, and slow.
11-04-15, 07:16 AM
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Last weekend. Set my PR FTP during a hard group ride and strained my low back in the process. Not sure I'll ever get to be as good as I could be.
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11-04-15, 07:25 AM
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1995-2002. Rode 3000+ miles each year. Did 65 mile race pace training rides both days of the weekend.
Cyclying was the singular focus. Ended up burned-out, sick, and wasted.
Nowadays, I average around 1000 -1500 miles a year. Don't have the top end I used to, but can still do solo centuries in 5:30.
Cyclying was the singular focus. Ended up burned-out, sick, and wasted.
Nowadays, I average around 1000 -1500 miles a year. Don't have the top end I used to, but can still do solo centuries in 5:30.
11-04-15, 08:05 AM
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I did a 200k back in October. There was a multiple mile downhill section. That was my fastest time, over that type of distance.....gravity is my friend.
11-04-15, 08:51 AM
#20
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It was 35 lbs ago.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
11-04-15, 09:15 AM
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Running about 1994 before I got seriously into road riding.
Riding in 2007. I dabbled a little in racing, was in good form that summer. I remember doing one of the local fast bike shop rides. The local "A" racing team had a couple of guys in the ride and they took a flyer. I jumped with them and I distinctly remember the double take the Cat 2 or 3 guy made when he looked back and saw me on the wheel. I pulled through and stayed with those guys for 8-10 miles before falling back.
I had targeted a race a couple of weeks later for one of my prime ones at the end of the season. I got bronchitis just before the race, got dropped on the first climb and rode solo for 20+ miles. Life took over shortly after that and haven't ridden that fast since although I still feel pretty quick for my 47 years.
Riding in 2007. I dabbled a little in racing, was in good form that summer. I remember doing one of the local fast bike shop rides. The local "A" racing team had a couple of guys in the ride and they took a flyer. I jumped with them and I distinctly remember the double take the Cat 2 or 3 guy made when he looked back and saw me on the wheel. I pulled through and stayed with those guys for 8-10 miles before falling back.
I had targeted a race a couple of weeks later for one of my prime ones at the end of the season. I got bronchitis just before the race, got dropped on the first climb and rode solo for 20+ miles. Life took over shortly after that and haven't ridden that fast since although I still feel pretty quick for my 47 years.
11-04-15, 09:50 AM
#22
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My fastest years were around 1983 to 90, then work and weight gain got in the way..... A short bout of chondromalacia on my right knee caused by too low a saddle, did really slow me down for a few months during those years too....
11-04-15, 09:55 AM
#24
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July 28, 1996. Lake Lanier GA.
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11-04-15, 10:00 AM
#25
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I'd love to be as fast on a lightweight go-faster today..... as I was on my Schwinn Varsity at age 14.