BobbyG

I usually average 13 mph over the 9 mile mostly downhill ride to work. This morning I had a stiff tailwind and for the first 6 miles I averaged 31 mph! The last 2 miles were mostly into the wind, but I was still smiling.

The wind shifted around almost 180-degrees for the ride home, but it was not as strong. Although I did average 13 mph instead of the usual 12 (uphill) and the steepest section of the route wasn't too bad.

Just wanted to share.

bpcyclist

Good for you. I'm not sure I see 31 mph all that often...

BobbyG

On another route there is a 1/2 mile downhill where I regularly see low to mid 30s with little or no effort. a few years ago I used to pump it there and see how fast I could ride. I hit 44mph once, but I scared myself and no longer go that fast. If there were no traffic I might try to top that, but there's always traffic now.

Korina

Good on you; I chicken out at 30. To be fair, that particular hill has grates and lots of debris, including glass, and high-speed traffic.

noglider 

That sounds like fun. In NYC, my average times are very low because of all the stopping and going. At the end of my ride, I often see 11 or 12 mph, but if I had an open road, I guess it would be above 13 mph. We also have a lot of wind, and I notice it affects my average speed more than any other factor.

Notso_fastLane

My ~5 mile commute is a gradual uphill ride (312 ft) so not very steep, but pretty constant. My average spd to work is typically about 11 mph. On the way home, that same gradual hill lets me easily cruise (in a velomobile) at just south of 40 mph. The speed limit is 30.

The cool thing about the velo is that the wind barely affects me at all. On nearly level ground, I can cruise at 23 mph into a pretty stiff headwind and not even notice it. The flipside is that tailwinds don't really help much either.

I've hit 65 mph in my velo on a short, steep hill near work. I think once I close the foot holes and get the race cap, I should be able to push 70 down that hill.

davei1980

Opposite for me today - holy headwind batman! I have a 1x10 drivetrain and I was in 1 to 2 gears LOWER than average on my way to work this am!

I also hate the side gusts that take you by surprise - I have bar ends mounted inside my brake levers so I can get in to an aero tuck but you don't have QUITE as much control as when you're on the grips so when a gust hits your side, it's unnerving (I can send pics of my setup if this is confusing)

bpcyclist

Gusting to 31 here at the moment. Was going to go out, but not really feeling it at the moment...

BobbyG

That was my bar setup on my snow bike until this fall when I converted that bikes to drops.
Count Me As One of the Converted...

bpcyclist

Okay, Tragically, had to go to the store tonight. FIrst sideways rain of the year. Yessss!!!!!

Notso_fastLane

I spent 8 years in Wichita KS commuting. I do not miss the winds there.

noglider 

Can you give us an idea of what they're like there? The descriptions I've heard are like nothing I've experienced, yet I complain about wind often. I should shut up. I think I'm just sensitive to wind since I'm thin and light.

Notso_fastLane

Typical day, 10-15 mph with almost no time of calm. You could tie a kite to a fencepost, and it would stay airborne for weeks....

"Windy" in KS usually means 20-30 mph, and those weren't unusual at all. I'd say at least one day/week. Biking was miserable, even riding a motorcycle was a pain.

Korina

...'til it was snagged by a passing tornado...