recursive

So today, a guy (on a SS/FG no less) blew past me, and it made me stop and realize: despite seing at least half a dozen other cyclists every time I commute, I can't remember the last time one passed me. Who likes to commute "fast"?

RonH

It depends what section of my commute I'm riding.
Today I had to ride fast in a section that is usually a slow paced ride because a city bus was behind me. It was a narrow two-lane road and there was no way was he going to try and squeeze by me. Been there! Done that!

roadfix

It all depends on how 'wet' I'd like to be when I arrive at work...

CBBaron

I can't seem to pace myself. Unless I'm riding with someone else, I am usually pushing myself. When I feel good it is basically a race with myself. So yes I like to commute fast, although I chose to commute on a fixed gear upright which is much slower than my recumbent.
Craig

FatguyRacer

I do. My commutes are my training rides too.

noisebeam

I do. I get up to speed as quick as posible after stops and stay over 25mph between all the stops on my 9mi commute. (unless traffic limited)
Al

thechrisproject

I do. I've been passed by lake Monona by a guy on a SS, not sure if it was fixed or not. I was doing about 22-23 into the wind. Perhaps it was the same guy.

max-a-mill

i used to ride "fast" but now i ride with my girlfirend and ride her version of "fast" instead....

it's getting faster everyday and i find my legs feel stronger than ever on the wekends when i ride my mtb "fast".

in conclusion going "fast" everyday muight not be the "fastest" way to get "faster" but i find it is damn hard to slow down when it is just you, by yourself, against the world.

caloso

Me too. When I'm riding to work in a dress shirt and tie, I have to remind myself to dial it down.

FatguyRacer

Sweet! Intervals in a suit and tie!

Gojohnnygo.

Wait for him in hiding and blow his wheels off the next time!

nycm'er

I am an impatient commuter, I ride as fast as I can. I am lucky too that my girl is quite fast now, but we have an expression if we are going out and need to be somewhat presentable right off the bike or are not changing when we get there: "Let's ride below the 'sweat'"

I also found out what the name is for a commuter **** like me, on Recursive's list of bike slang:

Bunter (Billy Bunter) - similar to Fred - those guys riding to/from work flat out, always trying to smash you, yet always get dropped in any race.

joelpalmer

i go as fast as i can in the morning, 5 am is too early to dork around. on the way home i like to be able to take my time, but usually end up pushing anyway

jst

In a car you are stuck in traffic. On a bike you are in control of your time. Ride fast, defensively and safely!

JohnnyCool

Same here. I mix in intervals and other speedwork. We're fortunate to have a nice shower/changing facility where I work.

oboeguy

I've lost a bit of my enthusiasm for commuting hard every day. I guess part of it is that my commute is now 100% urban so I take a more cautious approach.

sggoodri

I have never raced a bike, and I don't consider myself competitive, but I've never been passed by another cyclist while riding my road bike to work. The only time I can remember being passed while cycling alone was when I was riding an upright MTB with panniers installed, five years ago. I was passed by a road cyclist who looked like he was training.

I've overtaken quite a few "casual" looking cyclists, but have not encountered many "serious" looking road cyclists on my 6.5 mile each-way commute. Naturally, most of the cyclists I am likely to see are going the other direction.

On a short commute, with a shower at my workplace, I have difficulty convincing myself not to pedal as fast as I can manage. Outside of my commute, I do sometimes ride at a slower pace just to enjoy the scenery and to keep myself less sweaty, or if I am traveling with family.

Da Tinker

Guilty. My commute is mostly open road, with only about 1/4 of it on crowded streets. Since there are showers at work, commute time is hammer time.

But all the other bike commuters are headed into town while I head out, so no one to pass!

caloso

I think it's time for you to own up: you're competitive.

chephy

My reasons for not riding fast most of the way are the same as oboeguy's. There is no opportunity to go fast. As soon as I pick up some speed there is a stop sign. Or a traffic light. Or a pothole, a turning car and a jaywalker all at once.... There are a few sections of my commute where I speed up (what counts for speeding up for me, anyway... ), but not too many and not too long.

bison33

Guilty as charged...though when I do work on some weekends, I cut through a huge park and slow down to enjoy the "scenery"

CastIron

Not so much fast as manic. It's urban and busy for all but the 4 blocks nearest my house. It's quieter on the way home and I enjoy that at the same speed.

jamesdenver

i got passed on a hill by a kid looking like he was headed to junior high school. it was friday, been biking all week and was taking it real easy

on second maybe he was too

New2Cycling

Please forgive my ignorance, but what is an SS/FG?

recursive

Well, I meant single speed/fixed gear. Basically, he only had one chain ring and one cog in the back. I dont' know if there was a freewheel or not, but he definitely wasn't coasting when he passed me!