Arrrrg.... i got gunned
10-30-08 | 09:25 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,102
Likes: 6,009
From: Zang's Spur, CO
I have been warned about a particular mountain road (which I have not ridden) that descends into a residential street where cops often ticket cars *and* bikes that don't brake enough to get under the speed limit before crossing the city limits.
10-30-08 | 09:36 AM
#27
pedalphile
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
From: ellington, ct
Bikes: trek 1200, 520, Giant ATX 970, Raleigh Talon
there is a long straight downhill near my house which I can see 35 mph on just by laying on my aerobars. 40 is doable with a bit of effort. The posted limit is 25. On this 3/4 mile or so downhill, I have never been passed by a cage and plan to keep it that way. I have tailgated more than a few cars down it though. Kinda freaks them out a little.
I suspect I will someday be bagged by the cops on that road. I sort of look forward to it.
I suspect I will someday be bagged by the cops on that road. I sort of look forward to it.
10-30-08 | 09:42 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,824
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From: Western Chicagoland
My non biking friends get a kick out of it, but only those that have ridden fast on bikes, or on fully loaded touring rigs truly understand. Both panic and a peaceful sensation at the same time. I couldn't believe it was happening and I was afraid, but also realized there was nothing I could do about it but hang on and go. I thought about how much a crash was going to hurt, but also reveled in the exhilirating sense of speed. These days I get nervous if I go past 25 mph.
10-30-08 | 09:43 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,269
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From: Colorado
Bikes: Mostly schwinn... few classics
Neither had I...until moving to CO. Now I have done 40 minute descents w/o pedaling, but dragging the brakes just to keep the speed down so I can negotiate the tight curves. I've broken 50 on numerous occasions, but usually all the curves prevent exceeding 45.
I have been warned about a particular mountain road (which I have not ridden) that descends into a residential street where cops often ticket cars *and* bikes that don't brake enough to get under the speed limit before crossing the city limits.
I have been warned about a particular mountain road (which I have not ridden) that descends into a residential street where cops often ticket cars *and* bikes that don't brake enough to get under the speed limit before crossing the city limits.
10-30-08 | 09:49 AM
#30
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 16,049
Likes: 29
From: South Florida
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
I got pulled over in West Lafayette, Indiana for 50 in a 35 on a road bike. The officer wouldn't even give me a written warning, he said I'd just post it on the internet somewhere....
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
10-30-08 | 09:55 AM
#31
Banned.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Sioux City, Iowa
Bikes: Vision R40 Recumbent
The fastest I have ever gone is 55 mph, during RAGBRAI in 1998. This was when I was still riding my road bike. On my recumbent I have only ever hit 46 to 48 mph as a max. speed. My goal is 50 mph.
I have been radar gunned so to speak. Once that I know of by a police officer. Another time was one of those set ups that had the big unmanned trailer units that has a built in radar gun. These have a giant number board that changes the numbers based on what your speed is. The purpose of these is to show you how fast you're going with the hope you'll slow down if going to fast. They use thes mainly in school zones. Some of these are mobile trailer units, some are permenantly installed.
When ever one of these clock me I speed up just to see how fast I can go before I pass it.
I have been radar gunned so to speak. Once that I know of by a police officer. Another time was one of those set ups that had the big unmanned trailer units that has a built in radar gun. These have a giant number board that changes the numbers based on what your speed is. The purpose of these is to show you how fast you're going with the hope you'll slow down if going to fast. They use thes mainly in school zones. Some of these are mobile trailer units, some are permenantly installed.
When ever one of these clock me I speed up just to see how fast I can go before I pass it.
10-30-08 | 10:17 AM
#32
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
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From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Heh - Yep, a new bragging thread. 44 on an old road bike for me, slight downhill and pushing, and 40 on my current Trek Liquid, downhill, with true knobby tires. That was about it for gearing, and I was pushing as hard as I could. Knobby tires were singing so high that I think dogs could hear them. 
I should go back to that hill and try it with slicks. I'd definitely be gear-limited at that point.
I should go back to that hill and try it with slicks. I'd definitely be gear-limited at that point.
10-30-08 | 10:34 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,266
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From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2009 Fuji Newest 1.0, 2011 Trek 3900 Disc MTB
I have never gone over 17 MPH. and that was coasting on a huge downhill. My bike is a 90's steel MTB, but still I don't know I'd even feel comfortable going as fast as you folks do!
10-30-08 | 11:34 AM
#36
I climbed it from glen haven and turned around for the cinnamon rolls. Rode my brakes the way down.
10-30-08 | 11:42 AM
#37
it's easy if you let it.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,124
Likes: 2
From: indoors and out.
I got up to 55 - 60 mph a long time ago. I was cycling down the big mountain in Yellowstone when I got bilateral carpal tunnel, and couldn't squeeze the brakes. Each time I took my hands off a brake to shake it out and get the strength back, I ended up 5 mph faster than before. The terain was something like an 15+ mile run of 7+ percent grade, if I remember correctly. I was passing cars on curves on a mountain bike with road slicks and 50 lbs of camping and touring gear. YOu should have seen the looks on the drivers faces. When I figured out what was wrong early on, I thought of bailing off the bike at 25 mph, but was too afraid. At 55 mph, I sure did wish I had jumped off at 25 mph. It was the year after the big fires, and all I could think about was all those logging trucks that would periodically block the roads to clear the burnt trees. I was praying a logging truck or a buffalo wasn't going to be in the road around the next bend.
On the plus side, I made it to Teton national park hours ahead of schedule.
On the plus side, I made it to Teton national park hours ahead of schedule.
10-30-08 | 12:11 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 723
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From: Snohomish, WA
Bikes: Ridley Fenix Disc '15, Centurion Ironman '86, Raleigh Team '90, Bianchi Nyala '93
I got up to 55 - 60 mph a long time ago. I was cycling down the big mountain in Yellowstone when I got bilateral carpal tunnel, and couldn't squeeze the brakes. Each time I took my hands off a brake to shake it out and get the strength back, I ended up 5 mph faster than before. The terain was something like an 15+ mile run of 7+ percent grade, if I remember correctly. I was passing cars on curves on a mountain bike with road slicks and 50 lbs of camping and touring gear. YOu should have seen the looks on the drivers faces. When I figured out what was wrong early on, I thought of bailing off the bike at 25 mph, but was too afraid. At 55 mph, I sure did wish I had jumped off at 25 mph. It was the year after the big fires, and all I could think about was all those logging trucks that would periodically block the roads to clear the burnt trees. I was praying a logging truck or a buffalo wasn't going to be in the road around the next bend.
On the plus side, I made it to Teton national park hours ahead of schedule.
On the plus side, I made it to Teton national park hours ahead of schedule.
10-30-08 | 01:16 PM
#42
Fat Guy Rolling
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: Louisville Kentucky
Bikes: Bacchetta Agio, 80s Raleigh Record single-speed, Surly Big Dummy
10-30-08 | 02:06 PM
#43
Thread Killer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,845
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From: Marfan Syndrome-Clyde-DFW, TX
Bikes: Fuji Touring Xtracycle, Merlin Road, Bacchetta Giro 26 (Sold), Challenge Hurricane, Cruzbike Sofrider
I was so happy when my town pretty much permanently installed the little speed limit radar trailer near my house.
Making that thing blink because I tick over the 30mph speed limit on a brief sprint is my favorite part of going to the store some times
Making that thing blink because I tick over the 30mph speed limit on a brief sprint is my favorite part of going to the store some times
10-31-08 | 11:35 AM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,035
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From: Buffalo NY
Bikes: Gerry Fisher Nirvana, LeMond Buenos Aires
The other day the local police force had put out one of these road side speed indicator lights. Ofcourse that nicely blocked the 4ft wide shoulder I ride in. As I got closer the speed was jumping all over the place. The stationary radar was having problems lockin in on me and was getting seriously messed up each time a car went by the other way.
The fastest I've ever gone was about 39 MPH. This was going down the Niagara Escarpmentin Lewiston NY. It wasn't a very long descent, but it was a fast and somewhat scarry ride down. This was during my Century ride in September and was at around the 30 mile mark. On the way back we had to go UP the same road at around the 72 mile mark. Thankfully the next major rest area was at the 75 mile mark. That was a STEEP climb.
Happy riding,
André
10-31-08 | 05:13 PM
#46
Non-Custom Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,613
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From: Portland, Oregon
Bikes: 1975-1980 SR road bike
Being a clyde myself, high speeds on downhills are pretty easy.
I hit a very long, very straight downhill, at a 10% grade once. Over 2 miles without a bend or an intersection in sight.
I don't have a speedometer, so I did a terminal velocity calculation later (terminal speed = (giM/kaA)1/2) which gave me a figure of 60MPH (which sounds a little high), but then again, I used to hit 35-40 every day on a downhill on my commute (paced by car), and this felt way, way faster. It felt like a rocket ship. Funnest moment of my life. Made pedaling up the hill worth it.
I hit a very long, very straight downhill, at a 10% grade once. Over 2 miles without a bend or an intersection in sight.
I don't have a speedometer, so I did a terminal velocity calculation later (terminal speed = (giM/kaA)1/2) which gave me a figure of 60MPH (which sounds a little high), but then again, I used to hit 35-40 every day on a downhill on my commute (paced by car), and this felt way, way faster. It felt like a rocket ship. Funnest moment of my life. Made pedaling up the hill worth it.
10-31-08 | 05:33 PM
#47
Where did whooooo go
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: UTOPIA
Bikes: trek 7100, 70's schwinn free spirit.{building into the second commuter}
No not shot 
No not drunk
Radar gunned. I was riding down a rural road, and i see a figgure step out onto the road in the distance. Then i make out the lime green vest and the fact that he's pointing something at me and i put it all together. I checked the Take-A-Look and there was no traffic behind me. So i tried to put on a show, i stood and sprinted for it. When i passed him he called out "38"... 38?! i had it up to 44kph but i guess he gunned me before i hit that. Kinda funny he gunned me at all, he must've been bored, i left early and the rush wouldn't start for another 1/2 hour. I wonder how many tickets they'll be giving out, that rural road has housing developments just off it and the limit is 60kph. Normally a road like that would be 80kph. Question for any the coppers out there though, is it really necessary to point those things like its a glock? Really? m'eh i shouldn't snipe, it was good to see them out there.
No not drunk
Radar gunned. I was riding down a rural road, and i see a figgure step out onto the road in the distance. Then i make out the lime green vest and the fact that he's pointing something at me and i put it all together. I checked the Take-A-Look and there was no traffic behind me. So i tried to put on a show, i stood and sprinted for it. When i passed him he called out "38"... 38?! i had it up to 44kph but i guess he gunned me before i hit that. Kinda funny he gunned me at all, he must've been bored, i left early and the rush wouldn't start for another 1/2 hour. I wonder how many tickets they'll be giving out, that rural road has housing developments just off it and the limit is 60kph. Normally a road like that would be 80kph. Question for any the coppers out there though, is it really necessary to point those things like its a glock? Really? m'eh i shouldn't snipe, it was good to see them out there.
10-31-08 | 05:46 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 52
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From: foothills near Sacramento, CA
Bikes: trek fx
10-31-08 | 06:17 PM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 272
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From: Redding, CA
Bikes: Trek 7200
I just got a computer on my bike and (of course) I end up racing it every ride to and from work.
I've yet to get anything above 30mph (yet!) and was kind of bummed about it.
So much so that I started looking at other bikes. I was thinking my Trek 7200's drivetrain just wouldn't go any faster.
11-01-08 | 08:13 AM
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 372
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This makes me feel a tad better.
I just got a computer on my bike and (of course) I end up racing it every ride to and from work.
I've yet to get anything above 30mph (yet!) and was kind of bummed about it.
So much so that I started looking at other bikes. I was thinking my Trek 7200's drivetrain just wouldn't go any faster.
I just got a computer on my bike and (of course) I end up racing it every ride to and from work.
I've yet to get anything above 30mph (yet!) and was kind of bummed about it.
So much so that I started looking at other bikes. I was thinking my Trek 7200's drivetrain just wouldn't go any faster.