While racing in my early-30s, I topped 60mph on a long wide-open downhill, and would regularly hit 40mph in sprints at the end of a race. After 15 years off the bike, I got back to riding at the end of 2019. I've been regaining my comfort at speed, but it's been very slow to return. Approaching 40mph makes me nervous.

Let's talk about those stop signs ...

The real question is: Does enjoyment of bicycling require obsessing over or boasting about speed, mileage and/or so-called fitness ?

Yes. For some, apparently, it does.

I think I hit 50mph ONCE in my life... yeah, it was fun.

I used to hit 45mph pretty regularly on my regular ride; now I generally keep it below 40mph in that same section.
I don't enjoy going fast anymore.
The last couple times I crashed and broke bones, I wasn't going fast - but it certainly gave me a better awareness of my own fragility.


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I don’t think we’re obsessing over it, I was just curious. I like speed but at the same time not trying to hurt myself especially with the local ICU beds all full.

I am clearly not the only one here who likes to go fast and also clearly not the fastest here and that’s cool. I notice on my rides that very rarely do I see people pushing going downhill they’re usually just coasting and riding the brakes so I was wondering who else likes to go fast is all. If you don’t like to go fast there’s nothing wrong with that.

Fair enough.

As fast as I can... but my bike always gets there before me!

I haven't figured out the tandem magic though: I always get there before my wife but she always goes just as fast as me.

Brent

With all the BS that gets passed around about "SLOW" IGH bikes, someone >> ME>> has to prove it's 99% malarkey NONSENSE.... It sure as hell isn't a SA 5w hub.
Just yesterday there's yet another N+1000 geezer wanting mountain climbing gears on a 3 speed. LOL.
Sorry if I ruffled your rocking chairs and old wives tales.

No, but it helps.

Sharing of experiences isn't necessarily "obsessing" or "boasting". People who enjoy riding bikes also tend to like talking about riding bikes. How far, how, fast, or how often is just another topic of discussion.

The real question is why you feel compelled to post on a thread about speed if it’s not your thing?

I wonder what all of this means?

These things have been topics throughout the time I've been here. Probably always will be.

I enjoy reading about others' perceptions. I try to understand different cultures. I browse new posts to sample various interests, think about the implications of unfamiliar concepts, ask a question when I don't understand. If my question offended, you probably care too much about what other people think.

Edit: I read on one thread somewhere that fishing was mentioned (especially because it was "catch and release"), and I asked for someone to explain the attraction to the activity. I actually got a pretty good explanation.

Man, I’ll say.

Some years back I posted a speed thread very similar to this...and got the same and similar mixed results.

Intellectual curiosity is always a good thing and always applaud those who seek to understand subjects or concepts which are foreign even if it makes no sense to them.

I do find it interesting however that your curiosity is punctuated at the end by a negative comment. There are many things I would not consider doing, like sky diving or free climbing, but certainly don’t register my negativity towards those who do. Different strokes, and evidently different attitudes towards civil conversation.

If I need your assessment of my mental state or attitude, I will kindly let you know. Since I sincerely doubt you are licensed to make such determinations, you may want to stay within your depth unless otherwise requested. Have a nice evening and keep learning.

Same here. I'm a smaller guy in stature and have always gone up much better than many I ride with. It's a challenge for me and I love going up. The bigger riders always catch me on the downhill (I won't say I don't mind fast downhills as I've topped 50+ mph several times). On the flats and when in shape I tend to be in the 18-20 mph range which is mentally rewarding too. I almost always ride by myself.

21.
The answer is 21.

I've missed the solo 5-hour-century three times-- my closest was averaging 3m1s per mile, so I missed it by less than 2 minutes. Not quite fast enough.

I don't obsess much over downhill speed, as that's just a combo of willingness and luck. I've averaged 35mph for half an hour before. Thanks, gravity! Aside from once having a 100%-not-awesome speed wobble @ 45mph due to an over-tightened headset, I've not really had much drama descending (knock wood.).

My "best day out there," for avg. speed that is, came at the close of the Rapha Festive in 2018-- I let +20mph winds from the north push me from the IE all the way to the Pacific Ocean, covering 75 miles in 3h10m, averaging 23.7mph. I set something like 140 PRs that day, and most of them are untouched still.

I could descent OK back when I was racing, but now I take it REALLY easy. People have died.
Especially after 2020 & time off, my average speed is way off. Lately I've ridden nothing by my chunky gravel bike, even on pavement (with 28mm road tires). I average about 15.5 mph for hilly endurance rides.
I probably won't get back on to my old race bike until sometime in April - I would imagine it's going to feel a LOT quicker.

I live in Florida, No long hills near me. I get a sense of achievement and satisfaction doing 27-31 mph in a Paceline for miles. Lots of guys faster, but that’s pretty good for me.

Different strokes for different folks. Some people get a kick jumping out of planes or jumping off cliffs on skis, and that’s just fine for them but I don’t belittle them because they don’t abide by my definition of what’s satisfying or fun. Some people are goal attainment oriented and some just love to cruise and enjoy the ride, but who am I, or you, to judge which is right as long as it makes them happy?

That is impressive speed even pace-lining. In my late 40s I was working pretty darned hard to work with a group doing 23-25 and really didn’t enjoy it because I was on the ragged edge and just waiting to detonate and drop off and never catch them again, while watching them disappear ahead.

You should be be very proud to ride at such a high level with such an accomplished group.

So close on your century! What a heartbreaker.

I got close once once but missed by 10 mins which really pissed me off since that was my goal. I did grab a couple of pacelines along the way but still wasn’t enough.