How fast do you ride?
03-12-21 | 05:57 PM
#102
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,551
Likes: 798
From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
I’ll turn 60 in just a couple of weeks. I’ve been riding road bikes since I was in my early 20s. These days I’m lucky to average 14-15mph on my usual 20-50 mile rides. Other than a hand full of triathlons/duathlons every year over the decades, and a mass start road race, or a TT a few times over the years...I’ve never been much of a racer. But just the other day I came upon proof that I once could ride at a pretty good clip. I was looking at my ‘trophy case’ and picked up the 3rd place trophy for a mass start race I participated in while I was in the Navy and stationed in Spain circa 1993. On the bottom I’d written my stats. For the 40k (24.8 miles) race I averaged 24.3mph. The race was actually on the Navy base so there weren’t a ton of riders. Hence no real groups to ride in. As I recall, myself and a friend rode most of the race wheel-to-wheel with no others around us. Sure wish I could achieve speeds like that today.
Dan
Dan
Anyway, back to bikes, I had a nice bike with me then, (late 70s) but it was just for kicking around town. Years later, I was a strong 'B' rider but couldn't keep up with the guys doing 20+ mph. It wasn't until I got into recumbents in the late 90s that I found any speed. Not too many years back I did a relay-type event, with my 45-mile split clocking in at 26.1 mph. I probably won't ever beat that.
03-13-21 | 10:30 AM
#103
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Ex-'R' brancher here. When I was in, I asked for Europe, so of course I got... Anchorage. It was nice but just not the same!
Anyway, back to bikes, I had a nice bike with me then, (late 70s) but it was just for kicking around town. Years later, I was a strong 'B' rider but couldn't keep up with the guys doing 20+ mph. It wasn't until I got into recumbents in the late 90s that I found any speed. Not too many years back I did a relay-type event, with my 45-mile split clocking in at 26.1 mph. I probably won't ever beat that.
Anyway, back to bikes, I had a nice bike with me then, (late 70s) but it was just for kicking around town. Years later, I was a strong 'B' rider but couldn't keep up with the guys doing 20+ mph. It wasn't until I got into recumbents in the late 90s that I found any speed. Not too many years back I did a relay-type event, with my 45-mile split clocking in at 26.1 mph. I probably won't ever beat that.
03-19-21 | 09:45 PM
#104
Gruppetto Bob
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 11,692
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
66 here and just did my longest ride of the year, 47 miles at an average speed of 17.3 MPH, top speed, 45 MPH. I like to go fast and if I can do 20 MPH for miles I am in heaven. Top speed on a tandem, 62.5. On a single bike, 52. Not really comfortable over 50 MPH in case a deer, squirrel or car crosses my path.
Will keep pushing myself as long as I am able. Besides, its great for weight maintenance.
Will keep pushing myself as long as I am able. Besides, its great for weight maintenance.
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“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
Not a CAT
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
03-26-21 | 09:38 AM
#106
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,415
Likes: 13,445
From: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Going fast can be fun. Competing with friends can be fun. Comparing results and bench racing are fun. Lots of people train and work on their speed for fun.
end rant
03-26-21 | 07:04 PM
#107
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
2) It’s not meaningless if you’re trying to make a light, or beat the rain, or get home before dark.
3) Fast is fun.
03-26-21 | 08:04 PM
#108
Gruppetto Bob
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 11,692
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
How fast do I ride? Couple of different ways to interpret the question. Today did almost 53 miles with 2300’ climbing with an average speed of 16.2 but its still early in the season. One downhill section did 40 but many cars and stiff side winds. All time top speed on a road bike: 53 MPH. Average 30 mile speed around 18 with hill climbs. Think I covered all the bases.
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“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
Not a CAT
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
04-21-21 | 11:51 AM
#109
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,551
Likes: 798
From: Middle of da Mitten
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
04-21-21 | 01:17 PM
#110
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 1,387
From: reno, nv
Bikes: yes, i have one
04-21-21 | 03:54 PM
#111
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,358
Likes: 665
From: northern michigan
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
05-10-21 | 10:22 AM
#112
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 771
Likes: 190
From: Missoula, Montana
Bikes: Trek Domane SL5, Trek Checkpoint SL5, Cannndale Trail SE 4, Specialized Langster
I don't know how fast I ride, and my speed varies greatly on just about every ride I go on. But I do know that I ride always at just the right speed.
05-10-21 | 03:41 PM
#113
climber has-been
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,150
Likes: 6,046
From: Palo Alto, CA
Bikes: Scott Addict RC Pro & R1, Felt Z1
I weigh 135 lbs soaking wet, and I've reached 55 mph on that section before (chin over bars, no jacket). Bigger folks and tandems have gone considerably faster.
I don't think of descending quickly as an athletic thrill ride, but a way to minimize braking and its wear and tear on my rims. From descending with bigger riders who have an advantage over me, I have picked up some techniques that help me keep up (pick good lines on curves, sprint out of the turns, etc.).
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
05-26-21 | 11:51 PM
#114
Gruppetto Bob
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 11,692
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
05-26-21 | 11:55 PM
#115
Gruppetto Bob
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 11,692
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
Today’s speed: 18.1 MPH over 50 miles with 1800’ climbing. By the end of the season it should go up or I’ll be crippled. /either way
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“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
Not a CAT
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
05-27-21 | 05:44 AM
#116
On Your Left
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,373
Likes: 2,440
From: Long Island, New York, USA
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
05-27-21 | 08:25 AM
#117
climber has-been
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,150
Likes: 6,046
From: Palo Alto, CA
Bikes: Scott Addict RC Pro & R1, Felt Z1
I like the veloviewer.com infographic for yearly stats. It's not boring:
Their 3D view of routes is pretty slick, also:
Their 3D view of routes is pretty slick, also:
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Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
Ride, Rest, Repeat. ROUVY: terrymorse
05-27-21 | 10:43 AM
#118
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
About 27mph. https://www.strava.com/activities/5340936095/overview
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
05-29-21 | 06:03 PM
#119
Let's do a Century
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 883
From: North Carolina
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Today our group averaged 20+ mph over 67 miles with 3200’ of climbing.
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Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
05-30-21 | 05:29 AM
#120
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 1,384
From: SW Fl.
Bikes: 1999 DAHON Mariner, Day6 Semi Recumbent "FIREBALL", 1981 Custom Touring Paramount, 1983 Road Paramount, 2013 Giant Propel Advanced SL3, 2018 Specialized Red Roubaix Expert mech., 2002 Magna 7sp hybrid, 1976 Bassett Racing 45sp Cruiser
About 27mph. https://www.strava.com/activities/5340936095/overview
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
Old guys seem to be getting faster:
but sadly in my case, not even "....As I Once Was...." anymore.
06-09-21 | 07:41 PM
#122
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
On the Trike, I average 9 mph. On my last two-wheeler, a Giant city bike, I averaged just short of 15. I tell people 30.
I discovered that my single-speed Schwinn Trike goes from zero to 5 in less than 30 minutes.
I discovered that my single-speed Schwinn Trike goes from zero to 5 in less than 30 minutes.
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Trikeman
Trikeman
06-20-21 | 03:44 AM
#123
Boomer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,214
Likes: 1,458
Bikes: Diamondback Clarity II frame homebuilt.
06-22-21 | 09:52 PM
#124
Gruppetto Bob
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 11,692
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
June 2021 update. Did 54 miles in high 80s and low 90s with 2000’ climbing with an average speed of 18 MPH. Top speed 40. Age 66.
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“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
Not a CAT
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
06-23-21 | 07:13 AM
#125
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 143
From: Colorado
Bikes: 2021 Trek Checkpoint SL (GRX Di2), 2020 Domane SLR 9 (very green), 2016 Trek Emonda SL, 2009 Bianchi 928, 1972 Atala Record Pro
Pretty much stuck. Solo rides from 20 to 40 miles coming in around 20mph (19 to 21 range) provided not too much wind or vertical. At 64 now, it's definitely a half step off where I was 10 years ago. So be it.