Longest down hill ride.
#26
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From: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
i think i was on a 2-3 percent downgrade from somewhere east of Van Horn, Tx to somewhere west of Kent, TX for quite a ways, maybe twenty miles or more. also had a nice ride from a ski resort in the middle of Vermont to the Hudson River, IIRC.
#27
I've never had a MC for that reason even though plenty of friends/family has had. All the same dangers of a bicycle that you can't ride on trails from bad drivers in cars/trucks (I won't ride bicycle with them, only across, search for "cyclist" or "motorcyclist" on your local news sites, guarantee the story ends up in someone dying.)
Plus on MC you have the added danger of wanting to see what the throttle will do and messing up and dying at completely your own fault. And that throttle will do a LOT. I've not been in a vehicle yet from my mom's slow minivan when I was a teen to dad's corvette or GF's v8 sl500 merc to a v10 ford uhaul* as an adult that I didn't want to see what pedal to the metal would do.
*It was brand new, 24' or 26' box, like 1500 on the clock (but still somehow stunk in the cab of cat-pee) I smoked a riced/fart-can cavalier in it and showed him my rear graphics easily, letting him know he could do that one day too for $29.95 plus mileage.
Plus on MC you have the added danger of wanting to see what the throttle will do and messing up and dying at completely your own fault. And that throttle will do a LOT. I've not been in a vehicle yet from my mom's slow minivan when I was a teen to dad's corvette or GF's v8 sl500 merc to a v10 ford uhaul* as an adult that I didn't want to see what pedal to the metal would do.
*It was brand new, 24' or 26' box, like 1500 on the clock (but still somehow stunk in the cab of cat-pee) I smoked a riced/fart-can cavalier in it and showed him my rear graphics easily, letting him know he could do that one day too for $29.95 plus mileage.
Last edited by John Redcorn; 07-08-14 at 06:49 PM.
#29
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From: Sacramento
Bikes: 2014 Dawes Lightning 1000.1990 Schwinn Voyuager. 1997 specialized Crossroads Hybrid.
Wow! I just watched a YouTube of that Hawaii ride. The bikes look like Craiglist quick sales. Rattling and squeaking down the hill. AND THEY HAD TO PEDAL A FEW TIMES!
#30
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Re Haleakala: https://www.strava.com/activities/6480433
You will be interested in the 2d half. To tell the truth, it was a bit stressful, what with the temperature extremes, distracted tourists, and cruiser bikes.
Last edited by caloso; 07-08-14 at 10:59 PM.
#32
I ride the Black Diamond section of the D&L Rail Trail system, and I start at the bottom and ride to the top. Very gentle grade. It is gravel, so you do have to pedal at least occasionally.
The trail is about 8.5 miles long and gravel. I pedaled about as many times on the way back as I did in each of the miles on the outbound portion. I usually soft pedal and ride at 14 mph or so on the way back, but I was with someone who really wanted to take it slow and enjoy the scenery, so I coasted most of it and probably averaged 8-10 mph.
The trail is about 8.5 miles long and gravel. I pedaled about as many times on the way back as I did in each of the miles on the outbound portion. I usually soft pedal and ride at 14 mph or so on the way back, but I was with someone who really wanted to take it slow and enjoy the scenery, so I coasted most of it and probably averaged 8-10 mph.
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Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
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Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#33
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From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
+1. Also, what's the point if you aren't going to go like a bat outta hell?
I used to ride up Mt. Lemmon in Tucson a few times every summer. I'd go about 90 mins up, and 20 mins down. I regularly passed traffic on the way down.
I used to ride up Mt. Lemmon in Tucson a few times every summer. I'd go about 90 mins up, and 20 mins down. I regularly passed traffic on the way down.
#34
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From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
I've never had a MC for that reason even though plenty of friends/family has had. All the same dangers of a bicycle that you can't ride on trails from bad drivers in cars/trucks (I won't ride bicycle with them, only across, search for "cyclist" or "motorcyclist" on your local news sites, guarantee the story ends up in someone dying.)
Plus on MC you have the added danger of wanting to see what the throttle will do and messing up and dying at completely your own fault. And that throttle will do a LOT. I've not been in a vehicle yet from my mom's slow minivan when I was a teen to dad's corvette or GF's v8 sl500 merc to a v10 ford uhaul* as an adult that I didn't want to see what pedal to the metal would do.
*It was brand new, 24' or 26' box, like 1500 on the clock (but still somehow stunk in the cab of cat-pee) I smoked a riced/fart-can cavalier in it and showed him my rear graphics easily, letting him know he could do that one day too for $29.95 plus mileage.
Plus on MC you have the added danger of wanting to see what the throttle will do and messing up and dying at completely your own fault. And that throttle will do a LOT. I've not been in a vehicle yet from my mom's slow minivan when I was a teen to dad's corvette or GF's v8 sl500 merc to a v10 ford uhaul* as an adult that I didn't want to see what pedal to the metal would do.
*It was brand new, 24' or 26' box, like 1500 on the clock (but still somehow stunk in the cab of cat-pee) I smoked a riced/fart-can cavalier in it and showed him my rear graphics easily, letting him know he could do that one day too for $29.95 plus mileage.
However, on the road, it (and I) is completely capable of not speeding, or at least maintaining the speed of traffic.
#35
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
I have some friends who did a 35 mile (or so) downhill bike ride in Hawaii. When asked they said it wasn't as much fun as they had envisioned. They said the tour guides prevented folks from going very fast for fear of overheating their brakes and crashing. I'm thinking that a long enough downhill is either going to involve a certain amount of risk or else it isn't going to be very much fun.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#36
Have bike, will travel
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From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
I rode a 5500 ft decent in less than 13 miles in Italy, after climbing it first: Amantea to Monte Cocuzzo in Amantea, 03, Italy | MapMyRide
It's not a carefree ride. The risk of going over a guardrail and not being found for a while is no joke.

It's not a carefree ride. The risk of going over a guardrail and not being found for a while is no joke.

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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 07-09-14 at 05:34 PM.
#37
#39
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Denver to Kansas City
Swiss-German border is the headwaters of the Rhine and the Danube rivers ..
Danube , longer , Delta on Black Sea .. Romanian border ..
#41
aka Timi

Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: Bianchi Lupo & Bianchi Volpe Disc: touring. Bianchi Volpe: commuting
Longest down hill ride.
Rolling down into Death Valley seemed to take forever...
... but you have to climb out again mwahahaha
... but you have to climb out again mwahahaha
#42
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From: NorCal
Bikes: 2009 Surly Cross Check Frankenbike
#43
Highway 74 down to Palm Desert would be fun. But I consider riding uphill an act of insanity.
About a 4,500 foot drop in 10 miles.
About a 4,500 foot drop in 10 miles.
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Last edited by Artkansas; 07-10-14 at 09:17 PM.
#44
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"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#45
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: New Jersey
Just another excuse to go to Kauai... Bike Kauai | Waimea Canyon Downhill Bike Tour
#46
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Garner, NC 27529
Bikes: Built up DT, 2007 Fuji tourer (donor bike, RIP), 1995 1220 Trek
It's totally different in a similar kinda way.
One of my favorite things was to shift into neutral, and kill the motor especially on a long hill. Night time is better, if there's enough light you can kill the lights too.
But even that is not like a bicycle...
#47
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Garner, NC 27529
Bikes: Built up DT, 2007 Fuji tourer (donor bike, RIP), 1995 1220 Trek
I've never had a MC for that reason even though plenty of friends/family has had. All the same dangers of a bicycle that you can't ride on trails from bad drivers in cars/trucks (I won't ride bicycle with them, only across, search for "cyclist" or "motorcyclist" on your local news sites, guarantee the story ends up in someone dying.)
Plus on MC you have the added danger of wanting to see what the throttle will do and messing up and dying at completely your own fault. And that throttle will do a LOT. I've not been in a vehicle yet from my mom's slow minivan when I was a teen to dad's corvette or GF's v8 sl500 merc to a v10 ford uhaul* as an adult that I didn't want to see what pedal to the metal would do.
*It was brand new, 24' or 26' box, like 1500 on the clock (but still somehow stunk in the cab of cat-pee) I smoked a riced/fart-can cavalier in it and showed him my rear graphics easily, letting him know he could do that one day too for $29.95 plus mileage.
Plus on MC you have the added danger of wanting to see what the throttle will do and messing up and dying at completely your own fault. And that throttle will do a LOT. I've not been in a vehicle yet from my mom's slow minivan when I was a teen to dad's corvette or GF's v8 sl500 merc to a v10 ford uhaul* as an adult that I didn't want to see what pedal to the metal would do.
*It was brand new, 24' or 26' box, like 1500 on the clock (but still somehow stunk in the cab of cat-pee) I smoked a riced/fart-can cavalier in it and showed him my rear graphics easily, letting him know he could do that one day too for $29.95 plus mileage.
At last light I asked him what he had in it... He said he was a diesel mechanic, he wedged a tricked 460 truck motor in that boat. But it was hell off the line.
#48
The longest "mostly downhill" ride I've ever been on has been leaving Crater Lake (Oregon) and heading towards the ocean. It was "fast downhill" for the first five or six miles, and then it's "more or less" downhill for about 60 more miles. We'd be coasting along at ~25mph and then we'd start pedalling and get up to low-30mph range for a bit and start coasting again, etc. We covered the whole thing in about two hours.
And, for the purists out there, yes, we had ridden to Crater Lake in the first place. Different route but same basic thing -- 30, 40 some miles at 2, 3% grade.
And, for the purists out there, yes, we had ridden to Crater Lake in the first place. Different route but same basic thing -- 30, 40 some miles at 2, 3% grade.
An alternative would be Oregon's Highway 35 from Government Camp to Hood River. From Bennett Pass to Hood River, it's about 33 miles of nearly continuous downhill. Like this: OR 35 Hood River OR to Government Camp OR - A motorcycle ride in Hood River, OR
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Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
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#49
How about the GAP trail in Pennsylvania from the Eastern Continental Divide to Pittsburgh???
Source: Great Allegheny Passage - www.gaptrail.org
Source: Great Allegheny Passage - www.gaptrail.org
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