How fast have you ridden?
#76
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at 7:50
37mph in a 30 zone, oops. still got passed ...
37mph in a 30 zone, oops. still got passed ...
#77
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That might be the hill I specifically tried to avoid yesterday. I instead routed myself around to Polehmas and Ralston to get onto Alameda de Puglas. Polehmas's climb isn't so bad, but I forgot how terrifying Ralston's descent is (I probably last did it four years ago on a trip, before moving out here). Feathering the brakes on slightly broken pavement with traffic coming up from behind... kept it under 40mph, though I think I would've been more comfortable closer to 35.
Big Basin going into Saratoga can be a blast though - freshly paved, and there's a fairly straight, -7% section for well over a mile...
Big Basin going into Saratoga can be a blast though - freshly paved, and there's a fairly straight, -7% section for well over a mile...
You might be thinking of Hillsdale Blvd, which has a couple really steep sections between CSM and Alameda. It drops 280 feet in 1/2 mile from the highest point down to Alameda.
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#78
Senior Member
Probably not the same hill. Mine's close to where Alameda T's into Crystal Springs, North of 92, whereas Ralston and Polhemus are a good 3 miles South.
You might be thinking of Hillsdale Blvd, which has a couple really steep sections between CSM and Alameda. It drops 280 feet in 1/2 mile from the highest point down to Alameda.
You might be thinking of Hillsdale Blvd, which has a couple really steep sections between CSM and Alameda. It drops 280 feet in 1/2 mile from the highest point down to Alameda.
#79
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I probably should've clarified - my route yesterday took me along the length of Cañada from Woodside to Crystal Springs. I had planned to take Crystal Springs all the way down to Alameda and hang a right, but I saw a section of ~10% along that section and decided nope, I'm good not making it a climbing day. Instead went around along Polhemus and Ralston to connect to Alameda.
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#80
Junior Member
I regularly hit 42-44 mph on my commute, not a big deal. Rode a Gran Fondo a decade ago with lots of climbing. Hit 54.6 mph on the downhill basically coasting, it was a little scary, felt like a different kind of speed. Don't think I would try it again now that I am older.
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#81
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53 mph on a sustained 7% descent at 7,000 ft. Thinner air allows you to go faster. And we had a serious swirly tailwind. My buddy, who had/has a significant weight advantage passed me by at least 3 mph.
There were some white spots far in the distance on the side of the road, and before my brain could process what they were, I had passed the family of mountain goats licking road salt. In retrospect, if I had more time I should have been very worried, as my pal might have spooked them and driven them right in front of me. Not that I would have had the time or skills to dodge them.
There were some white spots far in the distance on the side of the road, and before my brain could process what they were, I had passed the family of mountain goats licking road salt. In retrospect, if I had more time I should have been very worried, as my pal might have spooked them and driven them right in front of me. Not that I would have had the time or skills to dodge them.
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Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
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#82
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#83
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I’m not trying to be funny or flippant, but a part of me just doesn’t understand this attitude – – “I won’t do such dangerous things now that I’m older.“ Being older means being closer to death, which also means being closer to the long slow decline that I’ve watched many of my elders endure. Not pleasant. I can think of far worse endings than a quick and fatal bike crash.
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#84
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I have had the tandem (fully loaded with the panniers on a fork mounted rack) going an indicated 45 MPH on a correctly calibrated wheel speed sensor. This happened several times on extended tours in Scotland. The rule of riding there is that what goes down will come up, so Mrs. Dan and I just tuck down and go along for the ride.
#85
Senior Member
I probably should've clarified - my route yesterday took me along the length of Cañada from Woodside to Crystal Springs. I had planned to take Crystal Springs all the way down to Alameda and hang a right, but I saw a section of ~10% along that section and decided nope, I'm good not making it a climbing day. Instead went around along Polhemus and Ralston to connect to Alameda.
i forgot the name of the hill, but there is a legitimately absurd hill in Portola Valley off of Alpine colloquially name “the wall” where you easily hit 65+ mph. Think it’s near willowbrook.
again, imo the consequences of crashing at 50+ are potentially fatal, where for me crashing below 20 is borderline a non issue.
some kids in their early teens were riding their bikes down the hill I live on last month, the first time I’ve seen something like this. I went out like a dad and told them to be careful, and one of them said they were and then said “this is so much fun!” Honestly I wish I could have fun descending, I kind of hate it. Had a TBI when I was descending a hill when I was 18 and then went and got strong in a town in Ohio paved flat by a glacier, then moved back to a hilly region.
Last edited by LarrySellerz; 11-28-23 at 10:48 PM.
#86
I’m not trying to be funny or flippant, but a part of me just doesn’t understand this attitude – – “I won’t do such dangerous things now that I’m older.“ Being older means being closer to death, which also means being closer to the long slow decline that I’ve watched many of my elders endure. Not pleasant. I can think of far worse endings than a quick and fatal bike crash.
Last edited by Polaris OBark; 11-29-23 at 12:47 AM.
#88
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#89
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I’m not trying to be funny or flippant, but a part of me just doesn’t understand this attitude – – “I won’t do such dangerous things now that I’m older.“ Being older means being closer to death, which also means being closer to the long slow decline that I’ve watched many of my elders endure. Not pleasant. I can think of far worse endings than a quick and fatal bike crash.
The speed I hit now is on an open road descending into a city where not a lot of people obey the traffic laws or care much about the safety of others.
I also don't 'bounce back' from crashes but that doesn't bother me much more than it did when I was much younger.
#90
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I’m not trying to be funny or flippant, but a part of me just doesn’t understand this attitude – – “I won’t do such dangerous things now that I’m older.“ Being older means being closer to death, which also means being closer to the long slow decline that I’ve watched many of my elders endure. Not pleasant. I can think of far worse endings than a quick and fatal bike crash.
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#91
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'Course, I used to say that I wanted to be shot by a jealous husband when I'm 95...But that was before I fell in love and married a much younger woman who will likely outlive me.
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#92
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I’m not trying to be funny or flippant, but a part of me just doesn’t understand this attitude – – “I won’t do such dangerous things now that I’m older.“ Being older means being closer to death, which also means being closer to the long slow decline that I’ve watched many of my elders endure. Not pleasant. I can think of far worse endings than a quick and fatal bike crash.
2) Increased healing time after any injury as one ages
3) Understanding that while a "quick and fatal bike crash" might be an okay ending, anything short of that might make one's remaining years a living hell.
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#93
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Good points, all of them. Guess I've been spending too much time thinking about my 85-year old mother, who is basically an invalid with some dementia. Makes me (sort of) hope for a quick ending before I get to that point, which seems more and more likely with my family history. But I suppose I can't guarantee that a distracted driver will get the job done cleanly.
'Course, I used to say that I wanted to be shot by a jealous husband when I'm 95...But that was before I fell in love and married a much younger woman who will likely outlive me.![Wink](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
'Course, I used to say that I wanted to be shot by a jealous husband when I'm 95...But that was before I fell in love and married a much younger woman who will likely outlive me.
![Wink](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
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#94
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I’m not trying to be funny or flippant, but a part of me just doesn’t understand this attitude – – “I won’t do such dangerous things now that I’m older.“ Being older means being closer to death, which also means being closer to the long slow decline that I’ve watched many of my elders endure. Not pleasant. I can think of far worse endings than a quick and fatal bike crash.
#95
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#96
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I have long made the joke that my expectation is that when I'm 90, they'll invent a drug to stop the aging process, and I'll take it. 5 years later, they'll invent a drug to REVERSE the aging process, but it ONLY works if you've never taken the other one, and I'll be 90 forever, surrounded by 25 year olds.
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#97
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#98
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#100
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