How fast is fast?
 

I know that a cyclists' speeds aren't directly indicative of the power they put out, given the myriad of other variables (weight of rider, weight of bike, wind, etc.). Let's admit it though: speed's what we like. I don't care if you're way stronger than me and 200 lbs. I just had an appendectomy, lost 15 lbs (I've gained back 5, to 155) and move like a mofo despite being weaker than ever.

All this being said, I was just wondering what a good top speed is. How fast can top riders maintain on flats? Good recreational riders? Just curious, and looking for a goal.

In before ludicrous speed.

400w

Don't ask, it'll just depress you how much faster than you the pros can ride, and for how long.

oh boy.

Yeah, these threads are the absolute best....

:roflmao2:

over9000

42

Serious answer: Break an hour for 40k without spending 40k on equipment to do so.

Funny answer: You're talking speed in the road cycling forum. Everybody is fast here. Out on the road, not so much.

faster than everyone else

2200 miles in 21 days, average speed 25mph.

That will win you the TdF.

If you're faster than me, you're fast. If you're not, you suck.

I think that everyone uses this rule.

88 mph

I'm so fast I can ride through a car wash and not get wet!

As long as you stay in front of everyone else, it doesn't matter how fast you're going.

+1

go away.

I don't know what you think you are "quoting", but I've seen 90 minute pro/1/2 crits average in the low 30s...

Heck, I was in a crit (tailgunning) that was 29mph for almost an hour.

And about a month ago did 3 crits nearly back to back that together was over 60 miles at 27 mph.

Last night we were doing 21-25mph for about 12 miles. I thought we were going sorta fast, until I hear a little "ding ding!" on the left, and the two of us on our road bikes got totally blasted by a dude on a foldie.

Then I felt slow. Extraordinarily slow.

LOLz .. Try mid 30s for an hour. And that was at a crit I did that only contained 1/2 dozen of ex US pro's a few weeks back. I bet a full NRC caliber and higher field would do mid 30s for an hour like you do a warm up.. easy.

+1

I concur. I like this answer.

In general I look at speed this way - If you're riding with the people you want to ride with and you are leaving it all out on the road and you're able to stick in, be competitive and mix stuff up every now and then - then you're fast enough for what you want to do.

There will ALWAYS be someone faster out there.

In my case there will always be tons of faster people out there...:D