Improve average speed
02-26-10 | 11:09 PM
#27
meow
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Hint: check out my BF name
Bikes: 2016 Parlee Altum, 2013 Cannondale Super Six Evo Hi Mod Di2 only, 2011 Cannondale Super Six, Dura Ace 7800, 2007 Cannondale System Six Dura Ace 7800, 1992 Bridgestone RB-1, MB-2, MB-3, MB-5
02-27-10 | 12:00 AM
#28
Sheik Yerbouti
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 716
Likes: 2
From: in the state of Confusion, formerly from state of Denial
Bikes: 2006 Trek Pilot 2.1, Jamis Sputnik 2009
1) Ride off a really tall cliff. Of course, then yo need something to determine air speed, since your wheels are no longer touching the ground.
2) Report you speed in kilometers. Then you can report things like "I averaged 30+ for a two hour ride" (about 18 mph).
3) Ride straight down a double black diamond (ski) run at Vail. Similar to problem in number one. You'll build up great initial speed, but once you start bouncing down the mountain end over end for a couple thousand yards, your average speed as recorded on the computer will drop. Just remember to stop the computer just before you totally lose control. That way, if both you and your bike somehow survive, you'll have that high mph data from the beginning of your run. Oh, yeah, get a helmet-cam, and put a note on it..."Please post this film on BF"
2) Report you speed in kilometers. Then you can report things like "I averaged 30+ for a two hour ride" (about 18 mph).
3) Ride straight down a double black diamond (ski) run at Vail. Similar to problem in number one. You'll build up great initial speed, but once you start bouncing down the mountain end over end for a couple thousand yards, your average speed as recorded on the computer will drop. Just remember to stop the computer just before you totally lose control. That way, if both you and your bike somehow survive, you'll have that high mph data from the beginning of your run. Oh, yeah, get a helmet-cam, and put a note on it..."Please post this film on BF"
02-27-10 | 12:12 AM
#29
I don't seriously recommend running red lights and stop signs, but that's one of the fallacies of getting too wrapped up in average speed. My average will definitely be higher on a rural run with few stops than it will riding through town with a light or stop sign every block. It's not actually the stop that does it, but the period before and after the stop where your speed is reduced but your speedometer is still averaging it in.
__________________
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
02-27-10 | 08:52 AM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,124
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy
If its just your daily ride, the warm up miles is the culprit. Try re-setting your bike computer after reaching a certain distance. For instance, 3 miles out. As long as you know its 3 miles out, you can add those miles to your daily miles but still subtract that average speed to figure out what your average is after a nice warm up.
02-27-10 | 12:40 PM
#33
your god hates me
Joined: Apr 2006
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Get a cyclocomputer that allows you to independently reset individual data fields. I do this every year when I go to Tucson AZ to climb Mt. Lemmon: It's a 20 mile climb, round-trip from where we stay is usually 60 miles. After we get to the top of Mt Lemmon I reset the Average Speed field but don't reset the Trip Distance field. Then I descend down a 20 mile mountain, and sprint the piss out of the last 10 miles home. Net result: My computer says I did a 60 mile ride with a 38 mph average speed. I win!
02-27-10 | 12:55 PM
#34
The bus, Gus
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Get a cyclocomputer that allows you to independently reset individual data fields. I do this every year when I go to Tucson AZ to climb Mt. Lemmon: It's a 20 mile climb, round-trip from where we stay is usually 60 miles. After we get to the top of Mt Lemmon I reset the Average Speed field but don't reset the Trip Distance field. Then I descend down a 20 mile mountain, and sprint the piss out of the last 10 miles home. Net result: My computer says I did a 60 mile ride with a 38 mph average speed. I win!
1. Ride up mountain
2. Reset avg speed
3. Road down mountain
4. Tell bikeforums
02-27-10 | 04:29 PM
#37
Banned.
Joined: Nov 2009
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Start lifting weights, targeting the posterior chain/lowerbody & core muscles. You'll be applying more force to the pedals.
02-27-10 | 06:28 PM
#38
pan y agua
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,810
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From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
This is terrible advice. Virtually no one is limited in how fast they can ride by the lack of muscular strength. The OP needs to ride, ride more, and do intervals.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
02-27-10 | 06:30 PM
#39
Elite Fred
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,953
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From: Edge City
Bikes: 2009 Spooky (cracked frame), 2006 Curtlo, 2002 Lemond (current race bike) Zurich, 1987 Serotta Colorado, 1986 Cannondale for commuting, a 1984 Cannondale on loan to my son
Maybe you need a better bike.
03-01-10 | 10:22 AM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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3) Ride straight down a double black diamond (ski) run at Vail. Similar to problem in number one. You'll build up great initial speed, but once you start bouncing down the mountain end over end for a couple thousand yards, your average speed as recorded on the computer will drop. Just remember to stop the computer just before you totally lose control. That way, if both you and your bike somehow survive, you'll have that high mph data from the beginning of your run. Oh, yeah, get a helmet-cam, and put a note on it..."Please post this film on BF"
03-01-10 | 10:33 AM
#43
on your left.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,802
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From: Blacksburg, VA
Bikes: Scott SUB 30, Backtrax MTB
Lie about it here on Bike Forums. It's what everyone else does.
edit: Another thing to keep in mind, average speed is inversely proportional to time spent on Bike Forums.
edit: Another thing to keep in mind, average speed is inversely proportional to time spent on Bike Forums.
03-01-10 | 09:26 PM
#45
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
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That accounting system works for the federal government, should be good enough for BF.
03-02-10 | 12:46 AM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,848
Likes: 4
Nobody is asking this...
U can do 19 mph using heavy gears or are we talking about pretty light gears? Just asking because if you can do 19 mph using 53x14 it is clear that the problem u have to face is lack of cadence... once you have that problem solved you will improve.
More than average speed, whats your average cadence?? I can do over 33 kms average using 42x16 for example. But you have to have the cadence and the endurance to do it.
U can do 19 mph using heavy gears or are we talking about pretty light gears? Just asking because if you can do 19 mph using 53x14 it is clear that the problem u have to face is lack of cadence... once you have that problem solved you will improve.
More than average speed, whats your average cadence?? I can do over 33 kms average using 42x16 for example. But you have to have the cadence and the endurance to do it.
03-02-10 | 01:46 AM
#47
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
03-02-10 | 07:21 AM
#48
Legs; OK! Lungs; not!
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Coral Springs, FL
Bikes: ''09 Motobecane Immortal Pro (Yellow), '02 Diamondback Hybrid, '09 Lamborghini Viaggio, ''11 Cervelo P2
03-02-10 | 07:26 AM
#49
Legs; OK! Lungs; not!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 10
From: Coral Springs, FL
Bikes: ''09 Motobecane Immortal Pro (Yellow), '02 Diamondback Hybrid, '09 Lamborghini Viaggio, ''11 Cervelo P2
Of all the subjects in BF, I think I love "average speed" threads the best! 
BTW, roadiejorge, where can I order that tape**********?
BTW, roadiejorge, where can I order that tape**********?
Last edited by bobthib; 03-02-10 at 07:29 AM.
