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  1.  
    i know some of you live in cities and most of you ride fixed. i ride a geared bike being i live in the hilly burbs and have no real need for a fixedgear but im just wondering what everyones average riding speed is at and how often they ride. basically im trying to figure out how long it would take me or how long it took any of you to get used to riding at say at 25mph range for a considerablly lengthy time.
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
     
    30 mph for a considerable length of time... do I look like Merckx to you?

    Within city limits I'm lucky if I get near 20mph. Probably more like 15mph once you figure in waiting at lights. On the open road riding solo I'd consider 25mph to be really respectable for me.

    I started riding a two wheeler at around 4 years old. I've been riding road/mountain/fixed semi seriously for a few years.
    • CommentAuthorcloud
    • CommentTimeJul 13th 2009
     
    25-30mph is silly fast like wes said. i do 17-18 to get where i'm going and i don't waste my time.
    • CommentAuthorJimtorious
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    I am a bit fat, but I like to ride in the 15mph to 19mph range. It sounds way more impressive in Kms. My commute is 21 miles round trip and I generally tack on an extra 6to 10 miles for the fun of it. I was watching the Tour the other day and the average speed going up the category 1 climb was 14mph! That made me feel really good about myself...
    • CommentAuthorM1K3
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    I got a single speed 6 months ago and ride 9 miles to and from work. There's a couple of good sized hills along the way and I average 17.5. That works out to be 1mph faster than I used to be on my geared commuter. I'm about the same speed on the flats, a little bit slower down hills but I'm heaps faster going uphill because I'm forced to stand up and push hard to maintain momentum (and because i'm vain enough that I'd never want to be seen walking a $1000 bike up a hill).

    I've got a flip flop hub but I've never ridden the bike fixed. It's got a 42/17 ratio which gets me up the hills but would rip my legs off if i was riding fixed 45mph downhill.
  7.  
    With non aero gear (Spoked wheels, open helmet, drop bars), I can hold about a good 22-23 miles per hour solo (average) on a rolling 10 mile fixed time trial, and I'm barely faster on my road bike, but I also have a compact up front (compact gearing isn't exactly TT material unless you're doing a hill climb).

    30 mph average solo (not in a group) is pro level, and will require you to pretty much train for 3 hours + a day, have a coach to tell you what to do, improve your diet, pedal stroke, strength training, etc etc...
    • CommentAuthortoroadie
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    The TdF averages 25mph (40kph). That's over flats and mountains. But they're not human. They're cycling gods.

    I have no idea how they do it. The peleton I can understand, but break aways.. WTF? If I didn't see it I wouldn't think it was possible.

    I can't match that even with every advantage I can get. So I just aim for personal bests. You should probably aim for the same.
    Put in the miles, carry something sweet for when you bonk, and don't push too high a gear for too long.

    After my first 550km trip I couldn't walk properly for at least a week. I was hopping up stairs etc,
    because my tendons around my knees were sore. I still mash, but I try to smooth out my efforts.

    FWIW PBs:

    Solo recumbent 23 mph (37 kph) over 72 miles (115km) in 3h, Mississauga to Nowhere (in the rain).

    Solo on a geared road bike set for touring, (not including rests) 21 mph (33.8 kph) over 59 miles (93km) 2h45m, Toronto to Barrie.

    Same bike (with rests), 16.3 mph (26 kph) over 200 miles (320km) in 12h20m, Toronto to Kingston.

    On shorter runs, 20mph (33kph) is my sweet spot. (Toronto is flat). I'm happy as long as I'm over 17mph (30kph).

    I just ride every day, no special training (and the results show that :). Stay within your limits. If you're aiming for TdF speeds, then wait for someone else's answer.
    • CommentAuthorRuffinit
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    When you say considerable lengths of time, I take that a bit differently than most. Are you talking centuries, metric centuries, doubles? To truly gauge your time, you should look at popping into a locally sponsored century. A good time to attain would be a 5 hour century which if you divide it out, will give you a 20mph average. I don't know how long you've been riding, but you are not going to achieve an extended long period of time at 25mph on a fixed gear bike, and only hours upon hours in the saddle with training coaches will get you into that bracket on a multi-speed bike. I ride a 53/12 on my road bike for high gear, and you're spinning fairly well at 25mph. I don't think there's anyone here who has that gearing on a fixed gear bike.
    • CommentAuthorRuffinit
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009 edited
     
    BTW; take a look at Toroadie's personal bests; those are pretty respectable. If you can get to where you can maintain 18-22 mph solo (centuries), you'll be in probably the top 25 percent. Pros and semi-pros not included.
    • CommentAuthorsfbee
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    Posted By: RuffinitI ride a 53/12 on my road bike for high gear, and you're spinning fairly well at 25mph. I don't think there's anyone here who has that gearing on a fixed gear bike.


    Isn't that the gearing that the urban outfitters bikes are equipped with?
    • CommentAuthorRuffinit
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009 edited
     
    I don't know what urban outfitters are, but I'll look into it.

    From what I read at "http://bikes.urbanoutfitters.com/" they have theirs geared at 44/16.
    • CommentAuthorsfbee
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    I know. It was a lost attempt at sarcasm :)
    • CommentAuthorRuffinit
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    Posted By: sfbeeI know. It was a lost attempt at sarcasm :)

    I had wondered.. Maybe if you got one in yellow with red and green rims and a gold chain they'd throw in the gearing... ?
    • CommentAuthorsfbee
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    Nah... that color combination just bar spins better than the others
    • CommentAuthordeermatt
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    I dont know what I average in the city , but my top speed was 38mph , I know because I rode past one of those digital police speed traps.
    • CommentAuthoreaglerock
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    Posted By: deermattI dont know what I average in the city , but my top speed was 38mph , I know because I rode past one of those digital police speed traps.

    (pay no attention to the Sentra in the passing lane...)

    :-p
    • CommentAuthorthe rabbi
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    Posted By: eaglerock
    Posted By: deermattI dont know what I average in the city , but my top speed was 38mph , I know because I rode past one of those digital police speed traps.

    (pay no attention to the Sentra in the passing lane...)

    :-p
    hahahahahahaahhahaa
    • CommentAuthoreaglerock
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: the rabbihahahahahahaahhahaa

    Thank you! I'll be here all week! Be sure to tip your waitress!

    The Miami Beach audience is the greatest audience in the world...
    - Jackie Gleason
    • CommentAuthordeermatt
    • CommentTimeJul 14th 2009
     
    Posted By: eaglerock
    Posted By: deermattI dont know what I average in the city , but my top speed was 38mph , I know because I rode past one of those digital police speed traps.

    (pay no attention to the Sentra in the passing lane...)

    :-p


    "beat that karl lewissss!!!     but no, it was a one lane road , and kinda scary .
  21.  
    My average speed, stop signs, pedestrians, and all, is about 15 mph. I actually did 56 mph down a mountain near here when I was a teenager. It was terrifying.
  22.  
    Wow, a lot of numbers in there. I'm usually in the city, but I found the constant pedaling of a fixed was good for me outside the city on a geared bike, so on the random occassion I'd take my geared bike outside the city for a 25-35 mile ride, my computer would tell me I averaged 16-17mph. Inside the city is much closer to 13-14mph average for the entire ride.

    If you're talking about your normal speed for a short period of time, I'll ride about 22-24.5mph on flats, and hills are usually about 11-12mph, not always the same but I never let myself go under 10mph. Downhills are usually around 30mph, but that's in the city with cars, sidestreets and doors to worry about. All time top speed as far as my computer in the past 2-3 years is 38mph.

    So it all depends on what you're looking at for an average, since I can hold 20mph for quite a while, but once you factor in stop signs and whatever else it'll bring the average down.
    • CommentAuthorheadydude
    • CommentTimeJul 15th 2009
     
    City ~ 20 and thats really moving, passing cars and whatnot.
    Road ~ 20-23 mph
    once descended mt. washington on a bike at 54 mph when i was 15. some kids went in the ditch. wasn't scared at all! I would be now though.
  24.  
    i did 40mph once it was for like 700feet and it was on a blocked off new road so i didnt shit my shorts
    • CommentAuthorNate2351
    • CommentTimeJul 16th 2009
     
    Posted By: Jimtorious I was watching the Tour the other day and the average speed going up the category 1 climb was 14mph! That made me feel really good about myself...


    Seriously? Category 1 is so steep!

    I can hold 23 for about 5 miles, but after that i have to drop back to like 17. Did anyone catch the early stage this year along the coast when they were pulling the peleton at 40mph to catch the break, thats ridiculous.

    I seem to remember on year in the Veulta Team Discovery pulled the peleton at 50 mph through the flats for a few miles, talk about super human.
  26.  
    It's amazing to watch those guys climb the Alps all day at 30 klicks.
  27.  
    I don't have the slightest clue.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: toroadieThe TdF averages 25mph (40kph). That's over flats and mountains. But they're not human. They're cycling gods.

    I have no idea how they do it. The peleton I can understand, but break aways.. WTF? If I didn't see it I wouldn't think it was possible.

    I can't match that even with every advantage I can get. So I just aim for personal bests. You should probably aim for the same.
    Put in the miles, carry something sweet for when you bonk, and don't push too high a gear for too long.

    After my first 550km trip I couldn't walk properly for at least a week. I was hopping up stairs etc,
    because my tendons around my knees were sore. I still mash, but I try to smooth out my efforts.

    FWIW PBs:

    Solo recumbent 23 mph (37 kph) over 72 miles (115km) in 3h, Mississauga to Nowhere (in the rain).

    Solo on a geared road bike set for touring, (not including rests) 21 mph (33.8 kph) over 59 miles (93km) 2h45m, Toronto to Barrie.

    Same bike (with rests), 16.3 mph (26 kph) over 200 miles (320km) in 12h20m, Toronto to Kingston.

    On shorter runs, 20mph (33kph) is my sweet spot. (Toronto is flat). I'm happy as long as I'm over 17mph (30kph).

    I just ride every day, no special training (and the results show that :). Stay within your limits. If you're aiming for TdF speeds, then wait for someone else's answer.
  29.  
    Wow, you quoted something without posting a response. Nice work.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2009
     
    I tend to agree with you about the speeds in the T.D.F. being crazy fast in break aways but keep in mind that even when there are only two in a break away both can save an average of 10% to 15% of their energy. The larger the break the greater the energy savings percentages. In a larger break these percentages can go up to a max. of about 30% to 33%. This normally can only be accomplished when the guys in back stay real close to the guys in front. Head winds or tailwinds as well as cross winds can also make these numbers do crazy things when riding in a group.

    I only raced as an amateur in France for a few years and was an awful climber. about 15 years later in my late 30s and into my early 40s I became much more fit than when I raced. I simply read a few books like "The Lance Armstrong Performance program by Chris Carmichael and devoted anywhere from 4 to 6 hoers per day to this program. After only a few months of working on my primary weakness (climbing) This program allowed me to become a great climber. Man it feels good to be able to say that. When I raced on the small team I was on in France I never got the personal attention required to turn me into a great or even fair cyclist. The one thing that pushed me to put long hoers riding alone may have been in part that I have been a type one diabetic from the age of two. I was tired of hearing people say you can't do that because of your condition. I only wish I had stumbled across the books I read when I raced.

    Genetics can limit ones ability to do certain things. As a result of a severe scoliosis I was unable to ride in a tuck and I think that was a greater problem even than my diabetes. All that meant is I had to work on what I could change. since climbing is a discipline that generates little drag I could make up time that I would lose on the flats by working on my climbing ability. These are things that can be learned and the pros rest assured have the best trainers to help them work on their weaknesses and overall speed. I worked just as hard on my cycling when in Frane as I did years later here in the states. The difference is that with the information that I now have even with my health issues I was able to ride a 114 mile ride with a cat one or beyond category climb and some smaller climbs at an average speed of 20 mph. That may not seem fast but for solo rides I can live with that.

    Remember most of these top pros got into the sport at an early age and very often have their whole family to support them both fanancially and in other ways. The ones that succeed are the ones that are willing to endure long hours of pain, cold, heat, as well as sticking to their diets and keeping track of everything they do. Athletes also tend to do better if they enter a sport that fits their morphology. some are smaller in stature and have longer legs so they are able to pack more muscle on to their legs others are large with heavy bones and may be better suited for rugby or power lifting. All this to say that some of us may not be gifted with a 5'm8" 135 lb. body. That doesn't mean it's impossible to be a good cyclist but you may have to work much harder at it than the guy that was gifted with the ideal morphology of a cyclist. Even in the pro peleton you have the sprinters who rarely come to the front inlil the end of a flat stage but in the mountain stages they may be seen sacrificing themselves at the bottom of a climb for their team leader. They just weren't meant to be climbers but lets see how the climbers do in a sprint.

    Let's face it some of us even if Chris Carmichael came to us and asked us to train to race on his team wouldn't stand much of a chance. Some of us on the other hand may in that situation use our shortcomings as a driving force to push harder than the few that everything comes easy to. At times this can cause one to excel. Just look at Lance. Lance would be the first to tell you that had he not suffered through the cancer like he did he probably never would have been the racer he has become.

    Most likely you have a job wich takes about 40 hours of your day. consider that when you wonder how these pros do what they do. Everything has to fall in place in order for a champion to be made not the least of which is a willingness to discipline ones self.

    Sorry about this monolog but it just feels good to share my thoughts with others who have some of the same questions about themselves that I have about myself.

    I have been off the bike now since I broke my collar bone. The only problem is during my recovery I found some other hobbies and now two years later I am not riding. I hope this thread will encourage me to take up the bike again.
  31.  
    My average for a short ride on flats is about 20mph, depending on winds. 18 is more realistic for long rides and such, though since I'm scrawny, I have to push that into a headwind.

    It's sad, I sprint at 30, the UCI guys do 30 on the flats :/
    • CommentAuthoreaglerock
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: ecoovertThe one thing that pushed me to put long hoers riding alone may have been in part that I have been a type one diabetic from the age of two. I was tired of hearing people say you can't do that because of your condition.

    I have been off the bike now since I broke my collar bone. The only problem is during my recovery I found some other hobbies and now two years later I am not riding. I hope this thread will encourage me to take up the bike again.

    First of all, Fellow Type 1 Diabetic: Welcome! And may I add, the fact that you were able to compete at any level makes you my hero, along with the Team Type 1 guys. I've been Type 1 since I was 18, and I have been cycling again for the last four years, after more than 20 years off the bike.

    Second, I have found that riding makes it much easier to manage my glucose level. That's really the reason I started riding in 2005; my first 2 mile ride brought my level down from 250 to 120. It was that immediate, positive reinforcement that kept me going. I'm now averaging 400+ miles a month, I've lost 20 pounds in the last four years, my insulin dosages are much lower (so I'm having much fewer seizures) and my A1C, cholesterol and resting heart rate are greatly improved.

    Plus, I don't have to spend nearly as much money on gas to do my errands, when I do them all on a bicycle.

    How have you found the time off the bike to affect your glucose numbers? I find that if I go two days without riding, my numbers shoot up and I have to increase my dosages.
    • CommentAuthordanzap209
    • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2009
     
    Eaglerock... You are incredible !!! Bravo !!!
  34.  
    Yeah! My biggest bitch is that my knee hurts sometimes. You put me to shame!
  35.  
    wow eaglerock koodos to you man thats awsome.
    • CommentAuthortoroadie
    • CommentTimeNov 4th 2009
     
    Diabetic and putting in many many miles, awesome (ecoovert and eaglerock).

    114 mile with a Cat one or 'hors, and at 20mph (32kph). Damn, you'd leave me in the dust.

    If I ever win the lotto, I think I'd get that book by Carmichael and do what you did, "devote 4 to 6 hours a day to riding". What a dream.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 4th 2009
     
    Posted By: eaglerock
    Posted By: ecoovertThe one thing that pushed me to put long hoers riding alone may have been in part that I have been a type one diabetic from the age of two. I was tired of hearing people say you can't do that because of your condition.

    I have been off the bike now since I broke my collar bone. The only problem is during my recovery I found some other hobbies and now two years later I am not riding. I hope this thread will encourage me to take up the bike again.

    First of all, Fellow Type 1 Diabetic: Welcome! And may I add, the fact that you were able to compete at any level makes you my hero, along with theTeam Type 1guys. I've been Type 1 since I was 18, and I have been cycling again for the last four years, after more than 20 years off the bike.

    Second, I have found that riding makes it much easier to manage my glucose level. That's really the reason I started riding in 2005; my first 2 mile ride brought my level down from 250 to 120. It was that immediate, positive reinforcement that kept me going. I'm now averaging 400+ miles a month, I've lost 20 pounds in the last four years, my insulin dosages are much lower (so I'm having much fewer seizures) and my A1C, cholesterol and resting heart rate are greatly improved.

    Plus, I don't have to spend nearly as much money on gas to do my errands, when I do them all on a bicycle.

    How have you found the time off the bike to affect your glucose numbers? I find that if I go two days without riding, my numbers shoot up and I have to increase my dosages.


    Keep it up and thanks for including the link for Teamtype1. I came across them a while back but thought they were in Australia. My problem with group rides that take place away from where I live is I can't make the rides because I can't break away from work or other responsibilities long enough to make the rides. Those comments though should encourage me to take up cycling again.

    Thanks
    • CommentAuthoreaglerock
    • CommentTimeNov 4th 2009
     
    Posted By: ecooverteep it up and thanks for including the link for Teamtype1. I came across them a while back but thought they were in Australia. My problem with group rides that take place away from where I live is I can't make the rides because I can't break away from work or other responsibilities long enough to make the rides. Those comments though should encourage me to take up cycling again.

    I also find it easier to ride with companions, but I mostly ride alone. There are a few things I do regularly with other people: My best friend lives about 7 miles north of my house, and he works afternoon/evening at an office about 3 miles south of my house. If I have no other commitments in the middle of the day, I'll ride up to his house, pick him up, ride with him to his office, then ride home. It takes about 90 minutes, but the full loop is about 20 miles. Sometimes, if it's late at night and I'm feeling restless, I'll do the same thing in reverse: Ride down to his office, pick him up, ride him home, then head home myself. This is a shorter route, as we can use a main street instead of the longer bike trail; the loop is about 15 miles. If you do that regularly enough, the miles build up.

    I live in a town that's fairly flat, so I can get to almost any office or store I normally go to in no more than thirty minutes by bike. I carry all my groceries on a bike. I find that I ride about 40 miles a week just conducting my daily activities.

    I do find that I engage other riders in conversation as I travel. I ride a bike path along the edge of San Francisco Bay that has a lot of riders on the weekends an late in the afternoon; I see the same people over and over. Time to head that way right now, while it's still light...

    Thanks

    bien sur.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 4th 2009
     
    Posted By: eaglerock
    Posted By: ecooverteep it up and thanks for including the link for Teamtype1. I came across them a while back but thought they were in Australia. My problem with group rides that take place away from where I live is I can't make the rides because I can't break away from work or other responsibilities long enough to make the rides. Those comments though should encourage me to take up cycling again.

    I also find it easier to ride with companions, but I mostly ride alone. There are a few things I do regularly with other people: My best friend lives about 7 miles north of my house, and he works afternoon/evening at an office about 3 miles south of my house. If I have no other commitments in the middle of the day, I'll ride up to his house, pick him up, ride with him to his office, then ride home. It takes about 90 minutes, but the full loop is about 20 miles. Sometimes, if it's late at night and I'm feeling restless, I'll do the same thing in reverse: Ride down to his office, pick him up, ride him home, then head home myself. This is a shorter route, as we can use a main street instead of the longer bike trail; the loop is about 15 miles. If you do that regularly enough, the miles build up.

    I live in a town that's fairly flat, so I can get to almost any office or store I normally go to in no more than thirty minutes by bike. I carry all my groceries on a bike. I find that I ride about 40 miles a week just conducting my daily activities.

    I do find that I engage other riders in conversation as I travel. I ride a bike path along the edge of San Francisco Bay that has a lot of riders on the weekends an late in the afternoon; I see the same people over and over. Time to head that way right now, while it's still light...

    Thanks

    bien sur.



    Merci eaglerock,

    I would wright more in French but though I am fluent in French I don't write well at all in French. Spelling is a weakness of mine even in english.

    I see your point how you can often find a way to finde someone to ride with if you are willing to organize your rout. I did ride with friends on my shorter rides but When I started to increase the lengths of my rides and as my speeds increased they no longer wanted to ride with me. That's why I rode alone almost always but when I would do my recovery rides they would sometimes ride with me. I think this may have been a blessing in desguise. When you ride alone you don't become accustomed to drafting and I think you become stronger. You are also free to work on the kind of rides you need more than compromising on rides that may not be what will make you or your friends stronger. This may in part account for how my speeds increased even more when I spent more time riding alone.

    I agree with you how cycling helps control diabetes. I also like the benefit of being able to eat like a pig while keeping my blood sugars in check. Do you find that after a hard ride even if you don't ride for a day or two you are still able to take less insulin? I found that to be the case even on my shorter rides.

    Though I havn't been cycling lately I have kept the same body weight and though I'm not as lean as I used to be I still stay between 6% and 6.5% body fat. That could be because I walk quite a bit and am somewhat active. I no longer eat over 5,000 calories per day, I do walk, Fly giant kites, and do a few other active things and have been able to keep my A1C numbers between 5 and 5.5. I weigh 140 lbs. so I weigh 3 lbs. less than when I was at my best. Less muscle probably accounts for that. I never had a problem adjusting my diet according to my physical activity. Probably having been daibetic for over 45 years has a lot to do with that. I have been diabetic from the age of two so I don't know what it's like to not have to only eat what I need. eaglerock, you can look at it this way. Your diabetes could in some ways give you an advantage when it comes to cycling. I know being diabetic tought me discipline. This goes a long way towards sticking with a program.

    By the way you can call me Eric.

    Talk to you soon,

    Eric
    • CommentAuthorcyciumx
    • CommentTimeNov 4th 2009 edited
     
    I need to update pics of my Caad9. Since I switched to a half-link and no longer use a tensioner, but I run a 50/14 that is still visible in the old pics I have on now. I ride in a city and I have been riding for 10 months. My commute is only 22 miles a day, but I avg. 26 mph, but a good portion using tailwind on certain longer stetches and I go about 31-32 @ 120-30 rpm.

    I'll get off my fat ass and post updated pictures, but believe me when I say if I wasn't going that fast I'd have blown out my knees by now trying to sustain such pressure at a lower cadence.

    I am only going that fast since my commute is so short.... I've gone to San Francisco (from San Jose) and back. That is about 112 miles and It took me a bit over 5 hours so I dropped to 20mph over a long distance. Could probably sustain 16 for a 24 race though.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    Posted By: cyciumxI need to update pics of my Caad9. Since I switched to a half-link and no longer use a tensioner, but I run a 50/14 that is still visible in the old pics I have on now. I ride in a city and I have been riding for 10 months. My commute is only 22 miles a day, but I avg. 26 mph, but a good portion using tailwind on certain longer stetches and I go about 31-32 @ 120-30 rpm.

    I'll get off my fat ass and post updated pictures, but believe me when I say if I wasn't going that fast I'd have blown out my knees by now trying to sustain such pressure at a lower cadence.

    I am only going that fast since my commute is so short.... I've gone to San Francisco (from San Jose) and back. That is about 112 miles and It took me a bit over 5 hours so I dropped to 20mph over a long distance. Could probably sustain 16 for a 24 race though.


    That's a real good speed for that distance. I'm not from that area so am not sure what kind of ride that is. Would you consider it a flat, rolling, or a hilly ride?
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    Its primarily flat with a few rollers, headwind out, tailwind back.
    • CommentAuthoreaglerock
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    Posted By: ecoovertThat's a real good speed for that distance.

    Okay, I thought you were claiming 112 miles in 5 hours on a fixed-gear, which pegged my BS-ometer. But I see that the Cannondale is a single-speed: Still unlikely, but less unlikely.

    Seriously, folks; how are you all getting these speed numbers? I ride a bunch (see above), mostly on city streets, and just doing the elapsed time ÷ mileage calculation rarely gets me to better than 15MPH. All you all riding with computers? Do they all pause when you're stopped at obstructions (stop signs, lights, traffic jams)?
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    My old computer paused when I stopped. My new one doesnt. A lot of people need a reality check like that.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    Posted By: eaglerock
    Posted By: ecoovertThat's a real good speed for that distance.

    Okay, I thought you were claiming 112 miles in 5 hours on a fixed-gear, which pegged my BS-ometer. But I see that the Cannondale is a single-speed: Still unlikely, but less unlikely.

    Seriously, folks; how are you all getting these speed numbers? I ride a bunch (see above), mostly on city streets, and just doing the elapsed time ÷ mileage calculation rarely gets me to better than 15MPH. All you all riding with computers? Do they all pause when you're stopped at obstructions (stop signs, lights, traffic jams)?


    Riding in the city makes it hard if not impossible for you to hold a consistant speed long enough to stay in your zone. Also when you have to stop and start a lot that will slow you down a lot. Sounds to me like you may just need to ride outside of the city more often. If you can average 15mph. in the city you should be able to average up to 18 mph. on open rodes. Keep in mind that even an 18 mph. average pace on a solo ride is pretty good. If you want to do better than that you will have to go on longer rides or trow in some zone 4 training rides. That would be at between 80% and 90% of your max. heart rate. When I do zone 4 rides I tray to stay as close to 85% as I can. This number will go up in hills and drop on descents or on the flat. These rides should be shorter rides to start with but as you get better you will be able to hold this pace for longer. You may also try 5 or 10 minutes in zone 4 followed with 5 or 10 minutes in zone 2 and alternate between the two. Riding in zone 2 will allow you to recover and you will be able to ride harder while you are in zone 4. I do something simitar for climbing. As you become more fit you can lower the amount of time you spend in zone 2 and increase the amount of time you spend in zone 4 until you can ride at 80% to 90% of your max. for quite a while. My resting heart rate is 43 bpm. and my max is 200. On most of my longer rides I average about 165 bpm. At times I will kick it up a notch to an average of about 175 bpm. on my shorter 65 mile rides. I try to do this once a week. If speed is your primary goal you may want to do this two times per week. I would follow my high intencity ride days with at least one endurance ride or a longer ride in zone 3. Remember you can't demand more from your body than it is capable of. That's why zone training works so well as it gives your body a chance to recover so your high intencity rides will benefit you rather than weaken you.
    • CommentAuthorecoovert
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009
     
    Posted By: wes m.Its primarily flat with a few rollers, headwind out, tailwind back.


    That's impressive.
    • CommentAuthorcyciumx
    • CommentTimeNov 5th 2009 edited
     
    My reality check is pretty flawless.... I physically time myself. Meaning I leave my garage @ 7:10AM and I get to the city (10st. Costco) around 10ish and get back to my garage @ 12:24pm I google map the mileage and do some fancy calculations with the time and voila! My average miles per hour without the magic of a cyclo-'puter.

    My actual cateye double wireless says my average speed is 19.1 mph, but it doesnt turn off when I'm walking my bike (3.2 mph) or just coasting since I see a red light and find no need to keep pedaling....

    About the speeds in a city...most of my commute in the wee morning (3am) is with me and a few drunk drivers trying to creep home... I run some red lights and stop signs here and there because I can see in both directions if anyone is coming or not. and my 2nd stretch to my 2nd job at 9am is through an industrial zone near the San Jose airport.... lotsa cars, but generally simple straight roads with 45mph speed limits so lights aren't an issue. Coming home is the bad part... lots of lights, cars and idiots (me included), but i've been doing the same thing almost all year so I time the lights pretty good and rarely have to completely stop.

    ...These also aren't easy little jaunts. I expend a lot of energy. I'm usually in my 70-80% heart rate max range and if the opportunity presents itself I'll go all out and burn myself.... then you might see me crawl along at 14 for a few blocks before returning to normal.

    ...AND... if you never heard of the race RAAM then you'll see how insane speed numbers can be over distance.

    Here's the record for a SINGLE speed: Solo Single Speed | John Spurgeon | 2007 | 10.49 | 12:02:11 | 3042
    That's an average of 10.49 mph for 3,042 miles.... 26mph for less than 20 miles is do-able by someone who isn't a pro and not on a fixed.

    The record for a 2 person FIXED (The switch off, which means they each do about half the miles):2-Person Fixed | Gran Fondo Fixies | 2008 | 15.35 | 8:04:21 | 3014
    We can pretend that means 15 mph for 1,500 miles on a fixie! Insane! Coast to coast with no coast!
  48.  
    You might want to check out Map My Ride. It does all sorts of cool calculations.
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeNov 6th 2009
     
    Can any of you get map my ride to work? I dont know if it sucks completely or if my area is mapped poorly. Every time I try to map a ride it takes me off the street I want to be on and sends me on an adventure through 50 side streets. Then I have to take it off the auto route thing and just click on every corner. That gives me messed up distances because the route wont follow the road exactly.

    The lies map my ride and google were giving me inspired me to buy a new bike computer. It turns out a couple of my century rides were only 97 miles. LAME! Who the hell wants to ride 97 miles? Once you are that close you want an even 100.
  50.  
    Yeah, it doesn't know about bike paths and often gets rural roads wrong. Such is the nature of Google Maps, I'm afraid.
    • CommentAuthorthe rabbi
    • CommentTimeNov 7th 2009
     
    i use bikely.com

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