Printable View
Well I live in Illinois, so I don't have many "grades" to discuss. So my speed is mostly on flats or flats with maybe some rolling hills. My first season I kept track I averaged about 17 mph. Last summer I averaged 21 mph. That's overall, including riding with some boys who are pretty fast, which boosts that average.
I'd say I'm comfortable riding 18-21 mph, and can sprint to 30-32 mph if I have to, but not for very far.
The ONLY time I go over 30 mph is on a couple of steep downhills! For me my average varies with the bike and conditions:
Winter commuting on 48 lb MTB with studded tires 9-11 mph
In season commuting on 28 lb touring bike 13-14 mph
In season rec rides on 20 lb road bike 15-16 mph.
I do have a flat home stretch to work, if there isn't wind, you can add 3-4 mph to each bike for that 0.2 mile.
I live in the valley, so one has to hunt to find hills.
morning commute - false downgrade for first 1/3 way, flat for the rest. - 18.5-19.5
evening commute/errand stops/5 hairpinturn freeway crossing - 14.5-17.5
club rides and church commutes - 17-18 - i found this interesting, I thought we did faster, but not really.
My fastest was El Tour de Tuscon, where, if you only count when the wheel is moving - 20.6
it's amazing what a little drafting (OK, alot!) and no stopping for lights can do :cool:
I'm comfortable in the 18-22pedal stroke and with a pack can get to 30+, but solo, the fastest i've gotten is 28 without a hill. headwinds turn me into a baby, though :rolleyes: it's all in the mind...
we have one mountain with a steady ~4% grade (another friend told me it was 6, but i'm not sure on that), and my average is 9-10 there.
btw, this is all precrash. I did a club ride of 40miles yesterday with an average of 14.8.
EDIT: I have a Lemond Sarthe roadbike, she's 21lbs without water, gadgets, me and my pack. :-D
Hey Ladyjai - I'm glad to hear you're back on your bike!
V.
thank you. i'm soooooo glad to be back, even if it means i'm not allowed to push, just being able to ride... I was going stir crazy, even taking to stroking the bike. My dreams were filled with riding long distances...
Even worse, riding in to work with my roommate took me down part of my route, and I just stared longingly at the right lane :p :rolleyes: :D
I should have asked what kind of bikes you are all ridng?:o
My ride yesterday was on a road bike, with fenders and 27 mm tires. The bike w/o front and rear bags currently weighs 26 pounds. Of course I was unsupported so had lots of clothes and food. I had my light, but not the battery. Thom was going to do a second loop with me, and he brought my battery over. But he didn't feel like riding, so I bagged a second loop.
V.
Are you training?Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
I amended mine.
Nanci
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandi
Yep!
I'm specifically training for the Devil Mountain Double in April. If that goes well, and I think I can make the time cut off, I'll sign up for Terrible Two in June. I'm doing the Solvang Double at the end of March and Central Coast Double in May. DMD, CC and TT are the stage race doubles this year.
V.
What's the time limit for a double? For a 300k, which is just slightly less, it's 20 hours.
Nanci
I wish I had the guts to do races. But my bike is to slow. I am not comfy on road bikes. So my hybred is both off road and road. It only weighs like 20 pounds. But I think they would luagh at me.
Technically they aren't races. If you happen to complete these three doubles they count towards the stage race. There are people who race them. I won't be one of those. Only 32 people did all three last year. So as I'm telling anyone who asks, I could be in the top fifty!
V.
Rock on with your bad stuff!:D
DMD doesn't really have a time limit. They want you off Mount Hamilton before dark and will SAG you ahead if needed. It's 206 miles and 20,000 feet of climb. I'm hoping to finish in 18 hours.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nanci
I haven't researched Central Coast's cutoffs.
Terrible Two has a 16.5 hour time limit. It has less climbing than DMD at 16,000 feet, but the climbs seem to be steeper with many long sections in the 10 - 12% range.
V.