Speed in paceline vs. solo ride

[li10up]

I know that you can go faster in a paceline (drafting). I was just wondering the difference in your speeds. Do you drop 1,2,3 or more mph when you go it alone? I know it depends on the members in the paceline, etc. but generally speaking how much slower are you solo than when you are drafting?

[SadieKate]

It DEPENDS!!!!! Go back and read all of the variables above.

[maillotpois]

It also (still) depends on terrain - both in and out of a paceline.

How hilly is it? How actually windy is it? How well are you riding today? etc., etc., ad infinitum. I couldn't possibly tell you my average speed for solo rides, period. It depends. I can give you my average speed for specific rides I do. Which depends (mostly on how I am riding that day).

[smilingcat]

Funny you mentioned about the wind...

It used to be that when I rode solo, I was always riding into a stiff head wind. It didn't matter if I turned around or not. And when I rode in a pace line, I didn't have that constant head wind into me

And yup, I always liked having one of my friend in front of me. She was 5' 9". And when I rode in a pace line with the boys, nobody wanted to be behind me why???

[smilingcat]

okie dokie V..

Pace line speed 26-29MPH (4 crazy women hammering away)
solo for 2-8miles no hills 23-26MPH (this was when I used to ride seriously)
longer distance solo 18-20MPH.

now days I just meander and stop to smell the roses

smilingcat

[indysteel]

okie dokie V..

Pace line speed 26-29MPH (4 crazy women hammering away)
solo for 2-8miles no hills 23-26MPH (this was when I used to ride seriously)
longer distance solo 18-20MPH.

now days I just meander and stop to smell the roses

smilingcat

I want to be you when I grow up. The ability to do those speeds just blows me away. I'm trying not to get TOO fixated with speed, but wow.

[li10up]

Geez, what's wrong with you people!? I KNOW IT DEPENDS. I said generally speaking!!!!!!!! If you're going to give me an it depends answer when I already told you I know that it depends then why answer? For those of you who know, generally speaking, how much of a difference there is when you ride solo and when you draft, a favor of a reply is appreciated. I know that generally speaking I am 2 miles an hour slower - how about you?

Edit: While I was writing this 3 or 4 people replied...thank you.

[Veronica]

Wow! I think you need to lighten up. But I guess that depends...

V.

PS I forgot that when I follow Bubba, MR. MP or HotRod, I go much faster. Yowza those are some fine calves!

PPS My honey has nice calves, but he always drafts me!

[SadieKate]

Case made. It depends on who I'm drafting.

I've ridden in pacelines where I'm the strongest rider. We do not go any faster than my solo pace.

You want a number? Anywhere between 0-10* mph. I've experienced the entire spectrum. That help?

*10 mph is not an exaggeration. A group of 40+ guys on the flats headed for the barn ride durn fast.

[li10up]

SK, Actually that does help, even though you were being sarcastic. I never would have guessed that a recreational rider (although I believe you are one of the stronger riders on this forum - I think you race too, don't you?) could gain that much of a benefit from a draft...10 mph would be awesome.

Smilingcat - d@mn.......that is fast!

So, it looks like I have some fun times ahead if I stick with this. Riding at nearly 30 miles an hour blows my mind.

Thanks V...I'll try to lighten up.

[TrekJeni]

You want a number? Anywhere between 0-10* mph. I've experienced the entire spectrum. That help?

*10 mph is not an exaggeration. A group of 40+ guys on the flats headed for the barn ride durn fast.

For me it's up to 15 miles an hour difference. Our Tuesday night team ride averages about 31 mph for 40 miles. It's flat and the boys that pull are strong. We start with about 50 riders and we get shelled out one by one!

Jeni

Did a century this weekend with five other guys. Averaged 17.3. We had a terrible head for most of the ride. I would have never made it the whole 100 miles without them and I wouldn't have gone near as fast.

[Eden]

Respectfully I think they are saying it depends because throwing out a random number really isn't going to help you at all. I couldn't give you a number as to tell you the truth I really have no idea. Sometimes I can hammer along alone faster than I usually paceline at, sometimes speeds that I would normally say are slow feel incredibly hard even in a paceline. Sometimes I could go faster than the paceline if I wanted to, but the bigger question would be how long could I keep that up? So unless the pace of the group is pushing you to your limit and you are going to blow up (which then will result in your falling off the back and moving even more slowly than you would have if you stayed by yourself and kept a steady pace...... etc. - get the idea how variable something like this can really be.....), you probably will be able to travel faster in the paceline. If you aren't traveling faster you'll probably get to your destination less tired. How much faster????? who knows.

yeah and +1 for Sadie Kate - who you are drafting totally makes a difference. My powerful 6'4" husband gives me a much better speed lift than one of my 5' team mates ever could....

[SadieKate]

yeah and +1 for Sadie Kate - who you are drafting totally makes a difference. My powerful 6'4" husband gives me a much better speed lift than one of my 5' team mates ever could....

However, the men I know say they'd rather draft a woman anyday. I believe it has to do with the view.

BTW, SK's #1 rule for choosing a husband - must be large enough to provide a good draft.

[smilingcat]

If you want to go at my speed. Its a lot of hard serious training.

You will have to ride minimum of 250 miles a week. Not at leisurely pace but at >70% max HR.

Do lots if intervals. Do sets of hill climbs. Spin exercises. weights (not heavy but go for repetition.)

You don't have a life when you train more than 20 hours a week. BF?? WHO?? WHAT??

I used to joke with my brother in law about how often we would have to replace chains and throw away the worn out clusters. I went through atleast one set of chain and a set of cluster per season. My brother in law was even better, he went through a complete road bike per season. Got to be pretty expensive even when he got the parts at cost.

[pinkychique]

What I've noticed is that I ride harder and faster when I'm riding with a paceline, esp when there's bad wind (which there usually is here) just to keep up, but I tend to ride with guys, like, 99% of the time because there really aren't many girls here to ride with.
I think that pacelines are great for increasing your speed by riding with people faster than you.