Question about average speeds

[jobob]

I was just checking out the route sheet for the Fremont Freewheelers Cindy training ride. Can't say I'm familiar with those climbs, but I pass by those roads a lot riding up Mission Blvd (SadieKate in fact was doing a bit of grousing on MB yesterday ) and the roads off Mission Blvd look mighty hilly so I can imagine those roads were pretty challenging.

Here's hoping you'll ride up The Animals again someday soon and think "gee, that wasn't so bad!"

[ace]

Thanks a lot for looking, jobob. The ride leaders kept warning us that the animals were really, really steep, and they did not lie :-) There were some very fun rolling hills that preceded the animals, although I couldn't tell you what road that was...Paseo Padre?

I am actually glad that I am in total ignorance about most of those training routes- I live in Oakland and Fremont is like a foreign land to me. If I know how hard a ride's going to be, I psyche myself out and perform a lot more poorly than if I just dumbly follow a group without knowing what's coming next.

[jobob]

Your ride next week out to Alum Rock Park is going to be very nice, it was one of my faves back when I did the Cindy training series. I still go on that route a lot.

[ace]

How hard is that add-on bit? Long steady climb, steep? What's the grade? I have no idea how "grades" relate to reality, but I'd like to start getting an idea.

I think our group is going to do the add on...See- I guess I do want to know about really steep hills in advance!

[jobob]

The first bit of Calaveras Rd just after you turn right from Piedmont Rd. is fairly steep, about 10%. It doesn't last long though (btw, this is not the Calaveras Wall if anyone is wondering, that's farther up, about a mile past Ed Levin park). After you get over that hump, then the road levels off to a more gradual climb to Ed Levin Park.

The descent back down is really fun though!

[ace]

OK, this is truly a stupid question. But what is the steepest grade road a person can actually ride?

[Batbike]

OK, this is truly a stupid question. But what is the steepest grade road a person can actually ride?

it all depends on the cyclist's fitness level and gearing -- a very fit person with lower gearing is going to be able to climb a steeper grade.

now, as for AVERAGE ride speed -- I have always been told, and use it when organizing rides, that the AVERAGE is just that -- the AVERAGE of flats, hills up and hills down. so, if a rider is riding 16 on flats, 6 up hill, and 30 downhill, the AVERAGE is just that within the time frame of the ride ... what speed is lost on an uphill is made-up with increased speed on the downhill, and ride pace is what is usually done on the flats (whch can change if there is a lot of pace line work done on the flats -- usually increasing flat speed). no rider is expected to ride the AVERAGE speed the total ride -- terrain and weather conditions will always affect a ride speed!

don't know if any of that helps, but please give yourself credit for what you CAN do and work on what you want to improve ... that is the only way your AVERAGE speed will increase. good luck on hills ... the more you ride, the easier it becomes (at least that is what I hear!).

[Veronica]

OK, this is truly a stupid question. But what is the steepest grade road a person can actually ride?

The last tenth of a mile on Diablo is 17%.

V.

[VeloVT]

Hey, I have a suggestion, if you're fixated on numbers. I subscribe to a service called BIM-Active (you can find out how to download at www.bonesinmotion.com). It uses the GPS capabilities of your cellphone to track speed, distance, elevation, etc of your runs, rides, etc.

I've used it a few times running and the data you get is really cool. Lots of graphs comparing speed changes and elevation changes from mile to mile, also pulls in meteorological info somehow and notes the wind speeds and temps that day. You get a free online blog too.

I would like to start using this more actually, but for some reason, on runs, the stopwatch is still a better motivator for me, so I end up having to use two gadgets, which often still seems like too much hassle... But you might like it as it not only gives your overall average speed, but also gives the average speed of each mile with the elevation change in that mile, so you can really understand where you're slowing down and why. And compare your performance on flats to subsequent flats, and hills to subsequent hills.

Good luck!

[Eden]

OK, this is truly a stupid question. But what is the steepest grade road a person can actually ride?

There is a street in Pittsburgh called Canton Ave. that's been unofficially measured at 37% There is a race there called the "Dirty Dozen", which is 12 hill climbs (climb hill get a time, ride to the next hill, climb hill, etc. etc.) and Canton is on the route. There is some tounge and cheek rhetoric about the race not continuing until all riders make it to the top of Canton Ave.(judges reserve the right to go temporarily blind....), but at very least the winner always does - so I guess you can do 37% if you are fit enough! There is a hill around here that comes in at 26% - the last time I tried that one I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground and had to get off. Sometime I need to get out and try that one again with my new bike.

[Trekhawk]

There is a street in Pittsburgh called Canton Ave. that's been unofficially measured at 37% There is a race there called the "Dirty Dozen", which is 12 hill climbs (climb hill get a time, ride to the next hill, climb hill, etc. etc.) and Canton is on the route. There is some tounge and cheek rhetoric about the race not continuing until all riders make it to the top of Canton Ave.(judges reserve the right to go temporarily blind....), but at very least the winner always does - so I guess you can do 37% if you are fit enough! There is a hill around here that comes in at 26% - the last time I tried that one I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground and had to get off. Sometime I need to get out and try that one again with my new bike.

YIKES The one time my front wheel came off the ground on my road bike it scared the hell out of me. Ive decided when that happens its way too steep for this rider

[AllezGirl]

Hey, I know that one! Haven't been brave enough to ride it yet, but it is one of my long term goals... A friend of mine (Danny Chew), is one of the organizers and I don't think he's going to let me off the hook.

It's actually a baker's dozen (13 hills) including Canton Ave, which is really 36-37%! It's pretty cool. You can check his website www.dannychew.com for more details and pics. I think there are some videos form this years ride on youtube too.

sorry for the drift....

[Eden]

I grew up in Pittsburgh, but the race started long after I moved away...

in fact I used to think I was pretty alone out there - hardly ever saw other cyclists, but it seems like a pretty hopping scene these days - even weekday races down where they used to do the drivers tests down near the zoo

[AllezGirl]

Well, if you ever want to come back and ride it let me know.

I'll come out to cheer you on

[Trekhawk]

Hey, I know that one! Haven't been brave enough to ride it yet, but it is one of my long term goals... A friend of mine (Danny Chew), is one of the organizers and I don't think he's going to let me off the hook.

It's actually a baker's dozen (13 hills) including Canton Ave, which is really 36-37%! It's pretty cool. You can check his website www.dannychew.com for more details and pics. I think there are some videos form this years ride on youtube too.

sorry for the drift....

Yikes I just checked out the site and they have a pic of a couple walking up Canton with snow on it. That is just scary steep.