Reached 42.2 mph w/o pedalling

[eclectic]

The riding season is winding down here and I need to get 33 more miles on my bike to make it 2000 for the season(april to Oct and if lucky Nov).

Now for the story - the good, the bad, and the ugly

Today was beautiful temperaturewise - upper 70's but the wind was a little stiff - about 25mph. Ran into a friend and decided to go out at about 4:30

She rode over to pick me up, I decided against taking my windbreaker because it was still really nice out and just put on a jersey and shorts.

We decided on a route that was pretty flexible depending on the wind

SSW x-wind on the 7 miles out, not too bad, decided to climb the hill out of the valley and make a decision at the top. (fastest I have ever gone up that hill BTW) got to the top and it was GREAT! tail winds! ! ! so we decided to keep going. Got to the next cross roads and decided this is too sweet to turn now and it will only be 4 miles with a crosswind then back in the valley so the last 5 against the headwind will be in town. Not a wise decision

when we were going 20mph on a flat stretch w/o pedalling we should have had a clue went down a moderate incline and made it up to 42.2mph Riding partner did 43.8 suhweeet!

made it to the turn and I warned my riding partner to look out when making the turn because x-winds can catch you unaware. WHOAAAAAA that is when we realized - not a wise choice - we couldn't keep the bikes going straight on the road. we were leaning hard to the right into it then the gust would ease and we would shoot over into the lane of traffic (luckily it was light) after a mile we thought "this is stupidity" so we walked a ways, came to a farmstead went down into the ditch so we could hear on our cell phones and called for rescue.

Of course NO ONE WAS HOME OR ANSWERING THEIR PHONES!

We made the decision to start walking when the person in the farmstead let out his dogs (must have thought we were predators because who in the h$%* would be out in that wind)

By now some ominous clouds have started to move in, temps have dropped almost 25 degrees and we have 4 dogs headed towards us. RP immediatly said protect w/your bike and I said in a firm voice "go home!" Just like I heard to do here. AND it worked! the Rotweiller and another froze right at the fence line the blue heeler came closer so I just kept repeating "go home" the heeler backed off but the little lab just circled around. I wasn't too worried about the lab but I am not too trusting of the rotweiller and heeler. we just kept walking,they lost interest and went back to the yard where the owner was trying to round them up once he realized we weren't mountail lions.

RP said "now all we need is it to start snowing" Fast forward - THANK GOD it didn't!

we felt the wind had let up a little so decided to try riding again - not too bad, made it in with no further incidence.

I have never been afraid of balancing and tipping on my bike but today did me in

Once home I checked the weather stats:
55 degrees, 41mph winds with 50 mph gusts - no wonder I made 42 mph, ran out of gears and didn't even have to pedal!

but anyhoo now ONLY 11 more miles to 2000 I think I will ride around the park

[Toni]

What a fabulous adventure!!!! 42 MPH

I, myself am a speed freak.......would love to go that fast at least once in my lifetime. Glad both you and your friend are safe. Congrats on 2000, (almost)!

[CyclChyk]

Wow that sounds AWEsome!! SO glad it all worked out safely for you w/traffic!

So! You gonna try and beat your speed record before this season is over, or wait until next season???

[Bikingmomof3]

Fantastic ride. I am glad the dogs listened and neither of you were injured and were able to ride home safely. Awesome speeds. You shall easily make your goal of 2000 miles.

[esther231]

Amazing ride. Congrats on the distance and speed!!

I have no clue what wind can do - I've never ridden in strong winds. And after reading about your adventure, I'm not sure I will. lol But it sounds like a ride you'll remember forever.

[mimitabby]

Boy, what a scary ride! may i ask what State you live in?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Geez! I'm glad that wind didn't blow one of you into the path of an oncoming car!

[eclectic]

Boy, what a scary ride! may i ask what State you live in?

we are in the Peace Garden state - North Dakota - nothing to stop the wind from the Montana Rockies to the Northwoods of Minnesota or from Texas to the Arctic circle

CyclChyk
I think I will let this one stand for the time being I would have to find a pretty steep hill to get speed like that again because I will NEVER ride in those kinds of winds again ! although around here I may be eating my words The weather here can switch in a blink of an eye

esther231
Around here wind isn't an option, if we didn't ride in it we would never get out. I don't usually go if they are over 25 mph and we ALWAYS pick our routes according to the wind. We really relish and appreciate the 1 day a month when there is no wind

Thanks for everyones concern re dogs and traffic. Both are pretty rare around here. the county road we were on only had about 6 oncoming cars and 4 cars going the same way. But it only takes 1 in the wrong place at the wrong time

[Bike Goddess]

We get wind most of the year here, but not in such gale force as you do! 40MPH winds are very strong and dangerous as you describe. Good that you walked aways dogs and all!

11 miles to go... you can do it especially after this adventure!