How fast do you ride?

"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing

in

Quoted message said:

my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g., terrain), but it is
relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was around 14 when I
started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting to know how
others have progressed in there cycling???

Probably one of the best ways to gauge your progress it to do some group rides. Are you keeping up
comfortably with the group, or would you like a bit more challenge. In most areas there are
different groups, some are a blend of faster recreational riders and racers. Try yourself in that
group as a benchmark. I would suggest learning the course first, then select milestones along the
way to find out when you get dropped. Frequently these rides have a definite pattern. If you know
when the accelerations and sprints are going to occur, you can be prepared for them. After enough
trys and perseverance , you will arrive at the finish with the group. Then you will have really
accomplished something.

By the way, two really nice racing bikes and all of the accessories you could possibly want is still
only half the cost of an angioplasty, Plus it is a heck of a lot more fun...

Best Regards,

Bruce

Prometheus7 said...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing in my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g.,
terrain), but it is relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was
around 14 when I started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting
to know how others have progressed in there cycling???

I do about the same, but I ride a 29 lb 5" travel full-suspension mountain bike on my road rides
with 2.0" off-road tires (but not knobby) inflated to 35-40 psi and platform pedals. But I've been
doing it longer than you have. It sounds like you have done some good work. I would think you should
be able to improve on those numbers a little with more time.

Prometheus7 said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing in my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g.,
terrain), but it is relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was
around 14 when I started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting
to know how others have progressed in there cycling???

With that kind of mileage, I think you should shoot higher.

I've been a mtb-er for many recent years, but bought a new road bike at the beginning of last
season. I only put 1000 miles on it. I'm pushing 1500 this season. (I still pay my mtb and the local
trails some attention - no cyclocomputer there.)

Solo, I can cruise at 19 mph. Sometimes, when I'm "fully loaded" and in the third quarter of a
well-supported century ride, I can burst for 25+ mph for ten minutes at a time before
recovering at 17.

Disclaimer: because I obey traffic regulations and have not made such measurement a priority, I do
not know my true speed over distance.

--
--
Lynn Wallace xmission.com~lawallOpen ↗ "I'm not proud. We really haven't done everything we
could to protect our customers. Our products just aren't engineered for security." --Microsoft VP in
charge of Windows OS Development, Brian Valentine.

But that's some serious mileage you've accumulated. If you never get faster, be proud of what you've
accomplished.

--
--
Lynn Wallace xmission.com~lawallOpen ↗ "I'm not proud. We really haven't done everything we
could to protect our customers. Our products just aren't engineered for security." --Microsoft VP in
charge of Windows OS Development, Brian Valentine.

Do you average 17 mph for a ride, including deceleration and acceleration to and from stops (what
your bike computer is measuring), or do you tend to cruise at 17 mph? Big difference. I'd say 17 mph
for an average is pretty decent. Cruising at 17 mph is on the slow side.

Kyle

"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing

in

Quoted message said:

my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g., terrain), but it is
relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was around 14 when I
started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting to know how
others have progressed in there cycling???

I purchased my road bike exactly 1 year ago this month. When I started I was in the 15mph range, but
probably couldn't go more than 20 - 25 miles. Now I can maintain 20 - 22 mph for about 45 miles or
so, with bursts of up to 30 mph for probably 5 min. I currently average between 175 - 200 miles per
week, weather and schedule permitting. I recently increased the amount of interval training per
week. This really seems to help on the speed side, and the ability to push larger gears for longer
periods. It also seems to shorten recovery times between.

This brings up a good question, and I was actually thinking about this yesterday, which type of
exercise is actually best for increasing overall speed?

Chris

"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing

in

Quoted message said:

my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g., terrain), but it is
relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was around 14 when I
started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting to know how
others have progressed in there cycling???

"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing

in

Quoted message said:

my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g., terrain), but it is
relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was around 14 when I
started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting to know how
others have progressed in there cycling???

You're doing great! Keep putting in the miles and your speed with continue to go up. I started
riding four years ago, with an average of about 14 - 15 mph over 25 mile distances. At that time I
was 190 lbs and I was riding a relatively heavy bike. For about the last 1-1/2 years I've been
averaging 100 to 125 miles a week. Since I started doing that kind of milage my weight has dropped
to 170 lbs and my average speed has risen to about 18 - 20 mph over a 30 - 40 mile distance. I
credit most of that to the weight change and leg strength from the higher milage. Don't worry about
the age, I'm 61 yrs. and can't get enough riding. I just wish I could afford to retire so I could
get to 200 miles/wk. By the way, I changed bikes also. I spent a large amount of my kids inheritance
and bought a Pegoretti which I love!!

John

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"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing in my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g.,
terrain), but it is relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was
around 14 when I started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting
to know how others have progressed in there cycling???

Hi, I wonder too, about whether I am riding up to my potential. I'm 48 and my right leg is
artificial [above the knee]. When I started riding, last year, after being off the bike for about 25
years, I was lucky to average 10mph for 10 miles. By the end of the season, I was in the 12mph range
for 14 miles, with a 7 mile run of 13mph. I rode 700 miles on my old French 10-speed. This year I
had new derailleurs, with index shifting and I started in the 12mph range and by my seventh ride was
in the 13s.A while after that I hit 14mph and with rare exceptions have maintained low to mid 14s. I
put 599 miles on the French [now] 12-speed and then bought a new 2002 LeMond Tourmalet. I have now
put 680 miles on the new bike, and have hit 15.86 for one 10 mile ride. But two other benefits of
the new bike is that my average ride went from 14 miles to 20 miles, today I did 24 miles with an
average speed of 14.94. My longest ride this year has been 35 miles, I didn't know the route or path
and only averaged 13.5mph on that ride. When I started this season, I had hoped to ride 1000 miles
and I have 1280 miles already, with at least another month of good riding weather. I wish I knew how
to calculate the percentage that the missing leg plays. I know that is is much less than 50% because
I can excert some downward pressure. My biggest limitation, so far, is hill climbing, clipless
pedals have helped there. Last year, I didn't use any special pedals or shoes. This year I have SPD
Shimano 324 on the old bike and Shimano Ultegra SPD-SL on the LeMond. I just love the LeMond, it is
so much fun to ride. My rolling speeds are pretty good, I think I lose a lot of time on starts. Does
anyone know any other one legged riders? Life is Good! Jeff

"Jeff Starr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know any other one legged riders?

There's a guy I race with in D grade at Heffron Park in Sydney, Will Elrick
(randwickbotanycc.comresults 28%20June%202003.htmOpen ↗) who's got just the one. He doesn't
use an artificial limb or anything, but just relies on being clipped in well and pedals all the way
round. Personally I reckon he's cheating, on account of not having to carry nearly as much weight as
the rest of us do, not to mention that running one legged has gotta be more aerodynamic.

He keeps up with the pack for ten laps of the circuit, a total of 20km at perhaps 34km/h, and
he's usually there at the end, tho I haven't seen him put in a big sprint yet. Bloody awesome
guy, I reckon.

Regards,

Suzy

"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in
:"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing in my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g.,
terrain), but it is relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was
around 14 when I started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting
to know how others have progressed in there cycling???

I am 53 and on 25mi+ rides I average 19-20mph. The more I work out the higher my AMPH.

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing in my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g.,
terrain), but it is relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was
around 14 when I started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting
to know how others have progressed in there cycling???

Starting in March, I ride closer to 22 kph, but as the summer progresses I work up to an average of
27 kph on rides of 1 to 2 hours over a route with approximately 150 m in elevation change. I'm 55
and have been back to riding regularly for 5 years. As others have said, the more miles I ride
weekly, the higher my average goes. Now, if I can just manage to ride indoors November through March
. . . maybe a TV in front of my trainer? ;-)

Rick

I ride fast enough to reach my front door at the exact time at which I arrive.

Bill "cyclometerless" S.

ottodog <c> wrote:

: This brings up a good question, and I was actually thinking about this yesterday, which type of
: exercise is actually best for increasing overall speed?

All of them. But start training from lower intensity.

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

Jeff Starr <[email hidden]> wrote:
: I wish I knew how to calculate the percentage that the missing leg plays. I know that is is much
: less than 50% because I can excert some downward pressure.

You could take your legs to the gym and see how each of them does in the leg extension machine. That
would give you a very rough measure :-) Other muscles than thighs come to play too, on a bike, but
for less effect. People usually don't get much power from pulling up on the pedal.

Though, I dunno how much butt or mid-body muscles participate. Upper body is needed on upright bikes
as well but I gather it's more for stabilizing your body when pedalling.

: My biggest limitation, so far, is hill climbing, clipless pedals have helped there. Last year, I
: didn't use any special pedals or shoes.

I just recently found out a trike is nice for isolated leg training: just rest one foot on the
crossbar :-) It serves again to demonstrate that my pedal stroke is far from a round circle, the
down/forward stroke goes powerfully, and the trike jumps forward, while the rest of the stroke is
weak and slow, and even at some points not smooth and all, I seem to negatively load the pedal :-.

Hills are very difficult with just one leg, I wonder how one could manage them without clipless
pedals :-) I guess keeping a high cadence helps...

I wonder what your technique is like. You are like doing isolated leg training the year round.

: Does anyone know any other one legged riders?

Only that they are out there: steintrikes.comnomad1.jpgOpen ↗

--
Risto Varanka | helsinki.fihpv.htmlOpen ↗ varis at no spam please iki fi

Depends on the ride (distance, terrian). Usually I average 14-16 MPH. Slower on toughie rides (like
the C2K), faster on the short ones.

Best I've done is 20 MPH on a ten mile TT.

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

BTW, faster doesn't always mean better. Unless speed is what you're after.

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

[email hidden] (Jeff Starr) wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know any other one legged riders?

I was working as a bike messenger in Portland, OR in the late 1980s. There was a one-legged
African-American dude who from time to time would pass through downtown on a Cannondale (or Klein?)
frame, in full race kit - a *very* impressive rider. Dude had great bike handling skills and
phenomenal sprint speed. I tried to follow him a couple of times and he dropped me like I was
standing still.

Alex Merz

[email hidden] (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman"😉 wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Depends on the ride (distance, terrian). Usually I average 14-16 MPH. Slower on toughie rides
(like the C2K), faster on the short ones.

Best I've done is 20 MPH on a ten mile TT.

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

I currently ride a 20 mile there-and-back route on flat terrain with a few rollers in 58-60', on an
old steel frame with no aero equipment. Hope to go 53-55' before the snow comes. Age 35, first
season riding after a 2.5 year layoff, don't race.

FWIW, in his book on training and racing, Dr. Arnie Baker suggests that to begin mass-start racing a
19-29 year-old male should be able to ride at least 10 miles in 30 minutes (and be able to ride in a
group, of course). Older riders, Baker says, might add a couple of minutes.

-Alex Merz

I'm 47 years old. Been road riding for two years. I just averaged
18.6 mph for a fairly flat 30 mile ride.

"Prometheus7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I hit a milestone, one year of having started riding at age 41. I'm, no doubt, a recreational
cyclist, but I did squeeze in 3000 miles between family and other responsibilities. I'm curious as
to how I'm progressing in my ability. I know average speed depends upon a lot of factors (e.g.,
terrain), but it is relatively flat here with some rollers. I can average 17 over 35 miles; it was
around 14 when I started. I know it is different for each individual, but it would be interesting
to know how others have progressed in there cycling???