How do they maintain those speeds? He was by himself. He was going so fast that I just decided to stay behind him. How much do I need to spend to get a bike that good where I could just use pedal power to go that fast? Or how long would it take to build my muscles up to do that for maybe 10 miles straight?
Saw a lycra averaging 23 mph yesterday
- Thread starter morph999
- Start date
nicobie
100 MW
that's a rough question....
Takemehome
1 kW
View attachment Voie maritime.jpg
I was going 38km/h when a lycra ( 25~35 years old ) caught up from behind and started asking me questions about my motor. ( how fast, how far, how much, the usual )
We talked all the 11km. of the path going 38 and he was not even hard breathing.
When we got to the end he headed back to "continue his training".
This guy was in top shape.
I was going 38km/h when a lycra ( 25~35 years old ) caught up from behind and started asking me questions about my motor. ( how fast, how far, how much, the usual )
We talked all the 11km. of the path going 38 and he was not even hard breathing.
When we got to the end he headed back to "continue his training".
This guy was in top shape.
liveforphysics
100 TW
I like riding beside them, then inching ahead a bit, and they pick up their pace to match, then inching ahead a bit more, watching them pick up the pace etc. When you've got an E-bike that does 50mph uphills, and 64mph on the flats (gearing limited, not power limited), then you can really test them. I keep the pedal chain ziptied up off the front and rear sprockets, but I love to pretend to be pedaling at a furious rate to encourage them to try to beat me. I've been very impressed with a few guys who reached 30ish MPH on flat ground. Once they max out for speed, it generally seems like a good time to pop up in a wheelie. 
Sadly, hills seem to really be a weak point for human powered bikers. The best I've ever encountered only managed a painfully slow 10-15mph up mild hills. My bike just begs to be doing at least 30-40mph up hills.
Sadly, hills seem to really be a weak point for human powered bikers. The best I've ever encountered only managed a painfully slow 10-15mph up mild hills. My bike just begs to be doing at least 30-40mph up hills.
dogman dan
1 PW
My vintage motobecane wieghs 27 pounds, and cost ten bucks, plus some new tires in 1990. Now it might be more, since vintage roadbikes are becoming collectable. Bike weight matters, but even a fairly heavy one like the motobecane can be fast if the tires have good rolling resistance. The sub $100 roadbike will be slow compared to a light bike, but carbon frames start at $600 and go up from there. A vintage aluminum frame roadbike would be a good place in the middle of the price range. Garage sales and flea markets are the place. Look for a frame that won't let a magnet stick to it.
Getting fit took me one summer, but I was 14 at the time. A summer in Santa Fe with no TV did it. I was riding to the Ski area daily, and went from a pud to a stud in 3 months. Back at school, people went WTF! have you been doing.
Now, at 50, I can still hit 30 mph on the motobecane, for about 10 seconds. :lol: :lol: Sustained riding, 15 mph for about 3 miles, or till I puke. I don't know your age, Morph, but under 30 you can make it to 20-25 mph under pedal power if you try, above 40, it'll take a lot more trying.
Liveforphysics, you're evil! I've had similar fun, just with my weak 25 mph bike. I got passed one day by a fit but older roadie. I was riding into a good 20 mph headwind, and going about 12 mph on a test of maximum range on my battery. The roadie, eyeing my wallbike FS mtb, with panniers all over, gives me the yer an idiot look. Riding through rolling hills, I let him get ahead of me on each climb, and as soon as he dropped out of sight, hit full throttle. When I topped the hill, I'd be right behind him again. He'd kick a bit harder up the next hill, and I'd be right there again, but never going fast when he could see me. It was evil mean but fun, you could tell he was determined to leave me in the dust, but somehow, there I still was, five miles later, not 1/4 mile behind him on my f---ing wallbike while he's riding $3000 of carbon. Poor shmuck never knew how I was doing it.
Getting fit took me one summer, but I was 14 at the time. A summer in Santa Fe with no TV did it. I was riding to the Ski area daily, and went from a pud to a stud in 3 months. Back at school, people went WTF! have you been doing.
Now, at 50, I can still hit 30 mph on the motobecane, for about 10 seconds. :lol: :lol: Sustained riding, 15 mph for about 3 miles, or till I puke. I don't know your age, Morph, but under 30 you can make it to 20-25 mph under pedal power if you try, above 40, it'll take a lot more trying.
Liveforphysics, you're evil! I've had similar fun, just with my weak 25 mph bike. I got passed one day by a fit but older roadie. I was riding into a good 20 mph headwind, and going about 12 mph on a test of maximum range on my battery. The roadie, eyeing my wallbike FS mtb, with panniers all over, gives me the yer an idiot look. Riding through rolling hills, I let him get ahead of me on each climb, and as soon as he dropped out of sight, hit full throttle. When I topped the hill, I'd be right behind him again. He'd kick a bit harder up the next hill, and I'd be right there again, but never going fast when he could see me. It was evil mean but fun, you could tell he was determined to leave me in the dust, but somehow, there I still was, five miles later, not 1/4 mile behind him on my f---ing wallbike while he's riding $3000 of carbon. Poor shmuck never knew how I was doing it.
Drunkskunk
100 GW
When I was 18 I could average 18mph. by the time I had to quit cycling at 22, I could hold 20mph average. If the need arouse, I could pretty well explode to 30mph or more. we used to train on hills, re-riding the same hill over and over again, trying to maintain 20mph up a 5% grade. I don't remember what my flat ground top speed was, but I hit 45mph several times coming down some long hills.
I lived on my bike as a kid. from age 6 I rode my bike to school every day. as an adolesant, I couldn't get my parents to take me anywhere, I had to ride. I rode rain or shine, summer, winter, boiling hot or freezing cold. by the time I was 20 I was doing 20 miles a day minimum, every day.
In 1992 my bike cost me $1500 used. thats the bike I could eventualy hold 20mph on. These guys around here are doing 23mph as well now days. But talking to them, they come from the same type life style. a lifetime on a bike, A lifetime of eating healthy and suplements to enhance their training, and the best equipment they can afford.
I lived on my bike as a kid. from age 6 I rode my bike to school every day. as an adolesant, I couldn't get my parents to take me anywhere, I had to ride. I rode rain or shine, summer, winter, boiling hot or freezing cold. by the time I was 20 I was doing 20 miles a day minimum, every day.
In 1992 my bike cost me $1500 used. thats the bike I could eventualy hold 20mph on. These guys around here are doing 23mph as well now days. But talking to them, they come from the same type life style. a lifetime on a bike, A lifetime of eating healthy and suplements to enhance their training, and the best equipment they can afford.
will_newton
1 kW
the local hardcore lycra guys don't consider it a ride unless they've average 20+ mph over two hours. 23+ for an hour is preferred, regular reports of 30+ mph sprints. a conversation with one of my buddies in the lycra group said it took him about two years of riding with a group to get to that level. everyone pushes each other in the group and they all get better.
I had a 60 year old from that group on an old skool fixie bury me in the dust on a 12 mile ride. I was on my nonelectric trek 7.5 fx and he pulled me the whole way, just killing me, he was even making a point of crushing me riding uphill, but I could take him on the downhills, mostly due to my extra weight and ability to shift gears. I'll be danged if he didn't hang off my back wheel drafting and pedaling like a madman though!
I had a 60 year old from that group on an old skool fixie bury me in the dust on a 12 mile ride. I was on my nonelectric trek 7.5 fx and he pulled me the whole way, just killing me, he was even making a point of crushing me riding uphill, but I could take him on the downhills, mostly due to my extra weight and ability to shift gears. I'll be danged if he didn't hang off my back wheel drafting and pedaling like a madman though!
will_newton said:
Wow, 2 years. I'm going to do it in 2 months! Here's what I'm doing. I run my ebike on the same route. Write down the time at the halfway point and finish line. Then ride the road bike on the same route and try to beat the ebike. Right now the ebike is 20 sec faster then me. It starts out at 21mph then it looses 2 cells after 2 miles and speed drops to 18-19 depending on wind and slope. Its a fair race. Only like 4 miles. I conserve most my energy till I get downwind, then go for it.
hi friends,
to have the hi- speed on a bike, you need a very good racer, the rims must be blades typed. when i was 19 age, i had my own racer i can only do 35km/h most while i had another racer can easily do 40km/h (no need to have super strong legs!!) that racer must match your body and legs perfertly. if you are a tall guy and ride a smaller frame the speed will be slower. I remember this is very true, you really need a excellent matching bike to fit your body, and the gears and all the parts must be very good too, light enough. during that time i was doing 40km/h it was so easy and No difficulties in my breathing, i was puzzle!!
I also know singpaore youth national cyclist he was able to easy clock 50km/h in a few seconds. so i ask him lent me your bike and i Wonder if i can do the same thing like him, so i tried, wwoh.. the pedal was dam hard on my own legs. His legs is really special trained up, Very solid pair of thick legs, thin body. all of these cyclist who train up to the best for competition. i won't do it, i frighten my keen cap can't be used when i am old, i hope myself don't need that walking stick. keep yourself healthy is okay but over trained is self torture is certainly bad for health. Do the right speed for the body.
cheers!!
kentlim
to have the hi- speed on a bike, you need a very good racer, the rims must be blades typed. when i was 19 age, i had my own racer i can only do 35km/h most while i had another racer can easily do 40km/h (no need to have super strong legs!!) that racer must match your body and legs perfertly. if you are a tall guy and ride a smaller frame the speed will be slower. I remember this is very true, you really need a excellent matching bike to fit your body, and the gears and all the parts must be very good too, light enough. during that time i was doing 40km/h it was so easy and No difficulties in my breathing, i was puzzle!!
I also know singpaore youth national cyclist he was able to easy clock 50km/h in a few seconds. so i ask him lent me your bike and i Wonder if i can do the same thing like him, so i tried, wwoh.. the pedal was dam hard on my own legs. His legs is really special trained up, Very solid pair of thick legs, thin body. all of these cyclist who train up to the best for competition. i won't do it, i frighten my keen cap can't be used when i am old, i hope myself don't need that walking stick. keep yourself healthy is okay but over trained is self torture is certainly bad for health. Do the right speed for the body.
cheers!!
kentlim
will_newton
1 kW
I don't quite understand how riding for 12 minutes for four miles @ 20 mph for two months is going to get you to being able to maintain a 20+MPH pace for two hours, but good luck with that. :?D-Man said:
:lol: Unfortunately, my ride time can only be like 30 minutes max at a time due to low back pain. Nothing wrong with the muscles in my legs though now, thanks to the ebike. Sometimes I take a break then go another 30 minutes. I can't ride in clubs as they go for hours without stopping. I just want to race myself and see improvement. If I could avg 20mph for 8 miles, that would be just fine for me.
northernmike
10 kW
Kentlim, you have it right! Fit is VERY important.
Morph, I ride a 46 year old ten speed and can maintain 23mph with no problem. I own the spandex, and love it, but don't wear it that often.
It's not that you need to spend a lot of money or suffer a lot.
Get yourself into shape gradually, steadily, with a bike that fits you. I did it three years ago, riding about two to three hours each ride three times a week all summer.
Some folks are just not built for it though. I have a friend who goes to the gym all the time, he's got huge upper body strength and weighs about 190. I'm about 145 and never work out except for cycling - he just can't catch me. Short legs will hold you up, as will any cardio issues. If you're in OK shape, expect to work hard for about 3 months before you get used to it.
After that, it's addictive!!
Morph, I ride a 46 year old ten speed and can maintain 23mph with no problem. I own the spandex, and love it, but don't wear it that often.
It's not that you need to spend a lot of money or suffer a lot.
Get yourself into shape gradually, steadily, with a bike that fits you. I did it three years ago, riding about two to three hours each ride three times a week all summer.
Some folks are just not built for it though. I have a friend who goes to the gym all the time, he's got huge upper body strength and weighs about 190. I'm about 145 and never work out except for cycling - he just can't catch me. Short legs will hold you up, as will any cardio issues. If you're in OK shape, expect to work hard for about 3 months before you get used to it.
After that, it's addictive!!
Does anyone on here do running? Only thing that has ever gotten me into good shape is running? Cycling did alright but I seem to eat more calories than I burn while I ride. Does anyone have an electronic treadmill? Is it worth the money? I would imagine a treadmill is easier on the knees than running on pavement. I seem to pull a quad muscle everytime I run but I have never pulled a muscle from cycling.
A bicycle on a training stand is my favored aerobic exercise. I can surf the internet, listen to tunes cranked, or watch TV or a movie. The thing I like the most is being able to control my core temperature with a fan so that I can have as intense a workout as I please. Plus, its low impact and I'm blissfully unaware of my man-boobs.
Zoot Katz
100 kW
To the question "What are you on.", Lance Armstrong responded, "I'm on my bike six hours a day. What are you on?"will_newton said:
If I can't accumulate at least 45 minutes a day, I feel cheated.
Sometimes it requires riding slower or taking the longer route to get in the time.
That's okay with me.
I'll be damned if I'd ride a stationary bike unless I'm in therapy or generating watts to keep a dance party going.
voicecoils
1 MW
Zoot Katz said:
Tried rollers? That'll keep you wide awake or in a zen like state, depending on how comfortable you get on them. :lol:
Would be good to crank out some Wh on one though, good DIY project.
voicecoils
1 MW
I entered a local race for 'fun' recently. The last time I raced was in the same event the year before.
It was 24 km long, I averaged almost 41 km/h. I wore spandex. I didn't win.
[Translation] it was 14.9 miles long, I averaged 25.3 mph.
I do ride 130 - 210 km per week in training bunches or group rides (also for 'fun') but am hardly an 'athlete' and don't even feel that fit.
It was 24 km long, I averaged almost 41 km/h. I wore spandex. I didn't win.
[Translation] it was 14.9 miles long, I averaged 25.3 mph.
I do ride 130 - 210 km per week in training bunches or group rides (also for 'fun') but am hardly an 'athlete' and don't even feel that fit.
Ben
100 W
gogo said:
But better yet, others are unaware of them too.
This thread makes me want to dust off my bike and see what speed I can clock. Maybe next week.
dogman dan
1 PW
At my age, info I'd rather not know. Over 10 miles, prob less than 10 mph. On the mountain bike on the trails, I have an excuse to ride 3 mph. 
