Cheshire Celt
Legend
- Location
- Alsager
I was on said Cambrian and my op speed was recorded at 47-5 mph at no point did my bike give me any cause for concern
Should we watch our speed?
- Thread starter simmi
- Start date
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Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
In the days before cycle computers, when I was in my late teens, and had my Holdsworth bike, I did 46mph averaged on a measured half mile during a time trial, in Surrey on a closed road. Enjoyed that descent.
About 10 years later, on my Peugeot bike, with an analogue (electronic) speedometer got up to just over 45 and the bike got the shimmies. Scary, and didn't enjoy that descent.
A couple of years ago got up to 45 on my Dawes Horizon. I've got older and was terrified. All my brain will take now on the bike is 40mph maximum with a preference for no more than 35mph.
Other older riders I've spoken to find the same thing, just can't take the thrills of younger days any more.
About 10 years later, on my Peugeot bike, with an analogue (electronic) speedometer got up to just over 45 and the bike got the shimmies. Scary, and didn't enjoy that descent.
A couple of years ago got up to 45 on my Dawes Horizon. I've got older and was terrified. All my brain will take now on the bike is 40mph maximum with a preference for no more than 35mph.
Other older riders I've spoken to find the same thing, just can't take the thrills of younger days any more.
lulubel
Über Member
- Location
- Malaga, Spain
The fastest I've ever been (on a straight descent with good visibility) was somewhere between 45-50mph. I can't remember exactly because it was some time ago.
My partner used to terrify me when we rode together because she'd go flying down narrow, windy roads, where you couldn't see if there was a person, a cow or a parked car round the next bend (or a car coming towards you on the wrong side of the road), and there was no way she could have stopped. But on a nice, wide major road with good visibility, she'd be hanging onto the brakes. I think she might be a bit more sensible now, but we don't ride together any more, so I'm not sure.
From that, you can probably gather that I never ride so fast that I couldn't stop if there was something in the road round the next bend, but I'm not afraid to get up to a decent speed if I can see well. I don't go all out to see how fast I can possibly go on clear roads either. Once I'm past what I feel is a comfortable spinning speed, I'm happy to freewheel the rest of the way down a hill.
My partner used to terrify me when we rode together because she'd go flying down narrow, windy roads, where you couldn't see if there was a person, a cow or a parked car round the next bend (or a car coming towards you on the wrong side of the road), and there was no way she could have stopped. But on a nice, wide major road with good visibility, she'd be hanging onto the brakes. I think she might be a bit more sensible now, but we don't ride together any more, so I'm not sure.
From that, you can probably gather that I never ride so fast that I couldn't stop if there was something in the road round the next bend, but I'm not afraid to get up to a decent speed if I can see well. I don't go all out to see how fast I can possibly go on clear roads either. Once I'm past what I feel is a comfortable spinning speed, I'm happy to freewheel the rest of the way down a hill.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I never watched my speed today, I was too busy watching the road 
I chickened out early on a descent at 38.5mph, it wasn't too technical but it was wet and the first time I'd been down it, everybody else topped 40mph and one bloke got to 46.8mph.
I chickened out early on a descent at 38.5mph, it wasn't too technical but it was wet and the first time I'd been down it, everybody else topped 40mph and one bloke got to 46.8mph.
Davehateshills
Senior Member
- Location
- Bury, Lancashire
I was out on a ride the other day on Saddleworth moor with a fierce tail wind and managed 2 miles in 3 min 10 sec (mile 19 & 20) which is an average of about 38 mph. The roads were deserted and it was great, I think I was over 40 mph for most of the 2 miles. It felt very safe and very easy.
daSmirnov
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Horsham, UK
Depends on the road.
Plenty of hills around with good visibility and surface here I'll happily do 40+ down. Then there's others like north-bound along Devil's Dyke - mini roundabout right at the bottom with a poor view to the right, usually an idea to not go flat out down there. ;-)
Plenty of hills around with good visibility and surface here I'll happily do 40+ down. Then there's others like north-bound along Devil's Dyke - mini roundabout right at the bottom with a poor view to the right, usually an idea to not go flat out down there. ;-)
deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
Though it's completely mad, this video is interesting to watch how downhill cyclists scrub off speed at certain places. It's not so much a question of speed in itself, it's about matching the speed to the conditions - though, admittedly, the conditions are a little extreme....
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/vid...ll-mountain-bike-race-filmed-on-headcam-video
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/vid...ll-mountain-bike-race-filmed-on-headcam-video
