Road biking 2018

[Bill Talbot]

I cannot imagine a 24mph average ride. Is that mostly flat? I know I'm at a disadvantage at altitude but I can't comprehend 45 miles at that speed being B+.

Agree...that's nutz
I'm enjoying life a lot more around 16-18mph average. Rolling to hilly terrain is normal in these parts and I like it that way. Solo preferred or with one or two like minded cyclists on occasion. Paceline riding on mostly flat routes would have me looking for another activity!
For example one of my favorite rides is 63 miles, 8k vertical feet, over half on dirt/gravel. 5 to 5.5 hours at a whopping 12mph average

 

[cantunamunch]

I cannot imagine a 24mph average ride. Is that mostly flat? I know I'm at a disadvantage at altitude but I can't comprehend 45 miles at that speed being B+.

Really? I have absolutely no problem imagining a metric in west MD/PA rolling terrain being 24 average (and I very definitely was not one of the people out front!). Remember the old physics experiment when the ball on the dipping path \/ arrives sooner than the ball on the straight path --?

What is a little surprising is that B-level peeps have the legs for 24mph average in May and not July or August. But then, it is Florida and they probably have >>1K in the legs already, probably even double that.

It's finally a nice day here but I only did my quickie 20. Time to go paddle.

 

[coskigirl]

Really? I have absolutely no problem imagining a metric in west MD/PA rolling terrain being 24 average (and I very definitely was not one of the people out front!). Remember the old physics experiment when the ball on the dipping path \/ arrives sooner than the ball on the straight path --?

What is a little surprising is that B-level peeps have the legs for 24mph average in May and not July or August. But then, it is Florida and they probably have >>1K in the legs already, probably even double that.

It's finally a nice day here but I only did my quickie 20. Time to go paddle.

I started second guessing myself so started looking at group rides around here and found that even the fast groups state 16-20 mph average. Maybe that’s because they often include big climbs but that matches what I was thinking. I’m certainly not fast on a bike so I’d never manage to stay with the fast groups as soon as we started climbing. It sure would be fun to be in a 24 mph paceline if I could manage it though.

https://bouldercyclingclub.org/about/ride-descriptions-2/

https://bicyclevillage.com/about/boulder-group-rides-pg581.htm

 

[luliski]

I started second guessing myself so started looking at group rides around here and found that even the fast groups state 16-20 mph average. Maybe that’s because they often include big climbs but that matches what I was thinking. I’m certainly not fast on a bike so I’d never manage to stay with the fast groups as soon as we started climbing. It sure would be fun to be in a 24 mph paceline if I could manage it though.

https://bouldercyclingclub.org/about/ride-descriptions-2/

https://bicyclevillage.com/about/boulder-group-rides-pg581.htm

I live in the flatlands and our club rides are labeled as "brisk" at 19-22 mph. They also have "race" rides and "race skills" rides that I'm sure average higher. Fast pacelines are fun, but you gotta be with safe riders.

 

[cantunamunch]

I started second guessing myself so started looking at group rides around here and found that even the fast groups state 16-20 mph average. Maybe that’s because they often include big climbs but that matches what I was thinking.

Sure, big long uphill hauls kill average speed; anything that size out here is likely a ski hill

I’m certainly not fast on a bike so I’d never manage to stay with the fast groups as soon as we started climbing. It sure would be fun to be in a 24 mph paceline if I could manage it though.

It's both amazing - and amazingly dangerous - especially when an A group paceline passes a B-C group. Number 4 of my 6 rotator cuff incidents was in just such a scenario - and I was on a darty crit bike that managed to get out of the worst bit of pileup. Nowadays I prefer to ride with people who 'filter through' slower bunches on the road and wait to form a fast bunch after all that is gone.

 

[Tony S]

What is a little surprising is that B-level peeps have the legs for 24mph average in May and not July or August.

Yeah, weather here has only been nice enough for comfortable riding in the last couple weeks.

 

[Ron]

LOL, So I ride solo almost all of the time and average 18 over 40 or so with 1500-2000 feet. Believe it or not, I am still building leg strength and cardio from hip surgery over a year ago but I'm getting there. Today, I linked up with a group of about 8 riders and OMG, I was able to ride so much fast over the rolling hillside. I was on my Moots Routt with 38's (Compass Cycle, Bon Jon 35's on my gravel bike) and we were averaging about 22-23. Crazy how much faster you can ride in a pack.

FWIW- over relatively flat roads:
A rides are 19+ mph, 35+ mi
B rides are 16-19 mph, 35+/- mi
C and D rides <16 mph, 15-20 mi

To @coskigirl 's point, add in a nice 1-2 mile climb averaging 5-8* and it kills your average speed.

 

[cantunamunch]

So while herself was regluing her kayak seat, I got bored and this was the result. Chamois side out.

 

[Ron]

Did she see it yet? That’s hysterical.

 

[coskigirl]

So while herself was regluing her kayak seat, I got bored and this was the result. Chamois side out.

View attachment 46404

Actually, that's BRILLIANT! I have so many bike shorts that are black and easily know my favorites by the chamois. That would make picking the ones I want so much easier!

 

[coskigirl]

As I drove home from work today I was staring at the dark sky. About 30 seconds after I pulled my new car into the garage the hail started. I waited and let that clear then headed out. I raced another incoming round (snagging 2 Strava PRs) with lightning home and got inside about 60 seconds before the rain really started. This weekend will be mountain biking in Oregon with my family. I’ll have a couple days at home before I then head to England for a week so I won’t have much to report here until I return from that trip.

Pouring rain while I looked at blue sky.

 

[Ron]

New bike alert...... although my BMC Granfondo is still awesome (its for sale BTW), I decided to go to road discs and eTap along with a lightly more aggressive geo since I have a gravel bike..... Should be getting my Trek Emonda SLR 9 Disc (2019) Etap in about a week.

went with the flat gun metal gray, swapped out XXX2 wheels for XXX4 (47's), Compact cranks and 11-32 cassette, integrated bar & stem (std) will run Schwalbe Pro One 28's. Bike should weigh 14.5-14.75. I need all the help I can get with my tired and beat body.

 

[coskigirl]

Wow, that's a nice looking bike! Hope to get up to Steamboat to ride with you sometime in July.

 

[Ron]

you better! BTW- I need to speak with you re your new road bike. Kerry is really enjoying riding but she needs a proper road bike.

 

[coskigirl]

you better! BTW- I need to speak with you re your new road bike. Kerry is really enjoying riding but she needs a proper road bike.

Happy to! Give me a shout whenever. Glad Kerry is enjoying riding!

 

[Ron]

the Domane is another sweet bike, If I didnt have my gravel/road bike I would have bought that one.

Really interesting article on treks Holy trinity: Madone, Emonda and Domane who are they for and how do they differ

http://cyclefit.co.uk/journal/emonda-domane-madone-trilemma

 

[Jwrags]

I need all the help I can get with my tired and beat body.

So the E in Emonda stands for Electric? I am looking for a new road bike and the Domane is on the short list.

 

[Jersey Skier]

Sometimes NJ doesn’t suck.

 

[Ron]

Selling my BMC,

https://www.pugski.com/threads/bmc-grandfondo-01-w-enve-components.9958/#post-244461

 

[Tom K.]

New bike alert...... although my BMC Granfondo is still awesome (its for sale BTW), I decided to go to road discs and eTap along with a lightly more aggressive geo since I have a gravel bike..... Should be getting my Trek Emonda SLR 9 Disc (2019) Etap in about a week.

went with the flat gun metal gray, swapped out XXX2 wheels for XXX4 (47's), Compact cranks and 11-32 cassette, integrated bar & stem (std) will run Schwalbe Pro One 28's. Bike should weigh 14.5-14.75. I need all the help I can get with my tired and beat body.

That should be a blast. I'm waiting on a new Checkpoint (Trek's late but apparently great entry to gravel bikes).

Mid-July. Sigh. They have been crazy popular, so I agreed to wait until the next batch in exchange for a "favor to be named later".