Should I take up road racing?

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24-26 mph is what 40kn an hour, there are probably half a dozen guys in my local area who could average that over a 15-20km distance. And i live in a country mining town where rideing isn't anywhere near the number one sport


I'm with you - I think most people way underestimate the capabilities of amateurs. More of the men here probably finished our state 40K in under 1 hour than didn't. Conditions - out and back on a relatively flat course (2 small hills, some false flat), mostly cross winds, very hot - over 100F for many of the riders. I think all of the cat 1/2's, most of the cat 3's, some of the 4's and many of the masters did this at least as fast as 24 mph. Yes, most people, probably all used aerobars, and many used TT bikes, but also many of them finished in the 52 - 57 min range too.

Like other people said....it's 10 miles! And the doping part was a joke. :eek:

Cycleforever, give us some more details on your rides.

i.e. are they hilly? how is the wind? how far do you go? and who do you ride with?
The averages I was saying were in calm conditions and I live in Cambrideshire(uk) so its relativly flat, I did a ride yesterday fo 25miles at an average of 23mph on a normal set up bike without areo bars. I train 22hours a week for rowing so am aerobicly very fit and have some of the top erg(rowing machine) scores in the county especilay over longer distances. People may doubt what I say, but its all accurate and true. Also if it makes any differnce I am 6ft 6 weighing 95kg so am relativly powerful.

The averages I was saying were in calm conditions and I live in Cambrideshire(uk) so its relativly flat, I did a ride yesterday fo 25miles at an average of 23mph on a normal set up bike without areo bars. I train 22hours a week for rowing so am aerobicly very fit and have some of the top erg(rowing machine) scores in the county especilay over longer distances. People may doubt what I say, but its all accurate and true. Also if it makes any differnce I am 6ft 6 weighing 95kg so am relativly powerful.You are 6' 6''?!?!

Btw...part of the reason I am questioning your performance is that I'm in the same boat you are. In terms of physical fitness and age, but around here I can average only about 17 mph in 2 hrs. All of it due to how many bloody hills we have around here! (Yes there are hills in Wisconsin) I am sure that I could compete with your 24mph if the conditions were as u stated.

The averages I was saying were in calm conditions and I live in Cambrideshire(uk) so its relativly flat, I did a ride yesterday fo 25miles at an average of 23mph on a normal set up bike without areo bars. I train 22hours a week for rowing so am aerobicly very fit and have some of the top erg(rowing machine) scores in the county especilay over longer distances. People may doubt what I say, but its all accurate and true. Also if it makes any differnce I am 6ft 6 weighing 95kg so am relativly powerful.If you live near Cambridge (UK) then look here: http://www.cambridge-cycling-club.org.uk/. Those average speeds will have you riding with the fast guys straight off and the club evening time trials start in April so you'll very soon see just how quick you are.

Neil (Cambridge, UK)

I believe the kid. I live in Philadelphia were rowing is very popular. Most of those guys use cycling for cross training and are usually stong as hell on the flats. The numbers are very good but not that outrageous. I am one of the weekest time trialists in my club and when I am in shape I can average 23 mph for an hour and a half on flat roads without wind. The strong guys are are much faster.

I recommend you take up road racing now unless you can get a college scholarship for rowing. Stick with rowing if you can get a scholarship.

I'm not trying to burst this kid's bubble, but his claim is clearly a gross exaggeration. Guys averaging 25 mph for a 40K TT are at or near pro level, and this is undoubtedly with serious training and a balls-to-the-wall effort for the entire distance (plus aero bars, etc). This guy is claiming to due the same for hours on a training ride without it feeling too hard. Sorry, I don't buy it. This kid could be super strong, but his numbers don't add up.

Depending on the course 1 hr for 40 k can be quite fast (a few 100 m climbs) or not much anything to get excited about. If you're talking national level or Cat 1 TT'ing, then 45 km/hr over 40 km is more like it. Some pros only TT at about 43-45 kph assuming reasonable conditions over 40 km, but in general they are much better road racers because most competitions and points/prizes are from road races, not so much TT's.

Cycle forever, when you do your riding I hope you rode the same amount
against the wind as into, as in a real TT (out and back) you'll have to ride against the wind as well as with, and use a road that has little traffic so the 18 wheelers, etc. don't boost your speed.

That said, I think you should start competing, as traffic, wind or not you're
in the zone that with continued training will have you riding very well.

-bikeguy

When you've given the competition cycling a go Cycle Forever, let us know how you went - will be interested to know.
Hal

I'm not trying to burst this kid's bubble, but his claim is clearly a gross exaggeration. Guys averaging 25 mph for a 40K TT are at or near pro level, and this is undoubtedly with serious training and a balls-to-the-wall effort for the entire distance (plus aero bars, etc). This guy is claiming to due the same for hours on a training ride without it feeling too hard. Sorry, I don't buy it. This kid could be super strong, but his numbers don't add up.

LOL - don't be ridiculous. Averaging 25mph for a 40K TT is the benchmark for a decent club rider. At or near pro level? - I hardly think so.

That said- to the original poster - who are you? I used to row and live in Cambridge as well. If you want to see how good you are, the local chaingang will be starting up in a couple of weeks time (6.45pm Tuesday evenings.) Get along and see how you measure up. Sounds like you should be very strong but at 95kg you're going to have to ride like a psychopath to avoid getting dropped up the hills
:)

I believe the 24-26 mph speed, I just don't think the bike computer is set up correctly. There is only 1 way to set-up a bike computer. That is to do a roll-out. start out with the valve stem lined up to a line on the road, then while sitting on the bike go forward for 5 revolutions of the front tire. measure the distance, divide by 5, then convert to milimeters. This is the number to enter into the computer. (also remember to make sure that you tires are properly inflated)

Rather than getting hung up on the speed mentioned, I'd say "definitely!" If you're a national-class rower, you certainly have the aerobic engine to be a very good road racer. In fact, the British woman who just placed 2nd in the individual pursuit at the World Track Championships is a recent transfer to cycling from rowing (where I think she has an Olympic gold...) The most important thing, mentioned in earlier posts, is find a good racing club in your area, so that you can learn the cycling skills and training techniques you need. If you're used to using a rowing ergometer, you will be "happy" to know that the most efficient way to train for cycling is using a power meter, so that you can maintain that pain level you're undoubtedly used to!

Do you need a manager?

I'm trying to decide if I should ride more too.

I'm 10-years-old and have been riding for five years. I live in a mining town and ride my bicycle to the mines every day where I work 18 hours. In my spare time I train for baseball, which has made me very strong.

I average 33-40 mph for 110 miles to and from work and hardly feel a thing. One time I tried real hard and past a car... on an uphill. Then the spokes in my wheel exploded because I was so powerful from all the baseball training and my dad beat me and said I should try so hard.

Also, I'm powerfully built. I'm 9-feet 2-inches tall and 570 pounds. Sometimes the police pull me over for speeding and sometimes, if I'm returning from working in the mines and I'm covered with coal dust, they shoot at me because they think I'm an escaped gorilla from the local zoo.

Should I keep riding?

id say best of luck to ya kid and keep pushing

let us know what happens if you race

The averages I was saying were in calm conditions and I live in Cambrideshire(uk) so its relativly flat, I did a ride yesterday fo 25miles at an average of 23mph on a normal set up bike without areo bars. I train 22hours a week for rowing so am aerobicly very fit and have some of the top erg(rowing machine) scores in the county especilay over longer distances. People may doubt what I say, but its all accurate and true. Also if it makes any differnce I am 6ft 6 weighing 95kg so am relativly powerful.I have a friend who is 6'4 and is of slim but very muscular build. He looks after himself but is not a fitness fanatic and definitely not a cyclist. On the flats he will cruse at 21-22mph. However the second we hit hills I will leave him in my dust and this also happens when we go at higher speeds 25-27. Its just an advantage bigger people have but this disappears with speed or hills. And if Cycle forever is a very well trained rower and is at a national level then these speeds are not too unrealistic.

Does your speedo stop recording when you stop? Or stop recording at low speeds? (mine was set to do this and it made a large difference to my average speeds).

As I am also from Cambridge could I ask what route it is that you ride these speeds on?

Olie.

I'm trying to decide if I should ride more too.

I'm 10-years-old and have been riding for five years. I live in a mining town and ride my bicycle to the mines every day where I work 18 hours. In my spare time I train for baseball, which has made me very strong.

I average 33-40 mph for 110 miles to and from work and hardly feel a thing. One time I tried real hard and past a car... on an uphill. Then the spokes in my wheel exploded because I was so powerful from all the baseball training and my dad beat me and said I should try so hard.

Also, I'm powerfully built. I'm 9-feet 2-inches tall and 570 pounds. Sometimes the police pull me over for speeding and sometimes, if I'm returning from working in the mines and I'm covered with coal dust, they shoot at me because they think I'm an escaped gorilla from the local zoo.

Should I keep riding?
Dude, I sincerely hope you are joking.

Dude, I sincerely hope you are joking.

You think he might be?

I also train in and around Cambridge. I am not a member of Cam CC yet, but I have been going out with the touring group and intend to step up to intermediates this Sunday. Where do you go when training? Do you head for the hills to the south and west?

In any event, the pace you describe does not sound entirely unfeasible.

hey .. Didn't Greg LeMond beat John Howard when he was about 18 yrs old or so?


Go For It!

If he is able to hit those speeds at 16; then imagine what he will be able to do when his body finally matures all the way (mid 20's). Moving beyond the time/speed issue, you do not need anyone on here to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. If you want to compete and become more involved, then by all means do so. Follow your heart, not what someone says on the internet.

-Nate

Great speed.



On an average day I seem to average around 24-26mph without working to hard for a couple of hours, this tends to be far faster than anyone else I cycle with.


Just make sure to finish the school too.