Page 2 - Should I take up road racing?

16-03.-2007, 08:26 AM

#16

Cycle forever

Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 6

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eden

OK - how about a 40K? Most of the non-masters men finished the state TT here in just under 1 hour which means that they averaged more than 25 mph for nearly an hour - many of them were doing a little more than 27 mph. I'm just saying if the kid is really strong its not totally unreasonable. No most people won't start out this way, but we don't know the conditions, they could be quite ideal, maybe "hours" is a bit of an exaggeration, but an hour sure why not - 2 hours maybe - especially at the lower end of his speeds. From his background it sounds like he probably already has a well developed cardiovascular system. Give him a break. Lots of factors could be coming together to give him a mile or two more than he thinks he's got, but likely he is really quite fast and he should try racing. He'll find out if he's fast if he tries.

Get yourself a pair of clip on aerobars, go find a local TT and give it a try. It sounds like you are probably strong and giving racing a try will let you know one way or the other. You don't really need any special training to try a time trial since you are riding basically on your own against the clock. Just remember you are not allowed to draft anyone and practice pacing yourself.

thanks for the advice, i will get out there and see how it goes

16-03.-2007, 02:24 PM

#17

PartisanRanger

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Join Date: Dec 2005

Location: Virginia

Posts: 296

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eden

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.

16-03.-2007, 02:48 PM

#18

Bikelyst

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Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Wisconsin

Posts: 307

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eden

Why not? There are people who TT around here faster than that. For a 10 mile TT there was more than one person who did over 27 mph and believe me these are local guys who are not doping

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

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?

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16-03.-2007, 09:24 PM	#19
Scotttri Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kalgoorlie Australia Posts: 498	Re: Should I take up road racing? 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

16-03.-2007, 09:41 PM

#20

BullGod

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 467

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotttri

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

yep - many elite / Cat 1 / 2 riders can probably do that for 30 mins - 1 hr on an aero set up, going flat out.

I personally think a 16 yr old newcomer doing that for several hours "without too much effort" on a standard bike is pretty far fetched.

If you are around 70 kilos in bodyweight I gather you would need a FTP of about 320w - 340w ride a flat 40km TT in the hour mark (depending on wind).

I find it very hard to believe that there is anyone in the world aged 16, who has just taken up cycling who can do this (and some more) "without using too much effort".

I think he would easily win the Junior World Championships.....by about half an hour.

17-03.-2007, 03:03 AM

#21

Eden

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Join Date: Mar 2005

Location: WA State

Posts: 1,271

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotttri

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.

17-03.-2007, 04:18 AM

#22

Cycle forever

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Join Date: Mar 2007

Posts: 6

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikelyst

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

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.

17-03.-2007, 07:57 AM

#23

Bikelyst

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Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: Wisconsin

Posts: 307

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cycle forever

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.

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17-03.-2007, 06:08 PM

#24

nmcgann

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Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: Cambridge, UK

Posts: 26

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cycle forever

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)

21-03.-2007, 10:25 AM	#25
Frigo's Luggage Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,213	Re: Should I take up road racing? 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.

21-03.-2007, 06:51 PM

#26

bikeguy

Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: Jyvaskyla, Finland

Posts: 665

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PartisanRanger

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

21-03.-2007, 08:58 PM	#27
Halcyon1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Victoria Posts: 44	Re: Should I take up road racing? When you've given the competition cycling a go Cycle Forever, let us know how you went - will be interested to know. Hal

30-03.-2007, 09:10 PM

#28

GettingFaster

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2005

Posts: 45

Re: Should I take up road racing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PartisanRanger

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

31-03.-2007, 05:59 AM	#29
RussB Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Millis, MA Posts: 144	Re: Should I take up road racing? 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)

01-04.-2007, 06:38 AM	#30
palewin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 257	Re: Should I take up road racing? 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!

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