Fastest on the Flat?

[Shaun]

I've hit 37mph drafting a lorry through town on the dual carriageway - it's easier than you think once the truck gets going, and you can sit behind them without too much effort - as someone else has said, in the drafting "bubble".

It's the stopping that's a problem though - makes you wish you weren't so close to the trailer doors when you see those little red lights come on ...

I don't do it very often though ... it's got potential for a very nasty outcome if you get it wrong!!!

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[MacB]

And I have no idea how fast I ride on the flat - if I can't have a chat doing it then it is pointless! (Apart from burning off iLB )
And for all those that commute at 'vast speed' - slow down a bit! Enjoy the extra thinking seconds.

Such modesty I would have thought it's irresistable for most of us to have a go on a clear flat bit sometimes. but I think there's probably very different definitions:-

flat, no wind, top speed reached during a balls out effort, probably only sustained for a few metres - that's the category mine falls in to. My version of a sprint, though a casual observer may not realise that's what I'm doing.

via drafting(vehicle or chaingang), downhill or wind assisted - very different kettle of fish and the upper limit may be a factor of 'bottle' or lack thereof

as a sustained effort on your own, on the flat, no wind assistance - that's what seperates the properly quick from the rest, or burns off the wannabes.

Personally I'll stick to the first category as I lack the bottle for the second and couldn't live with the third, though I suspect you can slot into No 3 fairly convincingly.

 

[walker]

I think I am the only rider that doesn't have a weather station attached to his bike, how on earth can you give exact numbers on a head or tail wind?
During My racing days we would sprint at about 38mph+, but this was in a pack with minimal drag to the line after a nice tow from the rider in front.

these days I would be lucky to hit 30mph on my own. I'm not old, just not been on hte bike for a couple of years

 

[asterix]

No idea but I did 10 miles in 30 mins, including stopping at the lights getting through York, on a tourer on a windless day (and you can't go downhill from York!). Also maintained an average of 27 km/h on the computer for over 3000 km (not all on one ride, you understand!)

 

[SquareDaff]

About 30mph on a road that looks flat with what feels like no headwind! Done on a hybrid with smoothish tyres. Usually aim to average 20mph on commute to work.

 

[Kestevan]

Dunno - I live in Huddersfield
Finding any suitable flat bits round here would probably involve riding a pedalo.

 

[Midnight]

Fastest ever on the flat is 33.5mph with a little help from a stiff tailwind. Fastest on a wind-free day is 31.5mph.

Both done on a road bike on a nice wide bus/cycle lane. It's got a nice smooth surface, and when there's no buses about it'd be a shame not to take advantage of it