How fast do you go downhill?

[Welsh wheels]

It's very tempting on a long steep descent to go pretty fast, but it seems if you came off it would be pretty bad. I have done 36 mph, but have sort of promised myself not to go over 40 mph. What top speeds have people achieved downhill and is going properly fast downhill worth it?

 

[Brandane]

It's very tempting on a long steep descent to go pretty fast, but it seems if you came off it would be pretty bad. I have done 36 mph, but have sort of promised myself not to go over 40 mph. What top speeds have people achieved downhill and is going properly fast downhill worth it?

My way of thinking is this: If I'm going to come off at speed, it is going to hurt. I might as well go as fast as possible and make a good job of it! I am also a motorcyclist, and would rather come off at 100 mph and end up in the mortuary than come off at half that speed and end up drinking soup through a straw whilst sat in a wheelchair for the rest of my days. Brutal but honest.
The answer to your question then - I have only once managed to break through the 50 mph mark, and that was while doing the Way of the Roses, going down a long hill somewhere near Grassington. I was on a Specialized Tricross with some extra luggage weight to assist. I think it was only a Carradice saddle bag, but well packed.

 

[I like Skol]

This has been covered many, many times before and I am sorry to say your top speed just doesn't cut it

And yes, going properly fast is properly worth it. I like to hit 50+ as often as I can

 

[classic33]

Answering your last question first. How well do you know the road & what's the purpose behind your ride?

 

[busdennis]

im a whimp. bottle and eye sight goes at 30 mph lol

 

[vickster]

Not very, tops 30, coming off or being knocked off at slowish speeds hurts enough, I certainly wouldn't want to experience either at high speed. Drivers can barely judge a cyclist doing 10mph, let alone 40

 

[Slick]

I did a bit of hill training last year. I quickly discovered that I much prefer going down hill than up which is not so obvious as you would first think as the guy I train with much prefers going up hill. Anyway, the speedo hit 45, which was a big eye opener for me on a bike, probably high 30's would be a bit more manageable for me.

 

[uclown2002]

52-53 mph IIRC. I came off at 50mph a few years back and got very lucky , so rarely go above 40 now.

 

[Drago]

I'm not sure of the exact speed, but I was experiencing buffeting as I hit transonic speeds. Or so it seemed on my Raleigh Chopper.

 

[dim]

30mph and I start applying brakes ... crapping myself wondering if the carbon forks and carbon handlebars are still ok, is my life insurance payment up to date .... what's around the next bend etc etc ....

I'm a wimp

 

[NorthernDave]

43.9mph, downhill, recorded on Garmin - would have been significantly faster* but despite my almost superhuman speed a wasp managed not only to land but bloody sting me at the same time, putting me right off. I do recall thinking "Crikey, this is a bit quick" just before being stung....

* - I can say this safe in the knowledge that 1) there was at least quarter of a mile of straight downhill road to go and 2) no-one will ever know now, will they?

EDIT: I've just checked on Connect and I've got two rides where the Garmin has recorded a maximum speed of 146.5mph, so I'm claiming that!

 

[ianrauk]

I came off at 50mph a few years back and got very lucky

Tell us more....

 

[ianrauk]

Been done many times as someone else has pointed out. But nothing wrong with a bit of willy waving now and again.

Just a tad over 50 descending the Jura Mountains in France on a pannier laden bike.

 

[HLaB]

Depend the hill/ visibility/ conditions/ mood etc. Down a wide straight road I tuck well and can be marginally faster than my club but add a series of twists, narrow the road or a bump etc I'm far behind.The fastest I've been though is only 47.6mph down the String road in Arran in perfect conditions, Im sure others will be 60mph + down there. Haven't broke 40mph this year though (38.1mph max). Probably down the road in to Auchterarder from the Ochils. A few times down there though was enough to break the clips on my Race Blades longs. SKS Germany have sent the replacements though

 

[EltonFrog]

Just over 42.1mph IIRC on a hybrid going down Kirkstone Pass.

Windemere




It's a lovely part of the world.