Top Speed

[Downward]

42.6mph according to the gps logger.

 

[BentMikey]

This is all too depressing.

What would you say a good top speed would be on the flat, with no wind, and great tarmac? Dawes Disco 501 hybrid.

(be merciful)

You can breathe a sigh of relief. Everyone with the big numbers here is talking about downhill speed, and those on upright bikes in excess of 40mph will be using very big downhills to get to that speed.

 

[HJ]

This is all too depressing.

What would you say a good top speed would be on the flat, with no wind, and great tarmac? Dawes Disco 501 hybrid.

(be merciful)

The fastest I have managed on the flat is 32mph, on a hybrid with a pannier...

but I had a wee bit of a tail wind

Top speed down hill carrying a pannier, 47mph, no tail wind!

 

[slowmotion]

I shall cycle off very slowly to Switzerland, and check into that cosy Dignitas flat. My God, I do feel old enough and useless, and I would not wish to be a further burden on the community...

You will all be to blame...quiet sobbing..

 

[al78]

As my commutes have gone on, my computer has had to constantly recalculate my average speed...and its dropping all the time!!

That, or I'm actually getting slower. I started at 19mph and it now tells me 16mph (over a 40 mile return trip….I hasten to add)

Either way, I was talking to a friend on Sunday who had to commute to Westerham from Biggin Hill in Kent (Mikey will know that route well). Its all down hill……almost vertical…… for miles.

He recorded 48.9mph on his run. I was astounded that a push bike can go that fast, on a commute! (with luggage, phones, keys, packed lunch, the lot)

Inspired, I scrolled through my computer and saw a highest recorded speed (since starting to commute) of 39mph…I have no idea where I did this, I only have two fast sections,(one is a short blast, with speed humps) and the other is a main road where I cover the brakes all the time so rarely get to 35mph.

Just interested to see what top, top speeds have been recorded whilst in "work mode"

Officially 37 mph, down Rowhook in W Sussex, on a folding bike.

Nowadays I am more cautious on descents since I came off earlier this summer and needed 12 stitches in my arm.

 

[oxford_guy]

According to my wireless cycle computer I've done over 80mph on occasion, which is of course nonsense and I imagine down to interference (one of the reasons why I'm considering a digital wireless computer), but I think the fastest "real" speed I've done is 39mph down a steep hill on the Isle of Arran, with a full camping load, LOL!

 

[adds21]

My GPS says 43.9, but I don't think that's right.

I do however get up to 33.something most mornings on my commute. That's on a flat bar hybrid, and (obviously) down a hill.

I've once done 38.6 down a hill, and that was pretty terrifying (which is why I don't believe the 43.9 figure... I'd remember... unless I've blocked it out?!).

A.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

I shall cycle off very slowly to Switzerland, and check into that cosy Dignitas flat. My God, I do feel old enough and useless, and I would not wish to be a further burden on the community...

You will all be to blame...quiet sobbing..

I wouldn't worry, I'm convinced many of these people have confused mph with kph

I average about 17mph over my commute but there are no hills big enough to go more than 30mph absolute maximum. And the the 17mph took me a year and a half to work up to!

 

[ianrauk]

Yet my average on my commute is 15.5mph

I average about 17mph over my commute

 

[Paul Narramore]

32.6mph down Vigo Hill a few weeks ago - eyes watering, bumpy road knocked my glasses a bit skew wiff, exillerating. Even slowed down enough for the chevrons at the bottom.

 

[Wheeledweenie]

My computer doesn't do an average but I aim for that on the flat knowing I slow a bit uphilll and go faster downhill.

 

[BigSteev]

48.56mph (definitely not km!) but was a bit gutted as would like to have got 50+. Would probably have been possible but I didn't know the road so was being a bit cautious.

Did 43.5mph on a FNRttC down Reigate Hill but that sort of speed appears to be frowned upon on that ride.

Am thinking about putting together a gravity bike for next year's Eastbourne event in which case I'd be aiming for 65+.

 

[BentMikey]

I wouldn't worry, I'm convinced many of these people have confused mph with kph

LOL, me too. I'm on a recumbent, and you can see the serious downhill speed differential between my bike and that of a fast upright rider in this video:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FejPFthpsQo

 

[Wheeledweenie]

48.56mph (definitely not km!) but was a bit gutted as would like to have got 50+. Would probably have been possible but I didn't know the road so was being a bit cautious.

Did 43.5mph on a FNRttC down Reigate Hill but that sort of speed appears to be frowned upon on that ride.

I thought that on the FNRttC Brighton so carefully braked when I hit 30mph down one of the larger hills only to see one of the regulars whizz past!

I get frightened above 35mph so always brake (very carefully) anyway though.

 

[jonny jeez]

I shall cycle off very slowly to Switzerland, and check into that cosy Dignitas flat. My God, I do feel old enough and useless, and I would not wish to be a further burden on the community...

You will all be to blame...quiet sobbing..

Would that flat have a spare room I could rent (I may want to join you )

In answer to your earlier post, I would reckon 19-25 would be a respectable speed for a good flat level road with no bumpy bits. I average 16mph across my route, but try to maintain 22 on the flat bits (whizzing up into the 30's for the down hill sections….normally with both feet in the air screaming WHEEEEEEEEEE!).

PS, just texted my speedy Pal who has just completed his very first commute into Londinium!!!! Hurrah!!!

He is also looking to crack 50mph on the westerham hill some time soon (apparently, he wasnt trying hard enough last time...but then he does run about 5 bleedin marathons a year!!)