What is the fastest speed you have cycled ??

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
50 point something mph. I have it written down somewhere in one of my diaries. It only lasted about 5 or 6 seconds then i leveled out. That was enough, i had to reach 50 just to say i've done it once, I wont be doing it again, Now if i reach 35 mph it seems scary.
 

andyfraser

Über Member
Location
Bristol
I discovered that field on mine the other day when trying to change one field from 'Elapsed Time' to 'Overall Speed'. My maximum since the last reset was 77 kph (48 mph), which is a bit down on the more usual ~88 kph (55 mph).

It has been a slowish year compared to some in the past because I don't have a high enough top gear to pedal to higher speeds, my weight loss has reduced my freewheeling terminal velocity, and many of the times that I would normally be doing higher speeds have been on days with unfavourable wind conditions.

I was talking to someone on my last forum ride about adrenaline junkies and he surprised me by suggesting that I must be one because I descend a lot faster than him. In fact I am the opposite - I am generally a bit of a wimp - for example, I won't go on rollercoasters and I am hopeless with heights. It's just that I don't feel out of control at 80 kph on a bike. That would be on a long slope of about 5%-6% where it takes some time to build the speed up. Steep descents are a different matter - anything over about 10% makes me very nervous because speed builds up very rapidly and is hard to shed quickly without risking losing control. I would probably keep my speed down to 50-60 kph max on slopes like that, and often a lot less.

I descend more cautiously when there are sheep roaming about, gusting crosswinds, a poor road surface or a tight bend ahead.
I won't do rollercoasters either and I can only handle heights in planes and helicopters. I was coming down a very steep hill last week (I don't know how steep) on my hybrid and didn't let myself get over 30mph because I knew there was a junction at the bottom and wanted to make sure I could stop. The acceleration down that hill was enough to make my stomach turn over.
 

Pale Rider

Legendary Member
Just over 30mph on a descent in the Peak District.

The Rose felt stable enough, but I didn't like it and was braking gently and glad to see the descent was about to level.
 

classic33

Leg End Member
I would love to set a camera off. Can't think of any in a suitable spot in Sheffield.
Built on seven hills, there must be one.
Done on this
NSNI.jpg
 

400bhp

Guru
I've hit 50 in two different places IIRC. Down Sheephouse Lane towards Belmont (done several times) and down to Fernlee Reservoir off Long Hill.

I've lost my bottle this year though - max is about 45.
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
This thread has me trying to think of suitable descents around here where I can go for a PB...;)
You've got loads of them!

I hit a pretty high speed going down Arthington Bank on the Tour de Yorkshire sportive before slowing for a bend. (Someone didn't make that bend and hit a dry stone wall.)

Also Otley East Chevin? (Someone crashed on that descent too on the TdY!)

The Cow and Calf at Ilkley is another obvious one - watch out for the cattle grid!
 

classic33

Leg End Member
You've got loads of them!

I hit a pretty high speed going down Arthington Bank on the Tour de Yorkshire sportive before slowing for a bend. (Someone didn't make that bend and hit a dry stone wall.)

Also Otley East Chevin? (Someone crashed on that descent too on the TdY!)

The Cow and Calf at Ilkley is another obvious one - watch out for the cattle grid!
Inspiring routes, pointing out that someone crashed on them.
Agree on cattle grid though.
 

NorthernDave

Never used Über Member
A58, down into Leeds?

You've got loads of them!

I hit a pretty high speed going down Arthington Bank on the Tour de Yorkshire sportive before slowing for a bend. (Someone didn't make that bend and hit a dry stone wall.)

Also Otley East Chevin? (Someone crashed on that descent too on the TdY!)

The Cow and Calf at Ilkley is another obvious one - watch out for the cattle grid!

Loads to go at aren't there?
 

EltonFrog

Legendary Member
42.1 mph down the Kirkstone Pass as per the video posted in the Lake District thread on my hybrid.

The fastest I've pedalled on a flat is about 32mph on my road bike. There was a tail wind too.
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Inspiring routes, pointing out that someone crashed on them.
Agree on cattle grid though.
Better safe, than sorry! (Conditions were incredibly wet for the first half of the TdY event when those 2 crashes took place.)

I had been warned about that cattle grid but conditions were murky when I did the Cow and Calf descent and I didn't spot the grid in time to slow down much. I was still doing 75 kph (47 mph) when I went over it ... :whistle: :eek:
 
Top Bottom