speed
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andy610 wrote:what speed do the pros get up to in mph on the straight roads, and downhill i can only seem to get to 24 mph on some straights but not for long and i have managed only 36 downhill
Don't know the exact numbers but I remember a commentator saying that a rider was doing 70mph downhill once...........{ sorry to talk about myself :oops: but as a frame for reference } on a straight in a race (in a group) we've hit 38/40mph so I reckon the pro's can do much much more....0 -
On the downhills, speeds regularly approach 60mph and sometimes get to the low-to-mid 70s on the really fast sections. Given the proper hill to descend and a good road bike, most people can hit 60mph. It's a question of having the nerves not to touch your brakes. But then you'll get to a corner sometime. That's another story.
On the flats, speeds usually hover around 25-30mph for most of the race. In the the run-in to a sprint, the speed rises to around 37mph. On the line, the big guys can go beyond 45mph, depending on slope and wind conditions. Those speeds are way harder to reach for us mortals than the downhill ones. My personal recorded peak downhill stacks up nicely compared to the pros, but I'm nowhere near their speeds on the flat. And going 35mph on the flat is one thing. going around a corner 3-wide without touching the brakes at that speed is quite another. Those guys are really good.0 -
The AVERAGE speed of the London-Canterbury TDF stage was 27.3mph..
Dave0 -
For longer stages, they'll often bimble-along at 30kph for the first few hours and then spend the last couple of hours at 50kph giving a 40kph average. There's a huge drafting effect within the bunch at that speed - but as a tailed-off rider will attest, the energy to get back on is enormous. I've been in races where we've been doing 70kph+ on the flat and believe me it wasn't pleasant! Downhill, 80kph is quite easily attainable and 100kph not unknown on descents from the likes of the Galibier and the Tourmalet - but that's the benefit of closed roads, local knowledge and supreme handling confidence - believe me, you can't even think about touching your brakes at those sorts of speeds.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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The prologue average speed was over 33mph
On a mountain downhill in south Wales I saw my speedo indicating over 80kph - I don't know what it was exactly because I wasn't brave enough to look longer than one quick glance...................Hevipedal
It's not only people that are irrational; 1.41421356237309504880168872420969807856967187537694807317667973799073247846210 -
Moose11 wrote:Sean Jelly was well known for decending at up to 70+mph at times. Scary stuff.
they broke the mould when they made that one<a>road</a>0 -
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On the subject of speed, most of us know the kick that comes from blasting downhill, glancing at the counter reading..."wow 50kph...ooo...ah" etc etc (Fast enough but yesterday's stage finish was 68kph plus...animals!)
Do you think it would be a good idea for Eurosport / ITV to show a speedometer on screen at all times. This would give a decent indication of the pace of the race, breaks and finish line sprints... I know the speeds are flashed up and talked about intermittently but I would like to see my own little counter tucked in the corner.
A few Tours ago, Polar or someone linked with TV to show the heart rate of leading riders, and the creative cameraman will always snapshot the motorbike speedo on a massive descent - :roll:
PS I'm prepared to allow MPH as well - as long as it doesn't confuse the kph readings! :P106kg - kg361 255characters have read this so far...I believe0 -
If you are on the internet during a race
http://www.polarfrance.fr/Live_Race_Dat ... ive_EN.php
show heart rate, speed and altitude for some of the riders.
george0 -
Thanks George I'll take a look...106kg - kg361 255characters have read this so far...I believe0
