Speeds in racing...

Bhima

I've been looking for information regarding the standard speeds reached by cyclists in races, but can't seem to find anything!

In the big stage races (tour de france/giro d'italia etc), what are the AVERAGE, MAXIMUM & MINIMUM speeds reached by riders

a) On the flat?
b) On a decent?
c) On a Category 4 climb?
d) During a time trial?

and how does this change with wind, rain and gender?

I know this is probably obvious knowledge but I can't seem to find it anywhere!

Brassknocker

not sure about specific gradients/terrain, but my brother has a big TdF coffee table book and it shows the average speed of the winner each year, seem to remember it's increased from around 35kmh in the 1960s to about 41kmh recently

was surprised to see little change in the averages over the past 40 years!!.


...try this:-

http://www.bikeraceinfo.com/tdf/tdfstats.html

Grimone

They normally have the race speed run off on Eurosport.com(or.co.uk, not sure). Try there.

Bronzie

a) On the flat?
Typical average 40kph. Max in sprint finishes 70kph

b) On a decent?
Varies with the descent obviously but some riders have been clocked at 110kph+ on long straight runs

c) On a Category 4 climb?
Probably around 25kph average

d) During a time trial?
Typical average 50kph

and how does this change with wind, rain and gender?
How long is a piece of string?

Bhima

...so what about a category 1 climb?

cougie

Alpe d’Huez climb in figures - typically a Hors Category Climb :

Bends : 21
Departure : 2,351 feet
Arrival : 6,100 feet
Difference in height : 3,749 feet
Length : 8,89 miles
Average steep : 7,9 %
Highest steep : 14 %
Climb record : 37’35’’
Average speed of 14,34 miles/h (Marco Pantani in 1997).

KKspeeder

Watts and power output are what everybody is looking at now, but downhilll top speeds are fun to compare too.

"Terminal velocity for a free falling skydiver is about 120 mph. Throw the bike in with it's drag, some rolling resistance and the high spoke drag and 80 to 100 is probably top end in normal road gear and position"

I've gotten to 57 mph riding on a super-windy day (40 mph gusting tailwind) down a 1.5 mile super steep hill. Usually the hills I live around are only good for 45 mph on any particular day.

Guys have seen as high as 72 mph in the Tour of Austria or the Tour de France/ Giro/ Vuelta.

You can do A LOT faster than 72 mph though IF you are drafting behind a vehicle and have a windshield around your body.



Fred Rompelberg was able to get it to 166.904 mph and John Howard, was able to get it out to 152.

celbianchi

KKspeeder wrote:

You can do A LOT faster than 72 mph though IF you are drafting behind a vehicle and have a windshield around your body.



Fred Rompelberg was able to get it to 166.904 mph and John Howard, was able to get it out to 152.

Here is a clip of Dave LeGrys doing 110 mph back in '86. Dave's account of the attempt is great and the absolute trust he had in his driver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpxJWAJbFM

mercsport

Further to this slightly OT bit about speed potential I'm reminded that a few weeks ago I discovered the wonderful National Cycle Collection in Llandrindod Wells , and suspended above Dave Higman's ( curator) head and desk at the entrance was one of Bruce Bursford's machines . Worth a visit .

http://bikebrothers.co.uk/ultimatebike.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/638297.stm

http://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/

KKspeeder

celbianchi wrote:

KKspeeder wrote:

You can do A LOT faster than 72 mph though IF you are drafting behind a vehicle and have a windshield around your body.



Fred Rompelberg was able to get it to 166.904 mph and John Howard, was able to get it out to 152.

Here is a clip of Dave LeGrys doing 110 mph back in '86. Dave's account of the attempt is great and the absolute trust he had in his driver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpxJWAJbFM

This is a great Vid, I like the car especially, and how it couldnt go fast enough!

KKspeeder

mercsport wrote:

Further to this slightly OT bit about speed potential I'm reminded that a few weeks ago I discovered the wonderful National Cycle Collection in Llandrindod Wells , and suspended above Dave Higman's ( curator) head and desk at the entrance was one of Bruce Bursford's machines . Worth a visit .

http://bikebrothers.co.uk/ultimatebike.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/638297.stm

http://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/

That bike is something.

Cool museum too.

DaveyL

There's an interview on Competitor Radio with a guy called Michael Secrest. He set the world indoor 24 hour record (something like 530-odd miles) a couple of years ago, aged 53. He had plans to do what he called "The Impossible Ride" which was a US coast-to-coast in 2 days, drafting at ~60 mph behind a semi-tractor/trailer. I guess he has never attempted it due to the logistics involved with traffic management and rolling road closures across various states.

http://www.competitorradio.com/details.php?show=144

http://www.theguyonthebike.com/

http://www.theimpossibleride.com/

geerfree

celbianchi wrote:

KKspeeder wrote:

You can do A LOT faster than 72 mph though IF you are drafting behind a vehicle and have a windshield around your body.



Fred Rompelberg was able to get it to 166.904 mph and John Howard, was able to get it out to 152.

Here is a clip of Dave LeGrys doing 110 mph back in '86. Dave's account of the attempt is great and the absolute trust he had in his driver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmpxJWAJbFM

Good video, just shows how you have no time to react if something happens. All it would take is a ditch or a rock, and he'd be fighting for his life.

donrhummy

According to Versus, in the sprints, they reached 42 mph (67.59 kph) during the sprint. I think Cav was at that for about 300 meters (984 feet).

Martin Van Nostrand

8 km/hr: the speed that Manuel "Tricky" Beltran was clocked running away from the doping controllers.