Almost joined the 50mph club, 49.28!

[Mark Loveridge]

Dropped my car off for some work and decided to cycle the hilly 15miles to work. Managed to talk myself out of 'going electric' and instead opted for a standard mountain bike! I was a little off joining the prestigious 50mph club, I need to revisit the hill!

Cyclemeter-Cycle-20111215-0944.kml - Google Maps

 

[flecc]

I think you can justifiably claim to be a member Mark. At this very cold time of the year the air density is much greater, offering considerably more resistance. Had that been a hot summer day with correspondingly thinner air you'd no doubt have been doing over 50 mph.

The air density at 10 degrees C is 6.6% greater than at 30 degrees C. A direct calculation on that factor alone credits you with 52.5 mph achieved on a hot day.

 

[Mussels]

I'd agree with the air density thing, I struggle to manage 40mph now where I'd regularly get 45 in the summer.
Still not managed to get the 50 though, I need a steeper hill.

 

[tangent]

I hope you all have good frames. Having the frame snap in two the way mine did the other day could be fairly painful if you are touching 50 mph. 14mph was bad enough.

 

[flecc]

I'd agree with the air density thing, I struggle to manage 40mph now where I'd regularly get 45 in the summer.
Still not managed to get the 50 though, I need a steeper hill.

There's also the increased "stiction" of lubricants at low temperatures, possibly sapping some more speed. Dry ball or roller bearings are best for a record attempt.

 

[Mark Loveridge]

I think you can justifiably claim to be a member Mark. At this very cold time of the year the air density is much greater, offering considerably more resistance. Had that been a hot summer day with correspondingly thinner air you'd no doubt have been doing over 50 mph.

The air density at 10 degrees C is 6.6% greater than at 30 degrees C. A direct calculation on that factor alone credits you with 52.5 mph achieved on a hot day.

Thanks Flecc! I knew there was some additional resistance through cold weather, but didn't realise it was that much!

 

[Mark Loveridge]

I'd agree with the air density thing, I struggle to manage 40mph now where I'd regularly get 45 in the summer.
Still not managed to get the 50 though, I need a steeper hill.

Mussels, your always welcome to Gloucestershire, I can show you a big hill!!

 

[Mark Loveridge]

I hope you all have good frames. Having the frame snap in two the way mine did the other day could be fairly painful if you are touching 50 mph. 14mph was bad enough.

Hi Tangent, I keep an eye on it, only been out on it a few times. I did fall off at about 20 after my front end washed out on a leaf, that hurt! But thankfully the bike is ok as I had clippy pedals and so I broke its fall!! I don't think it hit the tarmac!

Hope Giant get you a new frame soon!

 

[Mussels]

I hope you all have good frames. Having the frame snap in two the way mine did the other day could be fairly painful if you are touching 50 mph. 14mph was bad enough.

I've never seen anyone riding fast on a step through, I'm not sure I'd feel safe like that.

 

[eddieo]

Mark, I hope your are not always so harsh on yourself! wear the 50mph badge with pride

Me......Self preservation kicks in, and brakes are cautiously applied

 

[Mark Loveridge]

Mark, I hope your are not always so harsh on yourself! wear the 50mph badge with pride

Me......Self preservation kicks in, and brakes are cautiously applied

Cheers Eddie- I didn't realise I was going so fast until I looked at the cycle meter when I stopped!

 

[kitchenman]

I think you can justifiably claim to be a member Mark. At this very cold time of the year the air density is much greater, offering considerably more resistance. Had that been a hot summer day with correspondingly thinner air you'd no doubt have been doing over 50 mph.

The air density at 10 degrees C is 6.6% greater than at 30 degrees C. A direct calculation on that factor alone credits you with 52.5 mph achieved on a hot day.

When I had my little spill I was doing 46.1 mph. Now, as I was only HALF way down the hill does that me that I also qualify (applying the maths 2 * 46.1 = 92.2 mph! ) and it was cold! ..

 

[flecc]

When I had my little spill I was doing 46.1 mph. Now, as I was only HALF way down the hill does that me that I also qualify (applying the maths 2 * 46.1 = 92.2 mph! ) and it was cold! ..

I'm afraid that 46.1 mph was your terminal velocity, in more senses than one!

 

[Hurricane]

So how many members are in the +50mph exclusive club then?

 

[flecc]

I'm afraid we don't know, it's informal with new claims made from time to time. I'd guess about 8 to 10 have posted achieving it so far, that's out of over 4800 members so quite exclusive!

 

[NRG]

...or quite insane...

 

[flecc]

I'm afraid we don't know, it's informal with new claims made from time to time. I'd guess about 8 to 10 have posted achieving it so far, that's out of over 4800 members so quite exclusive!

There could be a lot more of course, since only the survivors report the successful result!

 

[Scottyf]

Hmm this now seems like a challenge.
I don't have the gearing or the hills though...

 

[flecc]

It's the right hill that's needed, steep enough, smooth enough and long enough, with no side roads entering or other sources of sudden nasty surprises at 50 mph. Ideally clear open land width on both sides.

And the right e-bike. On a given hill my Lafree was really scary at 38 mph and I wouldn't take it further, but the eZee Torq 1 was completely calm and secure at 45 to 50 mph, much like a light motorbike's stability.

 

[Scottyf]

Yeah I can imagine it would feel a bit scary.
Past 30mph my bike feels fine. But god knows what it would be like at those speeds.

Scared incase I'd fall off. The slide on my crash was 25mph and had enough bruises and grazes. Maybe I should put some motorcycle gear on before attempting it ;-)