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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 17305
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 Posted: 12/03/03 - 16:33 Post subject:
| Quote: | If we consider the average recreational cyclist to be some middle ground between, say, a Cat 3 amateur racer on one extreme (or a fast double century rider, perhaps) and a once-a-week noodler at the other extreme, then maybe we can define our terms. Let’s say the average recreational rider can comfortably do centuries, and will usually do them in around six hours. With some really concentrated effort, he can knock off a 5-hour century from time to time. Or conversely, he can piddle along and turn in a 7-hour century while socializing with his friends. Pacelining in the high 20’s is a pretty big deal for him (or her). High teens to low 20’s is more like it. If he had a bear chasing him, he might be able to sprint for a short distance at around 35-mph. He rides with the fastest group in his club of generally laid-back cyclists (very few card-carrying racers in the bunch). In that lead group, he’s generally mid-pack, and more likely to be off the back than off the front. When he shows up for one of his club’s more moderate rides, he may feel as if he’s among the fastest riders there. He knows the basics of how to rotate smoothly through a paceline, how to spin circles, and how to descend briskly, without endangering himself or his riding companions.
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Wow...maybe for 3 months a year I could be called an average recreational cyclist!!  I'm validated! 
Great article, its very true. Even I don't understand all the racing and ranks of the pros. Things like this absolutely floor me, probably a lot more knowing what it is to go 35 mph on a bike downhill, much less flat
| Quote: | Reports said that at times the group was pacelining at 80-kph. That’s just a hair under 50-mph! On a level road. In a cross wind. After over two weeks of hammering, and with another week to go.
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