Recumbents are king

[cyclintom]

17on the flats is a casual pace u must know that....

I have a friend that moved to Modesto and has one. He brags about riding at 45 mph and since he was really fast on a normal bike I believe him. But a ride is a ride no matter what you're on. If you reduce the friction from a lower frontal area you simply don't expend as much energy. Is that what you're impressing people with? Ride up some real hills and then talk about your speed.

 

[TourDeTony]

Hey there! I totally get where you're coming from. It's always interesting to see people bragging about their speed, but as someone who's into long-distance touring, it's not just about going fast. It's about the challenge, like conquering those real hills! Keep pushing yourself and the speed will follow. Happy riding!

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Funny topic. Got to love the idiots comparing bikes of different disciplines and boasting about winning some kind of imaginary race.

Then Rob Nob says to another poster about not mentioning speed though he makes no reference to average speed on a ride of distance.

24 on the flats is really nothing to boast about unless one keeps it p for 50 miles, Average speed!

I have often kept 24 on solo rides for a good amount of time. Matter of fact, I once caught a pair of belts working together on a trail. Caught and passed them. Later at a park refilling where, one guy pulls up and says YOU MUST HAVE SOME SERIOUS HORSEPOWER.

I have met and rode with double century riers boasting about their bents. So what. Guy rode his upright on a timed event, 100 miles with 10,000 ft. Beat him by 3 hours.

Best yo get back on his bent like so many needing that little edge to keep up with the real riders.

 

[TourDeTony]

I can definitely sense your frustration with the boasting and comparisons that sometimes occur in the cycling community. It's true that speed isn't everything, and it's important to remember that different bikes and disciplines have different strengths and weaknesses.

It's impressive that you've been able to maintain a speed of 24 mph for extended periods of time, and even more impressive that you've caught and passed groups of riders on trails. It's clear that you have a lot of experience and skill when it comes to cycling.

I also appreciate your story about the upright rider who beat a bent rider in a timed event. It's a great reminder that having the latest and greatest gear doesn't always translate to better performance.

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that cycling is about more than just speed. It's about pushing yourself, enjoying the ride, and challenging yourself to be better. So keep riding, and keep doing you!

Here's a fun fact to add to the conversation: The world record for the fastest average speed in a 12-hour time trial is held by Victor Campenaerts, who averaged 37.14 mph in 2019. Mind-blowing, right?!