Re: [RBW] Slow Riding

[PATRICK MOORE]

I've been telling myself to ride like this, because it makes it much easier to get out on the bike on a cold, windy, grey day. I tell myself: dammit man! Don't worry about speed, ambling along is better than nothing! And I did 25 miles yesterday. Have to repeat it today, though: 10*F this morning at 7:15 am.

OTOH, once I get on the bike and warm up (literally and figuratively) I feel energetic and like to go conquer hills.

I'd say at least 3/4 of my riding is errands and commuting with detours.

On Mon, Dec 31, 2012 at 2:35 PM, Tim Tetrault <ttet...@gmail.com> wrote:

Perhaps because I didn't cut my teeth on a high performance road bike and I've always been more of a commuter/errand runner, I've noticed riding with other cyclist friends (who are in much better fitness than I) I am always falling off the back-

yet I don't really mind. Since getting my Hilborne, I'm content to chug along in my plain clothes at 13-15 mph, stop at the library, ride to work etc... I feel no motivation or ambition to "perform" on a bike. Maybe it would be different if I lived in a warmer climate and purchased a Tarmac?

Anybody else feel me on this? 

Tim/Seattle

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[Michael]

Definitely feel you on this one.

 

When I first got into cycling I tried to go fast all the time. But I never could.

I guess it takes serious training to get those 20mph average speeds.

But I never was interested enough to train.

 

I like my 13-16 mph commuting and I go for metric century/long rides with a pal who is my speed. When I go out to restaurants for casual lunches with my family, I tell them "See you there in 30 minutes.". And I use that as an opportunity to ride. My wife likes cycling so she gets it. She encourages me to ride.

I like cycling for the fun of it and seeing the beauty of God's creation.

 

 

[Peter Morgano]

I only average about 11mph but in South Brooklyn there is a headwind of about 15mph on one leg of my trips 99% of the time and I am not "aerodynamic", haha.

 

 

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[René Sterental]

Ditto for the 10-11 mph average... Although my 2013 goal is to do those more often...

René 

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[Garth]

If you really Love what you're doing .... What's the hurry ? ;-)

[William]

I feel you.  I still have the memories of my youth when I took it personal every time somebody passed me or dropped me, and when I'd feel a little alpha dog surge whenever I passed someone else.  I've let that all go for the most part.  

During brevets I am a little bit conflicted.  I'm under some pressure to put in a good time, to minimize riding time after dark.  My wife and kids worry quite a bit.  So I sometimes try to hang with the faster riders, staying on a wheel to speed me along.  But when I get dropped I always find plenty of pleasure in enjoying the countryside, and I like my own company just fine, so pacelining holds only the appeal of finishing faster, which is a very limited appeal.  

Some of the truly legendary Randonneurs and Randonneuses are among the slow riders.  It's a huge treat riding with them to hear their stories, riding at a pace that encourages conversation.  It's all fun, and it's all cycling.  

[cyclotourist]

That's my average speed, no matter if I want to go faster or not!

Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

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[PATRICK MOORE]

Interesting. On my errand rides my iPhone Cyclemeter app usually records ~12 mph clock running over largely residential streets, but there are so many variables that "average" is not a useful tool. Eg, yesterday's 12 mile return leg recorded 11.9 but that included a 5-to-10 minute stop to adjust a cleat on the first-time-this-year-broken-out Lake winter boots, as well as 3 1/2 miles of climbing against a stiff N wind in a 75" gear on the gofast (didn't walk on the very steep 4/10 mile hill up the Rio Rancho mesa! Light wheels **climb*! Whoo hoo!). Outbound, with the wind behind me and 500 feet of elevation drop, 15.5 average with a stop at the PO to use the machine to send a Priority Mail package, this on the '03's 72" gear (switched Rivs at turnaround point).

OTOH, back in 2008 -- 2005, when I commuted on the '03 Riv fixed across town 15 miles, ~12 mph average by computer was the standard, clock running -- urban blocks and 7 miles uphill, most gradual, 70" gear. (OTOH again, return home was also about 12 mph thanks to headwinds and traffic and fixed gear.) Back when I was a young 40-something, I'd do a slightly longer 16 mile cross-town commute but, instead of back roads, I'd go straight up Central/Route 66, lights a mile apart, and routinely break 60 minutes -- best time >18; liked to pass and stay ahead of the #66 bus; and it wasn't really fun because I felt tired all the time and caught cold easily. ~67" fixed.

For me, it is important to find a good mean between riding slowly enough to stay aerobic and riding energetically for fun. At almost-58 I am getting to the point where I can find and maintain this, particularly for climbing hills while standing. I do really love, love, love at least short steep (=< 1 mile) or gradual longer hills on a fixed gear. Downhill, meh. 

[Steve Palincsar]

On Wed, 2013-01-02 at 12:47 -0700, PATRICK MOORE wrote:
> Interesting. On my errand rides my iPhone Cyclemeter app usually
> records ~12 mph clock running over largely residential streets, but
> there are so many variables that "average" is not a useful tool. Eg,
> yesterday's 12 mile return leg recorded 11.9 but that included a
> 5-to-10 minute stop to adjust a cleat on the
> first-time-this-year-broken-out Lake winter boots, as well as 3 1/2
> miles of climbing against a stiff N wind in a 75" gear on the gofast
> (didn't walk on the very steep 4/10 mile hill up the Rio Rancho mesa!
> Light wheels **climb*! Whoo hoo!). Outbound, with the wind behind me
> and 500 feet of elevation drop, 15.5 average with a stop at the PO to
> use the machine to send a Priority Mail package, this on the '03's 72"
> gear (switched Rivs at turnaround point).

This is why "moving average" is generally used. The only circumstance I
know of where overall average, i.e., counting time not moving, matters
is in randonneuring events.

[Steve Palincsar]

On Wed, 2013-01-02 at 06:10 -0800, Swza wrote:
> As I've gotten older I've definitely slowed down. I feel as fit as I
> did 5 to 10 years ago yet I don't feel the need to push it as I once
> did. I get to work 5 minutes later but smelling better and in one
> piece. I cringe thinking of the risks I used to take in traffic. I
> feel fortunate I've never been hit so I show more respect to cycling
> and commuting now. (Someone in Seattle is currently selling his 61.5cm
> 1971 Singer touring bike, might be on Craigslist)

Obviously, age has brought greater wisdom.

[Mike Schiller]

my solution is to ride with people who go at the pace you want to ride.  I'm also still struggling with not staying with the fastest riders in any group rides I do.  Even on a solo ride I catch myself pushing harder and have to consciously remind myself to slow down and enjoy the ride.  I think it's a leftover from working full time when every second seem to count more.

~mike

Carlsbad Ca.

[Michael]

Now that I am letting go of the concern for fast speeds, I am having fun working on track stands at traffic signals and stop signs where I have to stop (trashes anyone's average speed on cyclometer).

 

I still can't stop totally and balance, but I sorta do this thing where I do a very slow 1/8th rotation of the pedal to keep me slowly moving forward to stay upright.

Hopefully one day I'll be able to just balance motionless.

[IanA]

Yep - and it's not the lack of speed that slows you down so much as the chats at controls!  It makes me think of golf and trying to get the longest drive, but scoring better if the drivers are left at home.

[allenmichael]

I was riding my S1 home through Golden Gate Park in SF two days ago, on the downhill headed for the beach, and was passed like I was standing still by a woman who must have been 65 years old at least. I won't say that I didn't feel some slight shame/embarassment but I didn't feel like speeding up-or riding a different bike.