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2009-09-08 3:16 PM

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Subject: Biking Breakthrough!
Yesterday, for the first time, I broke 25 mph on a flat w/ no wind.  AND was able to sustain it for almost 5 miles.  Until now my normal pace has been around 17 with my max flat out being ~21-22, unsustained.  Of course, I've exceeded this speed on downhills, but thats not the same as knowing it was done purely under your own power.  Just wanted to share.


2009-09-08 3:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
Awesome job! Keep it up.
2009-09-08 3:31 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
Awesome!  Was there anything you did different?
2009-09-08 3:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
Good job!

What kind of bike do you have?
2009-09-08 4:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
25 is tough.  My system starts breaking down seriously at 24 with no wind.

For me 24-25 would be the Mt Everest equivalent of the "Death Zone"

Congratulations.
2009-09-08 6:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
Wow, that's awesome!  I've found that intervals make a big difference in increasing speed.  Is that how you did it?  Feels like I'm plateauing, so any tips that worked for you much appreciated!


2009-09-08 6:45 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
heck yeah, that's beasting.
2009-09-08 7:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!

Nice work! Without drafting, 25 is tough! You definitely need leg power to get up to speed, but then endurance to maintain for any period of time.

Some men are just naturally powerful (especially big muscular men) and get can hit 25 in a sprint easily, but then they need to have the endurance/VO2 to sustain it. Interestingly, some tiny Tour De France riders do well over 25mph and have great quad power despite their small size.

If you can't get up to 25mph at all, you'll need serious interval work to get your leg power up there. Then mid-distance lactate burns to keep the endurance up, and if you're doing Olys up, endurance rides help tremendously for overall endurane. Pretty much comes down to riding a lot, riding hard. Roadies swear by their powermeters for this type of stuff; I use a gym stationary bike with power estimates to do my sprints - they hurt like heck - even more than running sprints!

2009-09-10 4:54 AM
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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
Thanks for all the encouragement!  I've always used my bike for cross training, but never started seriously training until this spring.  Lot's of intervals and hill rides have helped boost my power I guess.

It certainly took alot out of me.  It was going to be a 25 mi. out and back ride, but at ~3 mi in I was feeling froggy and decided to clock my best pace, hadn't done that since at least early May.  It was on a 5 mi flat, mostly straight.  Got up to speed and didn't believe what my Garmin was telling me, 25.2 mph.  The shear rush of actually hitting it just made me want to keep going.

The stretch ends with a stop sign at a T-intersection.  About a minute before I was rehearsing all the steps, nothing would take the wind out my sails like f-ing it up at the end.  Got there, slowed, unclipped left, stopped, leeeeeeeeeaned... left (started heading right due to exhaustion).  Under basic instinct: unclipped right, dismounted, got off road, leaned bike against fence, and promptly collapsed.  About 20 min later, after catching my breath, got back on, turned around and rode home, very slowly. Very slowly, but with a big s**t eating grin on my face.

Edited by BurghGuy 2009-09-10 5:02 AM
2009-09-10 4:54 AM
in reply to: #2395239

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Subject: RE: Biking Breakthrough!
Oh, and I have a '98 Cannondale R300. Not exactly cutting edge, but it fits me, it's relatively low mileage (for now) with some extras I've picked up over the years. That and I think the RSX 7-speed components were underrated. Never had any problems and always shifts smooth.

Edited by BurghGuy 2009-09-10 5:00 AM
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