Subject: RE: Flat Vs. Hilly RidesFlatter rides. A true hilly ride definitely slows my average mph.
On the other hand, if you are good at efficiently powering downhill, you can more than make up for the slow uphill by flying down the other side. This can sometimes be true on rolling terrain, but has a limit when the terrain moves from nice rollers to serious climbs. It's easiest to see at the extreme. Take the Mt. Washington climb. Last year's winner, Tyler Hamilton, took just over 52 minutes to ascend the 7.6 miles. Now, if he could hypothetically go back down at say, light speed, he'd still only average about 17.5mph for the total 15.2 mile trip. Of course, he isn't allowed to go down anyway, light speed or not, but the point is - there is no making up the speed past a certain point.
Edited by dredwards 2007-01-30 5:03 PM
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