At one time I was a Cat 1 (last stop before pro) bicycle racer. Races would typically spend hours at 25mph, so I have a pretty good idea of how hard it is. 30mph on flat ground, unassisted, for any non-trivial length of time? Yeah, damned hard even if you're in shape (and impossible if you're not). 25mph by yourself? It might be "not hard...to hit" 25mph, but to sustain that speed is going to be nearly impossible for the ones I see zooming by on their electric motorcycles. And it's going to be tough workout even for an in-shape cyclist. As another commenter points out, that's over 300 watts. If you can do that for your hour ride to work, go get a race license, you'll do well.
Exactly. The kind of stuff thrown around in this thread borders on the unbelievable or we have a couple of pro riders here that I wasn't previously aware of. I think I know a couple of really strong cyclists (notably, my brother but also others) and in spite of my injury I'm no slouch and am rarely overtaken on a regular racer but if I'm to believe this thread then I really should be checking my bike if something is dragging or not ;)
I'd argue 25-30mph is not an easy cruising speed for most bike commuters. Unless I'm on the wrong forum and everyone here races Cat 1/2 in their spare time.
I'm no competitive cyclist, and in pedal assit mode on my eBike, the motor stops being because I'm pedaling at 20mph on my own. My eBike is also a big heavy bike, so from where I'm pedaling, I'd assume others can do the same on a better bike. <shrugs>
Power required increases with the square of the speed being primarily a function of wind resistance at higher speeds. Your motor shutting off cause you hit 20mph on a slight decline might give you the wrong impression.
Maintaining 25mph requires in excess of 300 watts. Some 90% of the population won't be able to produce that for a mere minute.
I don't have a wardrobe in spandex. I ride bicycles for fun and commuting, not sport. Only time I rode a bike for any kind of fitness was long long ago in offseason for running sports. My pedal bike is a beach cruiser and has 3 gears on it. Not getting competitive with that, and have actually been told to get out of the bike lane in spandex wearing asshats.
At one time I was a Cat 1 (last stop before pro) bicycle racer. Races would typically spend hours at 25mph, so I have a pretty good idea of how hard it is. 30mph on flat ground, unassisted, for any non-trivial length of time? Yeah, damned hard even if you're in shape (and impossible if you're not). 25mph by yourself? It might be "not hard...to hit" 25mph, but to sustain that speed is going to be nearly impossible for the ones I see zooming by on their electric motorcycles. And it's going to be tough workout even for an in-shape cyclist. As another commenter points out, that's over 300 watts. If you can do that for your hour ride to work, go get a race license, you'll do well.
Exactly. The kind of stuff thrown around in this thread borders on the unbelievable or we have a couple of pro riders here that I wasn't previously aware of. I think I know a couple of really strong cyclists (notably, my brother but also others) and in spite of my injury I'm no slouch and am rarely overtaken on a regular racer but if I'm to believe this thread then I really should be checking my bike if something is dragging or not ;)
I'd argue 25-30mph is not an easy cruising speed for most bike commuters. Unless I'm on the wrong forum and everyone here races Cat 1/2 in their spare time.
I'm no competitive cyclist, and in pedal assit mode on my eBike, the motor stops being because I'm pedaling at 20mph on my own. My eBike is also a big heavy bike, so from where I'm pedaling, I'd assume others can do the same on a better bike. <shrugs>
Power required increases with the square of the speed being primarily a function of wind resistance at higher speeds. Your motor shutting off cause you hit 20mph on a slight decline might give you the wrong impression.
Maintaining 25mph requires in excess of 300 watts. Some 90% of the population won't be able to produce that for a mere minute.
In short bursts or downhill sure? Consistently in a commute? No, that is definitely atypical.
Do you ride bikes or mostly just e-bike?
I don't have a wardrobe in spandex. I ride bicycles for fun and commuting, not sport. Only time I rode a bike for any kind of fitness was long long ago in offseason for running sports. My pedal bike is a beach cruiser and has 3 gears on it. Not getting competitive with that, and have actually been told to get out of the bike lane in spandex wearing asshats.
For 10 minutes tops or when falling down an embankment, sure.