[Racer X 69]

I haven't seen "Secondhand Lions", but they're right; some grumpy old men you just don't mess with

Second Hand Lions Bar FIGHT Scene - YouTube

Awesome movie.

[Racer X 69]

Pro riders can ride at 25-28mph (40-45km/h) average over 125 miles (200km). I took part in a short race last night, over a 21km flattish course (13 miles) and my average was 34.3km/h (21.3mph) and, in the sprint for the finish line I got up to 47.5km/h (29.5mph) over the last 500m or so. Now, the pro's sprint at 43mph / 70km/h. I have no idea how they do it but they are machines!

The fastest guy in our club last night rode at an average of 41km/h (25.5mph) and his top speed in the sprint was 56km/h (34.7mph). He's very, very talented and much better than any of us, but, as you can see, when compared with the pro's, he's pretty average!

Of course, in a big peloton, there's a 15-20% energy saving, so the bigger the group, the easier it is to go fast. And the TdF is around 200 riders, but, even with the numbers, they're still remarkable riders and that's why they're pros and we aren't! Also, the bigger the group, the higher the chance of touching wheels and having a potentially very damaging crash, so the risks are smaller in a small peloton. In large fast moving pelotons or in any race situation really, there's a fair bit of bumping of shoulders, hands and hips going on. Carnage ensues when someone gets it wrong.

I've gone 72 miles an hour on downhill skis.

All by myself.

No peloton.

Just me, and two planks strapped to my feet.

[Racer X 69]

Very much so. It's possible to hit speeds of over 100km/h on big descents. Fastest I've managed is 90km/h (56mph)

What you need is some nitrous oxide.

[MarkJerling]

I've gone 72 miles an hour on downhill skis.

All by myself.

No peloton.

Just me, and two planks strapped to my feet.

[savoche]

Of course, in a big peloton, there's a 15-20% energy saving, so the bigger the group, the easier it is to go fast.

According to this article on ScienceDirect there is a whopping 95%(!) energy saving at the back of a big (perfectly formed) peloton. I find it fascinating that even the lead cyclist can save up to 14% compared to riding alone.



Even in a simple paceline you can see a 50+% saving at the back.

[robtcorl]

According to this article on ScienceDirect there is a whopping 95%(!) energy saving at the back of a big (perfectly formed) peloton. I find it fascinating that even the lead cyclist can save up to 14% compared to riding alone.

I reckon that's why geese fly in Vees.

[Parallax]

I've gone 72 miles an hour on downhill skis.

All by myself.

No peloton.

Just me, and two planks strapped to my feet.

I have a policy of never getting on anything that moves that doesn't have brakes.

[robtcorl]

My wife and I like to go to a little Scottish restaurant just a bit away, every so often. We like to go there, because of my Scottish heritage

Another haggis lover other than Bert?

[Racer X 69]

I have a policy of never getting on anything that moves that doesn't have brakes.

Downhill skis have brakes. As soon as your boot comes out of the binding those two wires with plastic tips drop down, and the ski stops traveling down the slopes.

[tim60]

More countryside than city, but yes!

Cars in the ditch.

[tim60]

Thanks Mark!
My bad, the pie is called Levee High apple pie. The small town where the restaurant is located is by the Mississippi river and prone to flooding until levees were built.

I had something that looked like that at a big dinner a few years back. Forgot where, probably US, maybe Chicago.

[lesmore49]

Another haggis lover other than Bert?

One of my grandfathers was the real deal, immigrated from Scotland. When I was a kid, our family would go to the annual, local Robbie Burns Day dinners and they would pipe in and then address the haggis. We could then eat haggis and as I recall it was 'nae bad...nae bad at all. '

[robtcorl]

[MarkJerling]

Downhill skis have brakes. As soon as your boot comes out of the binding those two wires with plastic tips drop down, and the ski stops traveling down the slopes.

It's all good and fine if the skis and you stop. If the skis stop and you don't.....

[MarkJerling]

I have a policy of never getting on anything that moves that doesn't have brakes.

I was going to make a smartass remark and then I thought.....