| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
19.12 km
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Time: 00:40:52
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Avg Speed:
28.08 km/h
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Max Speed:
46.05 km/h
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Avg Cadence: 86 rpm
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Route:
Home to Work
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Category: general: commute -
solo
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Temp:
Min: 12
Max: 14
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: KHS Flight 300 Road
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Club: Flatlanders Bicycle Club |
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Distance:
19.07 km
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Time: 00:41:18
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Avg Speed:
27.73 km/h
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Max Speed:
51.87 km/h
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Avg Cadence: 85 rpm
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Route:
Work to Home
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Category: general: commute -
solo
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Temp:
Min: 31
Max: 33
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: KHS Flight 300 Road
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Club: Flatlanders Bicycle Club |
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I tend to be a bit competitive when cycling, which I've noticed is fairly common among many of us. Most of my cycling activities are associated with commuting, during the course of which I come across many other folks doing the same thing. I should clarify that I do not race competitively, nor do I compare myself with those that do.
I have to say that a large chunk of these commuters tend to fall into one category; their bikes tend to be BSO's that look like MTB's, they pedal at a cadence of 30 or less, and in many cases have sounds emmanating from their rides from several locations at once (lube meeeee!). No disrespect intended here, I admire anybody who chooses to commute by bike and leave the car at home. I just can't help but wonder if these folks might not enjoy the ride more if they knew HOW to ride and maintain their bikes. In any case these are the riders who provide much competition in the way of speed.
There's a fairly noticeable fixie/single speed crowd that I come across regularly, especially in the Woolsley area. Although I've seen some folks really MOVE on some of these, the vast majority I come across seem to enjoy moving at a rather relaxed pace instead. Although I don't really "get" the interest in these rides, I do admire the dedication many folks have for this particular genre.
There's an odd smattering of other categories, but I'll focus on those that have some real experience with good cycling technique, in other words how to extract some real power from your body and maintain it. The rides will vary somewhat but generally you'll notice a fairly high cadence and a somewhat agressive posture on the bike. These are the folks that I'll come across that will often want to test your resolve a bit. This happens to me at least once a week; in most cases I seem to be able to keep ahead of them but once in a while I'll get a decent challenge.
Not that everyone plays fair. On today's commute home I noticed somebody coming from a side street on a road bike (looked like a cyclocross frame). He was a short distance ahead of me and moving at an estimated 30km/hr at the time. My "natural" speed tends to be a bit faster, so eventually I closed on him and passed with ease. Taking the bait, he fell in behind me and paced my 35 for a short while.
Now I need to say at this time that I stop at ALL red lights in the City regardless, and will tend to stop at all stop signs as well unless it's in the middle of nowhere and nobody is around. Not this guy. At the first red we come across I stopped (there was also a bus in front of me); he shoots forward and nearly strikes a pedestrian. In any case I soon caught up with him a bit later. Once again he paces me for a bit.. although it's apparent he can't do much more than 35. A few stops later, a few sidewalk trips for him and other shortcuts.. I've had enough. Time to go full steam and drop this loser for good; After catching up once again (this was along Portage Ave) I unleashed the locomotive and dialed up to 50km/hr and held it for several blocks (luckily the lights were co-operating with me)... that was the last I saw of him.
Was I satisfied? Not really. I'd rather have a good race against somebody else that plays by the same rules, which can happen. But I guess I have to take whatever I can get...
22 member views | 308 total views
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