What's your top speed?

37.4mph at Herne Hill this season.

Legs like a fucking Rhino!!!

fastest I've seen on my computer is a mere 44.9mph on Westerham Hill. Did a couple of fast descents on a heavily laden 1987 Dawes Wildcat in Switzerland which must have been over that, but no technology with me at the time.

I am now older, fatter and more scared and rarely do over 40, and have only got to 35 on fixed (coming down in Brighton, encouraged by the chap in front who was also riding fixed, and I watched a slight kink in his chain until the chain unshipped - all was well, as the chain went outboard)

I was well pleased to see I'd recorded 25mph going into a 25mph+ headwind the last week until I remembered about that bit where I was drafting a bus. I'm pleased by anything in the upper 20s anyway though, I can spin fast enough but not for long.

I've only really played this game on the flat, running 48:16. Then one day I absent mindedly sat back down without slowing first.

My legs quickly realised they could'nt pedal so fast when I was seated, and the laws of physics promptly spat me into the road. Made a serious mess of myself, and for the next few weeks had to repeatedly explain why simply sitting down on a bicycle, could result in the removal of all my skin, to leave me looking like something from hellraiser.

Think I was doing around 45-50kph.

I regularly do 160mph uphill on gravel. Anyone can downhill. I'm all about real speed. Running 38.5/1.2.

Part of me - a stupid, ignorant part - thinks I could beat that.

The older I get the more sensible I get, but I want to hit a recorded 50mph at some point. I've got to mid-40s with a computer, but no more.

Done 56mph on the hetchins before, that was a bit sketchy. (with it being 50 years old..)

did 53.5mph last weekend on the cx bike down a big hill, didn't even get into top gear. that was on cross tyres too...

It's really not hard, and I'm really not very aero...

I really want to hit 60 at some point this summer.

fixed on the road I've topped out at 31.88 on a 78gi... not that impressive but have got big heavy legs that I'm learning to spin.

General Lucifer, which hill was that down?

This thread is getting me hot under the collar. I'm off to buy a longer chain, fit 52x14, clean my brake surface and find a long straight bit of road.

you just need bigger balls SH. i'm sure i must've hit 30 on the way to the pier on HB's BD. that was definitely the fastest i've ridden this year. i'm riding 47/18 so slightly bigger

My balls already get in the way of my pedal stroke...

You forget I'm a new fixed rider. To break 30mph on my gear ratio I'd need to spin 150+rpm. I can do this easily for short periods on a road bike but on fixed you don't have the luxury of skipping a revolution or easing off. On a road bike, you don't get kicked if you lose your rhythm. On a fixed, the bike starts riding you if you're not careful especially on descents.

The more I ride fixed the longer I'm managing to sustain my spin ups so I'm getting there slowly but surely. I'm always impressed when I see the likes of you or Skive disappearing off down a hill at 35 (in Steves case) on the same gear ratio as me!

And on the subject of max speeds...

I can't be arsed to think about my top geared speed. Too many descents and sprints to remember. Too many bikes and wheelsets owned...

I know I've topped 50 a few times but I'm a bit of a pussy so I don't like doing it often. I've had too many nasty pothole or mud/sand incidents on descents to make a habit of it.

have you learnt how to hop out of spinning into a skip skid? once you know that when you feel your legs spinning out there is another way out other than trying to resist harder it becomes easier to relax... or that's what I've found. it's scary at first but once you get used to it standing up, leaning forward and unweighting the back wheel it's pretty fluid.

I've seen it done on fast descents (By OLC for one) and quite frankly it shat me up just to watch. Not least of all because I was on his back wheel and not expecting it!

I can do it at speed on the flat but obviously I'm not usually spinning as quickly as on a descent. Cheers, I'll see if I can practice that. What you say makes sense.

it is a little terrifying at first, I can only compare it to being like commiting to a big dirtjump for the first time, once you get used to it though and can do it at speed and round corners your control at regular speeds will be so much better because of the confidence you've built.

this is just how I got it sussed... worst moment I've had is coming unclipped on one foot at high speed. very glad i keep my unfashionable brake on cos it has saved me a couple of times.

I had a few similar oh shit moments when improving my skip stops. I think my right foot sometimes twists. I solved this by concentrating on form and also upping my cleat tension!

Whilst I love riding brakeless there is no harm riding brakeless with a brake there just in case you need it!

I've seen it done on fast descents (By OLC for one) and quite frankly it shat me up just to watch. Not least of all because I was on his back wheel and not expecting it!

I can do it at speed on the flat but obviously I'm not usually spinning as quickly as on a descent. Cheers, I'll see if I can practice that. What you say makes sense.

Best advice I ever read for riding fixed down steep/long hills...

'if you feel yourself spinning out, pedal faster and get control of the gear before slowing'

Seems silly but it works.

Friendly policeman currently on Nine Elms in Battersea with a radar gun is happy to confirm how fast you are going if you grin like an idiot at him.

Pro peloton dreams rightfully shattered.

I think I was around 46mph, not on a particularly steep hill, pedalling 52/12.

78mph up Canonbie Road on Sunday, geared.

Well, admittedly it was the slightly less steep bit.

I think I did 40 coming down Tourmalet and hit scree and the rear wheel fishtailed. Stayed upright but had to burn those shorts.

Speed is nothing, it's all about power.

Which is unfortunate as I don't have much.

Speed and power are nothing without control.

It's beside me on the arm of the sofa

As proof of le spin is le win, hit 38mph on 46x17.... Which is about 72gi. This was on a gradual downhill.

76kph last weekend... on aerobars. Glad I didn't have the 808 on the front.

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