I finally managed to crack through the 50mph max speed target that I had set for myself earlier this year. Descending at 52mph and averaging 33mph on flats on 85GI (52/16).
Back in autumn of 2022, pushing the limits of my Dawes Lightning fixed gear bike to 42mph on the A616 had seemed like an astonishing feat. But I felt I could have done better, faster and more efficiently if I had gone for a bigger gear. Such is the reckoning of a singlespeed lifestyle. At the time I was rocking a mere 76GI through 52/18. So, I started chasing for a lighter wheelset, or even a lighter frame. There’s always a constant chase for bigger, better, faster and lighter in the world of fixed gear riding – and I’m a vested member of the clan. Yet, through all that followed since my 42mph revelation, I still remained loyal to my Dawes frame.
These are all suggestions and items that spring to mind when one is fully invested in the fixed gear experiment: the need to tweak that one cog for a better RPM, or evening popping that new Sugino 75 for a better gain ratio. Tweaking and turning, thinking and trying it out that new cog and chain combo again and again for days, weeks and even months on end. It’s a passion that knows no bounds and very addictive. I love my fixed gear bikes, and all the cliché emoticons that come along with the ride.
“Being one with the bike”. “Connected to the road”. Fast like a bat in hell, with only Death left to catch out your KOM if you take the wrong line, or chip an idle rock. It is a fascinating experience and one that has to be felt in order to be known. This type of cycling becomes part of the soul, and for fixed gear riders, the bike grows on you like an extension of one’s body.
Part of you. A friend, pal, companion and partner for all the miles ahead.
So, the 50mph target was breached. I’m happy, but now I want to know what 60mph feels like, and so on and so on.
This brings me to the speed part. When I hit that 52mph range, I didn’t feel like I was going that fast at all. In fact, it felt a bit slow. I even had to double check the cycling computers when I got home that day to verify the numbers. 52mph correct, but it still felt slow. So now I feel I can go faster and need to try to push the limits of what my bikes can do.
Onwards and upwards my dear boy. Yet…something seems to have changed in me.
I’ve started to keep an eye on my average speed more than I do my max limits. My regular trips to our local village butcher or to the nearby shops have all started to appear shorter than when I started recording my paces back in 2018. For example, I regularly cruise a very chilled 3-mile milk run in about 11 mins (hills included). I’ve constantly kept an eye on this pace, all the way to back in 2018 when I used to do it in 28 minutes, during the days when I used to clock 113kgs (249lbs) on my scales.
But – a new revelation has hit me. The average speed chase has more relevance than the max.
I’ve never kept an eye on my average speed ‘til now, but average speed has started to gain a token of importance for me. This is mainly because I’ve started planning for longer summer tours through the Peak District, and am trying to work out how best to reach my hilly destinations in time for the school run back at 3pm.
Drop the kids of at 8:30am, spin to the hills in about 2hrs. Scope the landmarks for a coupla hours, and be back for the little aliens for 3pm. That’s the plan. And this brings me back down to the average speed dilemma. What’s the quickest way for me to do this (a) without spinning too much on the hilly descents, but (b) fast enough to maintain a good average speed through Manchester Road, and the Sheffield lanes?
This has been the question I’ve been trying to resolve recently. So, my focus has now shifted to average speed planning instead of maxing out chases over 50mph this summer.
I’m still working the numbers.
So far, stretching my 5am morning training routine from six miles to about nine miles appears to be the first step. This is still a work in progress, and very much in the early stages of planning.
Yes, Dear Reader. The average speed chase has started.
I just hope the numbers add up in time for me to make it for the school run.
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