By blackmountaincycles,
Filed under: Uncategorized
La Primavera, Milan-San Remo, is tomorrow. In 1967, Eddy Merckx won the 288km race with a time of 6h 25m 40s for an average speed of 44.8kph. That’s an average speed of 27.8mph. AVERAGE. Over 179 miles. On a steel bike with toeclips and straps, down tube friction shifters, 5 speed freewheel, wool shorts, and no power meter. Only twice (1990 and 2006) has anyone had a higher average speed.
My question is what do you really need to ride your bike fast? I mean really, really need. Look at your bike and ask yourself “does that help me go faster?” Then look in a mirror into your eyes.
Thanks to Tom for the inspiration to this post.
(What’s playing: Eddy Merckx at Milan-San Remo 1967)
0 responses to “One for the weekend…”
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In 1972 I bought my first real bike, a Fuji S10S Special Racer. I sold it about 5 years ago when a medical issue had me certain that I would not be riding again. I was wrong and something of a medical miracle has me doing over 50 miles a week. I've been through a succession of modern wonder bikes but miss the Special Racer. If I had half a brain I'd buy a good steel or Ti frame and fit it out with a compact crank, the new SRAM X1 7 speed cassette and rear derailleur and see if it reminded me of the Fuji that the other bikes do not…
From the bike itself? Good tires, proper saddle height. No noises, clicks, pops, or rubbing.
In 1973 I bought my first real bike, a Peugeot PX10 with mavic monterley rims,sew-ups, a 14-21 5 speed cluster and a 45-52 Stronglight crankset, and a Brooks professional saddle. I lived in the Sierra Nevada foothills and there were no flat roads anywhere. i liked climbing more than descending. Today i'm still riding with the Brooks saddle. Climbing is a lot harder than it used to be. I don't have to go fast now, i just want to spin, but I like to climb, slowly.
Well, obviously, I NEED to be Eddy Merckx!