Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with speed lately. Like, really obsessed. And not just any kind of speed – I wanted to see how fast I could get a bike going in a quarter-mile. I’m no pro cyclist, just a guy with a bike and a need for speed, you know?
First, I picked my bike. It’s nothing fancy, just an old mountain bike I’ve had for years. I figured I’d start with what I had, and then I looked and checked everywhere for suitable place.
The Prep Work
I started by tuning up the bike. I pumped up the tires – I mean, really pumped them up, as hard as I could get them. I oiled the chain until it was slick, I mean super slick. I even took off the water bottle cage and reflectors to make it a little lighter. Every little bit helps, right?
Then, I found a stretch of road. It needed to be flat, straight, and, ideally, deserted. After some searching, I found this service road behind an industrial park. It was perfect – almost no traffic, and a good quarter-mile with no intersections.
The Runs
- First Run: I was nervous, I gotta admit. I lined up, took a deep breath, and just pedaled like crazy. I went as hard as I possibly could, legs burning, lungs screaming. When I finally crossed the “finish line” (I just used a crack in the road), I was gasping for air. I used a phone to record my time, and checked it. Not great, but it was a starting point.
- Second Run: I tried to pace myself a little better this time, but I don’t think it helped much. I still pedaled with everything I had. I felt like I was going faster, but when I checked the timer, it was barely any different.
- Third Run:I decided change something.I changed my posture. I got lower, more aerodynamic, I think. Legs were on fire.I felt totally spent. Checked the timer again, still not satisfied.
- Fourth Run: This was it. I yelled at myself in my head to be motivated. My last shot. I gave it absolutely everything. I focused on keeping my legs pumping, my breathing steady (as steady as it could be, anyway). When I crossed the line this time, I almost collapsed. I checked the timer, and… it was a little better! Not a huge improvement, but definitely faster.
The Results (and What I Learned)
So, I didn’t break any land speed records. But I definitely pushed myself, and I learned a few things. I realized that wind resistance is a huge factor. I learned that my old mountain bike probably isn’t the best choice for this kind of thing. And I learned that I need to work on my cardio if I want to get any real speed.
It was a fun experiment, though. And hey, I got a good workout. Maybe next time, I’ll try a different bike… or maybe I’ll just stick to leisurely rides. We’ll see!
