[tcfunk]

I've never seen Usain Bolt's speed in terms of mph before this article. A top speed of 27.8 mph is seriously incredible. Granted I'm no professional sprinter, but when I try to go much beyond 14-15 my balance can't keep up with the cadence and I start to trip over myself.

[bluefirebrand]

I'm betting there are people who can barely go 27.8 mph on a bike at their top speed

That's unbelievable to imagine honestly, someone on a bike going as fast as they can and this guy sprinting past them

But it's reality

[klyrs]

When I was in my 20s, I was in great shape, riding thousands of miles a year (distance riding, not racing). On a flat, straight track in still air, I'm pretty sure my top speed was around 32mph. And while pro cyclists would scoff at my personal best there, most people aren't even coming close to that.

[martopix]

I would say the _majority_ of people would not reach that speed on a bike in normal situations

[alfiopuglisi]

Most people won't be able to even reach 27.8 mph on a bike, you need a decent road bike and some training.

[amalcon]

A class 3 ebike (the kind legal on most streets but illegal on most rec paths due to their speed) has a top speed of 28mph, so I would say so. Barring a steep decline of course.

[WalterBright]

I wouldn't go near that speed on a bike wearing a tour de france outfit. Crashing at those speeds will be very, very painful.

A friend of mine had a low speed crash on his bike, and knocked his front teeth out. After that, both he and I bought full face helmets.

When I ride dirt bikes, I wear a full set of armor. I look like a storm trooper. But I've crashed many times, and was unhurt. The armor is worth every penny. (The only way to learn how to ride a dirt bike is by crashing it.)

[_trampeltier]

On indoor tracks, bikes do something like 45mph

[glitchc]

I think if Bolt really pushed himself, he could have broken sub 9.5 seconds at the peak of his ability. In all races where he dominated, we see him slack off right near the end once he realizes how much further ahead he is of everyone else.

[SJC_Hacker]

Is it slacking off or was it simply his limit.

[walthamstow]

Not to mention the diet of chicken nuggets, particularly in Beijing where that was basically all he ate for weeks.

[chakintosh]

That's in part why sprinters are jacked. They need to keep their core from leaning forward at such high speeds.

[SJC_Hacker]

My reference for "jacked" would be more like a bodybuilder. Sprinters aren't really "jacked" more like lean and muscular.

[hanniabu]

As a runner I find this comment hilarious. Not sure what type of relationship you see between speed and leaning forward, but there is none.

[Svoka]

few people can go over 45 km/h on bike on flat ground.

[kazinator]

I did about that speed for about half a mile once, but I was drafting close behind a 2 ton truck. :) The truck's driver was taking it easy for whatever reason. I noticed that and slipped into the slipstream. Once in the slipstream, it felt like no effort; like bicycling downhill.