Okay, so I saw this “fastest mile on a bike” thing online and thought, “Yeah, I gotta try that.” I’m no pro cyclist, but I do like a good challenge, and I’ve been hitting the gym pretty regularly, so I felt… somewhat prepared? Maybe a little overconfident, looking back.
Prepping the Ride
First thing, I needed a good stretch of road. I found this straight, flat section near my place that’s usually pretty deserted. It’s about a mile and a half long, perfect for getting up to speed and then timing the actual mile.
Next, my bike. It’s just your everyday mountain bike. Nothing Special.
- Checked the tires – pumped them up nice and firm.
- Lubed the chain – made sure it was running smooth.
- Adjusted the seat – gotta be comfy, right?
The First Attempt (and a Reality Check)
I started my stopwatch and pedaled like crazy. I mean, I was really going for it. My legs were burning, my lungs were screaming, and sweat was dripping everywhere. I felt like I was flying… until I checked my time.
It was… underwhelming. Let’s just say it was nowhere near the records I’d seen online. I was beat, totally gassed, and a little bit humbled. I realized this was going to be harder than I thought.
Adjustments and More Attempts
I took a break, drank some water, and thought about what I could do better. I decided to try a few things:
- Focus on form: I tried to keep my body more aerodynamic, leaning forward, and keeping my elbows in.
- Pacing: I realized I’d gone out way too hard at the start. I needed to conserve some energy for the final push.
- Gearing:I am embarrased. I should have pay attention on this before the ride. I played around with the gears to find the sweet spot for speed and efficiency.
I made a few more attempts, each time tweaking my approach. I started to get a better feel for it, learning how to push myself without completely burning out. My times were improving, but still not super impressive.
The “Fastest” Mile
Finally, I decided to give it one last shot. I focused on everything I’d learned: form, pacing, gearing. I pushed myself hard, but tried to stay controlled. I kept my eyes on the road ahead, visualizing the finish line. The last quarter-mile was brutal, my legs felt like jelly, but I kept going.
I crossed the “finish line” (just a landmark I’d picked) and slammed on the brakes, gasping for air. I checked my stopwatch… and it was my best time yet! Not record-breaking, of course, I realized I need train more, but definitely faster than my first try.
The Takeaway
So, did I set a new world record? Absolutely not. But did I push myself, learn something, and have a pretty good time? Yeah, I did. It was a fun little experiment, and it definitely showed me that there’s a lot more to speed cycling than just pedaling fast. Maybe I’ll keep practicing and see if I can shave off a few more seconds… or maybe I’ll just stick to my casual rides. We’ll see!