I've gone as fast as low 40's, maybe 45 but on roads that were far less challenging. The real problem is getting to the top of the big mountain.
Many cyclists are insanely fit. Although the ones I've seen some numbers on were probably a bit "enhanced"
Francesco Moser did some tests with the Italian sport federation in the 80's. Mostly baseline stuff to work out training schedules for athletes. They'd already done a lot with other sports but he was the first cyclist. Typical stress test, three steps up and down fast over and over. At about an hour they apologized because their equipment must be broken, his heart rate hadn't cleared 120. He let them down easy and continued testing. Maxed out the pro athlete treadmill. Full speed, full incline. HR 160 after an hour! Soccer/basketball players had been all done after 15 minutes.
He brought some rollers the next time so he could ride the bike. Was able to do something crazy like heart rate of 180+ for well over an hour, and was under 100 before he got to the chair to rest in. Sub 10 min to his resting rate which was around 35 if I recall it right.
He may have been on EPO back then, which gives amazing oxygen transfer, but also can lead to clotting and dying of a stroke in your sleep even if you're like 22-23 and insanely fit.
But the riders today can mostly hit the same sort of numbers while clean.
Steve B
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