My 1/4 mile elapsed time is 43 seconds, is that timed accurately?

Question

Yin & I had a pleasure trip at a nearby quarter mile racetrack. It was a periodic event with our “All Girls Club”, which we hire a track for a day. There were 16 cars and my Cannondale Synapse Feminine Carbon 3, with Shimano Ultegra SL Compact, 34/50 crank and a Shimano Ultegra 12-27 rear cog.

Answer 1

Thats pretty posible, if your a strong enough rider, thats a 2.87 minute mile (20.91mph) That time is not too bad,  

Answer 2

Congrats you will soon be breaking the sound barrier. Great time for a bike I figure your pulling 112 inch gear at about 120 crank revolutions at the top end. Have you and Yin been watching the Olympics. The matched sprint riders are pulling about the same gear at the board track. Actual time at the 1/4 mile track is when the green light turns on plus reaction time so next time stage deeper for more accurate elapsed time. What was the speed at the top of the 1/4? I have seen stock 1966 VW bugs turn a 21 second 1/4 mile that is with a 52 hp motor.

Answer 3

That time seems about right. Here are a few pointers to shave some time off.

1) You need to cover the first 60~100 feet as fast as possible.

   Find a gear that will allow you to get to your cadence up as quick  

   as possible. Don't mash a hard gear even though if feels like you  

   are accelerating faster, if the track has a 60ft timer compare your

   times with different gear combos to find the one that works best.

2) Keep your cadence in your sweet spot don't spin low rpm's.

3) Once over 18mph get in the most areo position possible and    

    keep those cranks spinning.  

Answer 4

Yeah Kate

That sounds about right

You will do most of your accelerating in the first 110 or so yards. The average speed for first 110 will be low, roughly 60% of max speed. Your average for the last 330 yards should be closer to the 28 mph that you know you are are capable of.

Allowing a bit of time for gear changes then this sounds about right. With a bit of practice I think you could shave a few seconds off.

Give yourself a few months off power climbing on that 6% grade and higher gearing you should knock off quite a few more.

I seem to recall seeing a photo of you at a velodrome. Ever thought about joining a track club ?