Convert Cycling Speed (cycle) to Cosmic Velocity - First (v₁) instantly.
About these units
Cycling Speed (cycle)
Typical cycling speeds vary dramatically by context: Casual cycling (4–7 m/s or 15–25 km/h), Road cyclists (8–12 m/s or 30–45 km/h), Professional racing (12–15 m/s or 45–54 km/h), Sprint track cyclists (peaks of 20 m/s or 72 km/h or more). Cycling is highly efficient due to mechanical advantage and reduced ground friction. Aerodynamics becomes a dominant factor at higher speeds, shaping bicycle frame design, wheel geometry, and rider posture. Cycling speeds inform urban infrastructure (bike lanes, safety regulations), sports training, and commuter planning. As a hybrid of human physiology and mechanical engineering, cycling speed provides insight into how technology amplifies natural human motion.
Cosmic Velocity - First (v₁)
The first cosmic velocity is the minimum horizontal speed an object must achieve to enter a stable orbit around a planetary body without additional propulsion. For Earth, this value is about 7.9 km/s. At this speed, an object's forward motion precisely balances with the gravitational pull downward, creating continuous free-fall—the essence of orbital motion. This velocity is foundational in orbital mechanics. Spacecraft reaching Low Earth Orbit (LEO) must achieve at least this horizontal speed, even if their vertical ascent profile varies. Understanding v₁ was essential in the early space age: it represented the threshold between atmospheric flight and true spaceflight, marking human entry into the orbital era.