Convert Cycling Speed (cycle) to Cosmic Velocity - Second (v₂) 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 - Second (v₂)
The second cosmic velocity is the escape velocity, the speed required to completely overcome a planet's gravitational attraction without further propulsion. For Earth, this speed is about 11.2 km/s. It is higher than v₁ because escaping gravity requires exceeding orbital balance entirely, not merely achieving stable free fall. Escape velocity underlies missions to the Moon, other planets, and deep space probes. Reaching v₂ allows spacecraft to travel along trajectories that leave Earth's gravitational well permanently unless acted on by external forces. This value symbolizes humanity's ability to break free from its home world—a critical milestone in exploration.