V12man Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 She's pretty short.Just the right height to use for keeping your beer mug on...
Long Wheel Base Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 03:30 Okay, 04:30 is not too far off. I find it's actually "warmer" before the sun rises, then its a few degrees Celsius colder.We have about 5-8 riders on our early bird rides (32-34Km) on weekends before the main club ride - gives the faster/dedicated guys a chance to get some quality in before mixing with the club. Ja we also have some early groups going before the club rides as well as early rides during the week(04h15 and 04h30). Due to my suburb only having 2 gates open at that time of the morning it takes me a good 10min to get to the meeting spot so I need to leave shortly after 04h00.Yes you right it is slightly warmer before sunrise but its still pretty cold.
Frosty Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Our club ride last week Saturday, with that hectic (WP) wind that howled, we had 7 on our early bird ride. When we got back to the meeting point for the club ride - no one was there.Seems the cold is not the only thing that keeps the fair weather riders away.
King Dean Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I had one of my best rides ever at Northern Farms in a torrential downpour with a smattering of hail... From then on I go out rain or shine, cold or warm.My MTB makes me happy regardless of the weather.
tombeej Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Our club ride last week Saturday, with that hectic (WP) wind that howled, we had 7 on our early bird ride. When we got back to the meeting point for the club ride - no one was there. Seems the cold is not the only thing that keeps the fair weather riders away. Interesting how people see things differently according to what is 'normal' where they live. As a DBN rider I can't do cold, but the wind is always a constant companion, esp. where we train on the beachfront circuit. Because the circuit's got 4 sides you're always going into a block headwind or crosswind or downwind. Gautengers ride in temps we can't get our heads around. How you do it, we have no idea. But we know how to ride in wind, how to move 'through' it and make it work for you, instead of trying to muscle through it like it's something to overcome. I can always see a coastal rider vs. the inland riders when racing. Coastal riders ride 'the Belgian way'.
Joe Low Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I can always see a coastal rider vs. the inland riders when racing. Coastal riders ride 'the Belgian way'. What's that then - like Tintin? With lots of waffle? Like a Walloon? without anybody famous? But would still like to know, very interested in the technique / mindset you're talking about here. Also - why is it off-topic section, its very topical.
tombeej Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 What's that then - like Tintin? With lots of waffle? Like a Walloon? without anybody famous? But would still like to know, very interested in the technique / mindset you're talking about here. Also - why is it off-topic section, its very topical. If you're not used to the wind, you tend to see it as the enemy, something to overpower/overcome. You start off trying to fight it, to muscle through. But the wind always wins and you crack. Then you try and get low, hands in the drops. Then lower still. Then you realise that's not even enough - riding in the drops presents too much of your arms to the wind (your body might be low, but the full length of your arms are presented to the wind). Much better is 'the Belgian way': hands stay on the hoods and you try get your chin as close to the stem as possible. Keeping hands on hoods present only your biceps to the wind. Then you twist your wrists inwards on the hoods so that your elbows sit under the body. It's all about presenting a tiny front profile to the wind. From there, you learn to stay in this position with as smooth a pedal stroke as possible without any rocking. The stiller you are, the less you push the wind around as it rolls over you. Any rocking action causes more drag. You learn to lay down max power in that very tucked position and with no rocking. There are some top riders who race around that circuit and when you're in a pace line behind them going into a block headwind, it's a great learning experience to watch how straight-line smooth they are even while laying down the power. When it comes your turn to roll to the front, you try and emulate their technique. Here is RDV, the Belgian legend, “Mr. Paris-Roubaix” showing the Belgian way.
tombeej Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 One of local DBN boychees, one of the country's top vet racers: Deno riding Belgian style into a block headwind (see the sugar cane behind him).
GaryvdM Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Then you try and get low, hands in the drops. Then lower still. ... Much better is 'the Belgian way': hands stay on the hoods and you try get your chin as close to the stem as possible. Keeping hands on hoods present only your biceps to the wind. Then you twist your wrists inwards on the hoods so that your elbows sit under the body. It's all about presenting a tiny front profile to the wind. Awsome info. Never thought about that. Thanks tombeej!
Escapee.. Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Awsome info. Never thought about that. Thanks tombeej! +1
tombeej Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 That pic of Deno shows he's not following it to the letter with wrists turned inwards. Probably because he's more relaxed there and not going 100%. But generally you'll see guys relaxed and in the drops when in the pace line and when they go to the front their hands immediately move to the hoods, hands twist inwards and pedal stroke gets as smooth as possible. Personally I like to put my hands inside the hoods with just my pinkie fingers over the hoods and my forearms are on the bars (like Tommeke is doing in the pic). A Velominati article on 'Belgian style': http://www.velominati.com/technique/look-pro-going-belgian-style/
GrumpyOldGuy Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 You guys dont have a clue.......... Not sure about the "Belgian style" down this road either, although it was one of the less windy days!
tombeej Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Absolutely right, Grumpy, I would have no clue how to ride in those conditions! If I looked outside and saw that, I'd say you can go and stick your rule #9 some place dark. (Sometimes I wonder how I ever think I'd ride the Freedom Challenge - I'm really kidding myself there ).
Gen Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 You guys dont have a clue.......... snow22.jpg Not sure about the "Belgian style" down this road either, although it was one of the less windy days! snow16.jpgThere is no ways in hell that I'll ride in that.. Yes I am a fair weather rider.. I ride because I enjoy riding.. I won't enjoy riding in the cold. Give me 40degrees over 5 any day.
GrumpyOldGuy Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Absolutely right, Grumpy, I would have no clue how to ride in those conditions! If I looked outside and saw that, I'd say you can go and stick your rule #9 some place dark. (Sometimes I wonder how I ever think I'd ride the Freedom Challenge - I'm really kidding myself there ). Absolutely right, Grumpy, I would have no clue how to ride in those conditions! If I looked outside and saw that, I'd say you can go and stick your rule #9 some place dark. (Sometimes I wonder how I ever think I'd ride the Freedom Challenge - I'm really kidding myself there ). Ha, Ha, yeah,..... ride in this and I can almost guarantee you a good case of frost bite, bare skin will freeze in minutes.
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