Flight of the Condor ...
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by Andrew G » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:15 pm
[quote]I've been wondering whether it is a commonly accepted rule in road cycling (and if it isn't, I think it should) that when you are riding in such tight, fast groups, you should only aim (save for real emergencies) to use the rear brake.
I understand most of the braking power comes from the front brake on modern dual pivot brakes (shorter cable to pull as well). In normal stuations I tend to use both brakes, but with less power on the rear, and at least "flick" the rear a few times to warn those behind of a possible slow down or tight bend ahead and try to avoid a domino effect.
I don't know other peoples tactics but having spent my yoof mucking about on a bmx I am quite confident skidding a bike. In an emergency I try to grab the rear brake very hard and front with strong but more controlled pressure. This may lock the rear but you can release and reapply to double skid and it does slow the bike very quickly - you can also still steer the front with the back locked. You might flat spot the tyre but that has to be preferable to hitting the road.
I think when jumping out the saddle you should try and pull the upstroke as well as pushing the downstroke for the first couple of revolutions to make it as smooth transition as possible. Obviously easier said than remembered on the road so please don't shout at me too much next time I forget.
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by adrian » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:42 pm
Ach - that sounds really nasty, Sean - hope you're not suffering too much. Pleased to hear that at least your lovely bike survived intact. Hope you're back on board soon. Cheers
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by Ian A4size » Sun Apr 23, 2006 6:19 pm
Sean if you feel able to ride do it! Paul Brown broke his leg on Jan 4th( a day i wont forget- El Capitano also bust a collar bone in the same accident 
) However i reckon paul was on a bike in 2 weeks or less, and in 4 weeks he was leading the charge up some of Majorcas finest!
Nails he is!
) However i reckon paul was on a bike in 2 weeks or less, and in 4 weeks he was leading the charge up some of Majorcas finest!
Nails he is!
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by David Lombari » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:10 am
Sorry to hear about the crash, Sean. It could be the case of your bike acting like one of these young wild horses and bucking you off, you need to reign her in and teach her who's boss!
Cycling Weakly
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by simonfrench » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:47 am
Sean,
a) Sorry you're hurting.
b) Which Condor did you get? (slightly less sympatheric given jealousy)
Simon (Kinesis)
a) Sorry you're hurting.
b) Which Condor did you get? (slightly less sympatheric given jealousy)
Simon (Kinesis)
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by siwickm » Mon Apr 24, 2006 2:46 pm
Bike sounds good. On the handling etc, not that I am the best person to take advice from considering my numerous accidents last year, I would comment.
1. This skidding advice is fine if you have no one behind you, but considering you are likely to be riding in a group, please don't start skidding in front of me as I will hit you, not just with the bike but I will get up and punch you on the nose as well.
2. On the getting up out of the saddle this does take speed out of the bike. My first crash last year was due to someone getting out of the saddle and coming back into me when I was not expecting it, they then honked the bike and knocked my front wheel sideways so I went over the handlebars. I would say try and stay seated when travelling at speed, unless you hit an incline of reasonable severity which you feel deserves getting up for.
3. On the sprinting or jumping away from the group, I find that the safest and most effective thing to do is to actually move your line out from the group, you should be mid group when you start, move out then accelerate (stay seated) up a couple of places you should now be going faster than the rest of the group as you overtake, then when in line with maybe 2nd or 3rd rider you make your jump. Your initial speed going faster than the others will help and then your jump will get you away. If you are good enough no one will be on your wheel. Well thats how I do it anyway.
4. You can practice jumping without losing deceleration, basically you need to be able to keep the power going through the pedals all the time and make sure that you don't put your weight backwards on the bike when you get up as this will slow you down. I think maybe doing it on the drops is the best way to maintain momentum. I am sure others will be able to advise on this.
Hope that helps and hope you finger gets better soon. Sooner you get back on the bike the better as was said previously. If you can I would try and cycle around the block etc to keep the muscles from seizing up too much.
Cheers
Marek.....
1. This skidding advice is fine if you have no one behind you, but considering you are likely to be riding in a group, please don't start skidding in front of me as I will hit you, not just with the bike but I will get up and punch you on the nose as well.
2. On the getting up out of the saddle this does take speed out of the bike. My first crash last year was due to someone getting out of the saddle and coming back into me when I was not expecting it, they then honked the bike and knocked my front wheel sideways so I went over the handlebars. I would say try and stay seated when travelling at speed, unless you hit an incline of reasonable severity which you feel deserves getting up for.
3. On the sprinting or jumping away from the group, I find that the safest and most effective thing to do is to actually move your line out from the group, you should be mid group when you start, move out then accelerate (stay seated) up a couple of places you should now be going faster than the rest of the group as you overtake, then when in line with maybe 2nd or 3rd rider you make your jump. Your initial speed going faster than the others will help and then your jump will get you away. If you are good enough no one will be on your wheel. Well thats how I do it anyway.
4. You can practice jumping without losing deceleration, basically you need to be able to keep the power going through the pedals all the time and make sure that you don't put your weight backwards on the bike when you get up as this will slow you down. I think maybe doing it on the drops is the best way to maintain momentum. I am sure others will be able to advise on this.
Hope that helps and hope you finger gets better soon. Sooner you get back on the bike the better as was said previously. If you can I would try and cycle around the block etc to keep the muscles from seizing up too much.
Cheers
Marek.....
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by John Cochrane » Mon Apr 24, 2006 4:59 pm
Hi Sean(CondorMan)
Glad to hear the bike is all you had wished for but sorry to hear of the accident. Not that it's going to happen again but taking the bath was probably the worst thing to do. In the first few hours of any injury (R)ICE is always the best advice. (Rest) Ice, Compression, Elevation. Applying ice as soon as possible for about 20mins every hour or so will make a huge difference to overal recovery time. Ice will reduce pain, seal of the ends of damaged capillaries (this reduces bruising), reduces swelling. brings fresh blood to the area and cells can repair themselves better at lower temperatures. Heat is only applied at a later stage of recovery.
Sorry if it sounds like I'm preaching but ice really can bring about almost miraculous cures. It can never do any harm and even if the injury is not just soft tissue damage but a break the ice is good for that as well. keeps the swelling and bruising down, not to mention the pain.
Inducing a rear wheel skid, in an emergency, can be a life saver in some circumstances as it cuts down stopping distances. The last time I resorted to this, on a bike, was when a car shot across in front of me. Any other form of breaking would have meant a collision. As it was I was able to stay on the bike and there was no drama.
Glad to hear the bike is all you had wished for but sorry to hear of the accident. Not that it's going to happen again but taking the bath was probably the worst thing to do. In the first few hours of any injury (R)ICE is always the best advice. (Rest) Ice, Compression, Elevation. Applying ice as soon as possible for about 20mins every hour or so will make a huge difference to overal recovery time. Ice will reduce pain, seal of the ends of damaged capillaries (this reduces bruising), reduces swelling. brings fresh blood to the area and cells can repair themselves better at lower temperatures. Heat is only applied at a later stage of recovery.
Sorry if it sounds like I'm preaching but ice really can bring about almost miraculous cures. It can never do any harm and even if the injury is not just soft tissue damage but a break the ice is good for that as well. keeps the swelling and bruising down, not to mention the pain.
Inducing a rear wheel skid, in an emergency, can be a life saver in some circumstances as it cuts down stopping distances. The last time I resorted to this, on a bike, was when a car shot across in front of me. Any other form of breaking would have meant a collision. As it was I was able to stay on the bike and there was no drama.
John
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by John Cochrane » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:14 pm
I dadn't forgotton about the ceremonial handover.
Club runs are a bit tricky for me as I'm often working away from home on the motor racing job at weekends.
I will be helping out on the club's 25TT, if your not suffering with a hangover, and then over to Norwood Hill helping with the Old Portlians road race. If that dosen't fit in then, looking at my diary, should be free May Day Bank Holiday or Saturday 6th May or 20th May. Let me know if any of these dates suits.
Club runs are a bit tricky for me as I'm often working away from home on the motor racing job at weekends.
I will be helping out on the club's 25TT, if your not suffering with a hangover, and then over to Norwood Hill helping with the Old Portlians road race. If that dosen't fit in then, looking at my diary, should be free May Day Bank Holiday or Saturday 6th May or 20th May. Let me know if any of these dates suits.
John
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by John Cochrane » Mon Apr 24, 2006 6:45 pm
What an excuse 
but seriously enjoy yourself. 6th May it is.
but seriously enjoy yourself. 6th May it is.John
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