by Andrew G » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:59 pm
Well you know my views on Richmond Park Toks
. I have to agree about the 20mph speed limit and the racing round it element in what is a public park which also has animals roaming about. I know you may have said safely ride round but a challenge like this is always going to encourage some to take silly risks, and I don't think it puts cyclists in a particularly good light.
Anyway wot I rekon is...
[quote]the positive or negative effect of traffic, TT bikes, timing accuracy, wind etc
Don't really know the layout of the park or its terrain (i.e. how long/steep the hills are and where on the loop they are, how evenly spaced out etc) but in general.
Traffic - If it's slower than you it'll hold you up
. If it is faster than you then you get a benefit from it as you get sucked along. Impossible to put a figure on it as it would vary where it was (on a straight, a hill etc) and also the size and flow of the traffic. A steady flow = a good draight to drag you along, also equals more dangerous which is why some TT courses are now banned and you have to do traffic counts on courses to dictate when you can use them.
TT bikes = a benefit. Can't say how much as I don't know the course but you'll make up time anywhere you can use the tri-bars, basically anywhere apart from steeper hills or twisty stuff. Wheels etc add a bit more of an advantage, but the position is the main gain. Disc wheels used on sporting courses Carl as you can gain when not going up the hills but they're light (if they are any good) so don't slow you down going up.
Timing accuracy = If you don't do it accurately then it isn't accurate. Anyone cheating it must be mad though just to be able to boast about a fake time. I expect some will though.
Wind = Depends where it is. A loop won't even it out and unless it's a strong wind then a head wind on the hills will slow you down less as you're going slower and not pushing as hard against it. The aero TT bike benefit will work to a greater effect in to a head wind though so you'd need to take wind in to account alongside position.