Tips for Solo Riding?
04-18-13, 12:13 PM
#26
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 43
Bikes: GT GTR Series 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Seattle Forrest
When the pedal comes up, you push it back down.
04-18-13, 12:52 PM
#27
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 6,961
Bikes: Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Cannondale F500 Mtn bike, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 92 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
9 Posts
I usually hate wind.
But when I was training for the Devil Mountain Double I wore a heart monitor when I was doing TIME CRUNCHED CYCLIST program workouts and the wind didn't bug me.
My goal was to work within specific heart rate zone, so it didn't matter if I was slow or fast, what mattered was that I hit the right zones.In an odd way it was liberating.
My solo ride tip is: Make sure you carry enough crap that two flats won't strand you. I accidentally ley my patch glue go bad and got stuck on a no-cars road. I had to chose: Ride on a flat, walk in my cleats, or walk barefoot. All bad choices.
Don't let me be you.
But when I was training for the Devil Mountain Double I wore a heart monitor when I was doing TIME CRUNCHED CYCLIST program workouts and the wind didn't bug me.
My goal was to work within specific heart rate zone, so it didn't matter if I was slow or fast, what mattered was that I hit the right zones.In an odd way it was liberating.
My solo ride tip is: Make sure you carry enough crap that two flats won't strand you. I accidentally ley my patch glue go bad and got stuck on a no-cars road. I had to chose: Ride on a flat, walk in my cleats, or walk barefoot. All bad choices.
Don't let me be you.
04-18-13, 01:24 PM
#28
OM boy
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 3,122
Bikes: a bunch
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by aruban
What do you guys think is more aerodynamic?
- Hands on the hoods but elbows bent and tucked in (Praying Mantis position)
- Hands in drops with elbows straight and tucked in
And assuming that head is in the same position for both.
- Hands on the hoods but elbows bent and tucked in (Praying Mantis position)
- Hands in drops with elbows straight and tucked in
And assuming that head is in the same position for both.
I know a lot of guys like to go 'pro' and just lay the forearms on the bartops alongside the stem, but with our road conditions, just laying the forearms down with hands haging off the front, is too sketchy for me and also too bruising.
04-18-13, 02:18 PM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 832
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by cyclezen
I personally get lower with my palms on the hoods and forearms on the bars,tucked; as opposed to riding in the drops.
I know a lot of guys like to go 'pro' and just lay the forearms on the bartops alongside the stem, but with our road conditions, just laying the forearms down with hands haging off the front, is too sketchy for me and also too bruising.
I know a lot of guys like to go 'pro' and just lay the forearms on the bartops alongside the stem, but with our road conditions, just laying the forearms down with hands haging off the front, is too sketchy for me and also too bruising.
04-18-13, 02:30 PM
#30
Portland Fred
Originally Posted by pjdizzy
So I've been riding strictly on my lunch break at work, (goal of 20 miles in an hour), doing fairly well but struggling with the head wind. What are some tips for solo riding when in heavy head winds?
04-18-13, 02:33 PM
#31
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 43
Bikes: GT GTR Series 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by banerjek
Don't set speed goals when you're fighting Mother Nature. She wins every time.
04-18-13, 02:36 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 21,675
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13782 Post(s)
Liked 4,973 Times
in
2,809 Posts
Originally Posted by jsharr
My best tip for solo riding is to do it by yourself.
04-18-13, 02:43 PM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 878
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
wow, from seeing pictures of time trial type setups I was under the impression a stretched out posture with flat back on hands on aero bars was more "aero". This guy has rounded back and elbows down.
re the OP, headwinds just use a lower gear. it's the side winds that really bother me, especially on roads with traffic.
re the OP, headwinds just use a lower gear. it's the side winds that really bother me, especially on roads with traffic.
Originally Posted by kv501
No, this is what going pro is now if you're talking aero.
04-18-13, 02:47 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 300
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I did a loop last week and was into the wind the whole time it seemed... wind can change here pretty quickly. I have been riding solo recently and just try to believe that the wind is helping my training. I will be that much better when I have a wheel in front of me again.
When I ride/drink alone, I prefer to be by myself.
When I ride/drink alone, I prefer to be by myself.
04-18-13, 02:50 PM
#36
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 43
Bikes: GT GTR Series 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bikebreak
wow, from seeing pictures of time trial type setups I was under the impression a stretched out posture with flat back on hands on aero bars was more "aero". This guy has rounded back and elbows down.
re the OP, headwinds just use a lower gear. it's the side winds that really bother me, especially on roads with traffic.
re the OP, headwinds just use a lower gear. it's the side winds that really bother me, especially on roads with traffic.
04-18-13, 02:51 PM
#37
absent
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DC
Posts: 621
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by bikebreak
wow, from seeing pictures of time trial type setups I was under the impression a stretched out posture with flat back on hands on aero bars was more "aero". This guy has rounded back and elbows down.
04-18-13, 03:14 PM
#38
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Big Tomato
Posts: 19,385
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 274 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20575 Post(s)
Liked 3,634 Times
in
2,665 Posts
Originally Posted by jsharr
My best tip for solo riding is to do it by yourself.
04-18-13, 03:19 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 39,880
Bikes: Ridley Excalibur, Gazelle Champion Mondial, On-One Pompino, Specialized Rock Hopper
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2540 Post(s)
Liked 1,790 Times
in
885 Posts
Originally Posted by pdxtex
reducing your profile helps as others have said. in windy conditions i bring my hands to the center of the bar and tuck my elbows in. i find this more comfy then slogging it out in the drops.
04-18-13, 09:34 PM
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 832
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Ferrous Bueller
Joke photo. That position is for non technical non-pedaling descents only.
i don't know where you're coming up with "non-technical" here. Sitting on the top tube with your chin on the stem, hands on the flats, doing 55 miles an hour is quite "technical." Pedaling or not.
04-19-13, 03:35 AM
#41
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,030
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3165 Post(s)
Liked 426 Times
in
258 Posts
Originally Posted by pjdizzy
I'm dropping on my bars as low as I can, and making sure my top is zipped up. Anything else?
And each time there is a break from the wind (trees, buildings, passing vehicles, etc.) ride as hard and fast as you can.
Then when you're back into the headwind again, relax and spin ...
04-19-13, 06:16 AM
#43
absent
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DC
Posts: 621
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by kv501
Non joke photo.
i don't know where you're coming up with "non-technical" here. Sitting on the top tube with your chin on the stem, hands on the flats, doing 55 miles an hour is quite "technical." Pedaling or not.
i don't know where you're coming up with "non-technical" here. Sitting on the top tube with your chin on the stem, hands on the flats, doing 55 miles an hour is quite "technical." Pedaling or not.
And I said "...for non technical... descents". By this, I meant that riders don't use the position on technically challenging descents. A technical descent is one with steep bits, tight corners, imperfect asphalt etc. Get it?
04-19-13, 10:10 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 929
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by cccorlew
My solo ride tip is: Make sure you carry enough crap that two flats won't strand you. I accidentally ley my patch glue go bad and got stuck on a no-cars road. I had to chose: Ride on a flat, walk in my cleats, or walk barefoot. All bad choices.
Don't let me be you.
Don't let me be you.
04-19-13, 12:34 PM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 21,675
Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13782 Post(s)
Liked 4,973 Times
in
2,809 Posts
Tip = have fun.
04-19-13, 12:49 PM
#48
commu*ist spy
Originally Posted by kv501
I live in a place where the wind is 25 mph+ at least 3 days a week, and 10+ the rest of the days. If you want to ride a bike here, you are going to ride in the wind, period. Here's what I do to put up with it.
1. If at all possible, plan the first half of your ride to be into the wind, and come back with a tail wind. This lets you do the hard work when you are fresh, and you get the mental benefit of sometimes averaging 25-30 mph on the way back home. You can still work just as hard with a tailwind, you just go faster.
2. Spin. Get your cadence up to 85-95 and just grit it out. Trying to push big gears into the wind is both counter productive and mentally draining.
3. Think about rule 9. When you meet cars on the road and the driver has that "What a dumbass" look on his face let that be a source of pride, not embarrassment.
Most experienced riders will tell you that wind and hills are 90% mental. Wind more so because there's not usually a "downhill." Just concentrate on what a badass you are when that 30 mph gust hits, and remember that no one said this cycling thing was going to be fun.
1. If at all possible, plan the first half of your ride to be into the wind, and come back with a tail wind. This lets you do the hard work when you are fresh, and you get the mental benefit of sometimes averaging 25-30 mph on the way back home. You can still work just as hard with a tailwind, you just go faster.
2. Spin. Get your cadence up to 85-95 and just grit it out. Trying to push big gears into the wind is both counter productive and mentally draining.
3. Think about rule 9. When you meet cars on the road and the driver has that "What a dumbass" look on his face let that be a source of pride, not embarrassment.
Most experienced riders will tell you that wind and hills are 90% mental. Wind more so because there's not usually a "downhill." Just concentrate on what a badass you are when that 30 mph gust hits, and remember that no one said this cycling thing was going to be fun.
04-19-13, 12:55 PM
#49
commu*ist spy
I've read that it's more aero to bend your elbows on the hood than it is to have straight arms in the drops. I think it's referring to reducing your profile by tucking in your elbow, so your forearm is not catching any extra wind when it's straightened out on the drops. It makes sense, but only if you're racing, imo
04-19-13, 12:56 PM
#50
commu*ist spy
Originally Posted by pjdizzy
