Rotifer

For those who didn't catch this at Cyclocrossworld, very cool. These boys flow over them there barriers.

Barrier Work

Cipher

They make it look so effortless!! Looks like it would be a blast to watch Cyclocross in person...

Joe Gardner

Wow, that really is very fast! Did you see the guy in 3rd? It looks like he may have made up some time by bunny hopping all three barriers.

cyclezealot

Thanks Rotifer.. That was really cool.. I had not payed much attention to Cyclocross. I might want to watch an event after your post.. Unfortunaely, I fear, i am not that agile myself.. In fact I saved your thread, it is impressive.. Know who these people are?

RacerX

That was Gullickson in the lead, Todd Wells (2nd over the barriers) and Ben Jaques-Maynes bunnyhopping the barriers.

Gully and Tim Johnson have a legit shot at top10 this year's World Championships.

velocipedio

Very impressive. I'd still be dismounting at barrier #1 as you read this...

Gullickson and Wells have very similar style. I like it when you see two guys with completely different styles -- like Vervecken and de Clercq -- hit the barriers together. Vervecken floats like a long-legged gazelle while de Clercq, all thighs and power, stumps over the barriers. Kinda makes me a little less self-conscious.

Rotifer

I've never been to a UCI points race but it doesn't seem like bunnyhopping the barriers is, overall, worth the energy expended. Do any of you bunnyhop? Those were some of the smoothest bunnyhops I've ever seen, then again, Gully and Wells didn't seem to lose much speed.

bac

Yup, that was what I noticed most. The bunny hopping technique didn't seem to be any faster than the mount/dismount routine. It sure looked cool though!

velocipedio

Well, we didn't see how long it took to re-mount. I think that's where you'd really save time hopping. I've never tried to hop a barrier. Probably never will -- too chicken about the consequences...

Rotifer

Yep, I raced against some guys this year who always bunnyhopped - there were some nasty crashes after 4 or 5 laps. As for mounting and dismounting, I've been watching that clip repeatedly to work on my technique - quite a cool tool.

RacerX

bunnyhops will save you alot of time, this is why:

1. On single or double barriers, it is faster and you expend less energy than dismounting. You can open up gaps on these type of barriers.

2. Jaques-Maynes did close the gap in that video by bunnyhopping. He had 2 guys in front of him to slow him down also. It was a triple barrier so there was a bit less advantage.

3. bunyhopping takes less energy than dismounting. Wells bunnyhops too, but probably wanted to keep tempo with Gully.

Obviously, there are times dismounting is faster and skill has alot to do with it but those that can bunnyhop have an advantage.

Rotifer

Do any of the Europeans bunnyhop?

velocipedio

Sure, Sven Nijs, for one, is known for it. He displayed great hopping form winning the under-23 Worlds in 1998 [I think it was]. Wellens and Vervecken have been known to do it from time to time, but not as consistently.

Rotifer

Well, I guess I should give it some work this winter.

Dan Souf

In the late 80's Belgian Danny DeBie was 'Mr. Bunnyhop', I think he became World Champion on the strength of it, being the only one in the race to be able to at the time (these were the days of clips & straps also). I think Sven Nys is probably the Euro no.1 b'hopper at the mo'.
That clip is incredible, pure technique (and guts).
I can never carry it off quite so smoothly, getting back on is never a problem but usually I brake too hard coming into the barrier (logs sometimes, over here) and dismount too early. Bunny - hopping, I must practice more. (If Danny DeBie was 'Mr. Bunnyhop' I am 'Mr. Perhaps on the first lap but then play it safe')

Rotifer

They had a clip of the women's race as well, but I can't find it now. While I was looking for that, though, I found this. Some of you have probably seen it - but I was, uh, rather shocked by the ending.

Wreck on the bridge.

wabbit

Geez, no kidding. SHows you there are idiots all over the world- here we have hockey parents, there they have cyclocross parents!

CrossProvidence

That's some fast barrier work. What race was that?

I can't bunny hop UCI height barricades. Hopefully by next season. The single chainring helps a lot because your bike doesnt stop if the chainring hits. And you dont bend chainrings. The benefit of bunnyhopping is being back pedaling hard sooner than the racers who are remounting and getting their feet back onto the pedals.

Rotifer

I think that race was in Salt Lake City, but could be wrong.

CrossProvidence

Hey Jeff, that bridge clip reminds me of my last race at the verge finals in merrimack. I got knocked down by someone who lost their balance. At the time I think I would have like to throw them off a bridge but I blame that reaction on lack of oxygen to the brain. I went from first to 6th with internal bleeding (found out about that afterwards)

Rotifer

Internal bleeding, damn. I don't think I've ever had anyone intentionally knock me down - I'll admit to *****ing a few people out as I passed them though. I've learned to hold my tongue.

CrossProvidence

It turns out that it wasnt intentional when the guy knocked me down. He was trying to pass when he lost control and his shoulder went into me knocking me down on the ice covered gravel section. At the time it really seemed like he had done it on purpose and I was really pissed and had some not so friendly things to say. As for the injury, I've wrecked road, mountain, and cross in the past but the internal stuff is a first for me. I'd rather scrub pavement out of road rash anyday over the kind of medical attention you get with the internal stuff.

Rotifer

Um, yeah ... I'm with you.

Dan Souf

I have looked again and again at 'bikerace.mpg', and reckon that it is all posed. Before going into detail, I am willing to be shot down in flames by anyone who disagrees, but everything about it is just a little too conveniant.

a. The camera pans effortlessly across the scene, and is positioned ideally to capture the bridge and water, even panning back as the guy falls.

b. The competitor whom has been knocked off, rolls around a bit too dramatically (and incidently is ignored by man no.2 whom is more interested in delicately moving his bike)

c. The guy who eventually does go over the bridge over acts when first slung against the side. (ok that's tenuous)

d. ALL the spectators in the background seem to be watching the bridge expectantly, as the race goes on behind them.

Does anybody else agree? (or do I have too much time on my hands)


Merry Christmas

Dan

Rotifer

I don't know man, the guy that is shoved goes down hard. I think you'd have to be a professional stuntman to go down at that speed in such a confined area. You may be right though. I'm always curious about the stuff that floats around on the internet - it would be great to hear the whole story.