How much energy saved/speed gained in the draft?
07-24-05, 09:09 PM
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How much energy saved/speed gained in the draft?
I'm going to be racing either this weekend or next for the first time, in a Cat 4/5 crit. I've done a 30 minute test, solo, for average speed, and was wondering how much faster I would be able to go in a pack. I have yet to even ride with other riders (will be doing so this week, so hopefully i'll pick up some skills in a hurry).
So basically, how much can I hope to gain, and also save in energy expenditure in a drafting situation? I've heard that it's upward of 30% but that seems realllly high. Is that possible?
So basically, how much can I hope to gain, and also save in energy expenditure in a drafting situation? I've heard that it's upward of 30% but that seems realllly high. Is that possible?
07-24-05, 09:54 PM
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I have heard up to 40% in a Peloton(road race) and typically around 20% for a breakaway(2-4 peope) In a crit with the accordian effect, I am not sure which one would be closer..
07-24-05, 10:01 PM
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oh man this gonna be sweet. hell yes. thank you very much, you guys.
07-24-05, 10:02 PM
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30% seems right. Read the thread on the prospect park race. Just stay in the back and watch out for wrecks... 
07-25-05, 06:42 AM
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If you've got absolutely no experience drafting off of other riders, obtaining that energy savings is not going to be a walk in the park, I'm sorry to say. Learning to draft effectively, efficiently, and safely is a skill learned by lots of practice. That said, racing will be the perfect crash course (sorry!) in what to do and what not to do. You will learn a ton, and chances are you'll have fun doing it, so enjoy!
Besides drafting, another boost to your speed is going to be the race atmosphere. It's like you absorb energy from the surroundings, it's incredible the lengths you can push your body to!
I've never averaged over 18 mph solo, but have managed 22 mph on a rolling crit-style course -- and that's WITHOUT a lot of drafting (I was yo-yoing off the back for about 5 of 10 laps).
Besides drafting, another boost to your speed is going to be the race atmosphere. It's like you absorb energy from the surroundings, it's incredible the lengths you can push your body to!
I've never averaged over 18 mph solo, but have managed 22 mph on a rolling crit-style course -- and that's WITHOUT a lot of drafting (I was yo-yoing off the back for about 5 of 10 laps).
07-25-05, 08:10 AM
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You can save up to 50% depending on the size of the pack and how close you are to the rider in front of you.
07-25-05, 09:38 AM
#9
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In my opinion, it also depends on wind direction
strong head wind = huge draft advantage: possibly over 40%
strong tail wind = much less advantage: possibly under 20%
you may notice that during a fast attack with a strong tail wind, it's much harder to hold a wheel.
strong head wind = huge draft advantage: possibly over 40%
strong tail wind = much less advantage: possibly under 20%
you may notice that during a fast attack with a strong tail wind, it's much harder to hold a wheel.
07-25-05, 10:05 AM
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> I have yet to even ride with other riders
That's the part that concerns me a bit. I remember when I first started riding it took me a while to get used to drafting. It takes practice and time to get good at it and be safe. Then there's the whole dynamic of turns in a crit. You're not only drafting but you're doing it around corners at high speed with guys on your left, right, and behind you. Then throw in the whole CAT5, no experience, riders and it can get pretty scary and dangerous real quick. I would recommend practice with buddies, or a team training ride, before jumping into a large race. Or at the very least stay at the back of the pack and watch what goes on during the race.
Oh, and drafting makes a huge difference. I'd agree with the 20% to 40% guesses.
That's the part that concerns me a bit. I remember when I first started riding it took me a while to get used to drafting. It takes practice and time to get good at it and be safe. Then there's the whole dynamic of turns in a crit. You're not only drafting but you're doing it around corners at high speed with guys on your left, right, and behind you. Then throw in the whole CAT5, no experience, riders and it can get pretty scary and dangerous real quick. I would recommend practice with buddies, or a team training ride, before jumping into a large race. Or at the very least stay at the back of the pack and watch what goes on during the race.
Oh, and drafting makes a huge difference. I'd agree with the 20% to 40% guesses.
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07-25-05, 10:41 AM
#11
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If you use a bungie cord, you can exceed the 30% very easily.
But yep, 30% is the most-often used figure.
And here's a tip: don't ride behind the smallest guy in the paceline. Ride behind the biggest.
But yep, 30% is the most-often used figure.
And here's a tip: don't ride behind the smallest guy in the paceline. Ride behind the biggest.
07-25-05, 11:33 AM
#12
Blast from the Past
Another tip, learn to relax. Ive seen riders who used most of the 30% advantage up through tension, death grip. This is related to the above mentioned bungie cord.
07-25-05, 01:02 PM
#13
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Yeah, and let a gap open up in front of you in a fast paceline, and you'll hear 30% more screaming from those behind you!
07-25-05, 01:21 PM
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Also, if you hang at the back of the pack trying to get the best draft advantage you're going to experience a serious yo-yo effect and it'll tire you out faster.. try to be towards the front (2-3 riders deep) where the experienced riders will tend to be and find someone big to draft behind.
