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Modifying Speed in a Pack

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Modifying Speed in a Pack

Old 06-20-07, 08:37 AM
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Modifying Speed in a Pack

I don't know what to do when the wheel I'm on starts to slow.
- Hitting the brakes causes issues behind me.
- Doing nothing means I overlap wheels.

What should I do in this situation? Maintain my momentum? Sit up to catch more wind to slow down? What's the best, strategically?
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Old 06-20-07, 08:44 AM
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If there's room to the side, I'd pass, perhaps unless there's no chance of getting shelter there.
If there is not room, I would see how likely the possibility of making room looks.
If that's not looking good, I'd apply the brakes as lightly as possible.
If that causes issues, I'd issue a "Slowing".
If there are still issues, then there would be issues regardless of whether you were there or not, and someone else is riding sketchy. Nothing you can do about it.
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Old 06-20-07, 08:59 AM
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as the previous response points out- there's ALOT of IFs.

if the guy pulling is slowing by .5 to 1mph... then just let off and let the guy have his day out front.

if he's really out of his league in the pace line... then gently pull around him at what SHOULD be the speed and the line will follow you.

when he sees the pace line going by- he'll get the message.
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Old 06-20-07, 09:10 AM
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I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.
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Old 06-20-07, 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.
I would agree with this, but of course, it's not always possible.
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Old 06-20-07, 09:34 AM
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Loosen your brakes and lightly dab them. I think the problem a lot of people have is that their brakes are set up to catch hard with a slight pull of the lever. This leaves no room for modulation.
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Old 06-20-07, 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Bantam
Loosen your brakes and lightly dab them. I think the problem a lot of people have is that their brakes are set up to catch hard with a slight pull of the lever. This leaves no room for modulation.
I've got my brakes pretty loose. On descents I like to grip the levers a bit so that I can pre-load the lever before the pad engages the rim.

Lots of good advice from people. I'll have to see if I can apply it during Sunday's race.
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Old 06-20-07, 09:38 AM
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i agree with the brakes comment. i actually prefer my worn out pads because they don't grab so abrupty.
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Old 06-20-07, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.
Just don't do it while in a turn
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Old 06-20-07, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by bitterken
Just don't do it while in a turn
Better to change position mid corner than to brake. Bumping elbows isn't nearly as likley to cause a crash as bumping wheels.
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Old 06-20-07, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
Better to change position mid corner than to brake. Bumping elbows isn't nearly as likley to cause a crash as bumping wheels.
Indeed. What I should have said is don't do it abruptly while in a turn.
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Old 06-20-07, 10:51 AM
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Also, look far up ahead in the peleton. You will see what is happening and be able to anticipate a slow down and then just sit up, or start moving up. When the pack slows is a great time to get a couple of places.

Brake as a last resort, move around and up whenever possible.
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Old 06-20-07, 10:53 AM
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Not braking would be the best method...

Well, if you're in a corner, the lateral forces will actually scrub off speed quickly. So just coast a little, sit up a bit to catch more wind and you should be able to slow down to avoid contact with the wheel ahead. Just be sure to start pedaling as soon as you match his speed so that you don't end up backing up into the guy behind you and perpetuating the effect.

If you're in a straight, it's not hard to sit up and pull slightly (about 3-6") to the side and catch a little more wind. Then pull back in when your speed matches. Of course if they're slowing down a lot, it's simple enough to just go around them on the outside and make up several positions.
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Old 06-20-07, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by bdcheung
I don't know what to do when the wheel I'm on starts to slow.
- Hitting the brakes causes issues behind me.
- Doing nothing means I overlap wheels.

What should I do in this situation? Maintain my momentum? Sit up to catch more wind to slow down? What's the best, strategically?
Shout "slowing" and slow down.
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Old 06-20-07, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by kensuf
Shout "slowing" and slow down.


Yelling slowing/inside/hold your line = bad.
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Old 06-20-07, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus


Yelling slowing/inside/hold your line = bad.
Why?
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Old 06-20-07, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
I find moving to the side tends to cause less drama than braking. I think it might be because lateral movement is more immediately obvious to the riders in the pack than is a change in speed.
Well - a guy did exactly this in my race this past weekend and took out 3 other riders. I think in general, until the first attack comes in a race, give yourself enough room to brake.
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Old 06-20-07, 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by VT Biker
Well - a guy did exactly this in my race this past weekend and took out 3 other riders. I think in general, until the first attack comes in a race, give yourself enough room to brake.
It's not you - it's the guy behind you. Being the jerk who locks up his brakes and throws the wheel back isn't cool. At the same time, swerving wildly from side to side is equally stupid. The key is smoothness in whatever you do...or so I'm told

As for why yelling is a bad idea:

1. "Inside" - Pet peeve. It's against the rules, for one - and two, shouting doesn't secure your position, your position secures your position.
2. "Slowing" - Yes, I can see that we're slowing down...so can everyone else.
3. "Hold your line" - Um, hold yours?

I just think it's unnecessary about 99.5% of the time.
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Old 06-20-07, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
I just think it's unnecessary about 99.5% of the time.
ditto
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Old 06-20-07, 01:25 PM
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the only thing that i can add to this is that I usually go partially around and place my hand on a low back or an @$$. This way the rider I am concerned with knows where I am. While it is not his responsibility not to crash me out, it is better than any vocalization i can think of. It also slows me down and speds him up a bit so that we can be uncrossed quickly.

*EDIT* And yes sitting up or even standing to catch wind is effective as well.
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Old 06-20-07, 01:42 PM
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That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...
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Old 06-20-07, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by recursive
That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...
Nah...it's not taboo for them to touch your @$$, they just don't want to. Maybe you should offer flowers first?
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Old 06-20-07, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by DrWJODonnell
Nah...it's not taboo for them to touch your @$$, they just don't want to. Maybe you should offer flowers first?
Ok, then can I touch their "@$$"? Or still the flowers first?
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Old 06-20-07, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
It's not you - it's the guy behind you. Being the jerk who locks up his brakes and throws the wheel back isn't cool. At the same time, swerving wildly from side to side is equally stupid. The key is smoothness in whatever you do...or so I'm told

As for why yelling is a bad idea:

1. "Inside" - Pet peeve. It's against the rules, for one - and two, shouting doesn't secure your position, your position secures your position.
2. "Slowing" - Yes, I can see that we're slowing down...so can everyone else.
3. "Hold your line" - Um, hold yours?

I just think it's unnecessary about 99.5% of the time.
If the idjit in front of you slams the brakes, you've gotta let the guys behind you know you're about to slow down to avoid overlapping his wheels. I agree with you on everything else (I *REALLY* hate hearing "Car Back!!!!" every 30 seconds).
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Old 06-20-07, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by recursive
That reminds me of a question that occurred to me. Occasionally there will be women in my races. Is the ass/hip tap taboo for them? Hmmm...
It is perfectly acceptable. If they are racing with the men, they are a racer and gender becomes a non-issue. It's not as if you're being sexual in a race (god I hope not!)
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