Fifty Plus (50+) - Saw something weird today...

And that was a guy, probably in his forties, "riding" his road bike as though he was body surfing. He was completely prone, his stomach over the saddle, his legs stretched out behind him, his hands in the drops, hiw head out over the front tire. He'd go as long as he could without pedaling, and then smoothly move back into traditional posture, build up some steam, and start surfing all over again.

Weird!

Hey! I was having fun...what's your problem?

Now he had a bike with drops- so don't try to copy him.

It's a technique seen sometimes on the Tour de France when riders go downhill and get a flat aero profile and stretch at the same time. If you have your avatar option disabled, enable it, and have a look at the posters on Road Cycling or Foo or somewhere like that... someone has a picture of a guy doing exactly this as his avatar. You might have to scroll through a few threads, and although I can't remember who it is, he is a regular enough contributor.

LATER: Here we go. HigherGround's avatar:

http://www.bikeforums.net/image.php?...ine=1140246066 (http://www.bikeforums.net/image.php?u=21916&dateline=1140246066)

I sense a photoshop opportunity, with DG riding prone on his Cypress in full TDF gear!

...a guy, probably in his forties, "riding" his road bike as though he was body surfing. He was completely prone, his stomach over the saddle, his legs stretched out behind him, his hands in the drops, his head out over the front tire....

This is something that the herbal docs are advising all of us guys who have not broken the 1/2 century mark yet. It was developed in China and has been imported to the U.S. as a proven method to prevent any future problems with the _______. We're told to ride our bikes for 30 minutes a day in this position. Increases blood supply, etc., to where we need it most! I'm told it does guys no good after they turn 50. Sorry DG. ;)

Here's the guy who invented the technique.
http://www.classic-motorrad.de/bikes/britbikes/Rollie-Free-1948-Vincent-Black-Lightning.JPG

Rollie Free on a Vincent Black Lightning. He assumed that position to nudge the bike over the 150 mph barrier in 1948.

Here's the guy who invented the technique.
http://www.classic-motorrad.de/bikes/britbikes/Rollie-Free-1948-Vincent-Black-Lightning.JPG

Rollie Free on a Vincent Black Lightning. He assumed that position to nudge the bike over the 150 mph barrier in 1948.

Holy crap!! I can't imagine the amount of road rash Rollie would endure if that bike spilled at 150 mph!! A helmet and speedos ......interesting combo

Rollie Free or Big Paulie? You never see them together, do you? ;)

B'Dog

Here's the guy who invented the technique.
http://www.classic-motorrad.de/bikes/britbikes/Rollie-Free-1948-Vincent-Black-Lightning.JPG

Rollie Free on a Vincent Black Lightning. He assumed that position to nudge the bike over the 150 mph barrier in 1948.

I am simply speechless. This guy has guts. Not a lot of common sense, perhaps, but an overabundance of guts!

WELL! I think I can complete my day here in the office w/a smile on my face! And people I know think I'm crazy, cycling as many miles as I do....being....65 days shy of the big 50!!! Karin

I am simply speechless. This guy has guts. Not a lot of common sense, perhaps, but an overabundance of guts!

And that's why we're looking at his picture almost 60 years later. I daresay that no one will be viewing my picture on the internet in 2068.

Az

Holy crap!! I can't imagine the amount of road rash Rollie would endure if that bike spilled at 150 mph!! A helmet and speedos ......interesting combo

Apparently his leathers couldn't take the beating from the speed and were tearing up, so he ditched them for the last timed run. That's not a helmet according to the article. It's a swimming cap.

ok...here it is...

I am simply speechless. This guy has guts. Not a lot of common sense, perhaps, but an overabundance of guts!
DG, are you certain that guy is not you?

had he fallen there would have been an overabundance of spilled guts...perhaps just a long skid mark

And that's why we're looking at his picture almost 60 years later. I daresay that no one will be viewing my picture on the internet in 2068.

Az

Well, that is why a lot of crazy things are done. Notoriety at all cost. Guinness record no matter what in.