"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Judge my position

And just make fun of me in general.

Begin with the excuses: This was my first ever flat TT. I had an important road race the day before (which I won), and wasn't able to train on the TT bike I had borrowed. I was, however, able to use the big goofy TT helmet I had borrowed.

In my last (uphill) TT, I averaged 377W for 28 minutes. In this one, I only managed 325W for 46 Min. I think it was a mixture of being tired from the day before, being less efficient on the flats than the hills, and being less motivated.

I finished 7th out of 15, 5 and a half minutes back from the leader in my Cat who did it in 40Min. The winner of the day was 38 and something.

Any thoughts, comments etc, are greatly appreciated.

B.

http://hcphoto.smugmug.com/keyword/appleby#183763962

So, looking at this for road position, since it's not a TT position... It looks to me like your bike is too small for you. You're quite a bit too far out over the bars. Also, with as much power as you're putting out, you should be comfortable with your arms bent quite a bit, which will flatten your back some more.

Just click the "gallery" link and look at how flat the other guys' backs are. You can get close to that with a road position.

If you rode in that position the whole time (IN MY OPINION) the TT helmet was worthless as the rear fairing is hitting more wind than a standard helmet. I would have put my hands on the hoods, keeping the forearms parallel to the ground and kept my head up.

Shoe covers and skin suit as well as ditching one of the bottles/cages would have helped as well. And get rid of whatever's in your pocket.

My usual advice. Get a real fit. That not being a usual position makes it even more pointless to try and judge position online.

How long is your stem? And how many spacers are you running under it? Increase the former, decrease the latter.

Also, as suggested before, you might have been better off with your hands on the hoods and putting your forearms parallel to the ground.


Like this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/apr05/rvv05/index.php?id=raceday/S-BOONEN133

+1 on pretty much everything. You need to get your hands out in front of you more so you can lower your shoulders and bend elbows. Either much longer stem or bigger bike/longer top tube. As a judge of how much change I would say your upper body position is what I would expect for hands on the tops (next to your stem).

Again, from a road race/criterium point of view, it doesn't look bad.

Your hips are back, making a good bend in your back starting from the middle of your back, instead of bending forward at the hips.

In the photo you are sliding forward on the saddle, so if you slid back, I think the overall stretch on the bike would be fine.

It looks like you could get the bars down another inch or two for a more aero position.

But your leg extension, one of the most important factors in position, cannot be determined form the photo.

Looks like the bike is much too small for you. How long is your stem? It should probably be quite a bit longer.

this is a borrowed TT bike? You would have done better on your own roadie and staying in the drops....

Also, as suggested before, you might have been better off with your hands on the hoods and putting your forearms parallel to the ground.


Like this:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/apr05/rvv05/index.php?id=raceday/S-BOONEN133

I'll second that suggestion, it's a great position and makes a pretty large difference in aerodynamics. Heck, I do metrics and get funny looks because I ride like that. Just be sure to raise your forearms off the bars when you need to steer as you loose some of the sensitivity.

And just make fun of me in general.

Begin with the excuses: This was my first ever flat TT. I had an important road race the day before (which I won), and wasn't able to train on the TT bike I had borrowed. I was, however, able to use the big goofy TT helmet I had borrowed.

In my last (uphill) TT, I averaged 377W for 28 minutes. In this one, I only managed 325W for 46 Min. I think it was a mixture of being tired from the day before, being less efficient on the flats than the hills, and being less motivated.

I finished 7th out of 15, 5 and a half minutes back from the leader in my Cat who did it in 40Min. The winner of the day was 38 and something.



!!

That tat looks like a big ring wiped itself on you.:D