i am not sure if they qualify as hoods on a track bike, but whatever. how about the "tops?" anyway, while watching the mens madison worlds, one rider from Spain or Argentina had a pretty unique position while breaking away from the group trying to get a lap on the field. anybody else know what i am talking about here? i am trying to find a picture of it, but have not had much sucess searching the names given here for the Spanish and Argentina teams: http://www.cyclingnews.com/track/2008/mar08/wtc08/?id=results/men_madison

anyway, first person to post the correct picture gets an e-brownie.

From what I understand you always need to be in the drops except during individual events and the madison. During a madison you are allowed to ride on the tops while making an exchange.

However I could be wrong, if I have time later I'll check the official rules.

A couple guys were doing that, and I think they had their bars rotated pretty far, too, so that the ends were pointed farther down than is usual. I'm too lazy to look for the pic.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/worldcup0708/copenhagen08/copenhagen085/MensMadisonQP01.jpg
World Cup 07-08 Round 4 (http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/worldcup0708/copenhagen08/index.php?id=/photos/2007/worldcup0708/copenhagen08/copenhagen085/MensMadisonQP01)

The local coach/official gets on people for riding like that during warmups. I haven't noticed anyone try that during a race but I'm guessing they would get an earful if he saw them

The local coach/official gets on people for riding like that during warmups. I haven't noticed anyone try that during a race but I'm guessing they would get an earful if he saw them

If you're putting weight on your hands and steering with the bars there's a big risk of one hand slipping and you losing control of the bike. If it's just someplace to put your hands, and all your control is through your hips then it's probably not so bad.

An awful lot of very good riders have spent a great deal of time riding on the "hoods" and have not come to grief. I always thought the idea that it was dangerous is silly. There was a guy who coached at the old Dominguez track for a few years who made a big deal out of it. I even caught him yelling at a French national champion about it, which struck most present as the highest level of foolishness. And he'd admit that he'd never actually seen anyone fall on account of it. Just thought it was good to be "proactive". :rolleyes:

Back in the day, it wasn't terribly uncommon to see it in longer races.

Hmm... I've definitely been told by an official to stay in the drops while racing... but that doesn't mean it's a rule.

If I had a nickel for the all the dumb things officials have told me... :lol:

An awful lot of very good riders have spent a great deal of time riding on the "hoods" and have not come to grief.

Back in the day, it wasn't terribly uncommon to see it in longer races.

I worry about it when brand new track riders coming from the road do it-- they're used to having a hood there to put weight on. Experienced riders I don't worry about. But yeah, I don't think I've ever seen anybody die from it, or even crash.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/worldcup0708/copenhagen08/copenhagen085/MensMadisonQP01.jpg
World Cup 07-08 Round 4 (http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/worldcup0708/copenhagen08/index.php?id=/photos/2007/worldcup0708/copenhagen08/copenhagen085/MensMadisonQP01)

this picture shows an extremely odd hand position and i'm tempted to say that the rider WASN'T racing like this - rather, he was in the process of moving his hands from one place to another. but how would i know?

i can't imagine why anybody would want to have their hands anywhere but the drops while racing. my local drome has a hands-in-drops rule, and it's a pet peeve when people who are winning rise up out of the drops before the finish line.

I worry about it when brand new track riders coming from the road do it-- they're used to having a hood there to put weight on.
Granted. But then, of all the ways new trackies can hurt themselves -- and everyone else -- hand position is fairly far down my list!

this picture shows an extremely odd hand position and i'm tempted to say that the rider WASN'T racing like this - rather, he was in the process of moving his hands from one place to another. but how would i know?

Nope, he's actually in that position. We've been seeing more of it in the Worlds competitions. From what I've read, the Aussies were experimenting with it for the Worlds in Denmark. They also are doing things like running compact road bars, turned way up.

Here's a Spanish rider in the same position: http://www.photos.velodrome.org.uk/worlds08-1617.html

It's cameron meyer and he did ride like this.

Lots of folks are doing it again (since seeing Cameron meyer ridng like this), as it is not really new.

it is very comfortable.

color me confused. i just went and held my bars and felt pains such as the wrist-related type.

That'll be Llaneras, he always rides like that, worlds or 6 day's (even on the shorter tracks) it doesn't matter. He's comfortable with it and is a world class rider with years of experience. Wouldn't recommend a novice start out like that as you'll need maximum control and that is best achieved with an on the drops or on the tops grip. A number of riders also flip their stem, so their bars sit higher, makes it easier on the back during the sling I believe. :)

The rider is, as earlier stated, Cameron Meyer. I saw him at junior worlds a couple of years ago where he demolished the field. He and his brother won the Madison even though both of them crashed at least once. In fact, Cameron went to the hospital afterwards but came back the following day for the team pursuit. He's been riding the senior circuit for a while and actually was leading the points series for a while.

Anyway, back on topic. There is an article on this position in the current issue of the Aussie magazine Ride. He picked up the position from Llaneras and has specially shaped bars to make it work. It does look awkward and uncomfortable but he says it gives him a better position and control.

+1, and apparently a better power can be acheived from that position (to lazy to quote article) but personaly it doesn't work for me.