Northern California - East Bay Ride Last Saturday: I wasn't in Kansas

Tornado weather:

East Bay contingent: Cliff, Brent, Richard and George.
South Bay: Ron and Michael
Of Course myself:

We met up at the Orinda Bart for Richards East Bay Economy Tour. The temp wasn’t too frighteningly cold but, it was a bit wet and foggy. Having only gotten about two hours of sleep the night before I was just that more foggy at the start. I kind of took it easy. I feel like I’ve lost a little edge not riding in groups for the past year. It’s all been pretty much solo riding. The good thing was that I felt really confident with the skills of this group. I was more worried about me messing them up in the downhills and pace-lines.

Even though I feel like I weigh a thousand pounds, I have been doing a lot of 24HR Fitness and spin class so I’m not completely out of shape otherwise I never would have attempted this ride.

The pace of the group was pretty quick and somewhat “challengy” at times but, I was able to hang on when I wasn’t dropping bottles and engaging in other stupid time consuming events. I had to try and keep up with some good climbers.

I’ll keep this short and just say it was an awesome way to spend a nasty Saturday.

Great to see everyone out there and thanks Richard for setting it up.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Tornado.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/ThreeBears.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/RonBrent.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/PigHill-1.jpg

Tornado weather

OK...that's why you were hiding behind the landmark stone and being so excited.
Great to ride with you again. Although the pace was a bit on the high side for my current level the ride had a good mix of terrain. I came back home completely toast.

Great to ride and BS with you again Pete. It was a good little shakedown ride for me, a spur of the moment thing that combined some shorter workouts with ample chit-chatty BS opportunities. For locals we went up pump house hill (aka back side of Papa bear) then Pig Farm and Reliez for some shorter, intense climbs. Then it was off to Danville flatland, where the wily blue ox revealed his true nature. Oh and by the way:

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/Tornado.jpg

I KNEW IT! Photographic evidence that Cliff gets his unearthly dry wit and sarcasm from paranormal sources - you can see the next wave of insults about to burrow through the top of his helmet.

As for this picture, for the record I had a light on my handlebars, not a flamboyantly placed reflector.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/ThreeBears.jpg

As for this picture, for the record I had a reflector on my handlebars, flamboyantly FREDDISH.

Fixed

It was good to ride in a group again. Other than doing hill climbs, it's the only way I can push myself. I was completely wiped out at the end (that Rudgear sprint always does me in and then I have to limp home). I was limping around the rest of the day.

It was especially good to see Pete again. It's good to see that the old guy can still make climbing look so easy.

Question on pacelines - when we were going down Danville Blvd some guys were peeling off to the left and letting the paceline pass on the right, while other were peeling off to the right and letting the paceline pass on the left. Which is the correct procedure?

Cliff

I think for safety sake it's best to peel off to the right seeing that the paceline is somewhat consistent riding in a straight line. peeling off into traffic is a risk. I'm usually pooping out and dropping of the back anyway so it's moot!

I think for safety sake it's best to peel off to the right seeing that the paceline is somewhat consistent riding in a straight line. peeling off into traffic is a risk. I'm usually pooping out and dropping of the back anyway so it's moot!

Stop it!! Beaker is the King of Self-Loathing and you have no chance of dethroning him.

Question on pacelines - when we were going down Danville Blvd some guys were peeling off to the left and letting the paceline pass on the right, while other were peeling off to the right and letting the paceline pass on the left. Which is the correct procedure?

Cliff


I think for safety sake it's best to peel off to the right seeing that the paceline is somewhat consistent riding in a straight line. peeling off into traffic is a risk. I'm usually pooping out and dropping of the back anyway so it's moot!

I don't think there is just one rule, other than, which ever way people peel off, it should stay the same. After doing paceline drills at the early bird mentoring sessions in January, I got into the habit of peeling off to the left. However, most groups I've ridden with do the opposite (I believe there is some regional variation depending on what you're accustomed to).

From what I read the most common is on the left but that also assumes a car free road like in a race situation. On Danville Blvd. it felt safer on the right.

Another question. How long are you supposed to stay at the front?

http://www.aesthetic-endeavors.com/articles/RoadSkill-Paceline.pdf

From what I read the most common is on the left but that also assumes a car free road like in a race situation. On Danville Blvd. it felt safer on the right.

Another question. How long are you supposed to stay at the front?

Pretty sure that fairly short pulls of 20-30secs are normally "ok" in a rotating pace line, but if you're feeling good, go a bit longer, if you're dying just hanging on then pull off after reaching the front, either way, don't speed up or slow down when on the front. There's a very comprehensive piece on the grizzly peak cyclists site http://www.grizz.org/skills/Paceline.pdf

I usually peel off to the left. If there is something in the road I want to be able to avoid it without jumping the curb/grass/etc (provided there are no cars at the moment of course).

Except if the pace line is taking the lane, or is on the far left of the shoulder, than I peel off to the right.

I thought the rule was to peel off into the wind to maximize the effect of The Paceline? If peeling off means going into traffic it means either the pace line is too far left or road should be taken single file.

I thought the rule was to peel off into the wind to maximize the effect of The Paceline? If peeling off means going into traffic it means either the pace line is too far left or road should be taken single file.

I usually just peel away from who's ever issuing the wind...even if it means I'm going offroad!

I usually just peel away from who's ever issuing the wind...even if it means I'm going offroad!

Hmm. I think that we may have a problem. I tend to issue gas to close any gaps.

It's all just peeling in the wind really

Thinking about it, I am glad I couldn't keep up with your pace last Saturday. :backpedal:

Much safer not to be downwind from you guys.