Old dog, new trick (I could get used to this)
05-02-14, 06:42 AM
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Old dog, new trick (I could get used to this)
One of my winter goals on the trainer was to spend more time riding with my hand in the drops (or in my case drop), and try to translate that to the road come spring. The first couple of efforts on the road, however, left me where I have been since I was a much younger man, just not that comfortable with the visibility or bike control I had with my one hand down there.
The past few weeks have brought on barreling north winds. I commute from the south. What better time than to experiment with high cadence, low body position, grind it out, and not worry too much about speed?
Low (pun intended) and behold, I've ridden about 200 miles hunkered down like a junior racer. It flat out works, and none of the control issues I'd felt before are there now. When I go up to the hoods, or God forbid the top bar, it's starting to feel like I'm riding a too tall hybrid. Maybe I need to slam the whatever and lower the whatchamacallit.
I'm thinking we never get too old to try something fresh.
The past few weeks have brought on barreling north winds. I commute from the south. What better time than to experiment with high cadence, low body position, grind it out, and not worry too much about speed?
Low (pun intended) and behold, I've ridden about 200 miles hunkered down like a junior racer. It flat out works, and none of the control issues I'd felt before are there now. When I go up to the hoods, or God forbid the top bar, it's starting to feel like I'm riding a too tall hybrid. Maybe I need to slam the whatever and lower the whatchamacallit.
I'm thinking we never get too old to try something fresh.
05-02-14, 07:18 AM
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A lot of old dogs are going to recumbent bikes or trikes. First of all you dont have to "hunker down" to be aero, and you dont end up staring at your front wheel. Second on a bent your belly and lung arent all compressed, and you can breath easier and deeper, allowing you to ride further and faster.
05-02-14, 10:05 AM
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A lot of old dogs are going to recumbent bikes or trikes. First of all you dont have to "hunker down" to be aero, and you dont end up staring at your front wheel. Second on a bent your belly and lung arent all compressed, and you can breath easier and deeper, allowing you to ride further and faster.
05-02-14, 06:47 PM
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05-02-14, 10:16 PM
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A lot of old dogs are going to recumbent bikes or trikes. First of all you dont have to "hunker down" to be aero, and you dont end up staring at your front wheel. Second on a bent your belly and lung arent all compressed, and you can breath easier and deeper, allowing you to ride further and faster.
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05-06-14, 02:52 PM
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05-06-14, 04:01 PM
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A low position for some of us (on a traditional diamond frame) can be more about hip rotation/saddle positions than back bending. To get aero for a headwind try to be as narrow as possible, if you can't get low.
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05-06-14, 06:17 PM
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I use the hoods much of the time and the drops when its into the wind or a descent. No problems with feeling cramped or scrunched up when I am in either, I bend forward from my pelvis/hips, my back is pretty much straight and very comfortable for me. I don't recall staring at my front wheel at all. With the recent winds we have had the drops or hoods help out and dropping down one gear if its blowing head on lets me keep my cadence in a power producing range. Checking my average speeds, the are holding up well, which surprised me.
Tigat, as much as you have overcome I look up to you and your accomplishments, well done, sir, well done.
Bill
Tigat, as much as you have overcome I look up to you and your accomplishments, well done, sir, well done.
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
