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Old 06-02-10 | 05:06 PM
  #29  
calamarichris
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Carlsbad, CA

Bikes: '09 Felt F55, '84 Masi Cran Criterium, (2)'86 Schwinn Pelotons, '86 Look Equippe Hinault, '09 Globe Live 3 (dogtaxi), '94 Greg Lemond, '99 GT Pulse Kinesis

Originally Posted by lpolliard
Riddle me this Batman???

If Newton's Law states that two objects of differing mass will fall at the same speed (in a vacuum) then why does a heavier cyclist descend faster than a lighter cyclist?

My guess it has to do with wind resistance.
It does indeed. The heavier cyclist's ratio of weight-to-surface area is more advantageous. Even though the two cyclists might weigh stones apart, their surface area will [usually] vary by a much smaller amount.
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