Thanks almost everyone for your input so far.
Keep it coming!
What about the things you have changed (either of out necessity or because it seemed the best thing to do) that have had an impact of your riding (again, either style or routine).
I changed shoes just before a 600 and didn't remove enough of the sole for the cleats to enable me to clip in and out crisply on the right foot. By the end of the 600, my ankle was really sore from the extra twist needed to disengage (they were Time Atac pedals).
I am metiulous now to ensure that my shoes are suitably modified in that area to ensure a crisp entry and release.
Originally Posted by
LWaB
Don't think it is the result of coming from the racing side of cycling, I collected several state championships in the dim, distant past (mostly on the velodrome). Things like braking and cornering properly are just the normal stuff that every cyclist has to do or they'll fall off. Concentrating on pedalling technique (e.g. ankling) is a waste of time.
We can't all be master cycists right out of the box like you, Dave.
With the attitude that comes with it, maybe we don't want to be, either.
Like I said in my original post, most elite sports people concentrate very hard on their style and habits. The footballers who perfect their kicking. The tennis players who perfect their backhand. The cricketers who perfect their straight bat. The yachtsmen who meticulously mark their blocks, halyards and sheets to get perfect sail set. The golfers who perfect their driver swing.
I can't see that the desire to make long distance cycling more efficient, and ultimately achievable and enjoyable, is any different.
Oh, and for me, ankling works.