Originally Posted by
chaadster
It's nice to see what I'd call a high-performance story in this forum. Although I am a clyde, I pretty much find no reason to hang in this forum because of the paucity of this kind of talk and related topics.
However, when the fast kids go up fast, there is no hope to sustainably generate enough power to match an 70-80lb difference.
These are just a general observations in my experience; anyone can be fast, but clydes need to more strategic, like sheltering whenever possible, using momentum, attacking descents, and pressing hard pulls when the group is flagging.
I am curious to know how you, OP, were checking Strava during the ride to see nearby rider info?
I agree! Need more action in this forum, good stuff! I was hesitant about posting this story but like you say, not much going on here other than, what wheel for a heavy guy, what jersey for a heavy guy type threads. I understand we need them but this forum needs some action too!
I know that the lighter guys are faster on the climbs but I have done enough climbing, including timed events to know that a Clyde can overtake a smaller rider on long climbs. I've had a others beat me up a 2000 ft climb but I've smoked them on a 10,000 ft climb simply by being fit. It's like the Audi against the Challenger, big engine big power overall. To be honest, I have been challenged by many other consistent riders 60 lbs less on friendly races up mountain roads and out climbed them. There were times during training for timed events that I would climb 40,000 + ft elevation gain in a months time. Several months in a row. That really helps.
My comment about the other guys's stats were regarding the info I found on Strava after the ride via flyby feature. I didn't know the stats on the actual ride till we were done and I posted my info on Strava. I like to check the info of others around me as at times I get passed by a rider then find out after the ride he only did a 20 miler while I did a 50. It's just interesting to look up and see the differences in riders.
So these guys, I had no idea on the ride how far they had gone. I just toyed with them as they seemed to initiate a playful competitive attitude on the ride. I could only verify their stats after the ride. Had they gone 100 miles, then I never would have posted this story knowing they had a much greater disadvantage.
