Originally Posted by
McMitchell
A few questions:
First I wonder how people are measuring their drops. One might measure from several places I can think of: highest point of handlebars, top of stem (either where the stem actually protrudes or the top of the stem), use a level to find a perpendicular line from the seat top to some other point......Then maybe people “eyeball” it?
Particularly for “older” riders....
The position one may or may not ride in most certainly has to do with flexibility. I do some stretching on a Nautilus sit up bench I have, do a few Tai-Chi stretches...I use to be able to put at least one foot behind my head, when I was wrestling. I have heard Yoga mentioned....I picked up a little Tai-Chi mostly from video tapes. I have been thinking of trying to find a Yoga instructor...or maybe a video...
Oddly enough the more I ride my bike the better I seem to get at it. I am of the opinion that some things change with experience/exercise. I am making it up hills in higher gears now. The issue is I am a little concerned about higher speeds, at my age. I have come to learn that things break easier and take longer to heal at my age. I try to tell myself that as I “get faster” I develop greater coordination and strength that may make me safer at those higher speeds.
I put a long enough level on the saddle then measure from the bottom of the level to the top of the handlebar. Just a simple easy method.
For flexibility and overall strength including core, I like Iyengar yoga. It’s strenuous and rigorous, but the teachers are trained to teach poses in the way that is accessible to the student, and to recognize your real limits for yourself. It is butt-kicking and hard, but no injuries. Aerobic too, but not anaerobic.
Control of speed is something each of us has to learn. Bikes have brakes as well as propulsion, and you just hav to tie wthin yourself as you learn your limits and those of the machine. Don’t fall, especially be careful when you dismount.