Originally Posted by EventServices
I had a teammate who would ride up next to me during a race and throw his shoulder into me like we did in practice.
Me too, every 45 seconds or so.
Nothing changes your concept of contact like learning to ride madisons, especially after an exchange where the pack speeds up faster than your relief rider realizes and he comes in *way* too slow. I had one partner who actually liked it when I pulled his front wheel up in the air during an exchange!
And I'll third or fourth the "learn to tumble" suggestion. My GF made me go to "adult tumbling" at a local gymnastics gym, and it was a total blast. It also made major improvements in my back/ab strength, balance, and ability to tumble in a crash. She did gymnastics for years, and actually lands on her feet and hops back on the bike when she endos!