'nother

Which rule is that?

Phantoj

OK, help me on this.

If the guy in front of you slows down, you have three options:

1. Go around
2. Slow down
3. Brace for impact

Assuming that ramming him is out of the question - I know some of you guys have mad skills and can actually get away with a bit of bumping, that leaves slowing down or going around. Ideally, you would want to go around, move up or at least stay in position. But maybe you can't because you're boxed in. So then, you need to slow down. I don't see how it matters HOW you slow down, just that you do so as moderately as possible. You don't want to overbrake and make a gap you have to chase down later.

You can slow a little bit by sitting up or by softpedaling, but you'll probably have to use the brakes. It's not hard just feather the brakes a little bit.

What am I missing here? I am a crit noob, flame away!

recursive

The advantage of catching air vs brakes is just that it's guaranteed to be very smooth. It takes a little more skill to brake the same way, and is easier to screw up.

Phantoj

If I'm already in the drops, I find that I can't "sit up" much higher without moving my hands. Maybe my position is too high or my bars are too low. I could shift my hands up to the tops in order to sit up more effectively, but that sounds trickier than feathering the brake.

I guess I could shift over to catch air, but that seems like a bad idea in a race situation.

garysol1 

Sticking out your knees and elbows do help

'nother

The hardest things to learn about modulating speed are "when" and "how much". It's not necessarily any harder or easier using your brakes versus sitting up. They're simply different skills, neither is inherently bad or good. Sitting up is not magic, you still have to practice to learn how different positions affect your speed. Brakes are not magic either, you have to learn how to feather, not grab a giant handful. But it's not a difficult skill to master.

kensuf

Put a knee out and use your legs as a brake.

Phantoj

Thanks for the tips!

Snuffleupagus

Can't find the notice now, but USCF sent out a notice last year reminding people that calling inside is unsafe/against the rules...etc...

'nother

Interesting. I can't find anything like that in the rulebook.


Not that I condone it, but it's hardly unsafe to yell "inside". It can be unsafe to actually go there ("dive"), whether you yell or not, but I'd still be surprised if there's an enforceable rule on it (except maybe on the track).

I was talking to some experienced racers the other night about this, and they were saying it's actually pretty funny to hear people yell inside, they just say "thanks!", and shut them down.

waterrockets 

If I'm on a wheel I like, I'll slow with them, but I do what I can to dampen the differences. I will get ever closer slowly, and when the acceleration follows, I don't let the wheel get any further away until we reach cruising speed.

If I have no interest in the wheel I'm on (I "case" the fastest rider I can find), I will move forward through the pack as space and smooth transitions allow. If you can resist reacting for a second longer than everyone else, there will be gaps behind you, so you can probably move over easily.

aicabsolut

I was on a group ride recently, when I let a gap form trying to stuff some Clif Blocks in my mouth...I was having a little bit of that swallowing while gasping for breath problem happening. Most in the group were men, and one put a hand on my lower back (not any lower) and gave me a push.
I'd be suspicious of any ass touching even supposedly for safety purposes

recursive

Are you a woman?

DamianM

+111ELEVELTY!!

bdcheung

yes she is

aicabsolut

Why else would i make that comment? I know guys have no problems touching each other's butts where sports are involved.

waterrockets 

FWIW: I push women up hills all the time, and sometimes men. Often strangers. No need to go below the lower back for that maneuver.

It's really fun when riding with a married couple, and the husband gets up the road on a bit on a climb. I push the wife up to the husband, and right when we reach him, I give one last huge shove and silently hop in on the husband's wheel while he watches her drop him on the hill. Most of the time, we don't ever say anything Some husbands act like they didn't notice, and others are clearly surprised.

recursive

I have no idea. That's why I asked.

As for grabbing other dudes' asses: I like to get a handful to really let them know I'm there.

Bantam

Darling, if you think that a man is touching your butt in a sexual manner during a fast ride/race, then you have some deep issues concerning men that you need to sort through.

Lithuania

someones been creepin'

aicabsolut

I was mostly kidding about the final comment, but I've had my butt grabbed enough by strangers out walking around town (not just in bars or at concerts) that such conduct seems suspicious in most cases. I'd hope cycling partners wouldn't act sketchy. Not that I'd necessarily assume it'd be sexual in that situation, but I do value my personal space.

Bantam

Sex is the last thing on my braing when I am in training mode, I thought that was true across the board.