Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
Are the leaders and riders on your club rides so perfectly consistent and in control that they can hold their speed within a tolerance of 0.1mph? Or, do you typically go OTB because the leader boosts his/her speed by 0.1 mph? Are they making cruise control for bicycles now?
No that isn't the point. If the going gets tough it is one of three places.
- The cumulative effect of multiple fast accelerations out of the corners.
- The cumulative effect of multiple short fast climbs.
- One very long climb, probably after also experiencing items one and two.
A small change in the steady speed is irrelevant as it allows one to hang in due to drafting.
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
Besides, the idea behind a club ride is to "hang with the gang,"
Ummm no, not always. There are rides like that and there are more aggressive and competitive rides. There are pure racing clubs and pure racing components in non racing clubs. Those rides can be essentially simulated racing in many cases.
Then there are some riders that are just competitive wherever they are, even on loaded tours. I have ridden with folks who will go as far as taking turns dropping off the back in front of a rider and sprinting back to the group to drop them. This is usually done to a stranger or a new guy and they consider it practice of racing tactics.