Cat 6 commuter thread
08-12-11 | 08:06 AM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 206
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From: philly.
cat 6 rules should be more generic. Ride what you have, be it a roadie in full kit with a backpack, a cross/touring bike with rack and panniers yellow jacket and blinkies, or a mountain rigid on knobbies or full fred upright bars.
The key would be to hammer relentlessly, attack off the wheel unexpectedly (usually masking any hard breathing by giving a lazy "mornin"), and chasing down anyone seen ahead.
Geriatrics on three speeds, prepubescents on bmx, clydesdales on walmart specials, safety-nannies in full day-glo and bearded recumbents are all equally valid "kills" for the day's tally.
Cat6 = Attack! Close the gap, never show pain, attack again, cheat the wind, dont merely pass them, drop them, slow for nobody, look 'em in the eye and ride off the front! . . . but. . . if you get dropped or passed, remember, its just a commute and not a race.
The key would be to hammer relentlessly, attack off the wheel unexpectedly (usually masking any hard breathing by giving a lazy "mornin"), and chasing down anyone seen ahead.
Geriatrics on three speeds, prepubescents on bmx, clydesdales on walmart specials, safety-nannies in full day-glo and bearded recumbents are all equally valid "kills" for the day's tally.
Cat6 = Attack! Close the gap, never show pain, attack again, cheat the wind, dont merely pass them, drop them, slow for nobody, look 'em in the eye and ride off the front! . . . but. . . if you get dropped or passed, remember, its just a commute and not a race.
agreed. the OPs rules are off, you dont need to be that specific in bike/gear. and if your cat6 racing in the city the race starts at red lights. even when your waiting at a red light the person who you just passed will pull up in front of you to impede your progress and you have to pass them again. those true racers know the importance of positioning at the line.
08-22-11 | 12:19 AM
#52
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: NA
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pie-plate sized mountain bike sprockets like a 28T OK
The number of replies is a bit amazing considering I was posting while drunk.
And to all the naysayers...my commute has a TOTAL elevation gain of 600 feet (portland has more than one hill..ya know). I also now average ~18 mins with a personal best of 16. This, of course, includes antics that cause law-abiding retro-grouches to have constipation. But...whatever.
Ditch your comfort bike and ride fast!
08-22-11 | 12:24 AM
#53
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you dont need to be that specific in bike/gear.
