Are There Any Advantages In Being The Slowest Rider
03-03-23, 03:10 PM
#1
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Are There Any Advantages In Being The Slowest Rider
Other than being able to see everyone in front of ya... I guess... NO!
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03-03-23, 04:14 PM
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I guess as long as you aren't too much slower you can take advantage of the draft.
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"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
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03-03-23, 04:32 PM
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Nobody in the group rear ends you or otherwise takes you out?
attractive riders ahead?
every bump/pothole has been pointed out.
approaching traffic crossings you have the advantage of gauging the auto traffic 'bike anxiety'.
the amazing conversations 'at the back end'.
Start at the back, hang, finish close to the pack - gets you many 'Kudos'.
Plus others. Don't ask me how I might know.
edit: Then again, there is Slow and SLOOOOW-est. Don't miss the after-ride camaraderie.
attractive riders ahead?
every bump/pothole has been pointed out.
approaching traffic crossings you have the advantage of gauging the auto traffic 'bike anxiety'.
the amazing conversations 'at the back end'.
Start at the back, hang, finish close to the pack - gets you many 'Kudos'.
Plus others. Don't ask me how I might know.
edit: Then again, there is Slow and SLOOOOW-est. Don't miss the after-ride camaraderie.
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-03-23 at 04:45 PM.
03-03-23, 04:44 PM
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You are NOT the slowest rider.
I am.
I am.
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03-03-23, 04:45 PM
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One other plus ... if the guy at the front drops a bottle and wipes out the whole peloton, you can catch it all on your Go-Pro.
03-03-23, 07:47 PM
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Yea, it can teach you not to care about that sort of thing. Learn to enjoy cycling without comparison, without gadgets, without it being a social gathering or activity, tell everything else to go to he-double-toothpicks and just ride.
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03-03-23, 08:12 PM
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Ahem.
MOST RELAXED.
Not "slowest".
That is all. Carry on.
MOST RELAXED.
Not "slowest".
That is all. Carry on.
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03-03-23, 08:21 PM
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"I stay at the back because I have the Varia RTC715 and can record approaching vehicles."
"I'm riding sweep."
"I had a really hard Zwift race last night and I'm using today's ride as a recovery ride."
None of these really work when I'm wearing my custom made kit:
"I'm riding sweep."
"I had a really hard Zwift race last night and I'm using today's ride as a recovery ride."
None of these really work when I'm wearing my custom made kit:
03-03-23, 10:23 PM
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If you're riding with your 3 best riding buddies, me, myself and I it doesn't matter.
03-04-23, 01:06 AM
#10
Lance Legweak
Slowest rider can always get the draft off other riders, as long as they will slow enough. Then when you get up front you can lead so others can draft off you. You will obtain stamina fairly quickly and you’ll have a group to help you maintain your speed..
Last edited by HIPCHIP; 03-04-23 at 01:09 AM.
03-04-23, 11:47 AM
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yes - when the route includes an unexpected drop over a cliff
03-04-23, 12:00 PM
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Yes - avoid the Annual Lemming Ride; but, being at the back might be a lifeline.
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03-04-23, 01:42 PM
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(points to row of dog silhouettes on top tube}
The one on top of the flying doghouse, though, was a tough one.
The one on top of the flying doghouse, though, was a tough one.
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03-04-23, 02:55 PM
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I carry a first aid kit - if you have an accident I will find you…..eventually!
03-05-23, 11:28 AM
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Yes. You'll work harder than anyone else and improve the fastest. And you'll learn a lot. Learning and getting faster are both good.
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Results matter
Results matter
03-08-23, 08:01 AM
#20
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You don't have to know the route or worry about a wrong turn.
03-08-23, 09:52 AM
#21
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If you start in back and end in back, you end up with the same average speed as the guy in front.
03-26-23, 12:51 PM
#23
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When drafting another rider I can be in a higher gear with lower rpms thanks to their blocking the wind. The downside, which is significant, is having far less time to react to obstacles such as holes or glass in the road.
03-27-23, 10:57 AM
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My peeps are the ones at the back of the group. In endurance racing, their stories are the best and the most inspiring, and in casual riding, they are the ones stopping for pix and spend more time chatting than panting.
But those are the advantages of riding slowest in the group, not being the slowest in the group.
But those are the advantages of riding slowest in the group, not being the slowest in the group.
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03-27-23, 08:51 PM
#25
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