Are Fast Rides Ever About the View?
10-31-06, 10:12 AM
#1
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Are Fast Rides Ever About the View?
So, I'm still stuck in flat-bar hybrid land, and my handlebars are on the same level as my saddle. I've decided that my goal for next year will be to improve my century time.
I wasn't all that thrilled with my bike on the last century, so I will likely pick up some type of entry-level road bike. It seems like most road bikes, though, will have the handlebars a few inches lower than the saddle for a more aero position. Maybe it's because I'm not used to that position, but staying low cuts into my view.
So when you're riding a century in the typical road bike position and with a specific speed goal in mind -- or doing a fast group ride -- is the ride ever about enjoying the scenery and the view? Or is it about achieving an athletic goal?
I wasn't all that thrilled with my bike on the last century, so I will likely pick up some type of entry-level road bike. It seems like most road bikes, though, will have the handlebars a few inches lower than the saddle for a more aero position. Maybe it's because I'm not used to that position, but staying low cuts into my view.
So when you're riding a century in the typical road bike position and with a specific speed goal in mind -- or doing a fast group ride -- is the ride ever about enjoying the scenery and the view? Or is it about achieving an athletic goal?
10-31-06, 10:15 AM
#2
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When I want to enjoy the view, I ride on the tops of my handlebars - the parts closest to the stem - so that I'm in an extremely upright position. Or I'll just ride no-handed. The wonderful thing about drop bars is the wide array of riding positions and options available to you.
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10-31-06, 10:16 AM
#3
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both definitely.
you can't possibly remain in the most areo position for the length of time it takes to complete a century. there will be plenty of opportunity to put your hands on the tops of the bars and gaze around.
flipping the stem upward will help keep a more upright and comfortable position...and you always have the drops if you want to get more aerodynamic.
you can't possibly remain in the most areo position for the length of time it takes to complete a century. there will be plenty of opportunity to put your hands on the tops of the bars and gaze around.
flipping the stem upward will help keep a more upright and comfortable position...and you always have the drops if you want to get more aerodynamic.
10-31-06, 10:21 AM
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It's about whatever you want it to be about. As others have mentioned, the good thing about drop bars is that they provide a wider array of hand positions than flat bars. If you want to keep your hands in the flat bar position and enjoy the scenery, you can do that easily with your hands on the tops or the hoods. If you want to push your pace harder, you can help your aerodynamics by riding in the drops. I find that the increased variety of hand positions with drop bars also helps me avoid my hands going numb from riding in the same position for too long.
Good luck!
Good luck!
10-31-06, 10:35 AM
#5
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When you're struggling hard to keep at someone's wheel, you don't look around much...
10-31-06, 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Kuma
It's about whatever you want it to be about.
Also, on a road bike, the bar can be setup to be at the seat's height with no problem at all.
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10-31-06, 10:44 AM
#7
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If the pace line includes a strong, long-legged, blonde...then, yes, it is about the view.
Seriously, though...in general, the faster you go the less you see. It's a tradeoff, and you have to decide for yourself whether or not it's worth it.
A couple of years ago I did my fastest ever century (averaging around 21.5 mph for 104 miles) while participating in the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. I was working with a great group the entire day, and we all had a ball (and I won the final town limit sprint!). We didn't see much of the mountains we were riding through that day, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
For appreciating the scenery, seek out more climbing. You can always enjoy the views on the way up, because you're usually not in pacelines, and going slower.
Seriously, though...in general, the faster you go the less you see. It's a tradeoff, and you have to decide for yourself whether or not it's worth it.
A couple of years ago I did my fastest ever century (averaging around 21.5 mph for 104 miles) while participating in the Bicycle Tour of Colorado. I was working with a great group the entire day, and we all had a ball (and I won the final town limit sprint!). We didn't see much of the mountains we were riding through that day, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
For appreciating the scenery, seek out more climbing. You can always enjoy the views on the way up, because you're usually not in pacelines, and going slower.
Last edited by SSP; 10-31-06 at 10:50 AM.
10-31-06, 11:13 AM
#8
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I generally enjoy the scenery during short breaks rather than when riding.
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10-31-06, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe
So, I'm still stuck in flat-bar hybrid land, and my handlebars are on the same level as my saddle. I've decided that my goal for next year will be to improve my century time.
I wasn't all that thrilled with my bike on the last century, so I will likely pick up some type of entry-level road bike. It seems like most road bikes, though, will have the handlebars a few inches lower than the saddle for a more aero position. Maybe it's because I'm not used to that position, but staying low cuts into my view.
So when you're riding a century in the typical road bike position and with a specific speed goal in mind -- or doing a fast group ride -- is the ride ever about enjoying the scenery and the view? Or is it about achieving an athletic goal?
I wasn't all that thrilled with my bike on the last century, so I will likely pick up some type of entry-level road bike. It seems like most road bikes, though, will have the handlebars a few inches lower than the saddle for a more aero position. Maybe it's because I'm not used to that position, but staying low cuts into my view.
So when you're riding a century in the typical road bike position and with a specific speed goal in mind -- or doing a fast group ride -- is the ride ever about enjoying the scenery and the view? Or is it about achieving an athletic goal?
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10-31-06, 12:12 PM
#10
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Comfort-oriented road bikes like the Giant OCR, Specialized Roubaix, or Trek Pilot have a higher handlebar position.
If you want to enjoy the scenery, then climb some mountains. On a high speed flat ride, you need to spend more time watching for road and traffic conditions.
If you want to enjoy the scenery, then climb some mountains. On a high speed flat ride, you need to spend more time watching for road and traffic conditions.
10-31-06, 12:18 PM
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At least for me; on fast paced rides, it's all about the view from the top.
10-31-06, 12:22 PM
#12
Announcer
When people say, "Gosh, the weather was great this weekend! I bet it was great for riding!"
I think, "Huh? There was weather? All I saw was road, and my friend's rear wheel!"
Same can be said for scenery.
I think, "Huh? There was weather? All I saw was road, and my friend's rear wheel!"
Same can be said for scenery.
10-31-06, 01:49 PM
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Group rides, for me, are about being a chatty cathy while getting some exercise. Sometimes they're fast, but when you're drafting it's easy to keep chatting.
10-31-06, 03:02 PM
#15
Making a kilometer blurry
At the Meridian training races in Denver, back in 1992-4 or so, I used to get in a lot of breaks with the Timex pro women's team. That was about the views.
Hella tough for my 6'4" frame to get a draft off those gals though.
Hella tough for my 6'4" frame to get a draft off those gals though.
10-31-06, 04:26 PM
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Are fast rides ever about the view? I couldn't say, but the inverse seems to be true for me. I never go fast and I always enjoy the view.
10-31-06, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by msheron
It's about seeing it quickly!
.
10-31-06, 07:16 PM
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i really never care about the view... every now and then i kinda go "wow, thats pretty" and then keep riding.
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10-31-06, 11:00 PM
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I have glance everynow and then, but in a fast group its better to concentrate, if you like the view - come back again and do the same ride.
11-01-06, 12:47 AM
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I agree with the "faster you go the less you see", but even when you're hammering you will find a moment...a view....a scene....that you just can't help but notice. Then you return to the suffering. It's beautiful.
...the suffering that is....
...the suffering that is....
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11-01-06, 01:25 AM
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My riding is about physical fitness. I never really notice the view. When others say, "it was so pretty", I just think it looks like grass or whatever!
11-01-06, 12:40 PM
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View AND exercise. If I didn't care about the view, I'd sit on a bike in the gym and stare at the same wall for three hours.
11-01-06, 02:07 PM
#25
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I certain local BF member keeps thanking me for posting pictures of the rides that we both do because he never gets to see much of what's flying by. He finishes well ahead of me (sometimes as part of the race) but I get some pictures, see the country side, and finish in a very respectable time as well. As others have said, you can make road bikes with drop bars just about anything you want them.
