Proper form in a tailwind

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03-25-10 | 06:05 PM

#26

caloso

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 40,863

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From: Sacramento, California, USA

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

No tailwinds here. Either it's a headwind or I'm having a really good day.

03-25-10 | 06:14 PM

#27

Voodoo76

Blast from the Past

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: Schertz TX

Bikes: Cervelo Soloist, Felt Breed & a few more

I would venture to say most riders are a little less efficient as they get more aero. Just like climbing, a tailwind gives you a chance to find a more comfortable and efficient position w/o paying a big penalty.

03-25-10 | 06:27 PM

#28

2manybikes

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Joined: Jun 2003

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jsharr

I find it easier to ease the main sheet and watch the tell tales if I sit up when sailing, I mean riding with a tail wind.

Once upon a time..................I was riding slowly with a strong steady tailwind. I sat up straight and held my windbreaker out on both sides like a sail. I started to accelerate a little. I could feel the wind was coming in from the rear quarter, not straight astern........uh......behind. I twisted my shoulders and turned my arms (boom?) perpendicular to the wind direction and started to accelerate even more.
Unfortunately I was closing in on an intersection and had to put my hands back on the bars just as I started getting up into the high teens in mph. Wish I had a real sail that day. Wish one of my friends had a camera.