Originally Posted by chasm54 (Post 15748948)

You don't seem to have had any answers. This may be because it isn't possible to generalise about "typical" pulls, riders or wattages. And one has to remember that as you emerge from the draft to take the pull, the power you have to put out to maintain the pace increases substantially.

I have a problem with the emphatic statements that the object is to maintain a consistent effort rather than a consistent speed. Yes, that is true in that one does not want the guy on the front to hammer uphill in order to maintain speed, and thus put everyone on the rack. But the idea is to maintain a consistent effort for the group, not the individual. So if I am second wheel I might be doing 25 mph and putting out 240 w because I'm sheltered. As the front guy pulls off and exposes me to the wind I maintain my speed, which means that the guys behind me get to maintain a consistent effort, but requires me to put out (say) 280 w. So the guys behind me get to put out a consistent effort, but my effort has risen for as long as I am on the front. These figures aren't accurate but you get my drift.

I'm your age. You'd be surprised how much faster you can go in a paceline.

Originally Posted by Jseis (Post 15748595)

So...would a typical pull...for say 2 minutes..by a "typical rider" (recognizing variability as you noted) be a watt output of say 250-270 watts? I ask this as I'm curious (not being a categoried rider) but I'd like some measure of watt effort. If you asked me to go pull 25 mph for 1 minute...well you'd get one pull out of me for maybe a minute (assuming I could even roll with a 25 mph paceline...thats a big assumption and likely I couldn't) then I'd be gassed, dropped. I'm 58 and would love to ride at that speed but it'll take me another year just to average 17+ solo and having no friends or partners locally who ride faster I'm destined to go it alone. BTW, I use Bike Calculator to get an approximate estimate of my watt output.

Thanks for the comments.

Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 15748554)

Wait a minute. You start a thread asking a very basic question and now you want to dismiss an important clarification? The reason the clarification is important is because it is a common n00b mistake to try to hold the speed over rollers with their eyes glued to their computers. So they surge uphill and stop pedalling going back down. Perhaps this, and not your age, is why you sensed irritation from the group.

All the solo riding in the world will not prepare you for working in a group. And if you're asking a question as basic as how hard to pull at the front, it would behoove you to adopt enough humility to try to learn. Either that, or stick to solo riding.

Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 15748958)

Yes. You want to maintain the effort of the group, which means you'll ramp it up a bit when you're on the front. How much is something you have to learn by doing.

Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 15749310)

Your posts always make me laugh.

Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 15749320)

Simply not true. Best way to learn is watch NASCAR.

Originally Posted by clausen (Post 15749357)

NASCAR makes me dizzy.

Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 15749320)

Simply not true. Best way to learn is watch NASCAR.

Originally Posted by halfspeed (Post 15749351)

Yours make me facepalm.

Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina (Post 15749387)

NASCAR makes me facepalm.

Originally Posted by StanSeven (Post 15749407)

I heard a good joke. NASCAR is for people that can't understand professional wrestling.

Originally Posted by spectastic (Post 15749611)

I can't understand professional wrestling, or nascar.

Originally Posted by spectastic (Post 15749611)

I can't understand professional wrestling, or nascar.

Originally Posted by Jseis (Post 15748417)

How long are the pulls at say 23, 25 mph. 1 minute? 2 minutes? Or more?

Originally Posted by clausen (Post 15749656)

NASCAR car is simple. Draft someone for 499 miles, on the last corner put your foot to the floor and go by him.

Originally Posted by Kai Winters (Post 15750197)

More like ten to fifteen seconds in a fast pace line.

Originally Posted by Kai Winters (Post 15750197)

More like ten to fifteen seconds in a fast pace line.

Originally Posted by Jseis (Post 15748417)

How long are the pulls at say 23, 25 mph. 1 minute? 2 minutes? Or more?

Originally Posted by Campag4life (Post 15748513)

No gaps. Initially the three of them tried to drop us. We had enough burst speed to catch up...upper 20's to reel them in. You are so right about the communication thing.