[BHV] Paceline Technique

[Bob Nunnink]

Paul asked me to repost this to BHV listserve sorry if you are getting a
double post.

Eric Burns asked for a review of paceline technique.  One of the major
differences between Cat 1 & 2's (ok besides their godlike aerobic capacity)
and me is their ability to ride  smoothly and predictably in a pack. Racing
and riding pacelines for over 20 years I still find myself improving.  Here
is a link to a great article in our race teams file section

http://kingsbury-bhv-race-team.googlegroups.com/web/Solutions%20to%20Road%20Cycling%20Challenges%2C%20Vol.%202%20.pdf?gda=PaFojWQAAAA8k9ZpcMpSuNA9aJfFWUrADFodqy3lYkGNkxekuwKRZ2G1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDROD1YQEDQqt9IHPk7swWO3_jtsYOoDElyoFWpCTihXCKYo7JNQEK_NbEeXtfT8EtnVvCSipLnicBkkmMcssqR6

Solutions to Road Cycling Challenges says it all in chapter 1.

Learn to draft one rider. Start at three feet and move it closer as you
build confidence.

Practice rotating the lead
The front rider checks over his shoulder to make sure traffic is clear.,
most of our riders signal with an arm flap or a butt touch to indicate which
way they plan to move,  then carefuly moves to one side( determined by wind
direction , traffic and  road conditions)  and begin to soft pedal.  This
means turning the crank but without enough power to maintain current speed.
No acceleration is needed by the rider behind as they take the load from the
wind and become the front rider. Stay close as you pass each other rotating
the lead .  The closer your shoulders come, the less wind each of you will
have to push and the narrower your combined width - important on roads so
cars can pass. When your partner drops far enough behind he moves into the
draft.

A paceline is a team
Be predictable (Don't brake soft pedal)
Blend in
Give yourself space
Look up the road
Communicate
Don't pull too fast
Take short pulls
Know which way the wind is blowing( wind is from the right move to the left
for greatest draft)
Stay alert at the front
Stay alert at the back
No aero bars

Peloton riding is advanced paceline riding!  See page 11.  The  Binghamton
Circuit race or riding  Tuesday night will teach this. It may look like
there are no rules in the peloton but break one and the yelling will start.
Being safe and predictable is rule number 1

The rest of the Solutions book is also excellent and will teach you how to
do long rides, climb, descend, sprint, corner, and time trial.  If you want
other excellent books to read buy them here
http://www.roadbikerider.com/index.htm  While you are at sign up for his
newsletter and support this fantastic site.

Ride safely
Bobbo
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://icycle.org/pipermail/bhv_icycle.org/attachments/20080410/16cd5158/attachment.html