[BHV] Paceline Technique

[Kingsbury's Cyclery]

Thanks, Bob.

Perhaps we'll have a quick lil refresher before the ride tonight, just some real basic stuff like " if you're gonna be a knucklehead and take down a bunch of riders you need to ALWAYS be sure you're behind the club president when you do it"  :p

pk

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Nunnink 
  To: Big Horn Velo Cycling Club, Elmira, NY 
  Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:07 AM
  Subject: [BHV] Paceline Technique


  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 


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