Saturday, April 07, 2007
Starla throws for the win @ Brisbane
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Bariani Zamora Road Race: Cat 4 update
Pretty country out there in Zamora. Rolling green hills, lotsa sheep and cows lolling in the fields looking pleased to be alive. As were Nick and I, as we did a warm up lap talking it all in.
Funny how pleasant cycling can be. Unless of course, you're an idiot and race bikes. Speaking of which, congrats to Dolce Donald, who rode his first bike race today and scored in the top 15 of the Masters 45+. We also ran into Marc Foose in the parking lot, who came away with the KOM title in the 3s.
It was clear the start of our race, the 4s, was going to be a disaster. People were wedged in all kinds of weird angles, half in the driveway of the parking lot, some in the ditch on the right, some backed up the road on the left. Basicall 100 guys talking three angles all trying to zero in on the same line.
It was also disconcerting to see what seemd to be barely pubescent children in our group. There was one kid who looked all of thirteen, about 4 feet tall, esentially a hobbit. I was tempted to lean over and say, "Frodo, I will help you take the ring to Mordor." I was also wondering why this child would be in a race with a 37 year old man and exactly who was picking on who here.
Anyway, we roll out, everyone runs into each other, a guy clips out, puts his foot down and I thought 20 guys were going to drop within 10 feet of the start line. Predictably, we then all have to sprint to catch up with the field.
What I've found to be interesting about the 4s is that everybody has gotten smart enough to want to be near the front. But what I've also learned is that unless you are right at the front, there is still intense yoyo'ing in a condensed pack. The last two races, at least early in the race I've found its sometimes better to ride right off the back with a nice regular cadence rather than deal with all the endless braking, accelarating, breaking, accelerating with the "Whoooahah, SLOOOOOOWING!!", "DUDE, GET OFF THE BREAKS," "AHHAHHGHHGGHH' etc.
In any event, that's where I am. Until we get to the KOM hill, when I move pretty far up the pack. Then everyone reintigrates and I find myself piddling along at the back again.
The second lap, as we are making a hard, 90 degree right onto a small country road, everyone starts breaking frantically as the enter the apex of the turn. From my brilliant vantage point, DEAD LAST, I can see what looks to be a massive pile up in the making. What the? Turns out there is a GIANT tractor about 50 yards inside the turn taking up at least half the road. Minor miracle millions weren't killed.
Some evil tactical genius figures: Perfect time to attack. So the pack is strung out until the KOM hill where we really go hard. Luciano Sporza, who is one helluva bike racer, has gone off the front and there is hard attempt to pull him in. No deal. He is off the front. Good for you. I'm crosseyed at the top of the hill and wonder how I'm going to survive 3 more laps.
Lap three is the real winner. Nick has joined me at the back and we are having a nice little time, reminiscing about the nice Barola we drank with the wives on Friday night. Bike racing doesn't seem so bad. People are suffering at the front, we are laughing among the bright green hills. La lalala, springtime is so green... D'OH.
In front of us carnage. Why? No reason. But bodies are all over the road. I lock it up by reflex and am starting to skid sideways. I hear someone's tire explode, I am about to run into either a guy on my left or bodies in front, when all of a sudden a lane opens, I release the brakes and am through the hole. Somehow, there is a guy climbing out of ditch on the other side of the road (here the center rule is in the effect). I see his sunglasses lying in the road. There is the smell of burned rubber.
I look back and see Nick getting back on his bike. We are dropped. Right at the base of a roller. We are essentially at a dead stop. I start pedaling and wait for Nick to latch on and drill it over the hill. We burn a match but catch back on. Right in time for Squadra's attack. Props to SqOv. Those guys rode a bike race today. They were on the front a lot and driving some hard tempo, stringing out the field. I later find out our pal Bob has launched a break and this is why I'm drooling over my entrails trying to recover from the effort to latch back on and now this new, unwelcome pain.
By the third time after over the hill, the field of 100 seems to number about 50. I am a shattered wreck and want to go home and drink Barolo. Two more laps seem absurd. But they go. And I realize everyone now is tired. The big selections are made. The 4th and 5th laps go without much notice, except that Sporza is reeled back in at the base of the KOM hill on lap 4. He had this smile as re-joined and I felt sure he was going to attack again and was only playing with we mortals.
Then, within a few miles of the finish, Nick cramps up and has to bail. He communes with a sheep and some bees, apparently engaging conversationlists when you are stuck along the side of a country road with legs full of knotted, lactic-soaked muscles.
I ride up to Sporza and ask him if he is going to attack again. No, he says, he is cooked. Right then there is some minor mayhem ahead of us and some guy rides off the road into the grass. Sporza says, "He should have maybe stayed home and watched basketball." I thought that was pretty good, especially because he said it with an Italian accent.
We hit the KOM hill for the final time. I hurt myself and go deep to move up as far as a can. Poor little Frodo explodes, but damn, that kid rode a great race.
There is a hard right and then a long straight before another 90 degree turn that leads to the finish. The pace is pretty high, ok really high, and guys are flying off the back. I manage to hang on. As I enter the last corner I hear the explosion of a tire and the sound of expensive brake levers getting sanded down by asphalt. (I later find out the guy right behind me had his tire inexplicably blow out... He walked to the finish line with a bare rim and some road rash, otherwise unhurt despite the speed he must have touched foor.)
I am cooked and move up a few places, finishing at the back of the lead group in another dazzling top 30 performance.
I cooled down a bit and circled back to the finish to see Nick cross the line, hands clapping in mock celebration to the amusement of onlookers. We gave it what we had today. Whaddya gonna do.
We raced home and managed to catch the exciting finale of Paris-Nice. A great win for Contador and a hair-raising descent to the finale, showing me why I don't aspire to race bikes professionally. You know, aside from the talent issue.
Funny how pleasant cycling can be. Unless of course, you're an idiot and race bikes. Speaking of which, congrats to Dolce Donald, who rode his first bike race today and scored in the top 15 of the Masters 45+. We also ran into Marc Foose in the parking lot, who came away with the KOM title in the 3s.
It was clear the start of our race, the 4s, was going to be a disaster. People were wedged in all kinds of weird angles, half in the driveway of the parking lot, some in the ditch on the right, some backed up the road on the left. Basicall 100 guys talking three angles all trying to zero in on the same line.
It was also disconcerting to see what seemd to be barely pubescent children in our group. There was one kid who looked all of thirteen, about 4 feet tall, esentially a hobbit. I was tempted to lean over and say, "Frodo, I will help you take the ring to Mordor." I was also wondering why this child would be in a race with a 37 year old man and exactly who was picking on who here.
Anyway, we roll out, everyone runs into each other, a guy clips out, puts his foot down and I thought 20 guys were going to drop within 10 feet of the start line. Predictably, we then all have to sprint to catch up with the field.
What I've found to be interesting about the 4s is that everybody has gotten smart enough to want to be near the front. But what I've also learned is that unless you are right at the front, there is still intense yoyo'ing in a condensed pack. The last two races, at least early in the race I've found its sometimes better to ride right off the back with a nice regular cadence rather than deal with all the endless braking, accelarating, breaking, accelerating with the "Whoooahah, SLOOOOOOWING!!", "DUDE, GET OFF THE BREAKS," "AHHAHHGHHGGHH' etc.
In any event, that's where I am. Until we get to the KOM hill, when I move pretty far up the pack. Then everyone reintigrates and I find myself piddling along at the back again.
The second lap, as we are making a hard, 90 degree right onto a small country road, everyone starts breaking frantically as the enter the apex of the turn. From my brilliant vantage point, DEAD LAST, I can see what looks to be a massive pile up in the making. What the? Turns out there is a GIANT tractor about 50 yards inside the turn taking up at least half the road. Minor miracle millions weren't killed.
Some evil tactical genius figures: Perfect time to attack. So the pack is strung out until the KOM hill where we really go hard. Luciano Sporza, who is one helluva bike racer, has gone off the front and there is hard attempt to pull him in. No deal. He is off the front. Good for you. I'm crosseyed at the top of the hill and wonder how I'm going to survive 3 more laps.
Lap three is the real winner. Nick has joined me at the back and we are having a nice little time, reminiscing about the nice Barola we drank with the wives on Friday night. Bike racing doesn't seem so bad. People are suffering at the front, we are laughing among the bright green hills. La lalala, springtime is so green... D'OH.
In front of us carnage. Why? No reason. But bodies are all over the road. I lock it up by reflex and am starting to skid sideways. I hear someone's tire explode, I am about to run into either a guy on my left or bodies in front, when all of a sudden a lane opens, I release the brakes and am through the hole. Somehow, there is a guy climbing out of ditch on the other side of the road (here the center rule is in the effect). I see his sunglasses lying in the road. There is the smell of burned rubber.
I look back and see Nick getting back on his bike. We are dropped. Right at the base of a roller. We are essentially at a dead stop. I start pedaling and wait for Nick to latch on and drill it over the hill. We burn a match but catch back on. Right in time for Squadra's attack. Props to SqOv. Those guys rode a bike race today. They were on the front a lot and driving some hard tempo, stringing out the field. I later find out our pal Bob has launched a break and this is why I'm drooling over my entrails trying to recover from the effort to latch back on and now this new, unwelcome pain.
By the third time after over the hill, the field of 100 seems to number about 50. I am a shattered wreck and want to go home and drink Barolo. Two more laps seem absurd. But they go. And I realize everyone now is tired. The big selections are made. The 4th and 5th laps go without much notice, except that Sporza is reeled back in at the base of the KOM hill on lap 4. He had this smile as re-joined and I felt sure he was going to attack again and was only playing with we mortals.
Then, within a few miles of the finish, Nick cramps up and has to bail. He communes with a sheep and some bees, apparently engaging conversationlists when you are stuck along the side of a country road with legs full of knotted, lactic-soaked muscles.
I ride up to Sporza and ask him if he is going to attack again. No, he says, he is cooked. Right then there is some minor mayhem ahead of us and some guy rides off the road into the grass. Sporza says, "He should have maybe stayed home and watched basketball." I thought that was pretty good, especially because he said it with an Italian accent.
We hit the KOM hill for the final time. I hurt myself and go deep to move up as far as a can. Poor little Frodo explodes, but damn, that kid rode a great race.
There is a hard right and then a long straight before another 90 degree turn that leads to the finish. The pace is pretty high, ok really high, and guys are flying off the back. I manage to hang on. As I enter the last corner I hear the explosion of a tire and the sound of expensive brake levers getting sanded down by asphalt. (I later find out the guy right behind me had his tire inexplicably blow out... He walked to the finish line with a bare rim and some road rash, otherwise unhurt despite the speed he must have touched foor.)
I am cooked and move up a few places, finishing at the back of the lead group in another dazzling top 30 performance.
I cooled down a bit and circled back to the finish to see Nick cross the line, hands clapping in mock celebration to the amusement of onlookers. We gave it what we had today. Whaddya gonna do.
We raced home and managed to catch the exciting finale of Paris-Nice. A great win for Contador and a hair-raising descent to the finale, showing me why I don't aspire to race bikes professionally. You know, aside from the talent issue.
Labels: Bariana road race, cycling bay area, dolce vita cycling, Zamora road race
Monday, March 05, 2007
Race Report: Merced RR
Well, after a pretty solid showing last weekend, slightly less distinguishing accomplishments at Merced.
Nick and I, swilling big vokda cocktails a few hours after the race, reflected on how we did absolutely nothing of note whatsoever during the race. We should have known it would all turn like that after we spent most of "warm up" getting lost trying to find our way back to the car after registering. Jess, who we saw finish after a 14 year old won the women's 3s by several bike lengths, survived an end-of-the-race pileup but likewise didn't make the ol' podium.
We finished the 48 mile course a few minutes under the 2 hour mark. Do the math: that's nearly 25mph as an average speed, the fastest road race I've been in. And that includes the time we spent neutralized when another group passed us.
The Masters 4 field was 100 riders, and the competition to be at the front was pretty tight the entire time. Many of us compared notes after the race, observing that you could be at the front of the race and within 15 seconds find yourself on the back. This happened repeatedly. Nick and I were determined to attack over the final few hills before the finish. However, we lost the tactical battle for position and literally couldn't work our way up to the front until the finale when it was too late. From what I could tell, the Pegasus boys led it out but couldn't quite control it. It came down to a bunch sprint across the entire width of the road. Nick and I rolled in at the tail end of the leading group, scoring Homeric top 30 finishes.
At least we didn't have any crashes in our field. However, in general, it seemed like a crash festival. We saw bodies lying in ditches holding their arms etc. just about every 10 or 15 miles. At the finish, there were numerous folks in slings, bandage wraps etc.
Hope everyone heals quick.
Labels: cycling bay area, merced road race, race report
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Race Diary: The Season is Here
Okay, so the Tour of California has me in full on bike racing fever, epecially watching the pros grimace up Patterson Pass, which crushed me last summer.
And it's good I've got the fever. Because after several months of training in the dark and on trainers and, thankfully, only a few times in the rain, my season is about to begin. Snelling Road Race. Mmmmm... yummy.
It's unfortunate that I spent last weekend in Mexico drinking vast quantities of tequila, apparently wiping out the form I had been building. (Two days ago, I got my heart up to 150 just pumping up my tires and getting on the trainer.)
It's unfortunate that I was hit by a car descending into Sausalito last weekend.
And it's unfortunate that our team has been decimated by bad luck over the last two months. The toll is as follows: Two broken collar bones. One broken hand. A broken thumb. Hernia surgery. A blown out knee and broken tibia (ski accident). Restaurant opening. Two down for this weekend by the flu.
I'm not kidding. That's the truff, Roof.
So, Nick and I head off to Snelling to race with the old duffers in the Masters, less than half our expected numbers (and strength). Brian and Mac will each race solo in their categories.
But you know, its cool. The season is here and I can't wait to get back in the peleton. I put on my race wheels last night and thru on the 23. I hope its pouring rain, freezing and fast as hell.
Let the suffering begin.
And it's good I've got the fever. Because after several months of training in the dark and on trainers and, thankfully, only a few times in the rain, my season is about to begin. Snelling Road Race. Mmmmm... yummy.
It's unfortunate that I spent last weekend in Mexico drinking vast quantities of tequila, apparently wiping out the form I had been building. (Two days ago, I got my heart up to 150 just pumping up my tires and getting on the trainer.)
It's unfortunate that I was hit by a car descending into Sausalito last weekend.
And it's unfortunate that our team has been decimated by bad luck over the last two months. The toll is as follows: Two broken collar bones. One broken hand. A broken thumb. Hernia surgery. A blown out knee and broken tibia (ski accident). Restaurant opening. Two down for this weekend by the flu.
I'm not kidding. That's the truff, Roof.
So, Nick and I head off to Snelling to race with the old duffers in the Masters, less than half our expected numbers (and strength). Brian and Mac will each race solo in their categories.
But you know, its cool. The season is here and I can't wait to get back in the peleton. I put on my race wheels last night and thru on the 23. I hope its pouring rain, freezing and fast as hell.
Let the suffering begin.
Labels: bike racing, cycling bay area, dolce vita cycling, snelling road race
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Tour of California--Events & Activities
There's a ton of events for the cycling mad coming up this weekend that allow for mingling with the stars, drooling over equipment and or just drooling into a beer. Here's a few of the ones I've heard about... feel free to add any more you've heard of in the "comments" section. --McDolce
Big Swinging Cycle’s “Inside the Tour of California”
Saturday, February 17th, our pals at BSC are putting together a pretty major event. In addition to having lots of pro tour equipment porn to oogle, the highlights will include opportunities to meet and greet members from two of the teams competing.
Hang with Team Jelly Belly at 11am.
At 3PM, be on hand for the US introduction of the new Liquigas/Cannondale Pro Tour team, including Pro Tour Stars Danilo “The Killer” Diluca, Paris-Roubaix Winner Magnus Backdstedt and Milan San Remo victor Filippo Pozzato.
At 4PM, lots of great schwag will be getting raffled off.
Contact info:
Phone: 415-441-6294
Web: http://www.bigswingincycles.com
Sausalito Gala with Phil, Paul & Bob
The city of Sausalito is putting on a weekend full of activies, starting with a black tie gala on Friday night (Feb. 16), where all of the teams will be introduced. None other than Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwin and Bob Roll will be emceeing the event. Tickets start at $250. Sunday night from 6-11pm the town is hosting Tour de Cuisine, an excuse to gorge and drink in a cycling festival atmoshphere. For more information on events leading up Le Grand Depart from Sausalito on Monday, go to http://www.tourofcalifornia-sausalito.com/.
City Cycle's Tour of California Kick-off Party
Saturday, February 17th
6:30 - 9:30pm at City Cycle3001 Steiner St. @ Union , San Francisco
There'll be plenty of food, drinks and good cheer!RSVP to ari@citycycle.com or (415) 346-2242
Learn How Everyone Can Benefit from Science-Based Training
As the official coaching, testing and medical team supporting the BMC Racing Team, you'll learn from the experts how the latest science-based training techniques are important for all levels of riders. A Special Event at the NEW Endurance PTC San Francisco location.
When: 9:30am-11:00am Sunday, February 18th
Where: 747 Front Street (at Broadway)
Raffle prizes include:
A seat in the pursuit car following a BMC rider in the 2007 Tour of California Prologue - immediately following the event
An eCyclingTM rotation at the new San Francisco location
A gift certificate from Lombardi Sports
Custom orthodic fitting from Conform'able
This event is free and space is limited.
Please RSVP to rsvp@enduranceptc.com or call 415-380-9629.
Big Swinging Cycle’s “Inside the Tour of California”
Saturday, February 17th, our pals at BSC are putting together a pretty major event. In addition to having lots of pro tour equipment porn to oogle, the highlights will include opportunities to meet and greet members from two of the teams competing.
Hang with Team Jelly Belly at 11am.
At 3PM, be on hand for the US introduction of the new Liquigas/Cannondale Pro Tour team, including Pro Tour Stars Danilo “The Killer” Diluca, Paris-Roubaix Winner Magnus Backdstedt and Milan San Remo victor Filippo Pozzato.
At 4PM, lots of great schwag will be getting raffled off.
Contact info:
Phone: 415-441-6294
Web: http://www.bigswingincycles.com
Sausalito Gala with Phil, Paul & Bob
The city of Sausalito is putting on a weekend full of activies, starting with a black tie gala on Friday night (Feb. 16), where all of the teams will be introduced. None other than Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwin and Bob Roll will be emceeing the event. Tickets start at $250. Sunday night from 6-11pm the town is hosting Tour de Cuisine, an excuse to gorge and drink in a cycling festival atmoshphere. For more information on events leading up Le Grand Depart from Sausalito on Monday, go to http://www.tourofcalifornia-sausalito.com/.
City Cycle's Tour of California Kick-off Party
Saturday, February 17th
6:30 - 9:30pm at City Cycle3001 Steiner St. @ Union , San Francisco
There'll be plenty of food, drinks and good cheer!RSVP to ari@citycycle.com or (415) 346-2242
Learn How Everyone Can Benefit from Science-Based Training
As the official coaching, testing and medical team supporting the BMC Racing Team, you'll learn from the experts how the latest science-based training techniques are important for all levels of riders. A Special Event at the NEW Endurance PTC San Francisco location.
When: 9:30am-11:00am Sunday, February 18th
Where: 747 Front Street (at Broadway)
Raffle prizes include:
A seat in the pursuit car following a BMC rider in the 2007 Tour of California Prologue - immediately following the event
An eCyclingTM rotation at the new San Francisco location
A gift certificate from Lombardi Sports
Custom orthodic fitting from Conform'able
This event is free and space is limited.
Please RSVP to rsvp@enduranceptc.com or call 415-380-9629.
Labels: cycling, cycling bay area, things to do, tour of california, tour of california events
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Tour of California is Upon Us!
It is pouring rain outside and I'm trying to get myself fired up to go do hill repeats by looking at pictures from last year's Tour of California.If you are a cycling fan, or even if you're not you've got to go check it out. Last year, milling around the start line of the Prologue, I was literally bumping shoulders with Pro Tour stars like Chris Horner and Freddie Rodriguez (pictured). At one point, a rider pedalling slowly through the crowd elbowed past me... none other than Floyd Landis himself, with a mischevious grin on his face. It's the great thing about bike racing... its all right there in front of you, even at the highest levels of the sport.
I guess the thrill of the day last year was riding in the chase car behind Danny Pate, with cycling luminary and team director Jonathan Vaughters. He was a pretty funny guy with a dry wit.At one point, Vaughters was encouraging Pate over the race radio, saying he was ahead of somebody's splits.
When one of the assistants said, "Really?", Vaughters shrugged and said "I don't know. I forgot to set my watch." That's alright, I'm sure Pate was in a lactic haze anyway.
After Pate's ride, we were driving back to the start area through North Beach. We were stopped at a light and some guy in the car next to us said, "What are you guys in town for?"
Keep in mind we're in the team car, covered with logos with several bikes and wheel sets strapped to the roof. Vaughters deadpans something to the effect of "Would you believe, a bike race?"
Well, the rain just picked up again. I suppose I can't compain... this is the first weekend of real rain all year. But it's pretty real.
Stay tuned for more ToC news and updates.
Labels: cycling, cycling bay area, tour of california
Monday, January 29, 2007
When the helmet doesn't make a difference
Friday, January 26, 2007
Greg Lemond, Phil Leggett in San Fran Feb 18th
See the ’89 Tour de France with Greg LeMond and Phil Liggett!
Greg will be live and in person with Phil Liggett, hosting and narrating a presentation of his amazing 1989 Tour de France victory over Laurent Fignon. The venue has been expanded and moved to San Francisco, so grab your tix early because this will sell out.
• WHEN: 7pm, Sunday February 18th
• WHERE: Cowell Theater Located at Fort Mason Center, Pier 2 San Francisco, CA
(Off of Bay Street in the Marina District)
• ADMISSION: $20.00
• TICKETS: Tickets are available through
the Cowell Theatre Box Office (415) 345-7575
Or online at: www.fortmason.org/boxoffice
ALL proceeds go to ‘Breakaway from Cancer’ -The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Greg will be live and in person with Phil Liggett, hosting and narrating a presentation of his amazing 1989 Tour de France victory over Laurent Fignon. The venue has been expanded and moved to San Francisco, so grab your tix early because this will sell out.
• WHEN: 7pm, Sunday February 18th
• WHERE: Cowell Theater Located at Fort Mason Center, Pier 2 San Francisco, CA
(Off of Bay Street in the Marina District)
• ADMISSION: $20.00
• TICKETS: Tickets are available through
the Cowell Theatre Box Office (415) 345-7575
Or online at: www.fortmason.org/boxoffice
ALL proceeds go to ‘Breakaway from Cancer’ -The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Labels: cycling bay area, greg lemond, phil liggett, tour de france
Cyclo Cross Video
An entertaining window into what happens when a bunch of guys on bikes descend into a muddy corner.
http://race.cx/2007/01/23/best-clip-of-the-season/
http://race.cx/2007/01/23/best-clip-of-the-season/
Labels: cycling bay area, cyclocross, video
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Ask Charlie Livermore
Packfodder is proud to launch a Q&A feature with Charlie Livermore, Training Director for Team BMC and cycling guru at Endurance Training Centers. Charlie’s long list of accomplishments include: Manager/Director Volvo/Cannondale MTB Racing Team; 1994-1993 Head Trainer Coors Lite Professional Cycling Team; and 1992-1990 Head Trainer USA Olympic Cycling Team.
"What's a good way to practice bumping, touching wheels and other pack riding skills... without ending up in the ER?"
Great question!
Before I answer I want to emphasize how important it is to develop the skills that reduce “freezing” on the bike when you get bumped or touched. When you “freeze”, every movement from your body transfers directly to the bike. In my opinion a lot of crashes are caused by a rider’s reaction to a touch rather than the touch itself. Have you ever felt that moment of sheer fear and anxiety when you your hands touch the riders next to you? If you have you probably remember how unstable you become in that moment. It only lasts a second but a second is all it takes to go down. Feeling confident, relaxed and unfazed by contact in a tight bunch is critical.
There are three basic skills to practice that should help you achieve this:
Reaching down and picking up a water bottle while sitting in the saddle; bumping with riders next to you and finally touching a rider’s rear wheel with your front wheel.
If you’ve never done any of these, start by doing them in a grassy field without being clipped into your pedals. Begin with the water bottle pickup, then progress to riding in a straight-line while bumping a rider to your right then left side and finally having two riders touch you from both sides at once. The key to this is to use your body i.e elbows, shoulder, head, knees to shield any touches to the bike while focusing on looking forward and pedaling a straight line. When you’re able to pick up the bottle and get comfortable with bumping you’ll have learned how to counter balance bike and body movement well enough to keep you from falling when you start practicing the wheel rub drill. Have fun with it…you’ll be surprised how fast you’ll learn and how much energy you’ll save on the next tight group ride.
Charlie Livermore
Endurance Performance Training Centers
www.enduranceptc.com
"What's a good way to practice bumping, touching wheels and other pack riding skills... without ending up in the ER?"
Great question!
Before I answer I want to emphasize how important it is to develop the skills that reduce “freezing” on the bike when you get bumped or touched. When you “freeze”, every movement from your body transfers directly to the bike. In my opinion a lot of crashes are caused by a rider’s reaction to a touch rather than the touch itself. Have you ever felt that moment of sheer fear and anxiety when you your hands touch the riders next to you? If you have you probably remember how unstable you become in that moment. It only lasts a second but a second is all it takes to go down. Feeling confident, relaxed and unfazed by contact in a tight bunch is critical.
There are three basic skills to practice that should help you achieve this:
Reaching down and picking up a water bottle while sitting in the saddle; bumping with riders next to you and finally touching a rider’s rear wheel with your front wheel.
If you’ve never done any of these, start by doing them in a grassy field without being clipped into your pedals. Begin with the water bottle pickup, then progress to riding in a straight-line while bumping a rider to your right then left side and finally having two riders touch you from both sides at once. The key to this is to use your body i.e elbows, shoulder, head, knees to shield any touches to the bike while focusing on looking forward and pedaling a straight line. When you’re able to pick up the bottle and get comfortable with bumping you’ll have learned how to counter balance bike and body movement well enough to keep you from falling when you start practicing the wheel rub drill. Have fun with it…you’ll be surprised how fast you’ll learn and how much energy you’ll save on the next tight group ride.
Charlie Livermore
Endurance Performance Training Centers
www.enduranceptc.com
Labels: charlie livermore, cycling bay area, training tips for cycling
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Cycling clinic series
Thought folks might be interested in this... A series of clinics through April on a variety of areas, from climbing and descending to sprinting and peleton skills.
The clinics are being run by Laura Charameda, a World Champion Medalist and coach at Endurance Training Centers. More details at:
http://www.enduranceptc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=53
The clinics are being run by Laura Charameda, a World Champion Medalist and coach at Endurance Training Centers. More details at:
http://www.enduranceptc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=53
Labels: cycling bay area, cycling clinics, cycling clinics bay area
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