| Ok, George, very good, but the question remains: Have you ever gotten in over your head?
Or did you read all the books… Leah Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 3:25 PM, George Schick <bhim...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm old, old, and old enough to have used Eugene Sloane's "Complete Book of Bicycling" as my guide into serious cycling back in the early '70's. In his book he goes through great pains, including photos, to explain the five or so hand positions available to a cyclist riding with standard drop road bars. Jock as done us a favor by posting an autobiographical photo of him riding with his hands on the brake lever hoods. In addition, hands may be positioned on the bend of the bars with just the first part of the index finger digit on the brake lever hoods, they may be positioned on the downward bend of the bars, and they may grip the flats on the top of the bars, and, of course, all the way down on the drops. All of these positions may be used to the advantage of the rider as conditions vary through climbing, fatigue (especially in the lower back, but also in the hands), and when riding into a strong headwind. If a rider is approaching a steep incline he/she has the option of either gripping hands around the brake lever hoods and standing (muscling) up the slope or staying seated and gripping hands around the flats, spinning at high cadence all the way up (what used to be called "honking"). If a rider is in a paceline he/she has the option of either gripping the brake lever hoods and crouching down or going hands all the way down on the drops in order to gain best advantage of the draft behind the cyclist ahead. Sloane recommended using a bike set up this way for touring as well and never recommended (to the best of my recollection) the use of bikes set up differently except for casual riding (unless you're Freddy Hoffman).
Upon viewing photos of these long wheel based, step-through framed bikes with upright bars, I see none of the same advantages that drop bars offer. Can one still ride competitively in fast, paceline oriented, club rides on bikes like these? Sure, but you're going to pay a penalty in unnecessary exertion and, as time goes along, the physiology of the extra stress and strain on joints, ligaments, and muscles is likely to take a toll on one's body. The choice is one's own, but as others have advised here, there are practical alternatives.
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 12:32:19 PM UTC-5 John Dewey wrote:
I've been engaged with the pros / cons of group rides for many years. And, despite my best efforts to see it clearly, I still waffle to and fro.
These days, I'm always the only guy riding fly-by-wire steel and have little in common with the folks on plastic bikes. There is no idle talk about equipment (most drop their bikes off to have tires mounted). But I like a well-organized paceline because it makes me stronger and builds fitness. I have no lofty goals other than being able to ride 50 miles with ease. In this regard, riding with a strong group is a means to an end. I also feed on the euphoria of living the moment. It's exhilarating—the speed, the awareness, the 'aliveness'...maybe even the danger.
There is no past, no future, only now.
But I enjoy—equally—long rides out into the countryside all by myself. I never feel alone; I'm not concerned for my safety. I love the silence and amuse myself as I get lost in my head. Though we are lured by the comfort as miles pass by, we must always be sharp, vigilant, and prepared, because each turn leads to the unknown regardless of how many times we've pedaled down the road.
I am quite a bit older than all my riding mates...that reality is hard to ignore. I don't think about it much—as I feel youthful and prepared for adventure. But some numbers cannot be ignored. The paceline distorts this reality...and brushes it aside if only temporarily.
At this point in my life, that's reward enough.
Jock Dewey
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at 5:36:22 AM UTC-5 Jay LePree wrote:
I think this is exacerbated by the growth of Swift, etc. Riders have increasingly big engines, but not the riding skills to harness them safely in a group ride.
That's been a subject of conversation at the pro level, where people are being picked up out of Zwift Academy and getting pro contracts. Even before then, I saw lots of people with plenty of power but no group riding skills create chaos in the pack.
What keeps me away from group rides these days, aside from becoming an old fart, is the rampant blowing off of traffic signals and "itching for a fight" attitude cyclists take toward car drivers. Also, as Paul Fournel says in _Need For The Bike_, "Hell is the rhythm of others."
The guy I do most my riding with smiles and waves at everyone, regardless of how polite or impolite the encounter. And, he and I share the same rhythm 99.9% of the time.
Ted Durant Milwaukee, WI USA
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