BVC-CHAT Weekend rides

[Riggs, David]

I think the biggest problems are the gaps that form in the paceline when
a less experienced person gets in the A-group paceline. Every time a gap
forms, that requires the rider behind to expend more energy before even
getting to the front. You also have the issue of a rider creating a gap
on the non-advancing line because they don't slow down when they pull
off. More gaps and less cohesion of the group. 

I see this happen even with riders fit enough to stay with the A-group.
If you do create a gap, don't speed up suddenly to close it. Ease up the
pace until the gap is closed. This is much easier on the rider behind
you and doesn't cause an accordion effect of gap closing.

I'm sure sometimes we can be terse when the group gets out of its flow.
I know I like to push the pace until there's a group that rides nice and
tight together. A good paceline is a thing of beauty working as one
organism. Throw someone in there that can't keep it close and things get
all out of kilter.

TNP and the Saturday rides are great training rides, but I don't think
they're always the best to teach one the dynamics of an effective
paceline. If the pace is easy, fine, join in. Sit in the back and enjoy
the draft if we're really moving and it's a struggle to pull through.

-- Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: bvc-chat-bounces at philebus.tamu.edu
[mailto:bvc-chat-bounces at philebus.tamu.edu] On Behalf Of Layne Westover
Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:03 PM
To: Brazos Valley Cyclists
Subject: Re: BVC-CHAT Weekend rides

It's hard to be a hanger-on off the back of the A-group.  I tried it
once, and as soon as they start rotating through the paceline, they want
you OUT if you're not able to rotate through the line and take your turn
at the front.  It's almost impossible for me to grab somebody's wheel
unless I'm in the line.  Willie told me "GET OUT OF THE LINE IF YOU'RE
NOT GOING TO ROTATE THROUGH!!!!"  or something very similar to that.  If
I back off at all, I can't keep up, so that was it for me.   You've got
to leave open at least a cycle's length for the next person in liine to
move into in front of you, so you can't draft any more once they start
rotating the paceline.  At least that was my experience.  Now I try to
find someone who can travel at the speed I'm capable of doing and work
together with them-- much more enjoyable and you don't have Willie
yelling at you.   ;)

Layne 

>>> Willie Allen <maddogwillie2002 at yahoo.com> 9/6/2007 1:28:59 PM >>>
I prefer blessing folks to a pleasent ride in Death Valley on the
hottest day of recorded history. 
  maddog
Matthew Hattaway <cycleguy2300 at yahoo.com> wrote:
          
There is NEVER call for cursing, I dont care if if you just
had to chase back on to the group because they started harder than you
thought they should or if you almost got taken down by a rider being
stupid.
Cursing will turn folks off, yelling wont if make sure you yell to make
sure they hear, not because you are angry.

MH

  ----- Original Message ----
From: Jean Marie Linhart <jmlinhart at gmail.com>
To: Brazos Valley Cyclists <bvc-chat at philebus.tamu.edu>;
bvmba at yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2007 10:20:57 AM
Subject: BVC-CHAT Weekend rides

  
Hint: if people are yelling at you/cursing at you: you are doing
something wrong.  There is no shame in sitting back, scoping out the
scene, asking questions, There is some serious shame in pissing
everyone off or causing a crash when you should have known better.





  
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