That sums me up – I have never been a fast rider but in my youth I loved riding (UK) long distances. 75 miles in a day was my longest – not much by some standards but that was not just riding but ‘touring’ with stops to take in local items of interest, meals, etc. I never understood the mentality of riding to beat any ‘record’ except my own. Usually that of how far I could ride before lunch etc.
I do understand those who ride to compete, just cannot bend the idea to my own life. I am not a keen sportsman and don’t follow any sport these days, apart from a passing interest in F1. THAT is more of a ‘because I used to’ than any burning desire to follow the races. It is the technology that interest me most and since that has been limited my legislation, the joy has been reduced. In the days where ‘anything goes’ was par for the course and turbochargers etc had the teams pushing the tech’ to the limit (and beyond!) we got seat belts, disc brakes, turbochargers, etc etc from the sport that trickled down to our road cars. Even my own Mazda 6 has variable valve timing – something that I used to dream about once upon a time!
In cycling there is a similar mindset where the stuff that racers use becomes standard on road bikes, giving us better brakes, kighter gear etc.
I always thought that being able to choose the exact gear would help me ride for longer periods and the NuVinci on our Trandem has proved the point. Currently let down by (my own fault!) having a triple chainwheel to give me 3 infinite ranges and a derailleur mech’ as a chain tensioner which allows the chain to come off on occasion. I am getting that sorted, step by step, after which it will awesome….
its not about beating my own record, its bout beating myself ..but you dont have to understand that coz it seems to be a fetish ( like pleasure of pain).
hint: you can read about the innovations and dont have to follow those (infinitely) boring races.
Speaking as a casual F1 fan myself, I watch the races because it’s the easiest way to keep up with the technology news of the sport. I could spend 10 minutes a day reading about it or two hours every couple of weeks watching it on TV. In the end, the time investment is the same. Combine that with the occasional exciting moment, the politics and intrigue, and the strategy, and I find it well worth watching the races when I can. Come to think of it, that sounds remarkably like why I watch pro cycling. Only difference is that pro cycling has better and more varied scenery. Oh, and the most exciting part of an F1 race is the start, whereas in cycling it’s usually the finish that’s the exciting bit.
last time i watched a race (thats a long time ago though) i got the impression that the information density is so low that you could suck it up in 5min of reading at most.
25 years or so ago, I was part of a group from Chicago that had chartered a bus to go ride an event in Ohio called TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River Valley) — 210 miles in two days over the Mother’s Day weekend. On the bus while heading back to Chicago, several of us were talking about our experiences on the ride and how long it had taken us to cover the hundred miles each day. One of the group on the bus with us was Phyllis Harmon, the grande dame of American cycling (she was one of the people responsible for the reorganization and revitalization of the League of American Wheelmen back in the mid 1960s). After listening to the conversation for a few minutes, she asked us if we really enjoyed riding our bikes. We were unanimous in our declarations that of course we enjoyed cycling. She then quietly asked, “Then why are you in such a hurry to get done?”
It got really quiet for a couple of minutes…..
Racing is one facet of the sport of cycling, but not every ride has to be a race. Yehuda seems to have been born knowing this; I learned it that long-ago day in May; and Joe has yet to realize the fact that the ride itself is the reason to ride.
That’s the great thing about a city bike with racks and fenders, or a relatively heavy commuting bike, or even a fixie — permission to go slow and enjoy the ride. If I had some high end, lightweight road bike in the flotilla, I might feel some compulsion to go fast just to justify the bike’s purpose. That just wouldn’t do.
I have to admit though that there was a time I enjoyed flying down the MUT in the mornings, pacing other cyclists or getting into impromptu competitions with another guy; it just seems less important these days in comparison to smelling the honeysuckle on the way to work, or stopping for that cup of coffee while doing shopping errands on the way home.
People seem to be obsessed with going fast – at everything! I remember telling a classmate when I was a teenager that any fool can go fast – but to move a heavy load takes real horsepower.
Average speed this week (per my bike computer) 8 mph
Fastest speed this week 44mph (NICE tailwind/slope)
Fastest speed ever (per bike computer w/independant confirmation) 64.5mph (AWESOME tailwind/slope +drafting)
That’s standard for me too – try spinning a heavy bike with lots of dashboard items against even a light wind and you will find that not falling over as you are so slow is par for the course. It takes somebody like K’Tesh (or me) that has spent their life doing just that to really ‘get’ why 8mph is seen as a normal speed and anything faster is bonus.
On the NuVinci hubbed Trandem, I have a 36/46/56t Chainwheel setup and a 34t sprocket. In the lowest ratio, we can pull away up the steepest of hills, but top speed might be VERY slow (about 2.5mph!) In the 56/34 ratio, 20mph is a comfortable cruising speed. However – anything above 15mph is dangerous as camber changes/potholes cause a serious twist as one wheel goes down/up thus leaning the bike over forcefully. This means we keep a speed that allows me to recognise such hazards in good time to steer away or around them. Usually straddling potholes (just off centre so the back wheel misses the hole!)
Yes, I know that I should have nothing bigger than a 20T sprocket or the like, but we are not a strong team and enjoy a leisurely pace so the hub is not really stressed very much.
On the other hand, my Pollard, track framed tourer, is of racing stock. When it was new and stripped down to the minimum, it was easily capable of 40mph on a smooth level surface and I saw 50mph on the speedo once! (Down a Lake District pass, drafting a car. I not only saw that speed on my speedo, I saw it on his dashboard speedo when I glanced in while passing him when he slowed for a tight bend that I didn’t need to slow for!)
Oh I hate riding with someone who can’t keep up. Which is to say, everyone I ride with because I never ride with real cyclists. If I did, I’d be the slowpoke. Still, when I have been forced to try and ride with someone it’s so hard to slow down because I have a pace, you know? My body has an optimum stroke speed and force and when I find that sweet spot, it’s like flying, but when someone slow comes along and they’re trundling along always pulling behind unless you toddle along like a kid on a sidewalk, it just kills the fun. Why bother cycling anymore? ARGH! (I do it anyway but ARGH)
(and I’m not overweight… I’m undertall)
This ain’t Garfield. We only read quality comic strips in these parts.
That sums me up – I have never been a fast rider but in my youth I loved riding (UK) long distances. 75 miles in a day was my longest – not much by some standards but that was not just riding but ‘touring’ with stops to take in local items of interest, meals, etc. I never understood the mentality of riding to beat any ‘record’ except my own. Usually that of how far I could ride before lunch etc.
I do understand those who ride to compete, just cannot bend the idea to my own life. I am not a keen sportsman and don’t follow any sport these days, apart from a passing interest in F1. THAT is more of a ‘because I used to’ than any burning desire to follow the races. It is the technology that interest me most and since that has been limited my legislation, the joy has been reduced. In the days where ‘anything goes’ was par for the course and turbochargers etc had the teams pushing the tech’ to the limit (and beyond!) we got seat belts, disc brakes, turbochargers, etc etc from the sport that trickled down to our road cars. Even my own Mazda 6 has variable valve timing – something that I used to dream about once upon a time!
In cycling there is a similar mindset where the stuff that racers use becomes standard on road bikes, giving us better brakes, kighter gear etc.
I always thought that being able to choose the exact gear would help me ride for longer periods and the NuVinci on our Trandem has proved the point. Currently let down by (my own fault!) having a triple chainwheel to give me 3 infinite ranges and a derailleur mech’ as a chain tensioner which allows the chain to come off on occasion. I am getting that sorted, step by step, after which it will awesome….
its not about beating my own record, its bout beating myself
..but you dont have to understand that coz it seems to be a fetish ( like pleasure of pain).
hint: you can read about the innovations and dont have to follow those (infinitely) boring races.
Speaking as a casual F1 fan myself, I watch the races because it’s the easiest way to keep up with the technology news of the sport. I could spend 10 minutes a day reading about it or two hours every couple of weeks watching it on TV. In the end, the time investment is the same. Combine that with the occasional exciting moment, the politics and intrigue, and the strategy, and I find it well worth watching the races when I can. Come to think of it, that sounds remarkably like why I watch pro cycling. Only difference is that pro cycling has better and more varied scenery. Oh, and the most exciting part of an F1 race is the start, whereas in cycling it’s usually the finish that’s the exciting bit.
last time i watched a race (thats a long time ago though) i got the impression that the information density is so low that you could suck it up in 5min of reading at most.
If I want to arrive there sooner, I set off earlier.
No matter where you go, there you are… Now where did I set down that oscillation overthruster?
25 years or so ago, I was part of a group from Chicago that had chartered a bus to go ride an event in Ohio called TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River Valley) — 210 miles in two days over the Mother’s Day weekend. On the bus while heading back to Chicago, several of us were talking about our experiences on the ride and how long it had taken us to cover the hundred miles each day. One of the group on the bus with us was Phyllis Harmon, the grande dame of American cycling (she was one of the people responsible for the reorganization and revitalization of the League of American Wheelmen back in the mid 1960s). After listening to the conversation for a few minutes, she asked us if we really enjoyed riding our bikes. We were unanimous in our declarations that of course we enjoyed cycling. She then quietly asked, “Then why are you in such a hurry to get done?”
It got really quiet for a couple of minutes…..
Racing is one facet of the sport of cycling, but not every ride has to be a race. Yehuda seems to have been born knowing this; I learned it that long-ago day in May; and Joe has yet to realize the fact that the ride itself is the reason to ride.
if i just feel my butt and not my legs its wasnt a joyful ride. others may think i’m in a hurry or racing.
I’m giving it all she’s got Captain!
That’s ok Scotty… Set a course just down the road Mr Zulu…
Ey ey Captain..
Engage
Some need an ends to justify the means….I am perfectly content with the means!
That’s the great thing about a city bike with racks and fenders, or a relatively heavy commuting bike, or even a fixie — permission to go slow and enjoy the ride. If I had some high end, lightweight road bike in the flotilla, I might feel some compulsion to go fast just to justify the bike’s purpose. That just wouldn’t do.
I have to admit though that there was a time I enjoyed flying down the MUT in the mornings, pacing other cyclists or getting into impromptu competitions with another guy; it just seems less important these days in comparison to smelling the honeysuckle on the way to work, or stopping for that cup of coffee while doing shopping errands on the way home.
People seem to be obsessed with going fast – at everything! I remember telling a classmate when I was a teenager that any fool can go fast – but to move a heavy load takes real horsepower.
Whatever. I’m obviously more of a Yehuda cyclist.
So, that leads me to wonder how fast are we?
Average speed this week (per my bike computer) 8 mph
Fastest speed this week 44mph (NICE tailwind/slope)
Fastest speed ever (per bike computer w/independant confirmation) 64.5mph (AWESOME tailwind/slope +drafting)
8mph? Are you walking your bike??
:):)
That’s standard for me too – try spinning a heavy bike with lots of dashboard items against even a light wind and you will find that not falling over as you are so slow is par for the course. It takes somebody like K’Tesh (or me) that has spent their life doing just that to really ‘get’ why 8mph is seen as a normal speed and anything faster is bonus.
On the NuVinci hubbed Trandem, I have a 36/46/56t Chainwheel setup and a 34t sprocket. In the lowest ratio, we can pull away up the steepest of hills, but top speed might be VERY slow (about 2.5mph!) In the 56/34 ratio, 20mph is a comfortable cruising speed. However – anything above 15mph is dangerous as camber changes/potholes cause a serious twist as one wheel goes down/up thus leaning the bike over forcefully. This means we keep a speed that allows me to recognise such hazards in good time to steer away or around them. Usually straddling potholes (just off centre so the back wheel misses the hole!)
Yes, I know that I should have nothing bigger than a 20T sprocket or the like, but we are not a strong team and enjoy a leisurely pace so the hub is not really stressed very much.
On the other hand, my Pollard, track framed tourer, is of racing stock. When it was new and stripped down to the minimum, it was easily capable of 40mph on a smooth level surface and I saw 50mph on the speedo once! (Down a Lake District pass, drafting a car. I not only saw that speed on my speedo, I saw it on his dashboard speedo when I glanced in while passing him when he slowed for a tight bend that I didn’t need to slow for!)
Oh I hate riding with someone who can’t keep up. Which is to say, everyone I ride with because I never ride with real cyclists. If I did, I’d be the slowpoke. Still, when I have been forced to try and ride with someone it’s so hard to slow down because I have a pace, you know? My body has an optimum stroke speed and force and when I find that sweet spot, it’s like flying, but when someone slow comes along and they’re trundling along always pulling behind unless you toddle along like a kid on a sidewalk, it just kills the fun. Why bother cycling anymore? ARGH! (I do it anyway but ARGH)
I really have a problem with runon sentences. I actually broke one down in that mess already, but missed the other.
My attitude on brevets. Enjoy the ride, why rush?
I’m typically one of the slower riders and frankly, I don’t care.
Why go fast? Because you can. Because it’s fun. Because the burn feels good.