Going fast and looking good while doing it is our Velominati creed. Riding on the tops is the domaine of going uphill, where braking and aerodynamics are unimportant. In most other situations that position is too slow. The pros are usually flattened down in the drops or flattened down on the brake hoods. When us non-pros are not climbing, riding on the tops is less about looking pro than looking like a confident cyclist. I’ve noticed it when I ride with such confident cyclists; I’m not one but aspire to be.
I was given the tip when mountain biking: when descending, steer from the bull horns (are these still even used?) because it keeps your hands away from the brake levers. One descends more efficiently. If your mitts are on the brake levers, you are going to use them, especially if you are Big Pussy (my mtb nickname, self given). Putting on the brakes diminishes bike handling, period. On a mountain bike, the suspension and properly inflated tires are going to get bike and rider where they need to go and getting on the brakes too much is just going to screw the whole process up. Did John Tomac use his brakes? I rest my case.
On a road bike, riding with hands on the tops does the same thing; it keeps your hands away from the brakes. I watch guys riding side by side, chatting away, hands relaxed on the tops. They fearlessly carve their bikes through tight fast corners while I’m behind, feathering the brakes on the way in and then jumping out of the saddle on the way out to recover the speed I just scrubbed off. It’s no way to live. I’m not sure how to cross that threshold where one’s Big Pussy trepidation says to slow down a bit and one’s rational mind says trust your tires. It is maddening. My inner Rule V must be consulted.
During our Manhattan rollout during The Rules book tour, ride leader Rob of NYC and Frank led a our large pack up the West side on a bike path along the Hudson. It was a two-way bike path, two meters wide and it crossed a myriad of streets and cross-walks. I watched Rob and Frank chatting away, hands on the tops, deftly avoiding every jogger, stroller, roller-blader, cyclist and pedestrian there. We whipped into the opposite bike lane to pass all of that and drifted a little right as all that came the other direction. Rob and Frank emanated cycling confidence that said, sure my bike has brakes but I’m really not interested in them right now. It looked very cool and somehow safer. I had my hands resting directly on the brake hoods ready to brake at the first sign of a baby stroller crossing my path.
We don’t drive cars with our other foot hovering over the brake pedal, ready to stomp. We don’t need our hands always a second away from our brakes either. Knowing that and doing that is where we become more confident cyclists.
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@chrisO
I live in New Cross, so only a short ride away from HH. They now have full funding, I believe, for a new pavillion/changing rooms etc, so that will hopefully be starting soon, aim is to get it done by 2016 in time for it's 25th birthday.
I try and get down there when I can for a session, but the obvious one to go to (for the elderly!) is on at 10am mid-week, so difficult to get to. Will be there over xmas though. Have to admit (yeah, tell me about rule V) my times are hopeless, especially when compared to the u16 and u14s! (girls and boys).
125th bithday! (why no edit facility here?)
@piwakawaka
Yep. That's mtn biking 101 isn't it. I learned that lesson a while back when we put my buddy's go pro on my helmet and watched the video later... and it was a lot of my front tire. Hah. I've since explained to my kids when we're in the woods riding our bikes, let your peripheral vision take care of the things around ya. And stay focused on the trail up ahead. You can go a lot faster. And that's really key for crossing bridges. I still catch myself all the time watching what it is I'm climbing over. It's usually when I'm getting tentative and going slower and guess what happens next. The thing about mtn biking is it seems that the slower I go the more likely I am to lose it.
@markb
You're gonna lose that V icon if you keep asking things like this.
I like to work on my cornering and refusal to grab the levers during cross riding. No cars to run me over should I wash out my rear wheel and so many corners on the road always seem to have gravel right in the apex.
With cross I'll ride loops at local parks or trails and no matter how many times I do it, I'm sure I can take it faster. It keeps me eager to get back out and ride again, since I know I can improve. For me a huge help is to force my brain to just focus on my inside hand and how much I'm pushing on the bars.
Also, I think anyone who rode bikes, especially mtn. or bmx or cross, as a kid has a huge advantage. You're much less scared of falling when you. And, missing school with a broken arm or leg is much easier than missing work.
Happy T-Day, Americanos!
I barely ride on the tops. Even for climbing. Feel much more comfortable on the hoods.
And that's weird because until a month ago my main bike had flat bars, no drops or hoods.
Don't think I'm overly occupied with braking...
@Ron
Well said Ron - I am a bit leary of practicing harder cornering on the roads, especially when they are cold and their are fallen leaves about. I am usually either commuting / training or out on a club ride these days but don't give time to practicing handling skills off road.
Will keep in mind and make a few detours in the weeks ahead.
@markb
Seriously. Any t-shirt ride around here is guaranteed a pileup or two because people start grabbing their brakes. Mental. If I have to tap my brakes while in a bunch, I feel I've failed, utterly.
@antihero
Seriously. Any t-shirt ride around here is guaranteed a pileup or two because people start grabbing their brakes. Mental. If I have to tap my brakes while in a bunch, I feel I've failed, utterly.
I'm planning to go to my first track session next week, with the club I'm planning to join.
The outdoor velodrome at Maindy is conveniently 5 minutes ride from my house.
I don't want to crash.
@RobSandy
You'll be fine, once you tune in to the track. It's hard to explain, but after a few loops you should start to get a feel for when you need to pace up, and when to start to hang back a bit. Don't watch the wheel in front of you, watch the guy at the front, 'cos (s)he is setting the pace for everyone. It all becomes a bit Zen after a while, you tune into the bike first, then the track and then the people around you, if all goes well you'll meld into one blob of cycling lovelyness. Or not. But do it, it's lovely.
@Ron
I struggle to spell, and with no help on-line I make mistakes. If that makes me a shit Velominati so be it. Add a new rule #96.