Racing

With it being Tour De France time I find myself watching lots of very good racing on TV and thinking of race bikes and how they are used.

Most road bikes are race bikes designed to be ridden hard and fast yet most owners of these bikes will never race them. This is of course not a problem as a good race bike is often the best way to get from point A to point B in quick comfort. That said I do feel that many riders may miss something and may not fully understand why a race bike is designed and built the way it is until they have pushed themselves to 10/10ths on it. When a bike is raced effectively its design features will make sense and come into their own. The fit and handling of a race bike is designed to be right when the bike and rider are being pushed to the limit.

I’m not suggesting that everyone get racing licenses and go do a stage race next week so that they can experience all the bike and racing have to offer. Most of us don’t have either the time or desire to get into hardcore racing. I would however suggest that maybe you consider doing your local club’s weekly time trial just for the experience of it. Most every town large enough to be on a map will have a cycling club and most of these clubs will have a weekly time trial series. Typically a weekly time trial will be only 10 miles to 20 kilometers long so the racer doesn’t need to have huge miles in their legs to be able to complete the event. Doing a time trial is a great way to push yourself to your own personal limit to see what you are capable of while at the same time coming to a greater understanding of why one sits on a race bike in a certain way and why a race bike is designed the way it is. Only when you are at your limit can you feel and understand these things. I would urge you to not get caught up in the time trial equipment thing at first. Time trials were ridden for a good 80 years before the advent of the aero handlebar and the riders had no less fun. Just bring you and your normal bike out and give it a go.

After doing an event or two you will find yourself riding your normal rides a bit differently and appreciating your bike and it’s fit/design even more. When your riding partners push the pace and you need to bridge a gap you will find yourself not just pushing on the pedals harder but doing so more efficiently and in concert with the bike. Racing will make you a better cyclist.

If you currently race or have done so in the past then you know exactly what I mean. If you’ve never tried it I politely suggest that you give it a try. There is much to be learned and with that new knowledge comes more fun. And of course your experience will make it easier to relate to how strong and skilled those Tour riders are.

Thanks for reading.

Dave

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