Help Me Become A Roadie
After 7 or so years of only riding/owning a tri bike, I kicked down and bought a new 2011 Trek Madone 5.2 and customized it a bit. It is being built this week and should be ready for riding this weekend.
Looking for some tips, tricks and other things I should know so I don't look like a "Fred" out there.
Thanks.
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The only tips I could give are "how to be a Fred"..... Lived my whole life perfecting the "Fred" way in all things from camping, canoeing, kayaking and now everything in the tri-space.... Na, you don't want to be me.... =:-] unless you like people to snicker when you go by.....
http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/
and here is some useful help in translating Roadie speak
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-170684.html
:-)
Neil
buy a jersey with sleeves [that does not say anything about Ironman about it], buy some socks and try your best not to run into anyone
And anytime you have a chance to be decent dude or a diva, choose decent dude. Already too many divas out there.
Probably most important is that your kit must always match or at the very least be coordinate. The importance of this can not be overstated. If said kit does not match but you still must ride (ie, you don't have enough matching kit to support the number of days per week that you ride per week...another essential), then you must ride alone and perferrably in the dark. I reached such a state yesterday morning, relegated to riding in vintage EN bibs (all bibs, all the time), vintage armwarmers, and USMC jersey. I was going up and down a hill with 2-3 people I know and I chose the USMC specifically so I would not be picked on if anyone else say me.
Mike Allen and I were discussing a men's casual attire dress code for ToC'11. I'm already working on my fauxhawk and shopping for a suitable pair of $xxx designer jeans. My $35 Costco jeans just won't make the cut.
Nice to know the big time hasn't changed you. You're still cheap.
WOW! Good stuff!
Loved the links from Neil. Some the rules were funny. Like this one:
A bike race shall never be preceeded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
OK, a couple of clarifying questions:
- It looks like a saddle bag is a no-no? Really? I need to keep my O2, tubies, etc. in my jersey?
- Can I wear black bike bib shorts and any type of cycling jersey? EDIT: No Ironman Jersey as noted below. Got it.
- I have red and black DT Swiss wheels, red Pro Race 3 tires. Is it OK to have red bar tape? All this matches the EN kit and my local tri club kit nicely. Or should I go black bar tape?
What? This look didn't work for you?
Saddle Bag - ok but it must be small and very tight to the bottom of your saddle
Black Bibs....Well - not the worst, but make sure your Jersey looks good and have matching socks - also a plus to have your helmet colors match the outfit...
Red Bar Tape - stretching it a little here, but can work on a color coordinated outfit/bike....
Key to being a roadie - be comfortable riding in a group/paceline. It's lots of fun....
You must not wear solid black bibs or, for that matter, a solid color jersey. If it looks like you pulled it out of the closeout bin at Performance...don't wear it, unless you're riding solo in the dark.
Regarding riding in general, you must develop an air of nonchalance: any task that can be done while riding with no hands must be done so -- putting on, taking off armwarmers, vests, adjusting gloves, etc. Bonus points if you can negotiate turns riding with no hands. Eliminate all "tells" that you are actually doing any work -- smooth pedaling, elbows in, no rocking of the body. You must look at all times like your effort is effortless, even if you're tearing yourself inside out.
Mea culpas:
I have a hard time riding in anything other than a full kit anymore. Anything else feels like Kirkland bikewear.
Just got a white saddle.
I've begun to snort at triathletes on the road, doing their long slow stuff...or whatever it is you people do.
Riding with roadies and racing the bike has really made me a much stronger and better bike rider. Better late than never. If I coached tri peeps I'd insist they group ride/race.
When in doubt in the race or hard group ride, I think, WWJD? That Jens. The answer comes straight away.
Always tell people that you are going easy today because of some epic ride you did the day before while you crush them.
"Shut up, legs!"
Rich really meant to refer you to this.
If you actually want to know how to ride, as opposed to how to act and look, check out Patrick's blog posts part 1 and part 2.
It's great we have TWO coaches, as both appearence and performance are critical to being a true.
1. Learn to corner. No you do not need to come to a near complete stop to make a turn on the bike and yes, you do need to down shift going into the turn.
2. If I come within 6 inches of you riding side by side, do not move over. I will just keep moving over until you are in the ditch or oncoming traffic.
3. When you get on the front of the line, do not surge. If you do I will pull everyone else up to you and then half wheel you until you puke.
4. Yes, you have to take a turn pulling at the front of the pace line. Even if it is just for 10 pedal strokes.
5. Do not hit your brakes or stop pedaling when you get to the front of a rotating pace line.
6. Christ, can you just ride a frigging straight line?
I think that sums up most of the things that get yelled at triathletes when they try to ride in a pack.
John's #4: not neccessarily, depends on the size of the group. The group will usually divide itself into workers and everyone else. Think engine and train. If you find yourself in this engine, this group of 3-8 guys doing all of the work, you must take a pull when you get to the front. If you find yourself at the head of the non-working train and a member of the engine comes off the front and drops back, make a gap for him to slide in.
If you decide you don't want to take a pull, drop out of the line when you are no closer to the front than about 4th wheel. If you're third wheel but don't want to take a pull...too bad, you're no taking a pull.
The bigger and more anonymous the group is, the less these rules apply, though it's generally poor form to get to the front and then not work or slow the group down. But when the group is really big...you're just a guy. Stay away from the front and you'll be fine...though the front is often the safer place to be.
See how much more stuff you have to learn?
On Sunday I "might" ride with my tri club down to Long Beach and back on a bike path. If I do, I plan to drill it at 350-400w for as long as I can as soon as we get on the path to create the selection. 75mi on the bike path with a group of triathletes is about the most dangerous thing I can do so there is a need to separate people
Thanks everyone. Good, good stuff.
Just picked up the new ride this afternoon. Got some changes to makes (notice I ditched the red bar tape) like moving my PT wheel and front wheel over, etc. But this is basically the ride. 13 lbs. 4 oz. as shown.
Maiden voyage tomorrow morning at 0800. Can't wait! And will try and make you all proud.
I am fluent in pace lines and changing positions within the group.
I have ridden in groups on my tri bike (mostly with the tri club folks) and I find that when I do go out front and pull I head out too fast. I find it hard to know what pace to go off the front. I look back and I am 30 yards ahead of everyone, not really intending it. Any way of knowing this before I head to the front?
Also, I have ridden in big roadie groups as well. We have a "Bakery Ride" locally and Chris Lieto is usually in the group when in town and out front. However, when I have ridden with this group I always stay at the very back (literally) because of my tri bike. I found I can't get my EN WORK done cuz they cruise at 150 watts for what seems like forever and then the train really rolls and I can barely keep up. Then we are at 150 watts again forever. Is this true roadie riding?
And yes, there is a huge difference between riding with the tri club and the Bakery Ride.
For now, I will stay off the back and just learn from watching and reading. And try and be incognito, act like I know what I am doing and not be a Fred.
And does anyone know where I can get a pair of Schlitz bibs to match my jersey?
I've been called a fred by only one person in the last 6 years, Rich. As others tend not to complain when I'm doing the work for them.
That said, I'm continuing to slowly become more of a roadie myself and now actually have a road bike that fits correctly and more than one matching kit with bibs. Legs are actually shared on a regular basis as well. I'll eventually get there.
You can find the Northern California and Nevada Cycling Assoication, the local branch of USA Cycling at ncnca.org/road.
Lorri Lee Lown runs Velogirls, which despite the name runs co-ed clinics. I've done a couple of these and learned a TON. I'd highly recommend those, which you can find at http://velogirls.com/coaching/main.php.
There is a Velogirls pacelining clinic advertised on the NCNCA site for June 18 in Woodside (http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gnmug6aab&oeidk=a07e3c69ezp2dfc60c6).
There's also Bike Skills 101 - Fundamental Bike Handling Skills on June 4 again in Woodside (http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=gnmug6aab&oeidk=a07e3b41nk0692a1fee). I have taken this one and in four hours became vastly more comfortable handling my bike.
Highly recommend checking those out. Great ways to get de-Freded :-)
Best regards,
Neil
@Neil - Thanks! May have my wife join me as she can use this, too. :-)
@Al - Thanks for the links good reading and didnt realize they were there.
@Matt - Thanks.
@Rich and John - Thanks. No closer than #4 in line. Got it. :-)
Did my first ride today. 2:20 @ .822 IF. Mostly just played around practicing shifting, cornering, climbing, etc. It feels like I can push more watts vs. the tri bike. Bike rode very well and I am more than happy with it.
Couple of quick questions:
- About an hour into the ride my triceps started hurting. I tried different hand positions but with no luck. Just something i need to adapt to? I go in for the complete bike fit tomorrow. But this was the only issue.
- Any reco's on bike shoes? I wear LG Carbon tri shoes now. Probably need regular nike shoes?
- Any tips on being in the drops? I hit some headwind and dropped down but was very happy there.
John