TTT/Breakaway Riding Clinic Wednesday 15h30
Tue, 2011-03-29 14:57
Hey Everyone
Since we have a Team Time Trial coming up this weekend in Boston, I am running a TTT clinic Wednesday afternoon so we can get a little hands on experience before jumping into the race. I will be riding around the F1, just wait around the hairpin until the group comes around and we will do a few laps to warm up. We will stop and talk about how a TTT should work in terms of the formation near the hairpin not long after 16h00.
This website gives a basic description, but experience and practice will help more than anything else.
http://www.lostrivercycling.org/paceline.html
A ROTATING paceline requires more focus and greater skills but is very satisfying to be part of. In a rotating paceline there is an advancing (faster) line of riders and a retreating (slower) line of riders.
The retreating line is on whichever side the wind is coming from. If it is a headwind a tailwind or no wind, usually the retreating line will be on the right side and the advancing line will be on the left. (The opposite of the picture above).
The key to a rotating paceline is that when the rider at the front of the advancing line clears the rider who is on the front of the retreating line, the advancing rider moves into the retreating line and softens up his pace. The rider who was behind him continues the pace of the advancing line until that rider switches over. The rider in the advancing line should NEVER surge. The idea is that you ride to the front and float to the back in a constant rotation. You change your speed by "soft-pedaling" as you switch to the retreating line and increasing your pedal pressure as you switch from the retreating line to the advancing line.
Smooth switches, and keeping the distance between the riders in the paceline as small as possible will keep the paceline smooth.
Tue, 2011-03-29 15:01
#1
Note:
We will be finishing by 17h30 so everyone has time to make it to the elections
Tue, 2011-03-29 15:36
#2
A little visual display may help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CfRsmtQ44
BTW this is not just for TTT, but for group rides as well, especially when riding into the wind.
Tue, 2011-03-29 16:16
#3
Sorry I can't make it - I have an absolutely unavoidable lesson at 5.
Tue, 2011-03-29 16:45
#4
I'll be showing as soon as I can. Class ends at 4.
Tue, 2011-03-29 17:32
#5
Maybe
Tue, 2011-03-29 18:08
#6
50/50
Tue, 2011-03-29 18:08
#7
Brandon what time are you going to head to the F1?
Tue, 2011-03-29 18:44
#8
I'll be there for sure.
Tue, 2011-03-29 21:17
#9
I'm in
breakaway tactics ftw!
Tue, 2011-03-29 21:56
#10
Brandon's about to change the biking game.
Wed, 2011-03-30 00:27
#11
I am assuming We are leaving from Roddick Gates at 3:30. I will be there if my job lets me out (undergraduate lab supervision). Otherwise I will meet you as soon as possible on the track.
Adam.
Wed, 2011-03-30 01:32
#12
Stupid Biology lab... This is significantly more useful in life.
Wed, 2011-03-30 08:36
#13
Adam, the vibe it sends is to meet at the track at 330?
Wed, 2011-03-30 09:54
#14
Maybe, but further down it says "We will stop and talk about how a TTT should work in terms of the formation near the hairpin not long after 16h00" which fits the titles description of a ride at 3:30, when it takes ~30 min to get there from school.
Brandon... we're confused.
Wed, 2011-03-30 09:59
#15
Do not meet at the gates
Come to the track around 3:30
Hop on to the group as it goes around to warm-up
We will stop around 4 after the warm-up to talk about technique, then we will practice technique
Wed, 2011-03-30 10:19
#16
Sure thing Brandon.
Wed, 2011-03-30 12:56
#17
I just lost a spoke on my front wheel. I'm heading over to the nearest bike store but I doubt I'll have it my 3:30.
Wed, 2011-03-30 13:54
#18
nevermind that. im coming.
Wed, 2011-03-30 13:56
#19
(T)TT: don't forget your ear-pieces!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3YmxMBuxJY
Wed, 2011-03-30 16:53
#20
I am jealous it is gorgeous outside!
Wed, 2011-03-30 18:06
#21
Sorry everyone that that had to end so early, I didn't anticipate so much standing water on the track.
I hope everyone got the mechanics of the rotation down, and we will kick ass this weekend!
For this weekend remember:
The course may be a bit hilly, so protect your weakest riders if necessary. We will preview the course in the morning. The timing is based on the top 3 people for A category, and for the top 2 people for the B,C,D categories. If you are halfway through and one of your teammates is dying, it might make sense to drop them
Stay smooth. This is not a pissing contest to see who is the fastest. Work together, be smooth, finish fast.
Don't leave a huge gap when you are moving over to the retreating line, the person behind you wants to get on your wheel for a bit
Don't let a gap open up in front of you when you have to move to the advancing line, this will make your life harder
If you are getting dropped, YELL, "GAP" and let everyone know you are getting dropped so they can make a decision of whether to keep you or drop you
If you are really tired (everyone should be tired, but if you are REALLY tired) it's ok to take a break for one rotation or 2. In this case, stay on the back and yell "PULL THROUGH" to the person who is next in the rotation so they know what's going on.
Communication
Smoothness
Teamwork
We're about to change the biking game.
