There isn’t a lot about a climb several kilometers long ending in a sustained 20% cobbled gradient that communicates ‘Attack’ and/or ‘Respond’. Certainly not when it comes after 240 kilometers with only 20 left to race. Nope, I’ve double-checked the calibration and used a control-case: the only reading I’m getting on the Pain Gauge is the needle dropping all the way over to and past ‘Survival’.
Here we have Roger De Vlaeminck containing a vicious attack from Freddy Maertens on the hardest bit of the climb, giving more than a little bit of insight into why we refer to these guys as Hardmen. On an unrelated note, I find it to be a crime beyond articulation that the Kapelmuur won’t feature in this year’s Ronde van Vlaanderen; but that won’t stop us from riding it during the Keepers’ Tour; we’re all about history and tradition. I want to keep seeing this scene repeat itself over and over. After all, if a joke is funny once, it should be funny a thousand times.
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On rides longer than 80 kms I'll take a couple of gels, a granola bar and one of those Oatmeal to Go bars, plus a couple of bottles. This usually keeps me going pretty well. The Oatmeal things are very comparable to clif bars but way cheaper.
@frank
Yeah, this is something that could really be expanded upon in discussion. Everyone jumped on the high cadence band wagon when the COTHO started using it in his tdf victoires and suddenly everyone seemed to think that that was the magical answer for everyone.
What kills me is that the second best stage racer of that era, and who would have won most of those tdf's without the COTHO, was Ulrich, a man who was decidely NOT a spinner.
Like Fronk says, the best cadence for you is what works best, not necessarily 90-100 rpm. I have always been a 75-90 rev guy myself.
@Buck Rogers/Frank
Without taking the time to search the vast knowledge of the interwebs past Frank's article from 2009 and related physics behind this, there is a reason a high spinning (rpm) F1 engine uses to a short stroke as opposed to a long one. I'd like to see a plot of cadence (or rpm) for cyclists with respect to their height and/or inseam. I'm an average 180.3cm (5'11") and find it extremely uncomfortable for sustained efforts over 100-110. I'd be interested in seeing who on this site is taller than I and routinely spins at or over 100-110, as I expect there are not many.
Somewhat related: I recently took a guys trip to Tsali, NC for some beer and MTBing and as MTB is of 2nd importance to me, I bought a full rigid SS 29er months ago. Out of the 7 guys, I was passing all but 2 (I kept up with them) on every hill by 'dancing on the pedals' while they sat and spun. I have to say that I trained in the weeks leading up to the trip by doing Sur La Plaque 0.8km long interval training in/out of the saddle. If your guns can handle it, mashing simply gets you there faster.
@Tartan1749
I'm 186cm and as stated love me some high cadence. I can spin up to 160 or so, using a tap tempo metronome to check it.
Maybe I should become a trackie? Sadly, no tracks around here.
@Tartan1749
The physics of the big ring article is pretty inaccurate IMO, the cranks are not levers, but, get this, cranks. There isn't really any difference as far as I can think.
@Tartan1749
I must respectfully disagree - I think the classic red/white/blue is the cat's can of tuna.
So, if you're not wearing the team kit, is it just for collection/display?
Along similar lines, I'm really tempted to wear an old school team cycling cap when not on the bike. I've actually never seen anyone around here with a cycling cap, not too many fixie hipsters around either.
@DerHoggz
The question of whether you should spin and the mechanics of the big ring are completely unrelated. One is a question of physiology, the other of mechanics. Your question was asking if its possible to spin too fast. That article talks about the mechanical advantage of riding a big gear. In your case, you'd ride that gear, but spin it. They're separate things.
As long as the subject is raised, I've been meaning to rewrite that piece, or rather, add an updated version. Some details are wrong, but in essence it is still correct. The chain is the lever, actually, not the crank, which is the mistake I made before. Crank length, as it turns out, makes no difference to power, but is instead more related to what feels comfortable based on your physiology and on what part of the stroke you have maximum power.
What does make a difference is how much leverage you have as you work to turn your wheel. In its most basic sense, you gain leverage as you move the chain out farther from both the bottom bracket and the wheel's axle. I'm oversimplifying this because its actually a complex scenario, but with all things being equal (which they're not due to friction in the chain when you cross and other considerations), you have the best mechanical advantage in the big ring and the biggest sprocket in back. If you can turn the gear, climbing in the big ring is more efficient than in the little ring.
In fact, if you look carefully at many Pro's bikes, they're experimenting with enormous flywheels on their derailleurs for the same reason.
@DerHoggz
I think wearing team kit for an old team that no longer exists while on the bike is cool. Current team kit? Ehhh, I'd feel a bit silly, but that's just me personally.
@frank
Yup, I think I posted this a while back. Ole's eating lunch in a masterclass demonstration of casually deliberate as well as 100% tanquillo. He eats as his mechanic basically strips and rebuilds his bike outside. The cool 70s gear is also bellissimo!
Ah, wtf, he's the link boys. Always work another look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJllJcLU6b0