Slipstreaming when not racing - why?
Discussion
I am amazed how often I see serious-looking cyclists on quality road bikes either drafting each other or even drafting other vehicles.
During a race it makes sense as it saves time and energy, but why do you want to save energy on a training ride? You're only cheating yourself by doing so surely?
What's the point saying you broke 5hrs for the Ride London 100, when you spent the entire 5hrs in the tow behind someone else's effort?
During a race it makes sense as it saves time and energy, but why do you want to save energy on a training ride? You're only cheating yourself by doing so surely?
What's the point saying you broke 5hrs for the Ride London 100, when you spent the entire 5hrs in the tow behind someone else's effort?
If it's a group ride, it's not about just training the legs. Learning to move effectively in a group of riders without causing a crash or losing the wheel is important and takes practice.
It also depends if it's people sharing the work to raise the average speed of the group or just people wheelsucking and not putting in any work. The first gives everyone a chance to work hard at the front then recover (almost like interval training); the second is rightly scorned (unless it's a weaker rider trying to join a better group).
It also depends if it's people sharing the work to raise the average speed of the group or just people wheelsucking and not putting in any work. The first gives everyone a chance to work hard at the front then recover (almost like interval training); the second is rightly scorned (unless it's a weaker rider trying to join a better group).
ewenm said:
If it's a group ride, it's not about just training the legs. Learning to move effectively in a group of riders without causing a crash or losing the wheel is important and takes practice.
It also depends if it's people sharing the work to raise the average speed of the group or just people wheelsucking and not putting in any work. The first gives everyone a chance to work hard at the front then recover (almost like interval training); the second is rightly scorned (unless it's a weaker rider trying to join a better group).
Oh I get the bit about training for close wheel-to-wheel stuff, that makes sense.It also depends if it's people sharing the work to raise the average speed of the group or just people wheelsucking and not putting in any work. The first gives everyone a chance to work hard at the front then recover (almost like interval training); the second is rightly scorned (unless it's a weaker rider trying to join a better group).
But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
oyster said:
Oh I get the bit about training for close wheel-to-wheel stuff, that makes sense.
But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
Strava "makes" strange people do strange things... ref the Strava thread for evidence But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
lepetitoeuf said:
oyster said:
Oh I get the bit about training for close wheel-to-wheel stuff, that makes sense.
But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
But It's not pointless if he was out riding for fun, rather than for facts and figures.But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
My cycling is purely recreational, and I do it because I enjoy it. I lose a bit of weight (I am not scientific about it) I have a bit of fun. And drafting stuff can be quite good fun.
Vocal Minority said:
lepetitoeuf said:
oyster said:
Oh I get the bit about training for close wheel-to-wheel stuff, that makes sense.
But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
But It's not pointless if he was out riding for fun, rather than for facts and figures.But last night I was passed by a lorry and stuck to the tailgate was a guy in full TdF-style gear getting a nice tow down the hill. Seemed pointless to me as any average speed he may have achieved has been done with outside assistance.
I've seen it several times.
My cycling is purely recreational, and I do it because I enjoy it. I lose a bit of weight (I am not scientific about it) I have a bit of fun. And drafting stuff can be quite good fun.
Rule #10. It never gets easier, you just go faster.
Also, if you're riding with someone who is slower than you, you can both get a workout if they draft you.
I usually split riding with friends between riding side by side to chat, and using drafting, depending on how busy the road is, or whether or not I/we fancy going fast.
Also, if you're riding with someone who is slower than you, you can both get a workout if they draft you.
I usually split riding with friends between riding side by side to chat, and using drafting, depending on how busy the road is, or whether or not I/we fancy going fast.
On our evening rides we draft all the time. It helps the slower riders in the group keep up and the strong lads can sit at the front for as long as they dare. This keeps people of various abilities together which is the whole point of group riding.
or we could just head out on our own and be billy no mates !
or we could just head out on our own and be billy no mates !
jjr1 said:
On our evening rides we draft all the time. It helps the slower riders in the group keep up and the strong lads can sit at the front for as long as they dare. This keeps people of various abilities together which is the whole point of group riding.
or we could just head out on our own and be billy no mates !
This or we could just head out on our own and be billy no mates !
lepetitoeuf said:
But It's not pointless if he was out riding for fun, rather than for facts and figures.
+1Why not?
It's good fun to go fast! Be it under your own steam, dropping down a 25% decline or drafting a tractor etc.
Ever since I've been able to turn a pedal I've enjoyed trying to draft something or someone faster.
Speed Training.
You'll find that world class riders use Speed Training as an integral part of their training regime. Even to the point where they have a designated scooter fitted with a roller bar on the back, and get someone to ride the scooter at 30-35mph+ and then get behind it for as long as possible.
If you think its easy, then keep dreaming.
You'll find that world class riders use Speed Training as an integral part of their training regime. Even to the point where they have a designated scooter fitted with a roller bar on the back, and get someone to ride the scooter at 30-35mph+ and then get behind it for as long as possible.
If you think its easy, then keep dreaming.
swerni said:
If its a training ride, why have a lightweight carbon bike? Why have narrow tyres? Why have gears?
Surely all these things detract from the amount of effort you have to put in ?
If you are a top level rider, and its the middle of the racing season, why would you not train on your racing bike?Surely all these things detract from the amount of effort you have to put in ?
People do thousands of miles on some old training hack, get really quite fit, and then ride a race on their racing bike and end up swerving all over the place through tight corners etc because they're not used to how the racing bike handles/feels. This is what often causes accidents these days. Either that, or they end up with some silly mechanical failure that would have easily become apparent on a training ride long before showing its ugly head in the middle of a race.
Do you think pro's use some old s
tter for training? Of course they don't. They train on the bike (or an identical bike) that they will be racing on.Using an old heavy weight training hack is an old wifes tale. You're much better off training on your racing bike (ok, maybe with different wheels/tyres), and just riding harder/further.
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