Bicycle racing for almost anyone

Bikes, riding, racing for the non-elite racer

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Thursday, May 25, 2006

A summary of my recent posts

Hotcakes and hydrogen

By Robert Russell in http://thespiel.com 1 day ago

cost via the small ongoing fuel saving, depending upon how much driving you do. They are also a 'safe' buy in that they still use the fuel you buy at gas stations (as against some alternative home brew, cold fusion or risky hydrogen). Read more...
http://thespiel.com

By Robert Russell in http://thespiel.com 1 day ago

Rob's Guide, part 2 Track race tips Sydney's Velodromes What do those lines mean? Automobile links Mustknow links Philosophy links Music Links Images of the Russell, Matthews, O'Brien and Brown families in Australia Rob's Amateur Art Gallery
addicted2wheels

By Robert Russell in addicted2wheels 2 days ago

Rob's Guide, part 2 Track race tips Sydney's Velodromes What do those lines mean? Automobile links Mustknow links Philosophy links Music Links Images of the Russell, Matthews, O'Brien and Brown families in Australia Rob's Amateur Art Gallery
the gtveloce.com-munity of interests

By Robert Russell in the gtveloce.com-munity of int... 2 days ago

Links GTVeloce.com ...cars, bikes and com-munities The bike racing forum ...for racers only The general purpose gtveloce forums ...for everyone MBA related resources ...with an HR spin The KlausenRussell Com-munity ...please visit! OODB ...out out damned Blog GTVeloce.com blog
Velodrome 101

By Robert Russell in addicted2wheels 2 days ago

too so keep away - it can get a bit hairy if you get stuck in that transition zone, especially if you are on the duckboard at speed and try to get onto the banking before a turn. It's a good way to fall and bring down the pack. Read more...
Image gallery

In Image gallery 8 days ago

Rob's Guide, part 2 Track race tips Sydney's Velodromes What do those lines mean? Automobile links Mustknow links Philosophy links Music Links Images of the Russell, Matthews, O'Brien and Brown families in Australia Rob's Amateur Art Gallery
Aviation images

In Aviation images 8 days ago

Links GTVeloce.com ...cars, bikes and com-munities The bike racing forum ...for racers only The general purpose gtveloce forums ...for everyone MBA related resources ...with an HR spin The KlausenRussell Com-munity ...please visit! OODB ...out out damned Blog GTVeloce.com blog
Airliner art

In Aviation images 8 days ago

[IMG ]
Airliners, automobiles and art

In Image gallery 8 days ago

[IMG ]
Welcome to the image resources at GTVeloce.com

In Image gallery 8 days ago

Folks Copyright is reserved, but feel free to browse. Reuse is often possible by arrangement and some images may be purchased. The content starts here . Image gallery
Welcome to Aviation images and postcards @...

In Aviation images 8 days ago

Folks Copyright is reserved on all images, be it my own or other attributed work - please ask before using. Otherwise feel free to browse the content here . Aviation images
OffLine

In OffLine 20 days ago

Links TheSpiel.com TheSpiel's Business Blog OODB GTVeloce.com OffLine Addicted2wheels Site Feed

posted by gtveloce # 1:58 AM Links to this post

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

What do those lines on the track mean?

Obviously we have black and white start/finish lines. We also have markings (usually red lines, perpendicular to the track) for the common pursuit and time trial distances. Distances are also marked out on the side of the track. The flat, often blue-painted zone right at the bottom of the track is the duckboard. It can be absent, or it can be plain concrete (ie not blue at all). Some people refer to it as "the blue" or the "Cote d'Azure", but it's really not a place to take a holiday. It's not for race riding either, although you may use it to come off the track after a slow down lap and you cross it to get on the track. In time trials and pursuits long sponges (not your conniving relatives, I mean foam rubber sponges) are placed across the duckboard to discourage short cuts. You can often get away with a short cut in a scratch race though when diving underneath a slower rider (but it's not encouraged and if attempted during a sprint will almost certainly incur a disqualification). There can be a nasty edge rather than a smooth transition from duckboard to track, too so keep away - it can get a bit hairy if you get stuck in that transition zone, especially if you are on the duckboard at speed and try to get onto the banking before a turn. It's a good way to fall and bring down the pack. Read more...

posted by gtveloce # 12:17 AM Links to this post

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Training for the non-elite rider

Bike racing is like running, swimming, golf or any other sport. In fact it’s just like anything in life. Put the time and effort in and you’ll get better at it. It’s a simple equation, really, limited more by your own motivation or commitment than by any theoretical potential you may or may not possess. If you are looking for easy fitness and a sport that won’t take up much of your time, stop now - it doesn’t exist.

Multiple Australian and World Point Score medalist Gary Sutton was once reported to have replied to the question, What’s the secret to success in bike racing?, with the statement: Ride lots. Eddy Merckx is reported to have said the same. Let's face it, if you want to be good at something you practise it, over and over... Simplistic, but not a bad thought - and don’t put it off, thinking that you won’t do well, or that you don’t have the time. This is a multi-level, multi-discipline sport with a niche for everyone. As the cliche goes, you won’t know if you don’t try.

OK, maybe some sports are easier on the body, are less risky, or consume less time. But we’ve settled here on something that does involve injuries (guaranteed), risk (a given) and a commitment of some sort. Hey, you can choose not to train and be happy racing in a lower grade, but don’t come to me after you’ve died from a mid-race heart attack and then ask my advice. You get out what you put in. Bike racing is hard. It's a demanding sport that will suck hours out of your day and draw the sweat from your skin, whilst demanding top aerobic fitness, great lower body strength, quick wits and excellent hand-eye coordination. You need tactical nous, swift reflexes and a will to win. It ain’t easy. And that’s just C-grade. Read more...

posted by gtveloce # 5:04 AM Links to this post

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

BIke racing at GTVeloce.com

Folks, bike racing is for almost everyone. Got a bike? Ride regularly? No unmanaged or unmanagable health problems? Got health cover and a doctor's clearance? Want to race? Fancy your chances? In the words of the prophet, if you want to do it, just do it. Content starts here.

posted by gtveloce # 1:44 AM 0 Comments Links to this post