Jerald M Powell

I'm sorry, I have to say something that's apparently unpopular... but
I'm not sure that sounding any alarm is really a good idea. First,
because it's terribly unreliable (what to say, whether it'll be
heard, etc.) Secondly, because it's each rider's responsibility to be
aware of hazards (holes, dogs, squirrely riders, edge of pavement,
curbs). Thirdly, because bicycle racing often requires close
attention... sometimes intense concentration... and vocal alarms
invade that space and draw a riders attention, sometimes increasing
the danger inherent to a hazard. Fourth, were there actually a
"dangerous situation" the rider approaching it ought to be responding
to it, rather than yelling brake or slow or fire or whatever.

On the positive side... I've maintained for years that the only safe
way to race is to be watching what's happening a good deal in front
of you, maybe several riders in front. You don't have to look down
because the riders ahead will let you know by where they're going
where its safe to ride. If there's slowing, you'll see the pack
widening out and compressing.

I've got to say one other thing. Bike racing is about trust as much
as anything else. You have to trust the wheel in front of you. That
doesn't mean that it's OK to overlap it... just that you have to
trust it to go where it's safe to go. If by chance that wheel is
under an untrustworthy rider... find another wheel to sit on or go to
the front.

With respect to where in a pack to ride... if it's a matter of just
"sitting in" for a while, you'll notice that there's often a "head"
to a pack where the most aggressive riders are. That's generally
where there will be the most action. Then there will be a secondary
body which is often the biggest group but often less organized; then
there will be a number of riders stringing out behind them. The
safest (and in my experience,the most energy efficient) place to
position yourself in is probably at or near the front of that second
group. The caveat is that when the active group at the front gets
really active, you may be obliged to lead the chase.

Jerry

On Apr 20, 2006, at 12:17 PM, Edward Kendrick Sr wrote:

> "Brake" was used in the north east, during the '80's. Although
> I've adapted to "slowing," the one sylable word seems better,
> because it's easier to say, when you're gasping for air. Why don't
> we try it?
>
> "Keith A. Prior" wrote:
> I always thought people screamed "SLOWING"!!
>
> Is "BRAKE" something new?
>
> -K
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> On Behalf Of Lee Bautista
> Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 11:04 AM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Newbie question: "BRAKE!"
>
> I appreciate this post. I was the one who crashed because of all
> the crazy braking going on. I've touched wheels before and if
> everyone's calm it usually self corrects. When I touched wheels
> Tuesday I was completely calm pretty much soft pedaling to slow
> down. Alas, my wheel was knocked out due to either the person hard
> braking or not holding his line. The guy behind me went down too.
>
> To answer your question, I think this will be typical with these
> larger groups. In the race of the 11th I counted maybe one or two
> times the pace slowed enough to use a brake. Of course the field
> was smaller. This weeks was much different. There wasn't a real
> need for the consistent accordian effect we were in. I, too wish to
> know why all the surges that night. What a mess. My friend says
> keeping a solid pace is not what happens in cat 5. Why not?
>
> But I'm not complaining ... Heck, even the pro's crash. It's part
> of the game we choose to play and I'll take my lumps.
>
> Though, in the future I'll put less trust in the guy in front of
> me. My notion that people know what they're doing cost me a lot in
> road rash, bruises, torn clothes, and a tweaked pedal. Thanks so
> much to the OBRA guy who washed my wounds and dug rocks out of my
> elbows!! That helped a lot.
>
> Oh! for the computer geeks out there: My garmin edge had us going
> 24 mph on that straighaway, 19 mph at impact, HR was 180 bpm. It
> was neat to see the graph's superfast decline on impact and where I
> skidded on the pavement. ouch.
>
> Still. Can't wait for next race. (should be okay with braking, it's
> an ITT). I learned a lot from this last one. Follow your gut. Don't
> trust that wheel in front of you. If the group can keep their heads
> on straight, hold your line, soft pedal instead of braking; that
> would make for a better race. It can be fun. Thanks OBRA. See y'all
> out there again :)
>
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-
> bounces@list.obra.org] On Behalf Of KG
> Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 10:19 AM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Newbie question: "BRAKE!"
>
> At PIR in the Cat 4/5 race about every mile everyone would yell
> "BRAKE" and some form of chaos would ensue. Is this typical of
> most races or just new riders not pacing properly? I feathered my
> brake once when I knew no one was behind me and the guy next to me
> yelld, "BRAKE".
>
> Of-course eventually there was a wreck from an overlapped wheel so
> maybe the yell is the lesser of two evils?
************

Jerald M Powell
USAC Level 1 Coach
1926 SW Madison St
Portland, OR 97205

503 222 7173
503 799 7823

jpowell@spiritone.com