David Auker

Larry, Great to see your Velo-iffic words!

VeloSki Sports wrote:

> And then there is
> the Auker method of descending whereby David would drop his butt back over
> his rear wheel and stretch his arms to reach the bars, thus achieving a
> hyper-aero position for straight-line descending.
I learned that from Bill Hawley. It's as fast as anything, but Tom
Ritchey had a style that was just as fast: With body teardrop-compacted,
his hands in "prayer shape" gently placed on either side of stem, he
would amazingly hold this seemingly unstable position even as the road
curved, whereas I would regain a normal position....and he would be gone!

These days I'm almost entirely riding fixed-gear, and descents are more
about controlling speed with legs, than the eye-popping speed...it's a
compromise to pay for some otherwise cool feelings!

David

> Hey Dan H. and other old guys....good to see your names in print...
>
> I agree that there are numerous descending techniques and tactics. Note:
> technique and tactics are a bit different. Technique is a set of skills
> that allow for a predictable outcome; while, tactics is the selection of the
> most appropriate technique and skill for a given situation. Perhaps the
> most important consideration is selecting your line thru the corner and then
> applying only enough braking to make it around the corner. The later you
> apply the brakes the more speed you carry into the corner and consequently
> the greater your exit speed.
>
> Some of you may remember Karl Maxon from the mid-80's and early 90's. We
> used to ride together a lot back in those days and tell stories of our
> racing adventures and exploits. For a time he rode with Sean Yates in the
> European peleton. Apparently, Sean was an amazing descender and Karl told
> me of a technique similar to the one Davis wrote about, but many years
> before Davis wrote that article. I also rode with Andy Hampsten in the Alps
> a few times and we explored similar techniques for tighter turns. In
> addition, John Beckman (Beckbird) used to conduct coaching clinics where we
> explored the counterintuitive technique of pushing the bike away and upright
> while steering the bike thru corners on grass and gravel. And then there is
> the Auker method of descending whereby David would drop his butt back over
> his rear wheel and stretch his arms to reach the bars, thus achieving a
> hyper-aero position for straight-line descending.
>
> Fundament physics dictates that you have a finite amount of friction
> available to keep your skinny tires rolling along your direction of travel.
> You can choose to spend from your friction account for acceleration,
> deceleration or cornering. Braking in the middle of a turn is a sure
> invitation to overdraw your friction account and skid off course, unless it
> is done very smoothly and progressively while adjusting your turn radius to
> allow the wheels to continue rolling. If you should over-apply the brake
> and lock up the wheels for even a split second, then you may find yourself
> careening in unintended directions. In brief, brake in a straight line,
> then lay the bike over or guide the bike into the turn using dynamic
> balancing moves as described below.
>
> >From my experience there are a few basic approaches to fast descending as
> follows:
> 1) hold on loosely, but don't let go --- help your bike find it's own way
> thru the corners, the bike does not want to crash; it is always you who
> causes the crash
> 2) guide the front wheel where it needs to go and let the rest follow ---
> the gyroscopic effect of the wheel allows a lot of counterintuitive actions
> to work to your advantage. (press the inside hand forward and square your
> hips with your direction of intended travel for tight turns)
> 3) counter-steer and angulate (ala...giant slalom turns in skiing) for big
> sweeper turns...this reduces the side load on your tires, thus saving
> traction for higher speed cornering
> 4) above all else...look for the exit to every turn with your eyes, assess
> the road surfaces where you are aiming your bike while keeping your head
> upright and level to improve your balance and ability to react to
> information you collect. This will allow you more time to make necessary
> changes.
>
> Today, I guide bike tours in the French, Swiss, Italian and Austrian Alps
> for a living and have 1000's of kilometers of descending experience each
> season down roads much tighter and steeper than the typical roads found
> around the states of Oregon or Washington. So, go out to your favorite
> twisty road near your house and try different approaches to the same corners
> and combination of corners to become comfortable with the range of
> techniques that will allow you to descend with confidence and grace.
>
> Keep riding and smiling....
>
> Larry Smith
> VeloSki Sports
> www.veloski.com
> tours@veloski.com
>
> btw...I'm pretty sure that I was leading Robert on that descent, since both
> Robert and I always ended up riding together after getting dropped by the
> main group (Ashland Stage Race was a training race for our respective
> programs). And I always rode with a 54t front ring to maximize my
> descending skills, while everyone else rode a 52t or 53t.
>
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