Eric Aleskus

When I first started out, a guy in my race at PIR (a 4/5 race) asked
my why I wasn't on the drops and said it was more aero and lightly
push my bars. This was a few years ago.

Eric

On Jun 8, 2009, at 14:18, joe cipale wrote:

> Bryan,
>
> Nice writeup and a worthwhile attempt. Sadly, most folks just dont
> get it. :(
>
> Joe
>
> On Monday 08 June 2009 13:47, Bryan Curry wrote:
>> Guys, what did I say about holding the handlebars with your arms
>> locked
>> straight? Read this for a refresher-
>> http://app.obra.org/posts/obra/show/53757
>>
>> Let me add on to that.
>>
>> Last week was almost as bad as "collarbone night" a few weeks back in
>> terms of bike control. Some of you insist on riding in the drops
>> even
>> though you can't. I'm not sure why you do it because it's obvious
>> most
>> of you don't have the flexibility or core strength to maintain that
>> position for 7 laps. Most of you are propping yourself up on the
>> bars
>> which is not good for your bike handling or grabbing your water
>> bottle.
>> If you're onto something new, you should contact some of the pro
>> riders
>> and tell them "I'm a novice cat 5 at the P.I.R. Monday race and I
>> have a
>> new cycling position you should try- in the drops with your arms
>> locked
>> straight...."
>>
>> Now, look at these photos of racers with their hands on the hoods,
>> their
>> elbows bent, their backs 30 to 45 degrees from the horizontal-
>> http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/pn09/pn09st03-rabo.jpg
>> http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/classic09/classic-ocana.jpg
>> http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/cali09/atoc09st01dp-laclimb
>> .jpg
>> http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/classic09/tdf64-anquetil.jp
>> g
>> That's how you should have your hands and elbows for most of a race
>> if
>> you're in the pack. You can look around easily and it's easier on
>> your
>> back and neck.
>>
>> Now check these "In the drops" photos.
>> First, Henk Lubberding with a flat back and bent elbows for stringing
>> out the pack, a breakaway situation, or chasing-
>> http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/misc09/old-lubber.jpg
>>
>> Tom Boonen's sprinting position.
>> http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races09/cali09/atoc09st05rp-150m.jp
>> g
>> He definitely does not ride an entire race in this position. He
>> has his
>> hands in the drops and bent his elbows for more stability, control,
>> and
>> aerodynamics.
>>
>> Even Sean Kelly, notorious for a poor bike fit, has bent elbows-
>> http://grahamwatson.com/dublin/kelly/image2.html
>>
>> Got it? In the drops means flat back for aerodynamics. On the hoods
>> for comfort. Elbows bent both times for stability and control.
>>
>> See you tonight. I'll be the guy that touched your elbow with my
>> pinkie
>> just to see how far you'll swerve.
>>
>> Bryan Curry
>> FMCT
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