David Auker
Chris gives good advice: practice being low in the drops. I'd like to
add: "variety of position" is necessary for efficiency (especially when
the distance is, oh, more than 10 miles on the velodrome. "Comfort" is
not had in a static position. For aerodynamics, I wouldn't be
surprised to see "arms-out, on the hood" to be very close to
drops-riding. We are talking about PIR, so yes, a lot of time
should be spent in the drops, one of the many positions in which you
feel secure.
David
Chris Swan wrote:
> Ride in your drops, with your elbows bent. A LOT!! Think about
it a lot and work on it while your riding on your own to get used to it
so that it becomes second nature.
>
> Ive been teaching the intro to racing clinics for the last couple
of weeks before PIR, and if you've been to one, you already know that I
say to ride in your drops with your elbows bent at least every two
minutes.
>
> I also advocate for training in your drops whenever you can to
make it more familiar to you and so that you are relaxed while riding
in the drops.
>
> As for being "comfortable" in your drops, just becuase your
comfortable doesnt mean its too high. Im very comfortable in the
drops, and I dont need to, nor is it really possible to go lower. It
may be in some cases, and a lot of people can go lower dont get me
wrong, but you should also work on becoming flexible enough that you
are comfortable and relaxed while in your drops. It is important to be
comfortable enough in your drops/elbows bent that you can handle your
bike well, breath and respond to the race. If your not comfortable
while in your drops, then work on core strength, stretching/flexability
and generally riding around in your drops. The more you ride in your
drops with your elbows bent the better, for you and your fellow racers.
>
> As for shifting/breaking, the levers we have today are adjustable
enough that you should be able to reach shifting whether your on the
hoods or in the drops. If this is not the case, and its difficult to
safely work shifting or breaks while in the drops, I recomend talking
to your mechanic about how to properly set up the reach of the brake,
the position of your hoods on the bars (yes, these are adustable) and
possible different bar configerations if all else fails.
>
> Check out the weekly clinics before monday night PIR:
>
>
http://www.upperechelonfitness.com/blog/1-news/46-intro-to-bike-racing-clinics-mondays-at-pir-now-weekly
>
> Feel free to email me with any questions!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris Swan
> Upper Echelon Fitness Coach
>
>
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