[CR]Term(s) of the Week

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 22:05:27 -0700
Subject: [CR]Term(s) of the Week

With all the weather we've been having, think I'll start with Thundering. Short and easy to describe, much tougher to execute. You are "thundering" when you are riding / racing along spinning big gears. Easier said than done. Anybody can ride downhill in a big gear, but on the level ground you have got to do 95 RPM plus in big gear ratios. Then you're "thundering". These next two terms, "road or track" step I learned in Europe first in '51 and then again in '58-'60 when I was over there racing. This is real insider old coach knowledge, that is not mentioned at all today from what I've seen. It may not be so important anymore as many riders don't mix track and road venues as they once did. A track step is achieved by fixed gear riding and of course by riding on the track. When you ride a fixed, you ride more circular from the hip on down through your leg. It gives you a more fluid motion that is smoother if done correctly. You are usually a little more forward in seat position, and because you are always on same "terrain" the need to change gears (ratios) while riding is not demanded. Being in one ratio and riding smoothly gives your muscle structure a different sequence of energy firing and position of enactment. You are riding more over the gear and pedaling as compared to pushing. Even though you get off the saddle and accelerate and then slow down as the race develops, it's much more fluid and smooth. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and connecting tissue are not as "hard" if that term is easier to visualize mentally as on the road, but much more supple and smooth. On the Road, for the "road" step, it is not as circular or smooth, but more pronounced in a push-push type pedal action. Bear in mind that these differences are maybe 10% or so, but in competition at performance levels it looks like two different planets. On the road the speeds, terrain, gear ratios, and cadence vary dramatically as compared to track or flat ground riding. Consider the different road surfaces and the pounding of all the different factors mentioned on your leg structure only, not to mention the rest of your body. This is why when you see a road rider riding the track for a few races, he has no suplesse and goes right off the back, because he can't shift up and use a bigger gear, but has to accelerate and comes up short on the temporary high rpm need. Conversely when a track rider goes on the road, has to keep up in the hills, shift back and forth in the ratios, his legs take a "hit" every time and then his smoothness and style don't serve him well and HE then goes off the back. Look how many track riders make the transition to the road and only the fewest keep up in the front, but on the flatter terrain the "memory" of speed doesn't go away and can sprint like the wind. The old time coaches hated it when their star road riders went to ride 6-days. They would slowly retrain their muscles and then it took too long to get their road step back when they started the outdoor road season. It was not too much off a problem from track riders to road, because few of the active track guys would ride the severe course road races, criteriums and short stuff is not a problem, but the track guys would shy away from the mountains, and not lose their track step as easy. All track riders have to ride several hundred miles a week to maintain fitness. You get your fitness on the road and your finesse on the track. The yokels who say I only ride the track because I'm a track rider belong in Texas on one of the ostrich farms. A little blending of both is needed by all riders to round out their ability and enhance their specialty. This is done in the off season or during season but only to improve their talent in their venue. These things are done to balance and finesse. The trained eye can detect the riding styles and tell where a rider needs to improve. Important is to use the total sport of cycling to benefit your performance level and improve your ability. Hopefully I've been able to describe this so you can use it to your advantage. If any area is not clear enough, please ask and I'll try to clarify. I'm starting to run out of terms, if any of you have some, don't be bashful. Share them with us and let us try to guess. But, still have a few for next week: 1) Soft Pedal. 2) Step Into. (not a cow pie) 3) Step Through. (not a space portal) A cow pie in space. Now there's something. Isn't there a song about the cow jumping over the moon? Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates, Ca