Re: [CR]Term(s) of the Week

> More cool stuff Ted, thanks!
>
> "Soft pedal" means to back off and ride slower or just let the cranks
> float.
>
> I'm stumped on the other two...
>
> OK, how about the terms "one deep" and "curb to curb" when referring to
> a peloton?
>
> Regards, Jamie Swan - Northport, N.Y.
> http://www.centerportcycles.com (mapped)
> http://www.limws.org
> http://www.liatca.org
> http://www.cabinfeverliquidations.com
>
>
> On Oct 24, 2005, at 1:05 AM, ternst wrote:
>
>> 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