Thanks to all of you for your friendly greetings and salutations.
On the note of the CCM stock bike race. The Chicago Park Dept. was heavily
influenced by Harry Berz, I believe worked for the City Parks. I know he was
in the forefront of many of the youth activities. He and his wife didn't
have any children but he loved kids and used his position to further lots of
activities, like the Golden Gloves, Silver Skates, and cycling.
Harry got the 1 mile Sherman Park loop arond the lagoon and fields closed
off on Sunday mornings for bike racing.
The Police Dept. had a gala at Soldier's Field on July 4th every year with
entertainment and fireworks.
Depending on the program, bike racing was sometimes included.
The stock bike race was part of the program along with the big time guys,
and it was my first time racing.
About 5 year's later they had another invite and I raced that also, only
that time as a licensed racer.
The attendance was in the 30-40,000 range so it was a great time.
Thanks again.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA
> Oh, yeah! Get your belly size down!
> Ted Ernst
> Palos Verdes Estates
> CA USA
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
> To: "Mark Stonich" <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 9:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]steelcranks, aluminum cranks, Q factor
>
>
>> Mark and Fred make valid points.
>> In my experience through the years, The "Kneesavers" function extermely
>> well and can be purchased in several lengths to compensate.
>> I only ever used them because of injury, longer feet and extreme foot
>> angle, or some congenital symptom needing the adapters.
>> Many people only used one.
>> Never did the "Q" factor enter in, as all the riders I ever dealt with
>> adapted to the regular factory crank widths and pedal positions.
>> I haven't come across anyone with such wide hips that drastic
>> accomodation was needed.
>> In horse parlance a big strong plow horse was measured in axe handle
>> width, ie. 15 axe handles across the a**.
>> Someone may be pretty big, but the pelvis just doesn't seem to be that
>> much wider to affect the stroke. Muscle and fat mass don't count.
>> Again, I refer to my previous post in making your foot flat across the
>> bottom so your power goes straightr down and not out.
>> I've never had my foot slide sideways, and especially not when strapped
>> in snugly and pedalling with some finesse and not in some untrained
>> manner.
>> Again, for over a hundred years, it's been feet as close to crank as
>> possible and knees as close to top tube as can.
>> Knees and legs spread apart like some pleasure-bent lady of the night is
>> not the efficient stroking position(on your bike).
>> Look again at all the racing pictures frontal views especially those in
>> motion. It's knees in!
>> I don't think any one of us is going to tell the Super pro riders they
>> don't know how to be most efficient and one with their bike.
>> Maybe every once in a blue moon someone can come along and need special
>> consideration, but I haven't seen it yet in over 40 years of fitting.
>> Again, in my prior post, look to your core muscles, hip flexors, etc., to
>> improve your flexibility for nice loose, powerful, smooth pedalling.
>> Ted Ernst
>> Palos Verdes Estates
>> CA USA
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Mark Stonich" <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
>> To: "ternst" <ternst1@cox.net>
>> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007 8:04 PM
>> Subject: Re: [CR]steelcranks, aluminum cranks, Q factor
>>
>>
>>> At 4/24/2007 08:24 PM -0700, ternst wrote:
>>>>Then we have to see to the foot/cleat angle to keep our heel from
>>>>touching frame or crank and adjust our feet positions accordingly.
>>>>I can remember years ago being able to twist foot sideways and if not
>>>>paying attention whacking ankle on crank and cutting accordingly. OUCH!
>>>>and bleeding. S*)(^% and F@&() !! Oh well, one learned.
>>>>Depending on your individual needs your feet will be farther or closer
>>>>to the cranks, and your "Q" will change whether you like it or not.
>>>>If you are only riding 5MPH and watching celestial bodies along the
>>>>beach, it won't mean jack.
>>>>If you want to ride a little more intensly, try to get it dialed in and
>>>>save your hips, knees, and ankles.
>>>>If the cleats are incorrect, a host of foot problems could manifest
>>>>themselves depending on your intensity.
>>>> >From what I've posted, hopefully you will see how the relationship
>>>>between "Q" and foot position are inexhorably related.
>>>>How about your experiences, gals and guys?
>>>
>>> Ted,
>>> Personally, I need "Knee Savers" pedal extenders on all my bikes with
>>> older "Low Q Factor" cranks. Without them, I either pedal with my feet
>>> hanging off the ends of the pedals or wreck my knees.
>>>
>>>
>>> Mark Stonich;
>>> BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
>>> 5349 Elliot Ave S. - Minneapolis. MN 55417
>>> Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com
>>> http://mnhpva.org