Wheel drag

Scott wrote:
Francesco Devittori wrote:
wrote:
[...]

Clothes is pretty straight forward. Tight with no flapping. Helmets is
a more difficult propoosition. Any suggestions? It has to be something
that can be worn for 20 hours and not be a waste when I'm fried and
keep looking down, unable to look straight ahead the whole time. I'll
probably stick with my normal LAS.

Joseph



From http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=3574

"Most think that the frame matters the most, wheels next, and helmet
last. Some even think that the components come before the helmet. In
reality, a well designed aero-helmet will save you more time (power)
than anything else. The drag difference between a vented road helmet and
an aero-helmet is 2-4 times larger than the difference between a good
aero-wheelset and a 32-spoked wheelset."

Maybe looking for a more aero helmet could be worth it in your case.

Francesco

That article doesn't really apply to the typical rider. They're talking
about minimizing drag on a pro cyclist that has the benefit of wind
tunnel testing and R&D to design a helmet to fit the specific rider's
profile.

Any 'off the shelf' aero helmet will have almost no appreciable gain
for the typical rider not riding in his optimal aero position, and will
likely be very poorly ventilated as well.

That's what I'm worried about. Gain 2 seconds while sitting just right,
then lose 5 seconds when I look down from exhaustion. Since it is
usually pretty cold, ventilation isn't too big an issue. Looking like
an idiot getting passed by hundreds of people at the end while wearing
an aero helmet wouldn't be too satisfying either...

Joseph

wrote:
Ron Ruff wrote:

If you have a strong cross wind you should be in a series of double
echelons, then.

One of the problems is that our group is from a wide geographic area
which makes practicing as a complete group difficult to arrange.

You can all practice the basic technique if you can get a couple of
other guys together. The speed difference is huge... if you expect any
crosswinds it would be a bad idea to avoid this. Heck, with 20-30 guys
you don't need much of a side wind before you'd be stretched out across
the lane. Teamwork is key if you desire a good result.


Clothes is pretty straight forward. Tight with no flapping.

Skinsuit, arm and shoe covers.

Helmets is
a more difficult propoosition. Any suggestions? It has to be something
that can be worn for 20 hours and not be a waste when I'm fried and
keep looking down, unable to look straight ahead the whole time. I'll
probably stick with my normal LAS.

One like this might be helpful:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4210

Also... if you are too big to be blown around... lose some weight! That
will help more than anything on the climbs.

BTW... how can the first 3rd of a 250km+ race be a climb?... and then
the next 3rd is flat? Is that a half percent grade or something?

Ron Ruff wrote:
wrote:
Ron Ruff wrote:

If you have a strong cross wind you should be in a series of double
echelons, then.

One of the problems is that our group is from a wide geographic area
which makes practicing as a complete group difficult to arrange.

You can all practice the basic technique if you can get a couple of
other guys together. The speed difference is huge... if you expect any
crosswinds it would be a bad idea to avoid this. Heck, with 20-30 guys
you don't need much of a side wind before you'd be stretched out across
the lane. Teamwork is key if you desire a good result.

This is one of those things that can be practiced in theory, but when
the time comes could backfire bigtime, with lots of wasted effort,
shouting, etc. It will be dicussed at some of the winter meetings, and
if we can do it successfully in one of the warm-up rides, it may be an
option during the real event.



Clothes is pretty straight forward. Tight with no flapping.

Skinsuit, arm and shoe covers.

The weather is often cold, so arm and shoe covers are there anyway.
Most folks will have long pants too, at least for aprt of the ride.
Rain gear too. I'm amazed at how much ill-fitting rain gear you see
people using.


Helmets is
a more difficult propoosition. Any suggestions? It has to be something
that can be worn for 20 hours and not be a waste when I'm fried and
keep looking down, unable to look straight ahead the whole time. I'll
probably stick with my normal LAS.

One like this might be helpful:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4210

That looks pretty good. Not too agressive.

Also... if you are too big to be blown around... lose some weight! That
will help more than anything on the climbs.

Losing weight is on the program! But I'll never be under 95kg which
will keep we well anchored (in more ways than one!)

BTW... how can the first 3rd of a 250km+ race be a climb?... and then
the next 3rd is flat? Is that a half percent grade or something?

The first 1/3 isn't a climb, but it is "mostly up". The 540km has
4,400m of total ascent. The high point is about 1,000 meters 150km into
the ride, by which time at least half of the 4,400m has been climbed.
It is on a major road that is well graded with no significant sections
more than say 3-4%, usually less. All the 250km races are more or less
flat with at most a few 5 km climbs. One of the shorter prep rides has
a climb about 10km of 6% which kills me. I will be very surprised if I
hang with the group on that ride.

Joseph