Solo rides are a great part of the cycling experience. Nothing beats cruising along and looking at the scenery, or attacking a climb at your own pace and intensity. But riding in a group can be even more fun. You cover ground faster, meet people, and experience the thrill of shared effort.
Paceline riding isn't difficult to learn. Here are the basic skills:
1. Riding a Straight Line
Start by learning to ride like you're on a rail. Practice by holding your line during solo rides. Put your wheel on the road's white edge line and keep it there. Relax your upper body, keep a light grip on the handlebar, and fix your peripheral vision on the line. Keep your actual focus 20 or 30 feet in front of the bike. Remember, the bike will go where your eyes go. RIDING A STRAIGHT LINE IS ESENTIAL TO SAFE PACE LINE RIDING!
2. Following a Wheel
Drafting another rider saves you at least 15% in energy output. It's foolish to be bucking the wind all the time when you're with other riders. Share the work by drafting them and letting them draft you.
Position your front wheel 1 to 2 feet behind the rear wheel you're following. The closer the better, in terms of the draft, but closer also requires a lot more attention. As much as possible keep an even cadence with your peddles as this keeps the pace line running smoothly. When necessary, turn the cranks without putting pressure on the pedals ("soft pedal") to maintain correct speed and space between riders.
Use the brakes sparingly. Jerky braking creates chain reaction problems for riders behind you. If you need to brake, feather the levers lightly instead of clutching at them. Breaking abruptly can be a disaster in a pace line, it is all about keeping a SMOOTH EVEN PACE.
If a gap opens, don't make things worse by accelerating too hard, overrunning the wheel in front, then grabbing the brakes. Instead, ease back up to the rider in front. If you don't become proficient at following a wheel, you can waste more energy than you save by constant yo-yoing.
Look past the rider directly in front. Don't stare down at his rear wheel or you won't see things that may cause him to brake or swerve. Communication is also essential, pointing down at a pit fall on the road and signaling to go around it by saying “WATCH” can avoid problems. The front rider is responsible for traffic in front and should yell “CAR UP”, and the rear rider or riders, are responsible for advising the pace line by yelling “CAR BACK”. Remember to be SHORT and CLEAR with your commands as the wind and outside noise can interfere.
3. Paceline Pointers
First rule: Be predictable. Close riding demands that everyone be on the same wavelength. There must be a basic understanding of what is and is not expected behavior in a given circumstance. Experience helps.
Don't accelerate when it's your turn at the front. Note your cyclecomputer's mph and maintain the group's speed when the lead rider pulls off. After your own bout against the wind, pull off to the side and stay close to the others as you soft pedal and slide back to the rear of the paceline. This enhances the drafting effect for the whole group. It also keeps everyone as far out of the traffic flow as possible, making paceline riding possible even on busier roads.
As you come abreast of the last rider in the line, pick up speed and then slide over behind his wheel as he comes past. When done correctly you won't need an energy-wasting acceleration in order to latch back on. Once in the caboose position you can take a drink or stand to stretch without disrupting the paceline's smoothness.
Don’t be a ‘pull hog’. Everyone deserves a chance at the front and if your pulls are short then the pace line maintains its strength. If you are having a hard day when you get to the front of the line take a very short pull, say 10 sec. and fall back so as not to slow down the pace. (Some days we ride stronger than others, don’t let your pride get in the way).
Protect your front wheel. If your rear wheel is struck a fall is unlikely because it has nothing to do with steering the bike. However, if your front wheel is contacted it will often be twisted of line faster than you can react. You'll almost certainly go down. Help prevent this by never overlapping someone's rear wheel.
Proper pace line will make for a fun and safe season. Remember to look out for each other and don’t forget to protect yourselves, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET AND CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE YOU RIDE!
As always, Coach Vivian http://www.tritraining.net/
The FredEvents Race Series
Battle at Burke Farm
(Register below)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
What is the Battle at Burke Farm
all about?
You're in for a treat when you race this course. It is a relatively new set-up located on private property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Burke (a HUGE thanks to them!!). The trails are maintained by the Culpeper Area Mountain Bike Organization (CAMBO) and they have done an outstanding job! The course offers everything from beginner/intermediate sections to a hard-core expert loop. This loop has some long, windy, steep, rocky ups and downs, whereas the other course sections are fast and windy, with quick ups and downs, creek crossings and log hops.
This is a Virginia Off-Road Series race with prime perks: Race Ts (guaranteed to pre-registered racers), food, drink (includes brew), and a most definitely AWESOME atmosphere. And it's a given that the man to stack the Schwag table is no other than local BOB, owner of The Bike Stop. If you are in need of anything pre- or post race, make sure to stop by the store (you'll drive right by it - click on the link for directions). This year, the National Guard is also putting up an AWESOME climbing wall. So come on out and test all your off road skills. And if you wreck on the bike, try climbing instead!
And guess what? If you don't feel like riding a bike, or simply suck at it, then COME AND RUN THE 5k that morning!
5k trail run along the wooded and field trails (so please watch your footing) of Burke Farm located at: 10538 Dutch Hollow Rd Rixeyville, VA. FREE for CAMBO members $10 youth/$25 adult non-members. *NO pre-registration. Race day registration only from 7:00-7:45am. Awards: Top 3 overall male and female finishers Top male and female finishers in each age-group (19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+) Contact: Alex Forte and Miranda Forte (race directors) at: coach.alex.forte@gmail.com or call the Bike Stop, Culpeper 540-825-2105
Distances:
Beginners: 1 loop (~6miles)
Experts: 3 loops
All others: 2 loops
Race Start:
Beginners: 10 a.m. with a 2 minute delay between categories in the following order:
1. Beginner Junior 7-12, 2. Beginner Male 13-34, 3. Beginner Male 35+, 4. Beginner Female 13-34, 5. Beginner Female 35+
All others: 12 p.m. with a 2 minute delay between categories in the following order:
1. Expert Male 34-Under, 2. Vet Expert/Expert Female, 3. Single Speed/Sport Male 34-Under, 4. Sport Male 35+/Juniors/Clydesdale, 4. Sport Female/Sport Male 45+/Masters (Male/Female)
Awards:
Top 3 Male/Female Expert/Pro get CASH!
Top 3 in all categories get to pick from Schwag table.
Awards will be presented after each race. Please pick up your awards at the awards ceremony as they will not be mailed.
Categories:
Beginner: Female 13-34, Female 35+, Junior 7-12, Male 13-34, Male 35+
Sport: Female, Male 34-Under, Male 35+, Male 45+
Expert: Female, Male 34-Under, Male 35+ (Vet)
Junior (14-18): Open
Single-speed: Open
Masters (50+): Male, Female
Clydesdale 200+: Open
Perks:
Race T to all pre-registered racers, awesome food, drinks and atmosphere.
Fees:
Beginners: $20 Early Bird Registration, $25 Pre-Registration, $30 Race Day Registration
All other categories: add $5
Cut-off dates are posted on the registration site.
Directions:
From Fredericksburg
Take Rt 3 West for about 30 minutes.
Rt 3 ends in Culpeper. Turn right onto Rt 29 Business, which will take you down Main St. Continue past the light at Rt 522.
At fork, continue straight on Rt 229 toward Rixeyville. (Do not bear right to stay on Rt 29 Business.)
Proceed about 2 miles to stop light in Catalpa, turn left on Chestnut Fork Rd (Rt 685).
Take first right on Dutch Hollow Rd. (Rt 632).
Proceed about 3 miles to stop sign, continue straight on Dutch Hollow Rd.
Burke Farm begins at the bottom of the hill on the left. Expert Gate is the first one, before you cross Muddy Run. Beginner Gate is the second one, where the road starts to climb again. Intermediate Gate is at the top of the hill, just past the Burke residence.
From Route 66
Take Exit 43A: Rt 29S – Gainesville, Warrenton.
Continue 10 miles until Rt 29 widens to 4 lanes. Bear right following signs for Rt 15 Biz/Rt 29 Biz to Rt 211 West – Warrenton, Luray. Do not get in the far right lane marked Rt 17 North – Winchester
Continue 2 miles through Warrenton to fourth stop light marked Rt 211W – Luray, Shenandoah National Park. Turn right.
Continue 6 miles to stop light. Turn left on Rixeyville Rd. (Rt 229 South).
Continue 7.5 miles to Rixeyville (post office and gas station). Continue 1 mile and turn right on Alum Springs Rd. (Rt 633).
Continue 2 miles to large white church and turn right on Dutch Hollow Rd. (Rt 632).
Burke Farm begins at the bottom of the hill on the left. Expert Gate is the first one, before you cross Muddy Run. Beginner Gate is the second one, where the road starts to climb again. Intermediate Gate is at the top of the hill, just past the Burke residence.
Parking:
Keep your eyes peeled when you get close to the race site. There will be signs and volunteers to guide you. Entry Gate is at the top of the hill, just past the Burke residence.
Race Day Registration and Packet Pick-up:
Beginner registration is at the registration tent from 7:30 to 9:45 sharp.
Registration for all other categories closes at 11:45 sharp.
Culpeper is becoming a “destination” for events. This is different than events that are born out of local organizations. I am talking about events that are established and looking for a venue that works for the occasion. Culpeper is being discovered as a great place to hold special events. And not just one type of event — we have a broad range of events that we are able to accommodate.
In June, Culpeper will host Bike Virginia. Registration for this event is sold out at 2,000 cyclists who will travel roadways from Charlottesville to Culpeper and then on to Orange. The five-day event is fully supported with a logistic army of volunteer specialists. We are expecting the 2,000 cyclists to arrive in Culpeper on June 21! On Monday June 22, the Town of Culpeper has arranged a downtown welcome event for the cyclists where there will be food, beverages, and music to enjoy while they browse and discover one of Virginia’s special treasurers — Downtown Culpeper. The public is invited to join in the event which will be June 22 from 5 to 9 p.m.
In August, Culpeper is hosting the Culpeper Sprint Triathlon. The event will bring 700 competitors to our area for the race on Aug. 2. The event has sold out in the past and will likely do the same this year. At least 25 local athletes are currently in training to compete. This event benefits both the Culpeper field hockey team and the Organization for Autism Research according to the event website. What a great reason to participate.
Last year the Law Enforcement Rodeo was held at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Guess where it will be held this year? Right here in Culpeper hosted by the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Department on Sept. 17, 18, and 19. There will be a motorcycle training and competition between 150 law enforcement officers traveling to Culpeper from along the east coast.
These are just a few events that are on the calendar for Culpeper in the next few months. However, there are many more. Some that relate to agri-tourism like the Farm Tour held in October and others that relate to Eco-Tourism that include events involving our natural resources. In addition, our Culpeper County Parks and Recreation Department receives frequent requests to allow regional tournaments on our well-managed sports fields. Our location makes it easy for regional sporting teams to find a central location to meet conveniently.
We are on the map … for many reasons! An interesting statistic about Culpeper is that there are approximately 66,891,000 people in a 300-mile radius around Culpeper, 29,933,000 in a 200 mile radius, and 10, 292,000 in a 100 mile radius according to information provided by the Culpeper County Department of Economic Development.
As we are discovered as a preferred place to hold events, it is clear that we are ready. When arriving a day early for an event or taking a day after the event, there are so many things to explore in our area. Culpeper is a place of history, natural beauty, fine dining, world-class entertainment, and most importantly a warm and hospitable community.
Jim Charapich is the president of the Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce. His column appears each Monday in the Star-Exponent.
http://www.tritraining.net/
(Register below)
