It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.
Quote from: jsabine on 02 February, 2015, 01:31:31 amQuote from: Kim on 02 February, 2015, 12:31:59 amI really don't get all this "recumbents aren't bicycles" stuff. Leaving aside that that's very often untrue, why pick out a certain set of geometries for special persecution, It's just continuing the UCI's persecution I think: started in what, the 30s, so there's clearly no reason for it not to continue.That aside, given the different characteristics of recumbents vs DF bikes, treating them as different classes, as with tandems or trikes, is scarcely unreasonable. But given the UMCA hasn't done so for this record, sniping about Kurt using one is just about as unworthy as sniping about him riding in Florida or using personal support.The main reason that recumbents have a different category of racing is that they have different riding and aerodynamic characteristics. They are hard to climb with because of the muscle groups used and you are not able to use your weight. On the flat they can be much faster because the force of wind resisting a rider is proportional to the square of the speed and the largest factor is the frontal area. This is why tri bars are popular and one of the two reasons why Steve is using them (the other been comfort). Kurt has access to large very flat lands and a recumbent could provide a significant speed advantage. Personally I think it was a mistake to allow recumbents to be included in the record attempt. But I am not on the committee that decided the rules.Link that explains wind resistance http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/aero/formulas.htmBB
Quote from: Kim on 02 February, 2015, 12:31:59 amI really don't get all this "recumbents aren't bicycles" stuff. Leaving aside that that's very often untrue, why pick out a certain set of geometries for special persecution, It's just continuing the UCI's persecution I think: started in what, the 30s, so there's clearly no reason for it not to continue.That aside, given the different characteristics of recumbents vs DF bikes, treating them as different classes, as with tandems or trikes, is scarcely unreasonable. But given the UMCA hasn't done so for this record, sniping about Kurt using one is just about as unworthy as sniping about him riding in Florida or using personal support.
I really don't get all this "recumbents aren't bicycles" stuff. Leaving aside that that's very often untrue, why pick out a certain set of geometries for special persecution,
Quote from: Bianchi Boy on 02 February, 2015, 07:12:54 amThey are hard to climb with because of the muscle groups used and you are not able to use your weight. Wrong.
They are hard to climb with because of the muscle groups used and you are not able to use your weight.
And for whose advocating the 'purist' approach when will I expect to see Steve running a three gear 40lb bike?
Quote from: LMT on 02 February, 2015, 01:35:47 pmQuote from: Bianchi Boy on 02 February, 2015, 07:12:54 amThey are hard to climb with because of the muscle groups used and you are not able to use your weight. Wrong.I thought that was true(ish) if you're coming at it from a DF-rider perspective: different muscles, different techniques, and a fair bit of adaptation needed. 'Course, it might be foolish to try and make the comparison before you've got yourself accustomed ...QuoteAnd for whose advocating the 'purist' approach when will I expect to see Steve running a three gear 40lb bike?Be fair: he'd be allowed four gears (at least for the latter half of the year), and it was reported as being closer to 30lb than 40 ...
though his tale of getting stuck inbetween a wagon and its trailer, and having to hammer on for about ten miles along the A1 with the connecting chain slapping alongside him until he could escape - I always found that a little implausible.
Quote from: Deano on 01 February, 2015, 10:45:23 pmthough his tale of getting stuck inbetween a wagon and its trailer, and having to hammer on for about ten miles along the A1 with the connecting chain slapping alongside him until he could escape - I always found that a little implausible. It was known to happen.Plugging away into headwind, lorry starts to overtake, sprint like mad as the back wheels pass and pull across into the slipstream as the back of the lorry goes past, only to find the towbar/chains for the trailer. If the driver pulls back into the edge at this point, having checked his mirror and not seen you, you would be stuck, waiting for a wide side road, layby, or the driver to drift out on a right-hand bend. Either that or just ride off the edge of the road.
Quote from: andrew_s on 02 February, 2015, 02:10:03 pmQuote from: Deano on 01 February, 2015, 10:45:23 pmthough his tale of getting stuck inbetween a wagon and its trailer, and having to hammer on for about ten miles along the A1 with the connecting chain slapping alongside him until he could escape - I always found that a little implausible. It was known to happen.Plugging away into headwind, lorry starts to overtake, sprint like mad as the back wheels pass and pull across into the slipstream as the back of the lorry goes past, only to find the towbar/chains for the trailer. If the driver pulls back into the edge at this point, having checked his mirror and not seen you, you would be stuck, waiting for a wide side road, layby, or the driver to drift out on a right-hand bend. Either that or just ride off the edge of the road.Apologies in advance, but ever since Deano mentioned this yesterday, the only person I can see in this scenario peddling like the clappers to keep up...is Norman Wisdom. In black and white too.How do you remove images from the mind?Amusing tale though.
Quote from: andrew_s on 02 February, 2015, 02:10:03 pmQuote from: Deano on 01 February, 2015, 10:45:23 pmthough his tale of getting stuck inbetween a wagon and its trailer, and having to hammer on for about ten miles along the A1 with the connecting chain slapping alongside him until he could escape - I always found that a little implausible. It was known to happen.Plugging away into headwind, lorry starts to overtake, sprint like mad as the back wheels pass and pull across into the slipstream as the back of the lorry goes past, only to find the towbar/chains for the trailer. If the driver pulls back into the edge at this point, having checked his mirror and not seen you, you would be stuck, waiting for a wide side road, layby, or the driver to drift out on a right-hand bend. Either that or just ride off the edge of the road.I should probably give him the benefit of the doubt - but his stories do get taller as the years go by
In my misspent youth I got a right rollicking from a police officer, after he pulled in the lorry I was draughting behind for doing 42 in a 30 zone. As a callow 19 year old I was 'well chuffed'
Another 200+ day and a sly dig made in the latest fb video.
My impression is it was a dig at his detractors on Strava etc , most days their seem to be comments about how flat Florida is , how warm Florida is and how easy Kurt is having it compared to Steve , as if doing 200+ miles a day is easy .Paul
Having ridden the Mille Miglia and quite a few other brevets at 200 miles a day, it isn't particularly difficult but doing it for weeks on end and in discouraging weather certainly is.
