Psychology of Cycling Fast Survey

[sashah]

Hello all,
For my extended project I am doing an essay entitled “The Evolution and Applications of Aerodynamics in Cycling; Testing How Valid Current Aerodynamic Drag Models Are In Real World Riding” which might interest some of you; however I need some of your help - please could you fill out my survey on the psychology of cycling fast https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/QGT6PXT 16
Thank you and Merry Christmas
Sasha H

[quixoticgeek]

Done.

One thing I would suggest is you should have included a 3rd question in your weight vs aero importance, Comfort. When you start to go longer distances comfort trumps a lot of aero/weight.

J

[Ian H]

"What do you say when riding into a headwind?"   With a drop-down list of phrases.

Eh? 

[The French Tandem]

Done!

I was expecting my ability in assessing the validity of aerodynamic drag models to be challenged, but fortunately it was not that hard.

A

[Karla]

Question 1 you should be able to select multiple answers?

[slugbait]

Fun survey. Question 1 has an "other"-option. My response for the first question, i.e. when do you stop riding, "Ice (snow is fine) or temperatures below -5". Snow and ice are quite different. Snow, especially when it's fresh, provides plenty of grip. The "-5" bit is mainly because I don't have appropriate clothing for very low temperatures.

[ElyDave]

Strong winds, in the fens, means those that will have you in a ditch by the roadside

Q7 has no recumbent option

[Phil W]

Indeed the phycology of headwinds is somewhat different when on a recumbent. Plus if you want to see where the pursuit of aerodynamics and bikes goes, then look at recumbents, and ultimately in streamliners.

[fd3]

The point behind the survey is Psychology, not actually "better bike" or even "optimal bike" stuff.

Chances are the OP has shared this on a number of fora, so our laidback bias is probably a statistical aberration.

[ElyDave]

The psychology of a headwind varies with bike. I've chased down hard working upwrongs on my recumbents into the wind. Not that they were working harder than me, just that I was going faster into the wind for the same effort

[Ben T]

Question 1 you should be able to select multiple answers?

But you can select multiple age categories on the last question.  Which makes up for it   

[giropaul]

I’m not impressed by the quality of the survey, and feel that it lacks initial input from cyclists .

E.g. do you consider yourself fast - I would consider myself fast if I had several race wins/ season ( I don’t these days) .others may define this as averaging x mph, others as y mph

What is your average speed ? On a main road, on tracks, in towns? Too many variables to be valid

In particular - the aero position question. Is the designer aware that tri bars are only allowed in certain events, or that they and other options are highly dangerous in windy conditions?

The key error for me is in surveying “ cyclists”. It’s like mixing marathon runners with people walking to the pub. My view of cycling is, I know, very different from many others, as theirs are from mine.

[Kim]

The key error for me is in surveying “ cyclists”. It’s like mixing marathon runners with people walking to the pub. My view of cycling is, I know, very different from many others, as theirs are from mine.

A common error in so many things, but particularly when considering the YACFish demographic, where many of us regularly do very different types of cycling.

[quixoticgeek]

But cyclists are all the same right? Lycra, funny shoes, expensive carbon bike... That's all cycling is!

J

[vorsprung]

I have noticed that I am not as bothered as some other people are by headwinds

I assume that this is because I am 6'2" and weigh over 13 stone

(182cm/85kg)

I am still slow into the headwind but I don't care.  If it is tiring, I just go a bit slower

When I used to do a 30 mile commute every day the only thing that would make me think "hmm maybe I should take the car" was if the tree over the road was making a sound like a jet engine, due to a gale.  TBH I don't think I ever did take the car for that reason in the end

Only time I can remember a headwind being a big difficulty in a ride was on Anglesey during a 400km audax.  That was a bit much

Oh, possibly relevant - I live in Devon and rarely ride on flat

[Karla]

I've lost count of how many fatally-flawed surveys we get posted by 'researchers' who haven't been trained to design surveys.  Nothing to see here, move on please.

[quixoticgeek]

I've lost count of how many fatally-flawed surveys we get posted by 'researchers' who haven't been trained to design surveys.  Nothing to see here, move on please.

I do a lot of yougov surveys. Even the pros are bad at designing survey questions.

J

[HTFB]

I've lost count of how many fatally-flawed surveys we get posted by 'researchers' who haven't been trained to design surveys.  Nothing to see here, move on please.

The EPQ is for sixth-formers. You have to get your training somewhere. Give a kid a break.

[fd3]

^.  Also, part of the learning process in surveys is designing crap ones.