philly1x wrote:
TriTamp wrote:
For non-draft legal, safe bike-handling skill requirements are not that great. Not saying zero but you shouldn't be up close to people during a race. you're on paved roads with normally some level of traffic control.
I'm not a big fan of riding on the roads due to safety concerns but I have some places I am reasonable comfortable riding. But I'm definitely exploring doing more gravel riding.
My previous comment was not snarky enough... you took it too seriously. But, I'll play.
Safe NDL-racing bike-handling skills (most of) which cannot be practiced on a trainer or rollers:
- hazard avoidance (eg, bunny-hopping an expansion joint, dodging an errant bottle, etc.)
- comfortable passing/being-passed on a closed-circuit, high-speed course
- cornering and passing/being-passed shoulder to shoulder in high-race-traffic environments
- mount/dismount w/o crashing out others
- staying upright in a feed zone
- knowing how to stop while riding out a flat
- riding w/ one hand while eating and drinking (even if just a few times for only a few seconds each time)
- cornering safely (no inside pedal down, etc.)
Gravel is a ton of fun. :)
I agree those can't be practiced on a trainer but I'm hoping that at least most of those people can manage fairly easily. Of course that certainly is not always the case. now I have to think about the one's on your list I've practiced.
- hazard avoidance. I've had to unintentionally practice that. (avoid squirrels among other things). In my last HIM I had to just bite the bullet and hit a water bottle. It flew out late, I was passing somebody, and I was better off hitting it than swerving all over the place.
- passing people. I do suppose I see far too many people not bother to look when they swing out to pass somebody. almost worse are the ones who don't look and point a finger out which is always too late.
- cornering. can't say I'm great but I at least know my limitations and can keep a reasonable line
- mounting/dismounting - I can't say I'm fast but I'm predictable
- knowing how to stop while riding out a flat - any tips on this? I've flatted once on a training ride. Heard and felt the pop from a pinch flat and slowly came to a stop.
- riding w/one hand while eating and drinking - I have specifically practiced this
- cornering - yay me! I practice this.
I think for me it's always important to know one's limitations. For stuff I don't do well, I at least try to make sure I'm safe about it which can mean just being cautious about it. For example, I don't do flying mounts so I make sure to walk far enough past the mount line and to the right so I'm out of the way of people who are mounting their bikes more quickly than I am.