Andrew and I went out today to get some video of one of our pro’s climbing Mt. Diablo, of course, on the PC’s. Then, I thought, we ought to get some video of him descending because that is one area everyone has problems with.
Andrew used to drive for the bianchi team. It was like we put him into a time warp. Holy crap, wheels screaming, I thought we were going to turn over a couple of times. And Darren on the bike could have gone faster, he kept holding up for us. It must be really something to be in the cars during one of those 5 pass mountain stage.
Frank, even if you are a moderately good descender, it is rare that on a multiple hairpin Tour de France style descent that a car beats you down…cars just have too much linear momentum to turn on a dime (that is why a small rider actually has an advantage on a technical descent over a large rider) and cars cannot “lean”.
If you would have installed PowerCranks on the Team car you would have descended better and with more confidence. In time you could have over-taken the rider.
Frank, even if you are a moderately good descender, it is rare that on a multiple hairpin Tour de France style descent that a car beats you down…cars just have too much linear momentum to turn on a dime (that is why a small rider actually has an advantage on a technical descent over a large rider) and cars cannot “lean”.
Dev
especially my minivan. And, let me tell you, it WAS leaning. Just the wrong way. (I can smile now that I am down in one piece)
Be curious to see that video and compare it to how us mere mortals do that same climb…!
I’ll have it up on the web site pretty soon I hope. what was interesting to me was this was a “recovery ride” of sorts for him. He rode from Emeryville (about 2 hours) before he started the ride. Then, we were pretty much talking all the way up even though he was usually between 270-300 watts (HR 140-150) the entire way. He passed one guy who said something like “you’re in pretty good shape” to which he said to me, well, “I would hope so as this is how I make my living”, or some such words. I mean, this was not hard for this guy in the least, at the effort he rode. Very impressive to someone like me.
Be curious to see that video and compare it to how us mere mortals do that same climb…!
I was reviewing the footage. I will be sure to include the portion where he is riding NO HANDS showing me what he brought along for “lunch”. I doubt his power fell any. Further, he is asking how many customers get to where they can ride them no hands. I don’t have a clue, I doubt many, all I could think of is how many have trouble just getting out of the saddle.
Another interesting thing I saw and we talked about some was about the only time he had a glitch in his stroke was when going from standing to seated, where both legs would go down then he would start. Otherwise, it was pretty much constant pedaling. I will make that part of the video also.
So let me get this straight—he’s riding no hands up hill…? Allrighty then, I am definitely not worthy…
Riding no hands always seems to be problematic (at least for me) on a tri bike as opposed to the road bike…but I still cannot imagine doing it on either going up Diablo. Granted, there’s a few flat spots on the South Gate portion, but if he’s doing it somewhere else-----wow!
Frank, driving too fast down Diablo is stupid. Sure, maybe your driver was good at it but there are way too many bikes around to be doing that. You should know better. I’ve seen mountian bikers cross the road to get from one trail to another.
I almost got hit on Sunday descending the South Gate from a car going up. The driver decided he didn’t want to wait behind some bikes so he cuts into oncoming traffic around a corner while I’m turning the corner coming down. I almost died.
NEVER DRIVE FAST ON DIABLO. Take a look at the fatalities that occur on the mountian (go to Ranger station at junction). With bikes and cars it’s all on the descent.
Frank, driving too fast down Diablo is stupid. Sure, maybe your driver was good at it but there are way too many bikes around to be doing that. You should know better. I’ve seen mountian bikers cross the road to get from one trail to another.
I almost got hit on Sunday descending the South Gate from a car going up. The driver decided he didn’t want to wait behind some bikes so he cuts into oncoming traffic around a corner while I’m turning the corner coming down. I almost died.
NEVER DRIVE FAST ON DIABLO. Take a look at the fatalities that occur on the mountian (go to Ranger station at junction). With bikes and cars it’s all on the descent.
Shame on you man. So irresponsible.
I agree, although we did have someone scouting the road ahead of us. That being said. I will never do it again. The best way would be with a helmet cam on another rider of equal ability. Darren was in complete control the entire way. It would have taken me twice as long to descend and then I would have felt like I was pushing it.
Well - not to brag (OK maybe a little…) but I can also ride “no hands” on my roadbike with PC’s. I think it is nice to hear that he can’t get a smooth transition from standing to seated either. I have been able to do that a few times - but I really do not like the feeling - it seems wrong, ESPECIALLY when back on regular cranks!
300 watts at 140-150 bpm. Hmm - I am not quite there yet - especially since I have started spinning whit a higher cadence - brings the heartrate back up again
What does he do with his feet on the descent? Since with PCs they can be in pretty much any orientation. Get down in the drops and pull both kees up like a ski racer?
What does he do with his feet on the descent? Since with PCs they can be in pretty much any orientation. Get down in the drops and pull both kees up like a ski racer?
Interestingly, he spent quite a bit of time pedaling. But when he wasn’t pedaling he had the inside leg pulled up going around turns, sometimes both legs down but, occasionally, both legs up into a skiers tuck position (not sure I got that on video). It was interesting to watch, albeit a bit hard as we were so far behind.
Well - not to brag (OK maybe a little…) but I can also ride “no hands” on my roadbike with PC’s. I think it is nice to hear that he can’t get a smooth transition from standing to seated either. I have been able to do that a few times - but I really do not like the feeling - it seems wrong, ESPECIALLY when back on regular cranks!
300 watts at 140-150 bpm. Hmm - I am not quite there yet - especially since I have started spinning whit a higher cadence - brings the heartrate back up again
He made a comment while doing it that he thought what was required to do this was good core strength. What to you think?
Well - not to brag (OK maybe a little…) but I can also ride “no hands” on my roadbike with PC’s. I think it is nice to hear that he can’t get a smooth transition from standing to seated either. I have been able to do that a few times - but I really do not like the feeling - it seems wrong, ESPECIALLY when back on regular cranks!
300 watts at 140-150 bpm. Hmm - I am not quite there yet - especially since I have started spinning whit a higher cadence - brings the heartrate back up again
He made a comment while doing it that he thought what was required to do this was good core strength. What to you think?
Well I am not sure what you are referring to…?
The shift from standing to seated while pedaling is PURELY a matter of coordination - it is just that you will have to lift your leg while the rest of your body is moving down into the saddle - quite a different movement than anything you would do on ordinary cranks.
Spinning on powercranks of course is a matter of getting the “new” muscles accustomed to the work. But I have been surprised ALSO how tense my stomach feels after a high cadence spin (well it is still only 90-100 rpm.) compared to low cadence riding. My speed is also a little lower on my regular rides right now since I have started to focus more on cadence than power - the power WILL come up again I am sure…
The “no hands” thing is just a matter of balance - not really much of anything else…
(I can smile now that I am down in one piece)