Dr. Arnie Baker may be a national-class racer and coach of Olympic cyclists,
but he hasn't lost touch with the needs of recreational riders.
In this
eBook, Skills Training for
Cyclists, he delivers an all-round education for newer roadies who
want to flatten the learning curve.
Why
practice skills and do drills rather than develop techniques simply by riding?
In Dr. Baker's view, there are
7 big benefits of skills training:
-
Safety – learning cycling's key skills
helps you avoid accidents.
-
Comfort – this has a mental component as
well as a physical one.
-
Energy reduction – riding right means
not wasting strength or stamina.
-
Confidence – many newcomers lack it;
skill development creates it.
-
Drafting – the sooner you learn this
skill, the better you'll ride with others.
-
Tactics – when you have the skills, you
can use them to best advantage.
-
Fun – skilled riders have more!
To
help you gain these advantages, you're guided you through 39 beginning and intermediate skills guaranteed to quickly
advance your cycling ability. Check the Table of Contents to
see everything you'll learn.
Arnie Baker has coached riders to several Olympics, 30 national records and
80 national championships. He has authored or co-authored 14 cycling books and more
than 750 articles. On the bike, Dr. Baker is a
category 1 racer who has set eight U.S. 40K time trial records and won more
than 200 races, including multiple national championships. He practices what
he preaches!
This excerpt comes from page 24. Dr. Baker
begins his discussion of group riding skills with these five points and goes
on to discuss eight others.
EXCERPT:
Group Riding Principles
Certain principles apply
when riding in a pack of riders. These principles are vital to the safety of the
group and its members. Learn them and you will be welcome in the paceline.
Learn how to ride with a group of riders at moderate speed. You will be able to
better anticipate what happens when riding in fast packs.
No Sudden Moves
Do not suddenly turn right, left, speed up, slow down. It is inefficient
and dangerous.
Be Smooth
Riders new to pacelines feel the need to show they can keep up. Some
work harder and speed up at the front. This is wrong. The front rider
relinquishing the lead moves' over to the side and then slows down, slightly.
The rider assuming the lead does not speed up, but maintains the same speed.
Give Others a Turn
The idea is not to prove how strong you are by hogging the front, but
rather to learn how to work together in a group, ride together, and feel
comfortable changing positions. There will be plenty of time to test your
strength.
Pull Off in a Consistent Direction
When riding in a group, unless the wind changes, riders will relinquish
the lead by "pulling off' either to the left or the right. Whichever way the
group is working, pull off the same way.
Indicate When & Where Pulling Off
Indicate physically and orally how and when you will be pulling off.
Use the "chicken wing" indicator. Flap an elbow just
before pulling off; flap on the side opposite to which you are moving. In this
way, with side winds, the following rider, echeloned to the lee side, will know
when the lead rider is pulling off.
Although some riders point to where they will be
going with a finger, keeping both hands on the handlebars is safer.
Just before pulling off say: "Pulling off."
8 more expert group riding tips follow these 5
