General Discussion Triathlon Talk » BIking strategy on a flat, windy course Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-07-18 11:12 AM

Master
1675
1000500100252525
Kitchener
Subject: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course

I don't have a ton of race experience, and was wondering how to get the best ride on a fairly flat, windy course - not super windy - 20km/hr.    Should I be pushing the biggest gear with a 75ish cadence or find a gear that I can pedal 85-90 and maybe a km/hour slower.    I'm thinking the lower cadence would be like hill climbing and might tire me out more.   I am strong enough and have cycled a few 90km+ distances including a VERY hilly route with about 27km/hr.  This was a moderate effort, not race pace. 

Have a 30km race tomorrow and I would REALLY like to finish with an average speed of 30-31km/hr.    I have done a couple of 10km TT's with 33.5 average speed but that was pushing it! 

Thanks for your thoughts.



2009-07-18 12:32 PM
in reply to: #2293330

Veteran
210
100100
Portland, OR
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course

I TRY to treat it just like any hill.  The flat windy courses are really tough mentally.  I just make sure to pay more attention to my cadence and effort and try not look too much at my speed.  If my cadence drops below 80 I shift.  The real trick for a TT is obviously know what effort level works. 

On my last TT (58mi/93km).  Most of us were using heart rate to help gauge our effort.

2009-07-18 12:53 PM
in reply to: #2293412

Master
1675
1000500100252525
Kitchener
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course
blueR6440 - 2009-07-18 1:32 PM

I TRY to treat it just like any hill.  The flat windy courses are really tough mentally.  I just make sure to pay more attention to my cadence and effort and try not look too much at my speed.  If my cadence drops below 80 I shift.  The real trick for a TT is obviously know what effort level works. 

On my last TT (58mi/93km).  Most of us were using heart rate to help gauge our effort.



Thanks.   I did use my HR monitor on my 10km TT's and know that I wouldn't be able to sustain that for 30km; I could for possibly for 20.   On my 90 km race I could have put more effort in; it felt quite comfortable and the HR showed it.    Wasn't going to wear it this race, but maybe I should.   I also tend to go a bit easier on the first half and keep the cadence high and power it out more on the return.   I have been trying to pay more attention to pacing - keeping a steady pace rather than having the speed bounce all over the place.  
2009-07-18 3:32 PM
in reply to: #2293330

User image

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course
I wouldn't care an specific rpm, I would just as hard as I can and shoot to even pace and spread my effort for the entire 30K TT. Whatever power I can generate (effort) and the terrain/conditions (wind) will dictate what rpm I should sustain while shooting to go as hard as possible. Go for it, don't go too hard at the 1st, better to build up effort and finish knowing you gave it all, at the end you should be almost near puking if not you didn't go as hard as you could have good luck.
2009-07-18 3:43 PM
in reply to: #2293564

Master
1675
1000500100252525
Kitchener
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course
JorgeM - 2009-07-18 4:32 PM I wouldn't care an specific rpm, I would just as hard as I can and shoot to even pace and spread my effort for the entire 30K TT. Whatever power I can generate (effort) and the terrain/conditions (wind) will dictate what rpm I should sustain while shooting to go as hard as possible. Go for it, don't go too hard at the 1st, better to build up effort and finish knowing you gave it all, at the end you should be almost near puking if not you didn't go as hard as you could have good luck.


Thank you very much!   Will do my best to achieve 'puke pace' and finish strong.   I LOVE to finish strong!   Cool
2009-07-18 9:22 PM
in reply to: #2293330

User image

Extreme Veteran
657
5001002525
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course
I think the biggest problem with riding into the wind is that it's constantly trying to slow you down.  It's important to keep a "twist" on the rear end as much as possible through your pedal stroke to keep the torque delivered as constant as possible.  Otherwise you're speeding up and slowing down constantly through the pedal stroke.  Anything non aero seems to get exaggerated.  A floppy tshirt or a race number can act like a wind brake.  If the wind is gusty it's important to remember to increase your speed during the lull between gusts and not use it as a relaxation moment.  (That's for after the race)  I've heard that if you have a disk wheel and the wind is a little to the side you can lean into the wind.  I've also seen studies to show that as the angle of the wind changes different aero wheels will respond differently.  Some do better with a slight crosswind than others.  If you're trying to ride an average speed, a little below your average seems to subtract way more than a lot above the average speed.  I ride into monstrous winds on seemingly a daily basis.  If you're a really strong rider it is to your advantage since it spreads everyone out much more than on a calm day.

Here's a ride I did the other day with the wind coming out of the south at 25-30mph.  I had to slow down for numerous intersections on this ride.

windy day


2009-07-18 10:40 PM
in reply to: #2293412

User image

Champion
7595
50002000500252525
Columbia, South Carolina
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course
blueR6440 - 2009-07-18 1:32 PM

I TRY to treat it just like any hill.

...



I think one important difference is that on a hill, aero position is not nearly as important.  You can hop
out of the saddle, sit up, whatever, without much aero penalty.  Riding into the wind, being aero is very important.
2009-07-20 7:19 AM
in reply to: #2293330

Master
1675
1000500100252525
Kitchener
Subject: RE: BIking strategy on a flat, windy course
OK, I did my race!   Thanks for all the advice.      I tried to follow it - i.e. staying aero into the wind and really pushing the downhills and using the tailwind.   It was not a super strong wind but 15km with 20km gusts - head and crosswind wind on the return which was steady uphill.     

I had a PB on the first half of 32.53, then turned into the wind and the steady climbing, finishing with 29 bang on.   Disappointed that I didn't get 30km/hr average, and can see I still need work with the wind.   

Placed 10/23 in the 50-59 age group and 5/10 in 55-59 and 397/463 overall for the bike.  

Now I need to work on my running.  
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » BIking strategy on a flat, windy course Rss Feed