Debate over types of brakes misplaced; we race to get there first, not to stop first

Wheels of Happiness

There has been a lot of debate on:  rim brake vs disc brake  

An old pro described this to be worthless debate as in race we determine who gets there first, not who brakes first.   

So focus on more efficient and sturdy drive train:   pedals, shoes,  crank, chain ring, chaings, cogs, wheel set.   It turned out that rim brakes are faster vs disc brakes being lighter.

Game changing pedals used at TDF; will they make you ride faster

Wheels of Happiness

New pedal tech at TDF  Will they  make you ride faster?

Why was Pogacar so much faster than Pantani ripping his records by 3:30-?

Wheels of Happiness

An analysis by Cycling news

Pogacar and company broke Pantanis record in the 15th stage of TDF (Plateue de Belles):  in terms of wattage, time (3:30) and speed, running the last 5 km at 26 kph.   That meant also those behind him Jonas and Van der Poel broke the said record (also of other said stage champs like Armstrong etc.)

The reason was:  technology and about watts.   With the following, Pogi could have exerted 70 less watts:

1.  Aero bike -  aero bars and cable less frontal of the bike.   (My two bikes have aero bars and one does not have exposed cables)  While thisi would not work for slow climb, it certainly worked for the 26 + kph by Pogi at last 5 km

2.  Tire technology:   Pogi had 50mm at the back and 40 mm in front.  Tires were 32 (> 28 mm.  I have 28 mm in one of my bikes)  Before it was theorized that Pantani"s 21 mm tires were faster.  But now the theory is that most roads are not that smooth and wider tires absorb the mini shocks which slows down the bike.   

3.  Aero clothing -  the skin hugging jerseys and bibs were easily 7 watts.   Pantani wore loose flapping jerseys

Pogi also ran the climbs seated.  Vs Marco who ran out of saddle.   Pogi certainly saved a lot of energy sitting down

What do you think?  Or is simply because Pogi did a Pogacar.

 

Do oval chain rings make you faster?

Wheels of Happiness The author says its better. In effect if you have 32 oval, you have 3 sizes: 30, 32, 34. So takes care of the differences in power and weak stroke My experience though is that it causes rapid wear of the chain ring and chain. My first bike had Shimano oval. I stick to round chain ring.

Goal in physical fitness: Citius, altius, fortius - being stronger and faster

Wheels of Happiness

Many riders say that the bike ride is going to be chill.  That is nice 

However, one of the goals of physical fitness is to be fitter than before.  Thus the Olympic motto of Citius -  Higher, Altius -  Higher,  Fortius - Stronger make sense.  Especially for a senior like me.  I have to exercise to be fitter.  Because otherwise, I become weaker, I lose muscle mass.  I become weaker and yes older.  

I read relevant post that in swimming one has to end the session with fewer strokes say from 14 of a 50 m pool, to twelve.  That means you have to find ways how to be efficient and stronger.

Thus as I bike to achieve certain goals I have to undertake several biking mode/tasks:

1.  Faster -  lubricate, wash bike, change bearings,  Sprint occasionally

2.  Stronger -  climb hills, use large chain rings in climbing

3   Higher -  climb higher hills, engage in long rides

Do you have similar goals when you bike

Focus on your being healthier rather than spending more on your bike.  It does not do anything to you self improvement if you spend more PHP on your bikes.

Getting older but getting stronger and faster

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
March 11, 2018

I pledged that in 2018 I will try to be fitter and stronger, resisting the time and aging.  In 3 months time, I will be 67.   (Thats 10 years biking all ready which started as a cure for arthritis and high uric acid high cholesterol and blood sugar leve)

To do this, says experts:

1.  Once a week long ride (say 100 km)

2.  Occasional short rides with sprints, or race like day;

3. Stay in contact with strong riders;  do not be left behind;  chase if left behind.  (Turo n rin si Joel J Talap)

4. If you are climbing hills do interval at final 30% of the climb.   Hard fast effort  (Turo din ni Joel)

What have I done:

1.  To train for Vigan I did an average of 200 km a week:  two short rides of 100 km - Morong, Pililla, or Antipolo.  And 1 long ride: Jalajala or Bugarin.  In the short ride I sprint usually at Morong Cardona, at Calumpang. I do interval going up Callahan or Mambog, Pantok.

2.  In the Vigan ride I rode ahead of others for 50 km from Urdaneta to Agoo.  At Vigan, I chased and even went ahead of some leaders.

3.  In the ride today:

    1. I chased one rider na orange at black and passed him at Cardona Church

    2. I sprinted the final 100 meters of Mambog hill.    I led some of fellow kapadyak mula pa Looc (sprint pa rin) up to Callahan;  somebody overtook me but I chased and passed him at Cardona to Morong straight;

   3.  I was able to catch up with an idol strong rider at Morong, despite the  fact that I went to Sacred Heart after I peeled off from him in Tayuman

  4. On the way home at Pantok, a group of wealthy riders:  naka Willier at Pinarello overtook me counterflowed at  in  heavy traffic but I stayed close and even led them from Bilibiran to Pag asa...Thanks for allowing me to boast

I am happy with today's ride.  Yesterday, I led a fellow kapadyak who for the  first time again in a month rode up Antipolo.  (I have rode up Antipolo during the last 30 days for 4x all ready) At Sumulong Highway, I came across a group with Dogma and other expensive bikes.  They were away and ahead as they rode over Bankers Village in Sumulong.  Right after Assumption we overtook them...

How to save up to 74 watts on tire tech

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 14, 2017

Wheels and tires make a lot of difference in biking (as in Formula car racing)  Here are some tips from a video and may be if we want to ride faster, we can implement some of the tips and suggestions

There is not much advantage/loss/gain on the following:

      1.  Tire weight
      2.  Tire width (which is better 23 mm or 25 mm?)   From competitive cyclist
      3.  Clincher vs tubular?
   

But much can be gained from:

     1.  Tire pressure  (if you are riding on rough roads inflate your tire to only 60 psi, on smooth concrete or asphalt only 100 to 120 psi.  Wrong tire pressure can make you lose power.  This was aptly demonstrated by a rider in Paris Roubaix race who just inflated his tire to 60 psi on cobble stones and was way way ahead of his competitor

     2.  Tire compounds  you can save as much as 27 watts on modern tires with graphene compounds or cotton  inside.  (the graphs show even more)

     3.  Tire rim combination  (it is better to have wider tires and narrow rims)  They are more aerodynamic

     Observance of science and physics can make you go faster.

 From Velo News - Specialized S Works Turbo Tubeless and Continental GP 4000 S.  (Ano bilihan ba ulit ng bagong tires?)
   

Watch video on next page

How to ride faster and safer

Wheels of Happiness

Rizal Philippines
April 11, 2016

Here are some tips for your improvement of speed from GCN:

1.  Look where you are going
2.  Practice your skills
3.  Ride/practice drafting
4.  Relax
5.  Dont wear underwear
Watch the video for more tips:









How to ride faster with less effort:

How to ride faster and stronger?!

Wheels of Happiness

Angono, Rizal Philippines   |  February 13, 2015



It is Friday the 13th but I biked to Tanay and on the way back I biked through the Cardona bypass.  I had to struggle but that is the way to be prepared for Baguio ride.

So the question is how I a senior can get fit and strong to join the very young kapadyaks (Halimaws if you may) at the their blinding rides.

So I always remember the admonition of Joel  -   keep close to the leaders and ride harder. Do Hard Interval Training.


Dr. Arnie Baker


I read Arnie Baker MD in his book Smart Cycling and here are his advice, which I try to stick to:

1. Equipment:

    1.  Lighten your bike especially the power train:  wheels, tubes, chain, chain ring, cogs, pedals, shoes.   If you can lower the weight of your bike from 23 lbs to below 20 then you can see changes in the way you bike

   2. Clean your bike  - remove grime in the pedal, cogs, derailleur, brakes, changer.  It could get very dirty;

   3. Oil lubricate your moving parts; STI, cables, cogs, pulleys, axle, bearings, BB. A noisy unlubricated bike can cost you minutes or a being dropped

Beyond these, everything else depends on the engine -  YOU.