Amy and Kyle's Around the world challenge

[Bonefish Blues]

Yes that is impressive. Being mentioned in the same sentence as Lael shows they have really moved up a level. They definitely had some days with headwinds across Australia but overall the winter weather there seemed fairly kind. Whatever the conditions, the mental strength to ride across places like the Nullabor is considerable. I can’t imagine riding all day on the same road with barely bend or a gear change.

Riding as a pair would help quite a lot though, surely?

 

[fossyant]

Riding as a pair would help quite a lot though, surely?

It does. 20-25% saving if drafting properly....

 

[Bonefish Blues]

It does. 20-25% saving if drafting properly....

That's massive, and an arrow-straight road's the place to use it to the max, I'm guessing.

 

[fossyant]

That's massive, and an arrow-straight road's the place to use it to the max, I'm guessing.

It is, it's why a peloton can go a lot faster. But you need to be pretty close to the other rider's rear wheel. We used to do through and off, and have a lead out on club runs. I guess you've not ridden with others a lot ? That said, you have to be confident with the riders around you - it doesn't work too well with 'strangers' in a group as you don't know their 'riding style'.

So if Kyle is the stronger rider, Amy could tuck in behind and save some energy, or if he is tired, she can take the lead. You'd usually expect someone to take the lead for a few miles, then swap over. Side winds, then that's where you 'stagger' the position to still get some draft.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

It is, it's why a peloton can go a lot faster. But you need to be pretty close to the other rider's rear wheel. We used to do through and off, and have a lead out on club runs. I guess you've not ridden with others a lot ? That said, you have to be confident with the riders around you - it doesn't work too well with 'strangers' in a group as you don't know their 'riding style'.

So if Kyle is the stronger rider, Amy could tuck in behind and save some energy, or if he is tired, she can take the lead. You'd usually expect someone to take the lead for a few miles, then swap over. Side winds, then that's where you 'stagger' the position to still get some draft.

I opined thus to get others to give their knowledge - I well understand the theory & the dynamics of drafting but am not and have never been a club/social cyclist, and am keen never to overstate, iyswim

 

[Ming the Merciless]

So if Kyle is the stronger rider

I think Amy is now stronger uphill, but he is stronger on the flat. Based on last video I saw where they talk about relative strengths. Of course, who is stronger will vary by day by hour, unless one is significantly stronger when fresh.

 

[fossyant]

I think Amy is now stronger uphill, but he is stronger on the flat. Based on last video I saw where they talk about relative strengths. Of course, who is stronger will vary by day by hour, unless one is significantly stronger when fresh.

She's done loads more training and will be a fair bit lighter, given Kyle was working full time, but Kyle has lost a shoot load of weight. You also don't know who is carrying the 'weight'. The extra 'soft toys' won't help....

You can still see she has past issues with food, posting a lot of pictures of eating what we'd all consider just necessary eating.

Some evenings, the food choice is a bit pants. At my age, I couldn't be doing with it. Food has to be good.

 

[fossyant]

I opined thus to get others to give their knowledge - I well understand the theory & the dynamics of drafting but am not and have never been a club/social cyclist, and am keen never to overstate, iyswim

Makes a difference tucking in behind a mate on a ride. Even just two or three, you take turns. Does help a lot.

 

[Mike_P]

Makes a difference tucking in behind a mate on a ride. Even just two or three, you take turns. Does help a lot.

Even if you cycle alone you are likely to chat to another cyclist somewhere on you ride and at times I have worked with them for a distance especially if the ride is into a headwind.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It does. 20-25% saving if drafting properly....

Higher than that, nearer 30% if just two of you, and as high as 35% in a larger group. About a 10% increase in speed for same effort. If lead person can do that speed!

 

[fossyant]

Higher than that, nearer 30% if just two of you, and as high as 35% in a larger group. About a 10% increase in speed for same effort. If lead person can do that speed!

Quite, but it depends on how confident you are with the other riders around the gaps. We practiced it a lot in the club (talking 1990's) and you knew as soon as a hill approached, the minute the front rider got out of the saddle, the 'wheel' moves back by about a foot...

Riding as a club or mates that ride as a group together is fine, tight formation, but you can't do that in say an open event. You don't know them, or know their riding. I've done quite a lot of Team Time Trials and it takes a lot of practice and communication.

Should be easy with Amy and Kyle, and both should be able to ride close (less than 6").

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Quite, but it depends on how confident you are with the other riders around the gaps. We practiced it a lot in the club (talking 1990's) and you knew as soon as a hill approached, the minute the front rider got out of the saddle, the 'wheel' moves back by about a foot...

Riding as a club or mates that ride as a group together is fine, tight formation, but you can't do that in say an open event. You don't know them, or know their riding. I've done quite a lot of Team Time Trials and it takes a lot of practice and communication.

Should be easy with Amy and Kyle, and both should be able to ride close (less than 6").

On my recumbent I get aero benefit from about 12 metres behind upright riders.

 

[fossyant]

I have to stay well clear of my wife if I follow her. She's not a cyclist, and will just stop pedalling randomly, so I end up on the brakes. If I ride on the front, I'm constantly checking back as I 'always pedal' - it's more efficient.

I end up in all sorts of 'debates' about how you should ride as she 'used to do this' as a kid... 'well I used to do this'. I'm like, it's not efficient, and it's why you are running out of 'puff'.

It's very difficult riding with others unless you've done it with those same people lots.

 

[fossyant]

On my recumbent I get aero benefit from about 12 metres behind upright riders.

Pfft