Great race report. Wow, those barriers look pretty tall. So far I've experienced a range of barrier heights from very small to shin busting tall. Depends on the race.
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Thread: Canton Cup Race Report
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10-30-2006, 11:35 AM #1
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Just keep pedaling.
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10-30-2006, 11:38 AM #2
Homegrown
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The barriers had printed directly on them "UCI Approved Height - 40 cms" - I think that was more so that we wouldn't complain. The first set were uphill, so you had the 40 sm barrier, lus the uphill distance to get over! Some of my smaller teammates HATED those barriers...
Originally Posted by madisongrrl
SheFly
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10-30-2006, 11:39 AM #3
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Wow! I was wondering how Canton would be, considering how bad it was up here in VT on Sat and how windy it was on Sunday- Good job and great pictures! Sounds like a challenging course!
The best rides are the ones where you bite off much more than you can chew--and live through it.
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10-31-2006, 07:21 PM #4
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Congrats, Shefly! Hey, here's a suggestion. You're looking at your foot during your remount. Try looking ahead or dropping your head just a bit (looking at your stem).
UCI barriers suck. I have a scar from knee to ankle from skinning my shin (down to the bone) on on in my very first race ever. One of our local promoters uses them -- none of the other promoters do.
Here's a tip (especially for shorter girls). Instead of trying to jump over the entire barrier. Step onto the barrier with one foot and then over with the other. Of course, make sure they won't tip over (they shouldn't). Lots of the faster racers I know do this.
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11-01-2006, 04:41 AM #5
Homegrown
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Great suggestion, Velogirl! It's amazing how bad one's form is when caught on camera
. I am headed out tonight for a practice session (assuming my back will behave). Like you, I have some UCI-height PVC and rope barriers that I can carry in my pack. I will pay distinct attention to this tonight.
SheFly
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11-02-2006, 04:19 PM #6
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I practiced this last night, but it was harder to do than I thought. I didn't realize how much I look at my pedals getting back on my bike. The one change that did help though was to put my hands on the hoods vs. the tops of the bars. Do you find that makes a difference? Originally Posted by velogirl
I passed on this tip to my teammates last night. They had never even thought of stepping ON the barrier. Thanks for the tip! Originally Posted by velogirl
SheFly
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11-02-2006, 10:08 PM #7
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I can dismount and remount from the hoods, drops, or tops. It's good to be able to do all three because different terrain might dictate one over the other. I'm probably most comfortable with the hoods. I first learned from the drops (it lowers your body and seems easier just to slide onto the saddle). The tops are new to me this year and I've been doing it under the advice of my skills coach (who's also a mtn biker and rides the tops a lot).
Of course, I still have the frigging stutter-step no matter where I am!
You're welcome for the tips. BTW, one of the best ways I've learned technique is to watch elite racers (live or video). You'll learn new ways to approach elements (like stepping on the barrier instead of stepping over). If you have the opportunity to watch the elite men at your races, do it. Pick the parts of the course that were most challenging for you and see what they do.
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