Horse Play

In the late 1950s I was taking part in a road race in Buckinghamshire, England, just North West of London. The race was held under the auspices of the British League of Racing Cyclists. (BLRC)

About an hour into the race, the riders were still in a single group, or “Bunch,” as we referred to it. The maximum number of riders allowed in a BLRC event was 40, so it was a Bunch rather than a Peloton.

We rounded a bend on a country road and passed two people riding horses, the bike riders startled the horses, and one of them threw its rider and bolted. The rider-less horse ran onto the road, right into the middle of the bunch.

By some miracle no one fell, but the bunch split. There were about a dozen riders in front of the horse, and they sprinted away. It was initially a move to get away from the horse, rather than to take advantage of the situation, although racing cyclists are not above seizing on such opportunities.

I found myself immediately behind the horse, and I can tell you it was a pretty scary situation seeing those large steel hooves that appeared to be directly in front of my face with each stride. I slowed as best I could, but was aware of the rest of the riders immediately behind me.

I was also aware that the horse could fall in front of me which would not be good. Steel hooves on asphalt do not make for the best of traction, plus the horse’s reins were trailing between its front legs, the animal could easily trip. As a kid, I had witnessed a runaway horse slip and fall on the road, it was not a pretty sight.

I needed to get around the horse. The road was clear so I went as wide as this somewhat narrow country road would allow, and out of the saddle, sprinted as hard as I could. As I went past the horse, I startled it again and it veered off the road and onto the grass verge.

I was now ahead of the horse and still sprinting as hard as I could. However, the horse now running on grass started to go faster. I could hear the quickening hoof beats immediately behind me. The faster the horse went, the faster I went.

I looked up and saw I was catching the dozen or so riders who were up ahead. Now I had a double incentive, and the chase was on to catch the lead riders. At the same time I was being chased by a large brown horse, and the last thing I wanted was to have him in front of me again.

As I caught the lead group, it included one of my team mates. “I see you got up then.” He said as I pulled alongside.

Another rider turned and quipped, “Did you have to bring the bloody horse with you?”

Just as I had done, the pace quickened to stay ahead of the horse, only now there were a group of riders working together. Gradually the hoof beats faded. I'm not sure whether the horse slowed, or we just dropped him. Or maybe he found some open fields to run in.

The lead group kept up the same pace that the horse had initiated. This proved to be too fast for most, and we dwindled down to three riders by the finish. I got second place that day. If I still had the horse to lead out in the final gallop, I might have won.

Originally posted in July 2009. 

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Designing Bikes for Women

I have this theory regarding functional art, that if an object or piece of equipment is designed to perform its function correctly, it will appear pleasing to the eye from an aesthetic point of view. A piece of furniture like a chair, a bridge, a boat, or indeed a bicycle, all fall into this category of functional art.

Not only does the bicycle need to look right standing alone, but rider and bicycle need to look right together. The bicycle becomes an extension of the rider, a platform if you will for the athlete to launch a physical effort.

As a result of my last article, a story of the above track bike, the bike’s former owner, Maggie Thompson, formally Margaret Gordon Smith, commented on the piece, and sent me the above picture, of her actually racing on the track in the British National Women’s Pursuit Championships.

Rarely do I get to see a perfect side on photo of a rider and bike, where the rider is at maximum speed and one can see how well rider and bike fit together. For those who don’t know what Pursuit Racing is about? Two riders start on opposite sides of a banked track or Velodrome, and they chase each other. Hence the name Pursuit.

It is a race of truth, like a time trial, there is no pacing. The winner is the rider ahead at the end of a set distance. The women’s pursuit is 3,000 meters, which is 3 kilometers, or 1.863 miles. Not a huge distance, but one starts out about half a lap out of the saddle to reach maximum speed, then sit down and try to maintain that speed to the end. It is a race that will leave you gasping for breath for an agonizing 4 minutes.

Maggie describing this bike said, “I found I could breath.” That was because the rule of frame design back in the mid-1970s and before, was a 73 degree seat angle for everyone no matter how tall or how short. Maggie is slightly over 5’ 3” tall, which is not unusual. Many women are in the 5 foot to 5 foot 4 inch range.

This frame had a 77 degree seat angle which was unheard of at the time. But while 73 degrees is fine for a tall person with long legs, for the shorter rider it means the thighs are pressing tight into the upper torso thus restricting breathing. Of course it is essential the back be horizontal for maximum aerodynamic efficiency, and the steeper seat angle cuts down the angle of torso bent at the pelvis. It also allows for a shorter top tube meaning the rider is not stretched out, and the arms are working in opposition the legs.

Right: Maggie on her road bike I also bult for her. This frame had a 76 degree seat angle.

When it comes to designing and building bikes for women, it is not that women are drastically different proportionally than men, it is that they are generally a lot smaller.

It is a myth that all women have longer legs and shorter bodies.

Women come in all shapes and sizes the same as men, long legs short torso, short legs long torso.

The main difference being, shorter overall height and much smaller feet than men.

The length of the foot comes into play because when pedaling the toe is pointing down at the bottom of the pedal stroke, so the foot becomes an extension of the leg. A man and a woman of the same height and leg length could both use an identical frame, but the female rider would have her saddle set lower because of her smaller feet.

The problem frame designers and builders have always faced when it comes to building bikes for women, is in making bikes small enough. There is a limitation caused by the wheel size. In the last 60 or more years I have been involved with racing bikes, (And before.) they have had 27 inch wheels, the wheel diameter to the outside of the tire is 27 inch diameter, or slightly less depending on the tire cross section.

700C wheels are the same, 27 inch diameter or slightly less. I always thought the “C” was for Clincher, but I have noticed tubular tires are now also called 700C. A front fork has fork blades that are the same length no matter how large or small a frame is, because the front wheel is the same 27 inch diameter for all sizes.

Throughout the range of frame sizes, the fork crown stays in the same place. So does the bottom headset bearing, and in the days of lugged steel frames the bottom head lug was always in a constant position.

Everything above this point varies with the frame size. The length of the fork steering tube, the frame head tube, the top tube is higher, etc., etc. In the days when top tubes were always level, the framebuilder could only lower the top tube until the top head lug met the bottom head lug.

Metal could be removed from the top and bottom lugs but for all practical purposes the smallest frame one could build with a level top tube was 48 cm. (19 in. C to T) with a standard bottom bracket height. After that one could raise the bottom bracket to make the seat tube shorter, but the last thing a rider with short legs needs is to be higher from the ground.

Incidentally in the top picture, Maggie’s track frame is 19” but the head lugs are not touching. That is because track bikes have a higher bottom bracket to clear the angle of the track banking. Also the steeper than normal seat tube pushed the seat lug higher, and therefore the top tube.

Today’s frame design with the sloping top tube does make it possible to make much shorter seat tubes. However, the front end stays exactly where it has always been, because the front wheel is still the same diameter. The good news is, shorter riders do not need a huge difference in saddle to handlebar height. See how little difference there is in the top picture of Maggie on her bike.

My advice to a female cyclist who wishes to engage in serious competition. If you are 5’ 6” in height, or taller you can ride a men’s frame, bearing in mind what I said earlier about your saddle being lower because of your smaller feet. If you are shorter than 5‘ 6” and especially if you are in the 5 foot to 5’ 4” height range, get the smallest frame with the shortest top tube you can.

There are frames out there that are advertised as being Female Specific. These have a longer head tube resulting in a higher front end. There is less drop down from the saddle to the top of the handlebars, making for a more relaxed position. These are great if you just want to ride for exercise or engage in ultra-long distance rides. There are similar frames for men with names like “Endurance.”

Whether male or female, choose a bike or frame that suits your purpose. If you want to race seriously get a race bike and set it up in an efficient aerodynamic position. If your goal is exercise and more leisurely riding, don’t buy a race frame, buy one of the bikes offered for that purpose.

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The Silver State 508.

Regular readers of this blog will have no doubt noticed the ad in the right hand column of this blog, for the Silver State 508, some of you may have even clicked on it to find out more.

This tough ultra-marathon 508 mile bike race with a cut-off time of 48 hours, has been successfully run using four different courses for the last 31 years.

The race started in 1983 when it was first run on a 102 mile loop in the Hemet area, a little town in the Southern California desert, southeast of Los Angeles. Three years later the race moved to Arizona and was run on an out-and-home course from Tucson to Flagstaff and back.

In 1989 in search of safer and quieter roads, the event became the Furnace Creek 508, and was run for the next 24 years on a route from Santa Clarita, California, through Death Valley to Twenty Nine Palms. The race would still been there to this day had not a brand new Death Valley Park Superintendent taken over.

This new DV Parks Chief would soon put a stop to this nonsense of people running and riding bikes through Death Valley, someone might die. After all, it is called “Death” Valley…. Duh.

Actually, people died in the past because they were on foot and ran out of water. Cyclists and runners know to drink water, and have helpers to make sure they have a good supply. Don’t you just love these politicians who take over and decide we need to be protected from ourselves?

In spite of the organizers having the support of the California Highway Patrol, and the Death Valley, and Lone Pine Chambers of Commerce, and Congressman Paul Cook, their pleas to continue on this course fell on blindfolded ears.

And so the race became the Silver State 508, (A nice ring.) The Silver State being Nevada. This year’s race was moved to yet another classic America Frontier Region, and was held on the quiet Northern roads of that State.

Held this year on October 5 – 7, on an out-and-home course starting and finishing in Reno. The event drew 141 riders from 16 American States, plus Canada, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Slovenia, and Switzerland. Next year, Adventure Corps, the organizers are hoping for an even bigger entry.

The 2015 event will be held 2 weeks earlier, September 19 - 21, it is hoped that some of the chilling desert night temperatures will be a little higher. The race is in the form of a time-trial.

If you have ever thought about trying one of these Ultra-Marathon events, Adventure Corps also puts on a 308 mile event, with a 24 hour qualifying time, held at the end of May. In fact for rookies, finishing the 308 is one if the best credentials to have for acceptance to ride the 508. They also have Century, and Double-Century Rides.

If the 24 hour and 48 hour qualifying times seem generous, bear in mind that both these events take in some serious mountain climbing. Some reaching over 7.000 feet. Check out the website it is interesting reading.

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Chris Horner: No Problem

What an exciting finish to the Vuelta a Espana and what a great win for Chris Horner. Even before the Vuelta started, Horner was talking about his good legs and how he was aiming to win the race. Of course no one really believed it, except perhaps Chris Horner.

Then when the race got underway and Horner won a couple of mountain top stages, we all began to believe that at least a podium place was possible, but even on the penultimate stage, Chris with only a 3 second lead, and the way Nibali kept attacking, I think I was like most people who could see the end result going either way.

Now looking back it is easier to see the many factors that swayed to result Horner’s way. He was fresher. His knee surgery was earlier in the year, and he had enough time to recover, then train to reach peak form just at the right moment. He must have felt this, which is why he was so confident in his predictions at the start of the Vuelta.

Everyone else was tired. Most certainly Valverde and Rodriguez, they had ridden the Tour de France that had finished only a little over a month before the Vuelta. Even Nibali, (Above left.) who missed the TDF, never found the form he had earlier in the year at the Giro d’Italia. He was climbing at around 20 watts less than he did in the Giro. It is hard for a rider to peak for two Grand Tours in one year.

The Vuelta a Espana is the hardest of the three Grand Tours, with few flat stages, mostly mountain climbs day after day. Chris Horner is a pure climber, it is his strength, but the only strength he has, so this race suited him.

As expected Chris lost time in the Time Trial, (1 minute and 29 seconds.) but there were enough mountain stages after the Time Trial that Chris could keep nibbling away at Nibali’s lead. (Sorry ‘bout that, I couldn’t resist.)

Let’s face it, had there been less mountain stages, and possibly a Time Trial near the end, the result could have been a lot different. The result at the end was only close because of the time trial, and on the other hand Nibali was only in contention because of his minute and a half gained in the TT.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not mean to take anything away from Chris Horner, this was a superb win. But everything aligned perfectly, his preparation, the way the event was planned, and even the weather. The one really cold, wet day, was one of the few days that Nibali out climbed Horner. Nibali is known to excel in cold, wet conditions. Another mountain day with bad weather could have changed the end result.

What a joy to watch Chris Horner climb. His unique style. It is always a pleasure to watch someone do something well, but do it differently from everyone else.

Most riders sit down to climb, occasionally getting out of the saddle when the going gets real tough.

Chris Horner stands up for almost the entire climb, sitting down occasionally when the incline levels out.

But at the same time he makes it look so easy, clearly in a higher gear than everyone else, you never see him struggle. And that smile on his face all the time. Okay, so it is probably a grimace, but it is a grimace that looks like a smile.

What about those questions about Horner’s age. How can he perform at this level at 41 years of age? It is true that most professional cyclists reach their peak in their late twenties, and start to slow after their mid-thirties. However, cycling is an endurance sport, and the Vuelta with so many mountain stages is an “Extreme” endurance event.

An athlete may lose speed and power by the time they hit 40, but what an older person gains is the ability to endure, and suffer pain. And that is what this year’s Vuelta was all about. Earlier this month a 64 year old woman swam 110 miles from Cuba to Florida, I doubt a twenty something could do that, or would even attempt it.

What it came down to in the end was Chris Horner’s determination, and his ability to suffer. Then there is that other thing that comes with age…. Experience. Chris Horner is a superb tactician, and will probably make a fine Director Sportive sometime in the future.

Footnote: The title for this piece was inspired by “The problem with Chris Horner.” On Inner Ring last week.

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Vuelta a Espana 2013

The last of the Grand Tours this year, the Vuelta a Espana, (Tour of Spain.) is turning out to be one of the best races of this year. The Vuelta finishes at the end of this week, Sunday, September 15th, and with three more big mountain stages to come, the end result is by no means a foregone conclusion.

The main players are: (1.) Italian, Vincenzo Nibali, winner of this year’s Giro d’Italia, he opted out for the Tour de France, and so went into the Vuelta as favourite.

(2.) At 28 seconds. American, Chris Horner (Radio Shack-Leopard-Trek.) Had knee surgery earlier this year, and has only had three weeks of racing before this event, including 2nd. Place in the Tour of Utah. 41 years old and soon to be 42 apparently. He has already won two stages, both uphill solo efforts. As a result he goes into the record books as the oldest stage winner in a Grand Tour.

(3.) At 1min. 14sec. Alejandro Valverde, who was 8th in this year’s Tour de France, and 2nd. In last year’s Vuelta.

(4.) At 2min.29sec. Joaquin Rodriguez, who was 3rd in this year’s Tour de France, and 3rd. in the 2012 Vuelta a Espana

Valverde and Rodriguez, both from Spain, both rode this year’s Tour de France. The TDF finishes at the end of July, the Vuelta starts the first week in September. Basically just the month of August to recover, which has to be hard on a body.

If you haven’t been following the race so far here are some video highlights. Stage 3. Chris Horner’s first win, he took off and I think the rest of the favorites thought they could catch him in the last 500 meters. They almost did, but Horner timed his effort perfectly with a scant 3 seconds lead at the end.

Stage 10. This time Nibali took Horner seriously, and chased hard with 1.5 km. to go. The interesting thing is Horner had 48 seconds lead when Nibali started the chase, and was still 48 seconds down at the finish. As fast as Nibali appears to be going, the clock shows Horner matched his speed.

Stage 11 was a Time Trial, which is not Chris Horner’s strong point. Nibali took 1.29 out of him. Luckily Horner was ahead of Nibali in the GC so had a small cushion, and ended up 46 seconds down.

Stage 14: On an appalling day of heavy rain and cold temperatures, when at least 14 riders had to quit due to hypothermia. The stage was won by young Italian rider, Daniele Ratto, who had survived out of a long breakaway. Horner rode strongly and Nibali was the only one who could stay with him. In fact he sat on his wheel all the way up the mountain, and then took a few seconds out of Horner at the end. However, both riders took time out of all the other favorites.

Stage 16: Argos Shimano rider, Warren Barguil, who is a 21 year old Frenchman. He won stage 13 with a fine solo effort, and was wanting to do it again. He took off from a break that was originally about 20 riders strong, with about 14 km. to go, and a big climb at the end.

However, Colombian rider, Rigoberto Uran, who went into the Vuelta as one of the favorites, but is currently in 20th place, was hot to win a stage. Uran bridged the gap to Barguil and caught him in the final kilometer. He tried to blow by him, but when the young French rider managed to get on his wheel, Uran slowed to recover for a sprint out.

The problem was other riders were also closing the gap and Uran had no choice but to sprint for a long one. Barguil was able to stay on his wheel and overtake Uran on the line, to win by about a tire’s width.

Meanwhile, further down the slope, the favorites were battling it out. Nibali appeared to weaken, and Rodriguez attacked, followed by Horner, then Valverde. They all finished within 6 seconds of each other, but all took time from Nibali. Horner is in 2nd place, only 28 seconds down.

Go to SteephillTV.com to get results each day and view videos so far. Also you can watch the race live on Eurosport. A word of warning, don’t click on any of the ads that ask you to download stuff, it is all pretty much spam. Click on the “Full Screen Mode” icon, bottom right of the video. When the picture goes full screen, the ads disappear.

Also get all the racing news at Dougreport.com

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