12 replies to this topic

[dwarfed centipede]

It looks as though tropical storm Isaac will be in town Fri/Sat, how does that work with the races?  Are they postponed, will they give refunds, or do we just race in the torrential downpour?  If the latter, any tips on rain racing?

[thefutureofamerica]

dwarfed centipede, on 28 August 2012 - 08:03 AM, said:

It looks as though tropical storm Isaac will be in town Fri/Sat, how does that work with the races?  Are they postponed, will they give refunds, or do we just race in the torrential downpour?  If the latter, any tips on rain racing?

#1 is just to be careful. Recognize that you can't corner as fast.

#2 Talk in the pack. With reduced visibility, telling your fellow racers about road hazards is extra important.

#3 Drop your tire pressure. Tires at lower pressure grip better in corners. If you have a choice handy, maybe choose a wider tire because it can be run at lower pressure without bottoming out. I routinely run 80-90 psi in Michelin pro3 Optimum clinchers and I'm 170 pounds, but YMMV.

#4 embrace the craziness and have fun.

[tarmac72]

unless winds/lightening threaten the safety of the event - we race or get pushed back until it clears (within reason of what is in place with the police-closures)

as far as racing in the rain:

• lowish pressure (most run too much when it's dry to begin with)
  
• full fingered gloves help with grip(not necessary)
  
• clear- to yellow lenses
  
• allow some extra time to feather the brakes to clear the brake tracks- esp if carbon
  
• lean your body, not your bike
  
• know that most people will drift more in turns so be aware of cornering too far on the outside of the pack drfiting into curbs, etc
  
• as with any crit racing- RELAX, pay attention, keep your head up and stay closer to the front

[DanSchmatz]

tarmac72, on 28 August 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

• lean your body, not your bike

You should probably clarify that a little for those that don't understand what your saying. I personally went the other way laying the bike over but keeping my weight up and over on the BB/outside pedal while allowing the bike to drift through the turn.


Anyone on the board remember this day of the Gateway Cup? Has there been rain like that since then?
http://autobus.cycli...ay03/gateway034

[tarmac72]

DanSchmatz, on 28 August 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

tarmac72, on 28 August 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

• lean your body, not your bike

You should probably clarify that a little for those that don't understand what your saying. I personally went the other way laying the bike over but keeping my weight up and over on the BB/outside pedal while allowing the bike to drift through the turn.


Anyone on the board remember this day of the Gateway Cup? Has there been rain like that since then?
http://autobus.cycli...ay03/gateway034

Sorry-

don't do this-->

[pirt3]

DanSchmatz, on 28 August 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

tarmac72, on 28 August 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

• lean your body, not your bike

You should probably clarify that a little for those that don't understand what your saying. I personally went the other way laying the bike over but keeping my weight up and over on the BB/outside pedal while allowing the bike to drift through the turn.


Anyone on the board remember this day of the Gateway Cup? Has there been rain like that since then?
http://autobus.cycli...ay03/gateway034

I was there that day, i remember lining up for the 5's, it wasn't raining (yet) and we all knew it was a matter of moments before it started and the Velo guys couldn't get the start/finish banners up and when one of the guys in our race pointet out they were obviously not engineers and they got pissed. Right before we started the heavens opened up and it poured making that first tight right/left/right turn loads of fun.
Nothing like that day since.

[2 π R]

This tip is not recommended if you have expensive or really nice glasses but here it is.

Apply Rain-X to your glasses. It helps to see through the lenses longer but not for the entire race. When I used it I would apply it to both sides of the lenses. Use an older pair or pick up some less expensive safety glasses from the hardware store.

@swikles

[2 π R]

DanSchmatz, on 28 August 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

Anyone on the board remember this day of the Gateway Cup? Has there been rain like that since then?
http://autobus.cycli...ay03/gateway034

Yea I remember that day, raced masters. There was only one day worse, Peoria downtown when the barriers were being blown over and they didn't even have banners on them.

@swikles

[snacob14]

In motorcy

DanSchmatz, on 28 August 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

tarmac72, on 28 August 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

• lean your body, not your bike

You should probably clarify that a little for those that don't understand what your saying. I personally went the other way laying the bike over but keeping my weight up and over on the BB/outside pedal while allowing the bike to drift through the turn.


Anyone on the board remember this day of the Gateway Cup? Has there been rain like that since then?
http://autobus.cycli...ay03/gateway034

I know in motorcycle road racing the reason they lean farther off the bike than actually leaning the bike further is so that more tire contact is made.   For them is more for accelerating out of corners, I can only assume for road bikes is to maintain higher amounts of tire contact for traction in the rain.

[tarmac72]

snacob14, on 29 August 2012 - 07:04 PM, said:

In motorcy

DanSchmatz, on 28 August 2012 - 02:34 PM, said:

tarmac72, on 28 August 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

• lean your body, not your bike

You should probably clarify that a little for those that don't understand what your saying. I personally went the other way laying the bike over but keeping my weight up and over on the BB/outside pedal while allowing the bike to drift through the turn.


Anyone on the board remember this day of the Gateway Cup? Has there been rain like that since then?
http://autobus.cycli...ay03/gateway034

I know in motorcycle road racing the reason they lean farther off the bike than actually leaning the bike further is so that more tire contact is made.   For them is more for accelerating out of corners, I can only assume for road bikes is to maintain higher amounts of tire contact for traction in the rain.

^---- this
better for riders who aren't comfy in these conditions.

I also do what Dan does, it is better at speed.

[cleeland]

I've always used the technique Dan points out, with detrimental effects when leaning the body and not the bike.

Often overlooked is the benefit of fore-aft weight positioning.  A 50/50 balance keeps both wheels' contact patch relatively even.

[shill]

i was a 2 that year and i decided not to race that day. but it was fun watching 7up destroy the field. i had also met heather the night before at Tims party so I just watched her race.

another trick i use in the rain, and dry, is put less psi in the front tire. it will help the bike turn better.

i agree with tarmac about psi, people put way to much in, people would be amazed how well their bike handles at lower psi. especially on a bumpy crit course.

scott

[illinihand]

shill, on 31 August 2012 - 08:54 AM, said:

i was a 2 that year and i decided not to race that day. but it was fun watching 7up destroy the field. i had also met heather the night before at Tims party so I just watched her race.

another trick i use in the rain, and dry, is put less psi in the front tire. it will help the bike turn better.

i agree with tarmac about psi, people put way to much in, people would be amazed how well their bike handles at lower psi. especially on a bumpy crit course.

scott

I have been telling people that for the last two years. They look at me like I am crazy! I raced snake alley last year with 75psi in both tires in the rain. I had Michelin Pro 3 clinchers and they worked great. I could feel them grabbing the bricks when we climbed. I have finally converted some of my teammates and they love the control they get. Just because the tire says it can do 120 psi doesn't mean you should do that.