Crap, I was dispatched by a bicycle commuter this morning.
At the end of my ride turning into Bukit Timah / Dunearn road towards the city, I passed a cyclist riding a steel / aluminium frame, sporting a cycling cap and bagpack. I passed him at considerable speed entering a downslope, about 45kmh, and was at moderate maintainenance 36-40kmh (yes, I am slow) down the road. After 3/4 of the road I realised I had 2 shadows... I upped the pace till 44kmh, but well, definitely it was nothing for someone in my draft and I was promptly overtaken once my wattage dropped (not that I have a power meter).
Anyway it reaffirms the fact that it's easier to train high intensities when there's someone to chase or some one on your tail. Especially on a bike, I find it hard to bring up the intensity when cycling alone.
At the moment my cycling speeds are still abysmal (not that they were ever anything decent), and school is starting. Hope I don't end up just following wheels in the pack for OCBC...
posted by enpingy @ 4:55 pm
2 Comments:
Interesting. I have this conjecture that weight is good to overcome air resistance and thus maintaining momentum. May be his back pack and steel/aluminium frame was at his advantage on a downslope :)
Hi there, yes you may be right. When I commute I'm not slowed down all that much with a heavy bike and bag pack on downslopes or straightroads. In fact, on long negative inclines I am indeed faster.
Anyway I was more surprised due to the fact I was not going easy and he seemed just a casual commuter. To accelerate and with a load and bridge the gap (since I passed him with speed) requires some competitive effort indeed and I had not anticipated it.
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