Let stalk randoaero
Top tube bag
Jerrycan/gastank
Buttrocket
Reasonably aero bars/position
Fenders?
Randonneurs (randos), use metric for distances; it'll make them feel like a longer ride: rando chat‽
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Recumbent.
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fenders were interesting - almost no penalty, and I’m guessing that if it’s at all rainy, they probably give you back mental energy. Not being fatigued by a constant spray of road filth has to be worth a few watts.
People were getting pretty intense about gloves being crucial to aero gains because they’re the first thing that hits the wind, so maybe don’t use crocheted backs?
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Lol. I said recumbent before reading the article.
I haven’t done any sort of long ride with aero bars, but I’m curious about if they’re something I’d like to use or not for all-day events. Some of my objection is purely aesthetic. Some is worry about weight and handling. Some about comfort.
At the end of the day if I’m really serious about chasing aero gainz while on two human-powered wheels, a recumbent enters the chat.
Paging @adem
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Yeah, not getting a recumbent.
My cycling priorities are this:
Fun
Style
Fast as I can
In that order
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Yeah I’m with you, I think that’s part of my rejection of aero bars…for now.
and TBF I definitely prefer the elevated eyeball position and ability to bunny hop that an upright bike affords, especially in unknown areas.
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Saddle to bar drop, not the other way around.
There might be some gains from a streamlined rando bag (fukka those other bags, unless stopping to unpack things counts as aero.)
What items require stopping to put on or remove?
Leg warmers
Shoe covers
Things that one should be able to apply and store while on the bike:
Jacket
Vest
Arm warmers
With respect to PBP, one usually starts late day or evening: 4p to 10p I think. Then there are the morning weirdos but whatever let’s talk regular starts.
And food. If you’re not doing purina’s rando chow, a rando bag is an ideal place to put it.
You’re fast & can sew; if you put a streamlined fairing over your front bag you might see some significant shortening of your time to closing control.
(As for pbp, that’s about the most supported ride you can find if you speak french, so you don’t need to bring anything other than a toolkit, food, and a jacket.)
the best way to reduce aero drag is minimize frontal area, and yeah it’s hard to beat the recumbent position for that. There’s a reason all the fully-faired landspeed record bikes are recumbents rather than upright.
the shape of the front matters way less than the back when it comes to sub-sub-subsonic aero, and given that the airflow over a cyclist becomes turbulent effectively immediately, the texture of yer gloves ain’t doing shit.
wear the gloves you find comfy and buy a teardrop helmet.
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Was just gonna ask about aero hamlet, butt rocket, camelbak.
But really I should learn to wear regular bibs and tights and give up my floppy cargo-pocketed Chrome knickers first.
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This was critbro wisdom c.2003. Woulda won if t weren’t for these pesky slow gloves!
Ok, teardrop Hamlet ain’t gonna fit the style category
What is the next best hamlet?
Excluding joke hats with propellers.jpg
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It’s not
There are roadside stops and controles but most charly millers spend minimal time at either. I’m not going to have a team in front of me clearing the way, if I’m in front then lines will be minimal but I’ll still have to get off the bike - until the turnaround where then the controles will be full.
Stops and delays notwithstanding, incremental gains will be helpful
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Joke hats with beer holders.png
But which other long rides allow support vehicles?
The fender stuff is always served with a side of bullshit, to wit:
Real, full fenders you’d actually want to use definitely have a small cost, which is why everyone hedges with extra long in front and extra short in the rear when they make models. Have to hide the airscoop at the crown and the anchor at the end. Long mud/buddy flaps make it worse and pollute the airflow significantly.
Net positive almost always, but if it’s four days of clear skies in the forecast I’d seriously consider taking them off.
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Pbp2015 had overnight rain and a few hypothermic dnfs
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Better fitting clothes and aero bars are the most important. If you don’t address that first you may as well not bother with the rest.
Semi-aero helmets are generally better ventilated and can overall be better on some riders anyway. Especially if you move your head a bunch.
Specialized Evade
Kask protone
Abus game changer
All good options.
It’s my understanding that but rockets are actually pretty bad from an aero standpoint.
A half frame bag is the best place to start.
From there, aero wheels and the skinniest front tire you can justify.
Next trip to the tunnle my friend makes I’m gonna go and test a bunch of rando stuff.
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And get a bike fit and shorter cranks.
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